The Replacement

Chapter 8

Lea
"Please explain to me everything, m-om, d-ad. I want you to be honest with me, answer me truthfully please."Clara said in between her sobs.

She bit her finger tips at dahan dahang pinunas ang mga luha niya. Aga and I just nodded dahil sa totoo lang, ito ang dapat na ginawa namin noon pa.

We should have tell her the truth from the very beginning, eh di sana hindi na umabot pa sa ganito. But what can I do? I thought keeping the truth from her is the best decision, pero obviously it's not. It's the worst.

Ang ginusto ko lang naman is for her to not feel na iba siya sa'min. I want her to be comfortable and happy with us growing up with no reservation.

Silence ruled the three of us and wait patiently for Clara to speak up. After a moment, she managed to look at us in our eyes. Sadness is evident on it, and I automatically shifted away my gaze. I can't stand it. Ako ang nahihirapan.

"Am i - am i--- really adopted?" Clara asked almost a whisper and bowed her head down. Tears are slipping nonstop on her cheeks. I hate to see her like this, but I can't do anything about it.

"Y-es." I hesitatingly answered. I wanted to tell her that she's not, pero alam ko na lolokohin na naman ang anak ko. I cupped Clara's face and intently looked at her. "But God knows how much I, We, love you anak." I softly caressed her face, pero nilayo ito ni Clara mula sa akin. Tila ba sumikip ang dibdib ko sa ginawa niya.

"A--nak," i softly called. She didn't bother looking at me at dahan dahang pinahid ang mga luha niya. Agad na lumapit si Aga sa kanya para yumakap and Clara let him.

Wala akong ibang nagawa kung hindi ang panoorin ang mag-ama ko. I wanted to join them pero hindi naman ako manhid para hindi maramdaman ang pag-iwas at pagkailang sa 'kin ni Clara. I don't know but she became distant on me, pero kahit papaano I'm still thankful na hindi kay Aga.

She sighed heavily, and looked at us. "B-akit niyo ako inampon?" Halo halo ang emosyon na naramdaman ko ng marinig ko ito mula sa kanya. The reason for adopting her is the least thing I wanted to touch. It took years bago ako naka moved on at ipinagpatuloy ang buhay ko noon at ngayon alam ko na kailangan ko na namang bumalik sa pinakamadilim na parte ng buhay ko.
Hindi ko alam kung sasagutin ko ang tanong niya, I don't know if I can but I know I must tell her everything.

Mayamaya pa naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni Aga sa kamay ko. He knows it. Tiningnan niya ako at bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala.

"Anak, i think your mom is not yet rea--"

"Ah, no.. no, it's okay Ags." I just smiled at him faintly and nodded my head. I guess this is it. I can go back again and again, and endure the pain of reviving the past huwag lang ulit ako'ng mawalan ng anak.

--
Clara
"Ah no.. no, it's okay Ags." Mom uttered.
Confused, I take a look at mommy who seems uneasy when I asked them my question.

She started fidgeting her fingers, indicating that she's nervous and uncertain. Tulad ko, she also has these habit kapag kinakabahan ito, something I noticed throughout my existence with them.

She cleared her throat before slowly reaching my hand, but I'm fast to move it away. Bakas sa mukha nito ang lungkot and I can't help my heart to become heavy.