Since Childhood

17: She is Back!

"So... How old is she? Saka anong pangalan nya?" Tanong ko kay August.

We were at the canteen. Since this is our first meeting after 8 years, we decided to catch up.

Sa totoo lang ay nalungkot ako nang malaman ko na pamilyadong tao na pala si August. Minahal ko naman sya eh. Kaso nga lang when I started loving him even for a bit, we split up. And now, finding out that he have found the one and happily married, I envy his wife. She is so lucky that she met someone like August. Napaka selfish ko namang tao kung hihilingin ko na maghiwalay silang mag-asawa dahil lang sa inggit.

"My daughter? Ah, 3 years old. Her name is Amber. Say hi to her, Amber."

Tumingin sa akin ang batang babae tapos ay kumaway.

"Hi po, ma'am." The girl's little and gentle voice had me smiling

"Hello, Amber. Ang ganda mo naman, just like your mom."

The little girl smile shyly then says thank you.

"Ikaw ba, Rhein? Are you married?" Now it was August's time to raise question.

I shook my head.

"I'm committed to my career." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"I can see that. Whoever your future husband is, he is lucky."

"Thank you." I look around para iwasan ang mukha ni August. He look manly now, more matured and professional. I gather all the courage I have before asking, "so, ilang taon na kayong kasal ni Lara? Her name is Lara, right?"

"Yes. It's Lara. Halos limang taon na din. But we were 2 years boyfriend and girlfriend before settling into married life. Bale we are together for 7 years more or less."

I shifted in my seat.

"7 years? Wow. That's... that's pretty long already."

Seven years? Ibigsabihin he was able to find another woman just one year after our break up? When we broke up I was 22 and he was 23. At the age of 25 he's already married. Habang ako, 30 years old na. Nakakulong parin sa nakaraan.

I blinked my eyes quickly to shove away my deep thoughts.

August was once yours and that time is already over. If you only knew how to value other people's feelings baka masaya ka na din ngayon. You stupid bitch.

Because of my wake up call, nalinawan ako.

"I'm sorry ano nga ulit yung sinasabi mo? I-I was kinda spacing out. Your wife was my first patient kaya I'm still overwhelmed."

"I was thinking na kung pwede ay maging inaanak mo yung ikalawa ko. You can just say no if you're busy."

"No. I mean, yes. I willing to be ninang kahit matagal pa naman. Ano ka ba, you really think I will refuse the invitation? It's going to be my pleasure because your kid will remind me that I was able to save a life." I chuckled.

"Oo nga pala, salamat sa pagligtas mo sa mag-ina ko. I cannot imagine life without them." Whatever he said is surely came straight from the heart.

"That's my duty but you are always welcome."

For the second time, he said he was grateful. Makalipas ang isang minutong katahimikan, he excused himself. "I want to be with my wife the moment she open her eyes after the delivery. At isa pa, I bet you are busy with hospital stuffs. Ayoko naman na maabala ka."

"Yeah sure. Wife and child first before anything else." I smiled at him.

August and his daughter Amber stands up and walk away.