Sienne.
"Mom, are you sure we're going to stay there for good?" Sui looked at me, unsure. "Is that what you really want?"
Sui's already ten years old. She's growing up too fast. Ayaw ko na mas lalong mapalayo ang loob niya sa Pilipinas at sa mga taong naiwan namin doon. Especially our friends and family.
I smiled at my daughter sabay haplos sa kanyang pisngi, "I thought this is what you want?"
Everytime I look at her, it's like I'm looking at myself in the mirror. She look exactly like me. She resembles me. There's no doubt that I'm her mother.
"I know... but if you don't want to, I'll be fine."
My heart aches. Eunnisse grew up here in Italy but for some reason, it's hard for her to make friends. She said she doesn't fit in. I know she's lonely kahit hindi niya sabihin. Kaya naisipan ko na mas mabuting umuwi na sa Pilipinas.
I'm sure she'll have a lot of fun in the Philippines lalo na ngayon na maraming bata. I feel bad for letting her grow alone because I didn't experience that. I grew up with a lot of friends. Sana lang ay lumaki siya na malapit kila Asven at Leslie.
"I want to. I miss home and I'm sure you'll be happy there." I assured her, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Everything's packed and ready to go, Your Highness."
Sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. Sui grinned tsaka tumakbo para kuhain ang pusa na hawak ni Alessio.
"Princess, be gentle." Alessio gasped, dramatically. "Luna's too old to play. Baka hindi na iyan maka-uwi ng Pilipinas."
Sui rolled her eyes, gently rocking the old white cat in her arms. "Daddy Les, she's still healthy and strong. Don't be so OA."
Alessio chuckled, pinching Sui's cheeks bago lumabas ang bata na dala-dala ang pusa. When Sui's already gone, napunta sa akin ang atensyon ni Alessio.
Lumapit siya at umupo sa gilid ng kama ko. He looked up at me, "You're really doing this?"
"Sui just asked the same question. Wala na bang iba?" Pabiro kong sabi.
"It's just... crazy, you know? It's been eleven years. Who would've thought na may balak ka pa palang umuwi?"
We just looked at each other, trying to hide our smile.
I still remember our conversation two years ago. Muntik na akong atakihin sa puso nang makita ko si Alessio sa tapat ng bahay namin na may bitbit na matabang puting pusa.
"W-What the hell?" Sa sobrang gulat, iyon ang bungad ko sa kanya.
He laughed at my reaction tsaka dire-diretsong pumasok sa loob with his cat and suitcases. Sui's not home because of school kaya ako lang ang nandito ngayon sa bahay.
"Alessio? What are you doing here?"
Binaba niya ang pusa at bumuntong hininga. He looked at me before wrapping his arms around me, hugging me so tight I can barely breathe.
"I missed you so much, Chinnie." I felt his hot breath against my ear and his kiss on the top of my head. "I'm so happy you're okay."
"I missed you too... b-but what the hell?"
Hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong nangyayari. It's been almost nine years since I last saw him tapos ito siya ngayon sa harapan ko.
"I begged Morgan to give me your address because I told him I'm going insane." He smiled but there's something behind it. Umupo siya sa couch. "I just can't wait to see you and Eunnisse."
