Scene 51 – Custody battle always scars a child
Pagkatapos hatid ni Clara si Kieran at ang kambal sa loob ng kwarto ay agad niya rin hinanap si Ralphe. Kailangan nilang mag-usap. Kailangan matigil na ito. Hindi pwedeng laging guguluhin ni Ralphe ang mga buhay nila lalo’t na ang buhay ni Kieran.
Nakita niya si Ralphe sa den na umiinom, hinatak niya ito sa isang kwarto kung saan sila pwedeng magkausap.
Pagkasara ng pinto ay agad niya itong hinarap at tinignan ng masama, “How dare you.”
“How dare me? How dare you!” sigaw ni Ralphe, “Nakita mo yung ginawa ng kasinungalingan mo? Hindi ako kinikilala ng anak ko! He hates me!”
“He’s not your son.” Mahinang sabi ni Clara, lumayo siya ng kaunti kay Ralphe.
“He’s my son!”
“NO!” pabalik na sigaw niya, “He’s Aiden’s son! Aiden is his father, not you! You weren’t there, Aiden was!”
“Only because you never told me!”
Nagbuntong hininga si Clara bago ulit humarap kay Ralphe, hindi sila magkakasundo, lagi silang magtatalo kaya siguro ayos lang ibaba ang pride para kay Kieran, para hindi masira yung buhay ni Kieran, “Ralphe, you never wanted us.” pasimula niya, “You never wanted him.” Dagdag niya, “Aiden, he wanted and loved Kieran. Even knowing that Kieran wasn’t his, he loved him as his own. He adored Kieran and Kieran loved Aiden so much. Aiden would’ve done everything for Kieran. He was the best father. Please, I ask you, don’t take that away from him. From Kieran. Aiden is Kieran’s father, don’t take that away. Don’t ruin the best memories Kieran had with Aiden.”
Umiling si Ralphe, kitang kita ang lungkot sa mga mata nito, “I’m sorry, Clara. Pero gusto kong maging ama kay Kieran. Hindi ko siya nakasama ng anim na taon, wala ako sa buhay niya ng anim na taon. Lumaki siyang ibang ama ang kinikilala niya. Masama bang hilingin na ngayon, ako naman?”
She understood him but the need to protect her son, the need for Aiden to be Kieran’s only father stood greater. She could never allow Ralphe what he asked. “Please Ralphe.”
Umiling nalang si Ralphe at umalis na.
She sunk on the floor sobbing because she knew then, Ralphe would really fight for Kieran. She couldn’t let that happen. She felt his pain but her pain was greater.
***
Ralphe went back to his room, he sat on the edge of the bed, his palms covering his face and he groaned. God damn it.
He was torn. He saw Clara pleading with him and his resolve softened for the woman. No matter what he told himself, he still loved her, the hate it just buried the love he had for her.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Widow
Ficção GeralWhen Clara Dela Merced left the Philippines, she left everything behind knowing that it was the right thing to do especially when the father of her child didn't want them. She left to start anew, she just didn't expect to find a home and love among...
