Ring of Promises

Chapter 43

Ring of Promises

Chapter 43

"Mommy, where are we going again?" Bumaba ang tingin ko sa katabi ko. I smiled at her and slightly pinched her left cheek. Ang cute talaga!

"We're going to my hometown." Ilang beses ko nang sinagot ang tanong niyang 'yon pero hindi ako nagsasawang sagutin tuwing tinatanong niya. She's always excited and eager to learn and see new things. I bet she's intelligent just like her father.

Lumapag ang eroplano. I planned on taking her on some place to have fun before going straight to Nueva Ecija. Natanaw ko pa lang ang lalaking naghihintay sa amin ay alam kong imposible na iyon.

"Papa!" She yelled loudly, some looked at her, maybe interested? She's adorable, who wouldn't be interested on her?

Binuhat niya ang bata at pinaliguan ng halik. "I missed you. Did Mommy treat you well while I'm away?"

"Of course, I did, Matteo." Binaba niya si Lili at ako naman ang niyakap.

"How's your flight?"

"It's too tiring. I'm shocked, Lili still has the energy to be this cheerful." Kumalas ako at ginulo ang buhok ng anak niya.

It's been years since the last time I came here in this airport. It just gives me so much nostalgia.

Sa mga nakakaraang taon, maraming nangyari. Giada didn't survive her birth delivery. I'm sure, during her last moments, she's happy. Masaya rin naman ako dahil nasunod ang gusto niya na buhayin si Lili kahit malalagay sa peligro ang kanyang buhay. Pero nasasaktan pa rin dahil isang kaibigan na naman ang nawala.

"Promise me, you'll take care of them if I won't make it alive. Love her like she's your own, tell her I love her so much. Thank you for the friendship you gave me. You're the only friend that I have, you're the only person whom I can entrust my family with. I am so thankful you came into my life. Amanda, promise me that you will never leave their side, that you will always guide and love them." Iyon ang huling sinabi niya sa akin.

Pinunasan ko ang luhang lumandas sa aking pisngi. Giada's a good friend. Hindi ko man siya nakikita pero alam kong pinanonood niya ang kanyang mag-ama, gaya ng ginagawa ko ngayon.

I am fulfilling my promises, Giada. Can you see their genuine smile? The serenity on their laughs? They're both happy because they know how much you love them. And you're wrong when you said your daughter will look up to me and will follow my steps. Everything about her is you, you and no one else. I assure you, Lili will grow up fine just like how you did. She will be nice and solicitious towards the people around her.

"Let's go?" Sumakay kami sa kotse habang abala si Mauricio sa paglalagay ng mga bagahe sa kabilang sasakyan.

Whenever Matteo isn't around, he's always there to help me with Lili. He became like an older brother to me. Natatawa na lang ako kapag naaalala ko ang nangyayaring kahihiyan sa akin noon, karamihan doon ay siya ang dahilan.

The three-year old girl sat sideways on my lap, she watched an airplane while it's moving. Sobrang nalilibang dahil nakalimutan pang isara ang nakaawang na labi. Nilagay niya ang dalawang kamay sa salamin habang hinahabol pa 'yon ng tingin.

"Mommy! Where is it going? It disappeared!" Kung hindi ko siya kilala ay iisipin kong paiyak na siya pero hindi.

"Mommy doesn't know where it is going. But Papa knows!" Pagyayabang ni Matteo para lumapit sa kanya ang kanyang anak. Ginawa nga ni Lili, mula sa aking hita ay gumapang siya palapit sa papa niya.

I didn't tell Daddy I'm going home. But since Miranda knows, I bet the whole family already knows. Another long way drive.

Nakatulog agad ako sa biyahe. Alam kong hindi maganda ang pagkakapwesto ko dahil iritable ako pagkagising.