Stonehearts 8: Peridot

Twenty Nine

"Aiden, I'm really sorry for dragging you in this mess."

He smiled at me from his side of the cab we hailed, the passing street lights illuminating his form once in a while. He then reached and squeezed my free hand.

"It's alright, sweetheart. I understand." Vi stirred on my chest and let out a soft yelp. He chuckled, caressing my little one's chubby cheek with his index finger. "You're in an unfamiliar territory, aren't you little one? But this is where you should be."

I stared at him. Wondering of he meant more to his words. I knew he's keeping something from me, hindi ko lang alam kung paano tatanungin ng hindi nagtutunog demanding. Hiyang-hiya na kasi ako kay Aiden. He's been playing father to Vi ever since I have flown to Iloilo, even though he knew there's nothing more to us other than frienship.

"Aiden, thank you ulit sa lahat. I don't know how to repay you." Bulong ko nang kumalma at nagpatuloy si Vi sa pagtulog.

"Seeing you happy with Little Vi is enough compensation for everything, sweetheart. I've experienced so much with both of you, memories I won't trade for anything."

"Sana ikaw rin makahanap na ng magpapasaya sa'yo ng buo."

He smiled at me again, this time there's a hint of pity. Pity for me? "Ikaw ba? Are you truly and completely happy?"

His question striked me by surprise. I was speechless. It was there, the 'yes' was at the tip of my tongue but I can't voice it out.

When I didn't answer, he continued. "If you aren't happy, why are you not doing anything about it?"

I chewed in my bottom lip and gazed at the unruly, semi-wavy locks of my only daughter. "It's not that easy and you know it."

"Maybe you're making it more complicated that it should be."

I snapped my head at him, "What do you mean?" The anger I've supressed for almost a year rose like a damn lava ready for explosion. Alam naman niya ang nangyari. Bakit parang ako pa ang mali? "I told you everything, Aiden. I chose to be the bigger person. I gave them the liberty, the choice. Even though, I would rob my own child of that opportunity. Do you think I wanted this to happen to me? To Victoria?"

Instead of adding more fuel to my fire, his eyes went soft, sympathy seeping at it. "Please, calm down, sweetheart. You know that's not what I meant. I think you should take a nap. Gigisingin na lang kita kapag nasa bahay niyo na tayo."

I instantly felt guilty for going ballistic on him. I whispered my apologies which he answered with an 'okay lang', before I followed Vi to dreamland.

A tap on the shoulder woke me from my power nap. I heard Aiden instructing the cab driver to wait for him while he helps me with my luggage.

The moment I set foot outside and stood outside our gated fence, goosebumps and chills bombarded my body. The last time I was here, I was a single woman, dating the most perfect man I've ever met while we promise each other sweet nothings.

Now, I'm back as a single mom, carrying the most flawless human being in my arms while I'm trying to give her the best of everything.

Aiden pressed the buzzer and it's not long before Mama and Tanya came waltzing out of our property.

"Dothy, anak. I missed you so much!" Mangiyak-ngiyak na bat ini mama sabay halik sa akin. Agad bumaba ang titig niya sa munting anghel na nasa baby carrier at mahimbing ang tulog habang nakasandal sa dibdib ko. "She looks even prettier in person. Hello, apo." Bulong ni Mama saka hinaplos ang ulunan ng anak ko. Vi slightlt stirred in my arms.