'Til I Found You (COMPLETED)

19

The rest of the families get into a huddle for the planned wedding. They have a reputation for keeping up as politicians in the city. Her mother suggests holding the wedding abroad, but regardless of its grandeur, her father wants to ensure the baby's well-being. It is their first grandchild. While everyone except his father is pumped up, Aga and Luisa have their moment on the balcony. He made out to spend a night at their old house, but had he known he would descry such a nightmare, he should have gone to Lea. Aga loses his shit. He does not answer with affirmatives yet, but they are all galvanized by the upcoming union.

"Luisa, I can't marry you! I will furnish all the baby's needs. I'll be there all the time for my child, but that is all I can do! I don't love you anymore. I am with someone else now," he drags her.

Both families give them a moment to talk. His mother is pumped up about the wedding; after all, she is fond of Luisa for him. She always blabs that Luisa is a perfect match. That was what he thought a long time ago, but it is a mistake. He taught himself to continue living and sweated out years without her. Though things are murky between Lea and him at this juncture, she owns the biggest chunk of his love. William keeps reminding him that Lea might be up for something—money or a name—and that she is a woman with a deceiving facade who uses seduction to lure men. Although he tries to shrug it off, its eventuality cannot be brushed aside.

Luisa sobs, "So what do you want, Aga?! Hahayaan mong lumaki itong bata in a broken family?! It's not the baby's fault. Aga, we both consented to this!"

"What the f-ck are you saying, Luisa?! Between the two of us, ikaw ang nasa matinong pag-iisip that night! You knew I was drunk pero ginusto mo pa rin!" He loses his grip.

She snivels at each word he throws. It directly pierces her heart like a dagger deeply buried in her chest. His eyes tell it so. The pain is there, and she knows their past is instilled in him up to this very day. He has not been moving on from the wounds she caused. Like leaves that do not wither as time passes by, it remains fresh in his memory, and she feels herself breaking apart.

But this isn't just for herself.

His mother shows up in their heartrending confrontation. Like she always does, she sides with Luisa. "What's happening here?"

"Ma, please. Huwag ka nang makialam. I cannot marry Luisa!"

"At bakit?! Dahil sa bayarang babaeng iyon?! You're choosing her over your child?! Aga, man up! You're a father now. Think of what's best for your child and not just of yourself!"

"Apology, Ma. I can't. Sorry, but that child won't grow in a family where the parents are pretentiously loving each other! Mahal ko si Lea, Ma! Even if you don't like her, I'd still be choosing her!" He stands firmly in his decision. He is adamant this time. Being a father is a one-sided obligation as he perceives it. He can be there at all times for his kid—take turns putting the baby to sleep or singing a lullaby without minding the tune. He can be up all night for a crying little one. But that limits to being a parent to his baby and not a husband to the mother. That is just too much to ask for.

His mother huffs in disbelief. "Do you hear yourself?! Aga, you don't know that woman! Malay mo pinapaikot ka lang niya because if she really loves you, why would she hide her past from you?! She should've been honest but she lied! She wants to plaster on a flawless facade to fool you! And seeing you now?! I can say that woman is adept!"

"I will pretend I didn't hear that from you, Ma," he says, passing by them as his mother tails him, nagging. He hears Luisa's father calling for his attention, but he does not bother to look back. His mind is messed up, and all he thinks of is Lea.

They need to work things out.

---

She walks her friends out. It is getting late and she wants to call it a night. Despite the disquietude, she remains lucky enough to have them beside her. The night breeze hugs her bare shoulders as she walks out of the house.