Love Me Again, Sweetheart

Chapter 3

I asked him to go downstairs first while I'm upstairs calling Leah.

“Yes, hello?” Upon hearing her voice, my eyes clouded in tears. It's as if I already have a sister to lean on, a sister whom I could tell everything what I've been through.

“Ley.” My voice cracked. I don't want to cry but my heart right now is very heavy and I need to let it all out.

“Maya? Oh my God! Is this really you? What happened? Are you crying?”

“We'll stay in your house for a while hanggang sa makakahanap kami ng malilipatan namin.” Wala na akong ibang choice.

“Oh okay, but are you ready to face him?”

I inhaled deeply. “Ayaw ko na muna siyang isipin sa ngayon. Kaligtasan namin ng anak ko ang kailangan kong bigyan ng pansin. I don't want him to get traumatized because of what happened to us. The screams of my son when they hurt me, brought me fear to death, Ley. They even threatened to kill him and I couldn't afford that. Kahit saan ako magtago ay matatagpuan at matatagpuan nila ako kaya diyan na muna kami dahil alam kong safe kami.”

At natatakot akong baka sa susunod ay hindi na nila palampasin pa ang pagkakataon at baka patayin pa kami.

I still want to give him a better future, make him meet his father, watch him finish his studies and also, when he builds his own family and becomes successful. I want to watch him as he grows. I still want to see him achieving his goals.

“Do you have any idea why they followed you and asked you about Mildred?”

“They thought I hid Mildred. Do you remember the last time we talked? I was thinking now that he puts me in danger because of his beloved.” I can't stop the bitterness in my voice.

“No! I can assure you Xandros would never do that. Maybe someone planned to set you up. My God! Come here, quick.”

I went to my son downstairs at umalis na kami mula sa bahay na iyon. I am silently praying na sana hindi pa huli ang lahat para sa akin. Sana hindi pa huli ang pag-alis namin na ito.

At the bus stop, si Ashton ang nagsundo sa amin. My son's sleeping in the back while I'm in the passenger seat.

“It's been a long time since you left. How are you?” My mind is busy thinking of our escape from the goons when he spoke all of a sudden.

“I'm doing good but our life's kind of messy.” Hindi ko lang alam kung nahihimigan niya ang pait sa boses ko.

‘How's Xandros by the way?’ I wanted to voice it out but I chose not to.

“His life has changed too, since you left. Though he didn't tell me about it, I'm still a man and I noticed it. He longed for you.” I gasped as I heard him say those words. It's as if he heard what I've been thinking about.

“How could you say that, Ash? Maybe that longing you're talking about was for her.” I said referring to Mildred. Sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa upuan dahil pabalik-balik sa isipan ko ang sinasabi niya ngayon lang.

He became silent.

Ayaw kong umasa pa. We ended a few years ago and I don't want to reminisce about it.

“Sa bahay na lang tayo kakain. Leah's preparing your favorite food.” Pagka-sabi niya nun ay tumango lang ako. I took a nap for a while. Tamang-tama dahil pagkagising namin ng anak ko ay nasa bahay na pala kami nina Leah at Ashton.

“You have to tell me everything right now from the very beginning.”

“Let's eat first, honey. Your friend's tired from a long ride too, just give her time.” Sabi ni Ashton.

Sabay kaming kumain at sinubuan ko naman ang anak ko. Pagkatapos kumain ay sinamahan siya ng isa sa mga katulong nila Leah upang maglaro. Kaming tatlo na lang ang nasa mesa.

Hindi nagtagal ay umalis din si Ashton dahil may aasikasuhin pa raw siya.

“Your son looks exactly like his dad. The nose, the eyebrows, and even the shape of his face. But he got your singkit eyes anyway kaya huwag kang mag-alala. So, tell me, what really happened?”

I told her the truth. The truth that I was hiding from everyone for long years.

“s**t! Sinuntok ka nila sa tiyan? Why are you bearing those pain? Don't get me wrong, huh pero dapat si Mildred ang pinaulanan nila ng suntok na iyan at hindi ikaw. Imagine, the struggles and pain you have been through. I couldn't even imagine it.” She burst out in anger.

And no, I won't wish to exchange place with Mildred. Because I have my son, the most beautiful gift Xandros had ever given to me. I'm alright with the life that I have now. Kahit ilang pagsubok pa ang pagdaanan ko. Kakayanin at kakayanin ko para sa anak ko.

“We must tell Spade about this. He must know.” Her voice was marked with finality.

“Please don't.” I begged. “I'm not yet ready.” Hindi pa ako handa na sabihin sa kanya ang tungkol sa anak ko. I don't need his sympathy, not even his support because I managed to raise my son alone. Kung may gusto man akong gagawin niya sa anak ko, yun ay ang tanggapin niya man lang ang anak ko. Kahit yun na lang.

“Let's tell him please. Awang-awa na ako sa iyo. I'm sure he can do everything to keep the both of you safe. Kahit ang kaligtasan niyo na lang.”

“Don't pity me please.”

Ayaw kong may naaawa sa akin. It makes me look like a weak person. I'm not weak at all. I am brave.

“Tell me, you're not crying every night because of him.”

“No, I didn't. Well, I cry sometimes mostly when the rain pours. I'll also pull out the hatreds and heartaches. It's too heavy to carry Ley, I don't know if I can still carry it for too long. It felt like I had a companion who shared the same feelings that I felt at the moment.” I laughed bitterly. Isang mahigpit na yakap lang ang natanggap ko mula sa kanya.

She pitied me. Nice to hear but I am a strong woman so no one must pity me. I can survive this. My purpose in life doesn’t end here.