More Than Anything (TAGALOG)

Quinn

“Babe, pupunta tayo sa bagong open na bar mamaya, alright? Fetch me after work.” Sabi ni Louise nang mag-usap kami sa cellphone.

Tonight’s the opening of the bar of one of Louise’s closest friends, Jada. She personally asked the both of us to come to the opening and have fun. Knowing how Louise can be so persuasive, I couldn’t turn her down.

I’ve been spending a lot of time with Shawn lately. Mabuti at pinapayagan siya ni Margaux na makipagkita sa akin. Yesterday, I brought him to the amusement park. We had our father and son bonding. I could not even imagine how happy I was when he hugged me and when he laughed with me.

Maybe this is the thing about being a parent—it gives one sense of content and happiness.

“Daddy, why are you not living with me and Mommy?” Shawn asked when we were eating.

Nabigla ako sa tanong niya. Margaux never told me what she answers him whenever he asks these kinds of questions. Ano kaya ang isinasagot niya? How does she satisfy this kid’s curiosity?

“Mommy said you have another family and that you love someone else. Who is that, daddy?” He added as he sipped on his juice. “Don’t you love us?”

Parang pinipiga ang puso ko sa tanong niya sa akin. Sure I love Louise but nothing can compare with my love for my son. I love my son with all my heart. Even when I saw him talking to Margaux inside the hospital, I know that I love him. Deep inside me, no one can replace him.

And that’s how different my love for Shawn is.

“Of course I love you, baby.” I told him as I wiped the sauce on the side of his lips. “I love you so much.” I smiled.

He giggled. “Do you love Mommy too?” he asked again.

I know it was an innocent question. But all of his questions are based on his curious mind. All of his questions are from his heart.

“When I asked Mommy if she loves you, she said she used to love you.” He said again. “Our teacher said that we are all made out of love.”

Margaux used to love me. That’s what she told my son. Now, she hates me for falling out of love and cheating on her with Louise. She hid my son away from me for years because she thinks I would not be an efficient father if I knew she was pregnant and I was already in love with someone else.

Now it hit me. Everything she’s done is only for our son. She wanted to spare our son from the heartache of having his parents separated. I just realized about it now.

I smiled and nodded. “You are made out of love.” I told him. “I loved your mother when we made you.”

“But you left us.” He replied. “You left my Mommy and I alone. How is that loving her? Me? Us?”

I bit my lip and was slightly taken aback from his question. Yes, how was that loving them? I broke his mother’s heart. How is that called loving her?

For one night, Shawn’s question was all I can think of in my mind. Minahal ko nga ba talaga si Margaux? Did I love her when we made Shawn? Or was I at the verge of leaving her that night?

I’ve reflected everything I’ve done.

I fell out of love. I fell for Louise. I fell in love with Louise who showed me that I will always have her by my side. She would never leave me. She would never be busy for me. She would always find time for me.

When Margaux was having a difficult time juggling her studies and our relationship, I was busy flirting with Louise. I was busy falling in love with someone else.

How hard has it been for Margaux to raise our son alone? She even said she got disowned by her parents? How did she bear our son for nine f*****g months? Did she get sick a lot?

Shit! What am I even thinking?

“Dude! Long time, no see!” It was my friend, Kevin, Jada’s boyfriend.

I smiled and nodded. “So long! Kamusta?” I asked him.

He smiled and shrugged as we watched our girls dance with each other in the middle of the crowd. “I’m fine, man. In fact, magpopropose na ako kay Jada next month.”

I laughed at him. “Bakit next month pa? Gathering some balls?” I teased and he hit my shoulder.

“I need to plan everything out. Dapat ay mas maaga pero gusto niyang mag-open ng bar kaya idinelay ko muna.” Aniya.

I smiled and nodded. “Good for you, man. You’ve been together for so long.” I told him.

He took a gulp from his beer and grinned. “Ikaw? You’ve been dating Louise for years. Wala pang plano?” He asked.

Ngumiti ako at tumango. If I was asked the same question a month ago, I would have laid my plan out right away. But now, knowing that I have a son, I’m contemplating. I love Louise but having Shawn makes it a little different.

“She’s having the time of her life.” Iyon lang ang naisagot ko.

Nagkwentuhan pa kami ni Kevin hanggang sa bumalik na sina Jada at Louise sa amin.

I immediately hugged Louise and planted a kiss on her shoulder. “So hot.” I whispered and she giggled. This is the only thing I could do to relieve this guilty feeling I have for her.

If she’d accept my son, I’m going to be really thankful. But right now, I would want to spend more time and get Shawn’s trust before I introduce him to the woman I love.

“What the f**k! The hottest doctors in town!” I heard one gasp as their heads are all turned to the entrance.

“Is that Deonna dela Fuente?”

“Oo, dude! But she’s already taken. Better just look at her buddy, Margaux Marbel.”

Upon hearing Margaux’s name, napalingon rin ako sa entrance. And yes, there they are. The hottest doctors indeed.

Deonna dela Fuente is wearing something leather while Margaux was in her boots and dress that lines her whole figure.

Fuck!

Kitang kita ko kung paano maglaway ang mga lalaking nakatingin sa kanila. I watched them as they strutted their way toward a table.

Kita ko kung paano hilahin si Dr. Dela Fuente ng isang lalaki at niyakap ito ng mahigpit. Margaux was shaking her head in disgust as she watched the couple bago kausapin ang lalaki sa tabi niya.

They were casual—smiling and laughing as they shared a drink.

I narrowed my eyes at her. She acts like she doesn’t have a son. And now that she’s here, I wonder who’s taking care of my son. I wanted to grab her right there and then and ask her to go home and stay with Shawn.

She should have called me to look out on our son if she planned on partying tonight! f**k!

“Doctors party too, I guess.” Kevin blurted out and there I saw him staring at who I am staring at too.

I suddenly felt Louise stiffen in my arms. She knew about Margaux being my girlfriend before her. It’s true that Margaux didn’t confront her or fight with her but I know that Louise is guilty for what we’ve done.

Again, it’s my fault.

“Woah! Is that Margaux?” tanong ni Jada at halos manginig si Louise sa yakap ko.

“You know her?” Kevin asked Jada before kssing the side of her head.

Jada nodded and smiled at me. I didn’t know what that smile was all about but right now, I wanted to calm my girl.

Louise linked her fingers with mine and I gave her an assuring squeeze. “Relax.” I whispered to her ear.

She nodded and took several deep breaths before kissing me on the cheek. There’s nothing wrong now. Wala na kami ni Margaux. I love Louise and we’re together for five years.

“Well, well, well…” Ani ng DJ sa stage. “Do I see this right? Margaux Cynthia Marbel, MD in the house?!” He beamed and everyone looked at Margaux’s spot.

Margaux just nodded and raised her hand.

“How is the heiress of the biggest hotel chain and group of companies doing?” He asked. “Can you come up the stage?”

Someone took Margaux and escorted her to the podium to which earned her a round of applause. It was obvious that she’s so uncomfortable with this because she was constantly biting her lip.

“She’s famous in clubs.” Kevin commented.

Jada looked at me then at Louise. I think she knows a bit of our history.

“We haven’t seen you in the scene for so long.” The DJ told Margaux.

Ngumiti lamang si Margaux. “I’ve been busy.” Sagot nito.

“Busy with what? Fixing broken hearts?” The DJ joked and everyone laughed.

Margaux did too but it didn’t reach her eyes. Something was off with her. From the moment I saw her again, the only times that I’ve seen her smile genuinely was when she was talking to patients and when she’s talking to our son. Other than that, she was faking it in front of everyone else.

“I’m a cardiologist, so, I guess that’s what I really do.” She replied that wowed everyone.

The DJ was in awe. I can see that. “Beautiful, sexy, intelligent, rich…what are you not able to do?” He asked her.

Margaux smiled and shrugged. It was supposed to be a boast but I can see that she failed miserably. She leaned closer and pointed the exit to the DJ. The DJ narrowed his eyes but nodded right after.

Margaux smiled at him before leaving the podium. Sumenyas siya sa mga kaibigan niya at lumabas sa club. Hindi ko naialis ang tingin ko sa kanya. I wanted to follow her and ask her what’s wrong. That’s why I told Louise I just need to pee. But then, I went to the backdoor and found Margaux talking to someone on the phone.

“Baby, are you still awake?” She asked on the other line. “Yes, I’m coming home. Is Yaya Mela with you?”

I knew then that she was talking to our son.

She smiled. “Yes. I’ll bring you ice cream later. Wait for me.” She beamed before hanging up.

“You’re going home?” I asked and she almost jumped at her place.