New Journey

Gael

"You talked to Mia? How it went?" tanong ng asawa ko sa akin.

We are in front of her parents' grave and sister's grave. Adi requested for her sister's bones to be moved beside their parents.

"I think it went well. At least, she listened to some of my requests. I almost beg, Adi. That girl was tough." I chuckled but it was not an easy conversation just like how I described it.

"Mia," I called her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you already know me. You are waiting for me, aren't you?" She smirked again.

Hindi pa ako nasanay sa pakiramdam na ganito, na kahit kay Adi ang katawan na iyan, ibang katauhan naman ang nagpapakita. The way she twitches her lips is very different, Adi never did that.

"Yes because I want to talk to you and make things clear between us. You are a part of my wife and I know what you can do. Even Klare is scared of you, you caused Adi's miscarriage, and you can hurt me in any way you want." I bit my lower lip and got out of bed.

Sinubukan kong lumapit sa kanya pero kaagad siyang kumilos para lumayo. Huminto ako dahil ang huling gusto kong gawin ngayon ay takutin siya.

"Don't come near me. You hurt me, remember? You hurt Klare too! And most of all, you hurt Viana! I saw that, I saw them all! I can hear and see you even if Klare or Viana is awake. I am not sleeping, I am here to protect them from you and her motherfucking parents! Glad they already died. So, kailan ka susunod?" She smirked but her eyes were not cooperating, it was showing her vulnerability.

"I'm so sorry. Adi and Klare already forgave me for what I did. I'm so sorry because I hurt you, it was not my intention. It was never my intention to hurt any one of you. I love Adi, I have been there in her life since high school. Like you, I also knew what she had been through. We can help each other in protecting them, just please, don't hurt Adi. If you are mad at me, hurt me. If I did something wrong, don't harm her, just hurt me. Ako na lang ang saktan mo, tatanggapin ko lahat ng gawin mo, just don't hurt Adi. Nagsisisi na ako sa mga nagawa ko noon. Alam kong hindi ako naging mabuting asawa sa kanya pero mahal na mahal ko siya. I didn't cheat just like what you think. I know you knew Fiona, tinaboy ko siya ng ilang beses. She doesn't know the word boundaries. The kiss you saw was a big sham, it was not true and I didn't want that. Let's fix this before anything happens." Gusto kong lumuhod sa harapan niya, nanginginig ang mga tuhod lalo pa at kitang-kita ko ang mga mata niyang walang emosyon.

"You are a liar, you were never there when her mother forced her to fill her twin sister. I was the one who was with her all that time. Two years! Two fucking years, I was there accepting all the shameful acts of her mother. I was like a Barbie doll, I don't want it but I can't do anything. For two years, I let Viana sleep. Ako ang nandoon, Gael, hindi ikaw! I love my sister, I will always protect her from you and anyone else who will try to hurt her. If I have the chance to meet Fiona, kakalbuhin ko siya sa sabunot. That bitch needs to learn boundaries."  Her hands became fists.

"I love you," I said without hesitation.

Halatang nagulat siya sa sinabi ko. A tear escaped from her eye. I smiled...

I realized that they only need someone who will care for them. Just like Klare wants, Mia also needs a friend who will make her feel safe and worthy.

"Thank you for protecting Adi and Klare. I appreciate it a lot, you did a very good job. Alam kong mas kaya mong protektahan si Adi kaysa sa akin, pero pwede ba akong sumali? As her husband, I want to make sure that she is safe too, let's take care of her." I extend my hand to offer her a handshake.

Tiningnan lang niya iyon at hindi nagsalita. Hindi ko iyon binawin at naghintay lang na tanggapin niya.

"I...I never had a friend, I was playing around when Viana was in high school. I went out with lots of bitches and kissed different boys on the same day just for me to feel that I am wanted from the beginning. I regret that because it harmed Viana, her mother hurt her more and I can't do anything about it. I just found out that I need someone who has the same intention as mine, the intention to make Viana always feel safe. I never liked you because you are that popular but dangerous guy, you'll just hurt her more." She shook her head. "But she wants you, she loves you and I want to accept that. It's been a while, I have to let someone take care of my sister too."

She accepted my hand and slightly squeezed it. "Please, don't hurt my sister. She's been through enough, let's just love her the way she deserves."

I pulled her into my arms. I embraced her with all of my heart, a lost girl was here, crying and begging for the better treatment she had wished for a very long time.

"Adi wants to keep you both if either of you will cause no harm to her. She will be delighted if she finds out that you want to make this work. Thank you, Mia." Hinagod ko ang likod niya para hayaan lang siyang umiyak hanggang sa gumaan ang pakiramdam niya.

"But still, I'll keep an eye on you. I'll kill you with my bare hands if you hurt Adi again. Once is enough," she warned me.

I chuckled. "Of course."

Kumalas siya sa akin at tinuro ang tiyan niya. "The boy over here will be safe, don't worry. I'll never do that again."

"I trust you, Mia. So, we are having a boy? Klare said that it is a baby brother too." I licked my lower lip.

"Yeah, it was a boy. Fathers always want a boy, right?" She rolled her eyes.

"Fathers just want a healthy baby no matter what the gender is. I promise to be a better father to our baby. I know you want to hear that too," I said as I looked out the window. I know Dr. Santos is seeing this.

"Yeah, Viana didn't have one." Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

Nilabas ko ang diary na sinusulat niya at inabot iyon sa kanya. "It is yours, right? Gusto mo pala ang nagsusulat? I'll give you a new notebook later. I'll but toys for Klare too."

Mas lalong naging malambot ang emosyon sa mukha niya habang inaabot ang diary. Niyakap niya iyon at nahihiyang tumingin sa akin. "Hindi niyo kami aalisin ni Klare? You will let us stay?"

Tumango ako. It still feels so odd looking at her. I am seeing nothing of my wife, although it is Adi's face and body.

"Adi wants to keep you, so don't worry. I hope we can get along because from now on, we'll be seeing each other often."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "As if I have a choice."

It was a different experience. Talking to Klare and Mia was a great time to treasure. Napansin yata ni Adi ang ngiti ko kaya siniko niya ako.

"Ano'ng iniisip mo at pangiti-ngiti ka d'yan?" tanong niya.

"I think Mia and I are now friends," I answered.

"Uh huh, you bought her a diary. Klare really loves ducks, huh? You bought her a lot of toys with ducks." She chuckled.

"Syempre, dapat magpalakas ako sa kanila. Kailangan kong bumawi. I've been an asshole and they knew that." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya habang papasok kami ng flower shop ni Yena.

Mababangong bulaklak at mga naggagandahang paintings ang sumalubong sa amin sa loob. Naabutan namin si Yena na nililinis ang mga bulaklak na may mga tuyong dahon at ang daddy naman niya ay nasa counter at nag-aasikaso ng customer.

"Yena, nandyan na ang mga bisita mo," Mr. Vernon called Yena.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Vernon. Lagi pong maganda rito sa shop niyo, napakaaliwalas. Pinasasabi po pala ni mommy na thank you sa mga pinadala niyong bulaklak sa office. Nagustuhan niya po," sabi ko at ngumiti.

Nahihiya siyang napakamot sa batok. "Walang anuman, suki namin siya kaya naisipan kong magpadala ng regalo. Maliit na halaga lang 'yon kumpara sa naitulong niya sa shop namin."

If he will become my stepfather, it's not bad. Yena seems to like the idea too. Bata pa naman silang pareho at pwede pang magligawan. Daddy will be happy for mommy for sure.

"Ganoon po talaga siya, mahilig tumulong." Kinuha ka sila ni mommy na supplier ng mga bulaklak isang branch ng hotel na pinapatakbo rin niya. Mommy has a lot of businesses, minsan ay magugulat na lang ako na mayroon pala kaming ganoong business.

Iniwan sa kanya ni daddy ang negosyo na iilan pa lang ang kasosyo at kita. Ngayon, triple na ang nilago no'n kahit mag-isa lang ni mommy na nagpapatakbo. I bet she misses daddy and doing business will fill the missing part inside her.

"Yena, nasaan na ang bulaklak para kay Caeli?" tanong ni Adi kay Yena.

Kaagad tinuro ni Yena ang isang bouquet ng bulaklak na puro pink ang kulay, paboritong kulay ni Caeli.

Bumuntonghininga ako. Pabalik-balik sila sa ospital ni Jude, panay kasi ang sumpong ng pneumonia niya na nakuha niya dahil sa sakit na Alzheimer's. Nakakaawa ang sitwasyon nila ngayon. I can't help but think of the worst.

"Ayos ka na, Viana? Kumusta ang apo ko?" tanong ni mommy pagkauwi namin. Naabutan namin siya sa kusina na nagtitimpla ng tsaa.

"Okay lang, mommy. Medyo nakakapagod ang araw na 'to pero ayos lang. Nadalaw ko ang mga magulang at ang kapatid ko sa sementeryo, napuntahan din namin si Caeli at Jude sa ospital. Hindi kami nakilala ni Caeli kaya umuwi na lang kami kaagad." Biglang bumagsak balikat niya. "She will die, doesn't she?" Nanginig ang boses niya.

Tinapik ni mommy ang balikat niya. "May mga bagay na hindi natin kayang kontrolin, 'nak. Kahit gaano pa natin kagusto na manatili sa atin ang taong mahal na mahal natin, darating ang panahon na kukunin din sila sa atin at wala na tayong magagawa roon. People come and go."

"She's my best friend, mommy. Mahihirapan ako na tanggapin na mawawala siya," she sobbed and hugged our mother.

Ngumiti sa akin si mommy habang tinatapik ang likod ni Adi. Mommy warned me about this, a pregnant woman tends to be very emotional pero hindi yata dala lang ng pagbubuntis ang kay Adi. She is truly afraid that she might lose one of her best friends.

"Ayaw mo no'n, sa pupuntahan niya, hindi na siya mahihirapan. Magiging mapayapa na siya ulit. Mahirap ang pinagdadaanan niya ngayon kaya kailangan nating iparamdam sa kanya na kung gugustuhin man niyang umalis na, magiging maligaya pa rin tayo para sa kanya." Mommy continues to comfort my wife.

Kahit sa akin ay masakit din ang kalagayan ng kaibigan. We have been friends since elementary and she's a family to me.

"Gael, ano'ng ginagawa mo d'yan? Malamig na," tawag sa akin ng asawa ko na nasa pintuan.

Nasa garden kasi ako ni mommy at nagpapahangin. May suot siyang makapal na jacket na may hood. Lumapit siya sa akin at kaagad na yumakap. Napakalamig kasi ng simoy ng hangin ngayon.

"Sure ka na ba talaga na boy itong baby natin? Wala pang two months, hindi pa buo ang body parts niya." Tiningala niya ako.

"Mia and Klare said that the baby is a boy. Parang sure na sure sila kaya yun na lang ang ipinalagay ko sa sarili ko. Ano ba ang gusto mong kasarian ng panganay natin?" I kissed the top of her head.

"Kahit ano basta malusog. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan natin, himala na buntis ako ngayon kaya hindi na ako magiging demanding, magiging grateful na lang ako." Tumingin siya sa mga bituin. "Uy, ang Orion!" Tinuro niya ang paborito niyang constellation.

"Do you know why the stars are aligned like that?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit?"

"To remind us each time we look up to them that things do not happen coincidentally, they are meant to happen and will happen always whether we like it or not. Our stars were already aligned from the beginning and no matter how hard we try to push each other away, a certain force will pull us together." I touched her cheek.

"What's that certain force? Hmm?" She closed her eyes, anticipating a kiss.

I smiled. "In science, it was gravity, but in our faith, it was love." I ended her anticipation and gave her the kiss that I knew would last until the end of the stars and universe.