Noah kept his eyes on Elle as if he was memorizing her face.
Inosenteng nakangiti si Isabelle, walang alam sa nangyayari. Naglakad si Kael papasok. He was stunned at the doorway earlier. Hinawakan niya sa balikat ang anak ko.
"Let's go, Elle. You need to change your clothes, it's dirty," si Kael sa malamlam na boses.
"Okay," mahabang sabi ng bata at binitawan ang daliri ni Noah. "Bye bye." She happily waved her hand at him.
Sumulyap si Kael sa kaibigan kaya nagtagpo ang mga mata nila. Noah is still tearing, while pity is evident on Kael's eyes. Inakay ni Kael ang anak ko palapit sa caretaker niya para mabihisan na.
Naiwan kami ni Noah sa living room. Nakatagilid siya sa akin, tulala sa parehong kamay. Hanggang ngayon ay nanginginig pa rin siya. He stared at the band-aid Elle put on his finger. Silently, another tear fell out of his eyes.
Kinagat ko ang labi para magpigil ng emosyon. Dapat hindi ko 'to nararamdaman, dapat hindi ako naaawa o nasasaktan. Pero ama pa rin siya ng anak ko.
"K-Kagagaling nila sa biyahe kaya baka pagod si Isabelle. Binilin ng doktor na huwag siyang masiyadong pagurin. K-Kailangan niyang matulog nang maaga." Binasag ko ang katahimikan.
Sinalat ng kanang kamay niya ang daliri sa kaliwa. Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa band-aid. Huminga ako nang malalim at nagpatuloy. "Pagod din ako, magpapahinga na kami."
"I'll get deployed in Mindanao in the next two months." Mahinang nagsalita si Noah kaya natigil ako. "You're getting married... and my daughter wouldn't need me afterwards." Lumunok siya.
Tumingin sa akin si Noah. Mas kalmado na siya ngayon kahit namumula ang mata dahil sa pag-iyak. "I love you," he uttered. "I just want you to know that I never stop loving you, even if it doesn't make any sense to you. It's true, I tried my best to give you justice."
Pinili kong manahimik at hinayaan siyang magsalita.
"I thought I can take you back again like I did before. I never said goodbye because somewhere deep in my heart, I know I would go back and love you like I always do."
Ako ang yumuko. Hindi ko kayang pakinggan ang mga sinasabi niya. "Tama na, Noah."
"I never said good bye because my heart knew it wasn't the end. But maybe I was wrong... your story goes on even without me and you're ending it with someone else."
Binasa muli ng luha ko ang mga pisngi. Noah smiled, he is so calm and gentle with his words.
"You're right, our daughter grew up well. She's beautiful and brave... and cheerful. She takes after you." He chuckled painfully. "Even if you don't want my apologies, I'm sorry... for ruining your life. Thank you... for keeping our baby."
He blew out the air inside his mouth. Napatingin ako sa kaniya. His tongue dwelled on the side of his cheek, lips parted. "I didn't know it will fvcking hurt like this. I didn't know I can be more greedy than I was because I want you and our child."
"Aalagaan ko si Isabelle, mamahalin ko siya ng higit pa sa sarili ko. Alam kong ganoon din si Kael."
"I want to take care of you." His voice broke. "I-I want to take care of my child," he said.
"But as long as you're happy, I'll be happy too. I wish you a healthy marriage." Huminga siya nang malalim. "My daughter's growth would depend on both of you. I won't stop you, Samm. Kahit naman gustuhin ko, wala akong magagawa. I just have one favor, just one favor."
Dahan-dahan akong nag-angat ng mukha sa kaniya. Pinunasan niya ang mga luha bago nagsalita.
"Let me be a father to my child while I'm still here. For a short while, let me spend time with her." Nagmamakaawa ang mata niyang pinakiusapan ako.
VOUS LISEZ
After an End | Academy Series #3
Roman d'amourSammantha Lorenzo, a woman with a heavy charisma. She is always defined as sexy often in a bad way. She's struggling to finish her last year in Senior High School when Noah Hernandez, his ex-boyfriend came to ask her something she never expected, to...
