Anastacia.Why am I bothered? What the heck?Hindi dapat ako maapektuhan! So, ano naman ngayon kung nakita niya kaming dalawa ni Samuel na naghahalikan? Wala naman kaming relasyon ni Diezel. Wala akong obligasyon sa kanya para magpaliwanag.Nakarating kami sa property ni Reeve at nakamamangha nga naman ito. Tahimik kami ni Diezel boung biyahe, at dinaan ko na lang sa tulog ang lahat.I don't want to talk to him. It felt awkward, and somehow I felt guilty for nothing!"Mamma!"Sinalubong ako ng dalawa ng yakap at halik."I miss you!""We miss you too, Mamma!" si Zev. Ibang iba na siya ngayon. Maaliwalas ang mukha at hindi na bugnotin. Palangiti na at hindi na siya nahihiya sa ama niya."Mamma, we had so much fun! Sayang at wala ka roon." Naupo na si Skye sa kandungan ko habang nagku-kwento. Nakikinig lang din ako."It's alright. I got busy with things," sagot ko sa dalawa.Busy with things? Huh, halos mabaliw na nga ako sa katahimikan, kaya nakipag-date na ako kay Samuel."Pappa bough
Diezel.The kids are napping, even though it's just four in the afternoon. They've been playing hard, and it's lovely to see them so relaxed. They're at peace, and I couldn't be happier that they enjoyed themselves so much today.Kahit na wala ang mama nila sa tabi, ay nakuha pa rin nilang maging masaya.Being a child is easy. They don't have to worry too much, like we adults. Konting bagay lang ay sumasaya na sila. They don't harbor hate. They just want to laugh, bond, and be together with their loved ones. They just want to be happy.Hinaplos ko na ang buhok ni Skye at gumalaw siya. Minulat ang mga mata."Sorry, princess. Did I wake you up?" I spoke, smiling."Pappa…" Yumakap siya sa akin, at mahigpit ito. "Sana nandito si Mamma…I miss her. I want to cuddle her."I nodded weakly. "I wish too, princess. I want your mother to be here. I love her so much without her knowing it."She looks at me, amazed as if it’s the first time she's heard it. She blinks, and her eyebrows meet.I chu
Diezel."Grazie, Pappa!""Sei la benvenuta, mia principessa."Skye wrapped me in a warm hug, with Zev trailing behind."Ti amo, Skye…ti amo, Zev," I whispered as I hugged them."I wish Mamma was here," Skye whispered."Yeah, I know, baby…I wish too…" My shoulder sagged, and I felt the pang inside. How I wish Anastacia were with us. I want us to be together, but I can't force her. I was fortunate that she allowed me to take the kids with me. I know she doesn't trust me yet, and I'm trying my best to win that trust. Today marks our final day here, and tomorrow morning we'll return home to their mother. We enjoyed ourselves. I had a great time with my children while their mother was not around.While it would be different with Anastacia here, I'm grateful for the twins' presence. The twins desire to experience this, and as their father, I can only fulfill their request if their mother gives her permission.Mahirap kombinsihin si Anastacia. Matigas siya, at naiintindihan ko naman ito.
Anastacia."My goodness, Anastacia. Mababaliw ako sa 'yo. Ano ba talaga ang gusto mo?"Napahilamos ko ang sariling palad sa mukha at napabuntong-hininga ako sa sarili.After giving it considerable thought yesterday, I came to an agreement. Diezel and the kids are traveling to Cagayan de Oro, while I remain here alone with Tessie. They will be using a helicopter for transportation, which will save them time. The journey will only take a few minutes for them.Umalis akong umaga kanina at nagpaalam sa mga bata. May halong lungkot ang mga mata nila, pero mas nanaig ang excitement na nararamdaman nila. Alam kong mali na pigilan sila sa ganun na bagay. Sympre mga bata sila at gusto rin na ma-experience ang ganun na adventure. Hindi ko masisisi si Diezel, dahil siya naman talaga ang ama. Pero minsan ay natatakot ako at ayaw ko na magkasama kami."It's almost two months already. Nakita mo naman siguro ang sakripisyo ni Diezel sa mga bata.""Hindi pa sapat iyon, Tessie." Uminit agad ang tain
Diezel."It's personal, and it's my fault. Caterina is a beautiful, loving woman who deserves a better man, and it's sad to say I'm not that man for her…It's not me, and I'm sorry."I turned off the TV without finishing the entire interview saga. I hate watching myself talk about it. Hurting people was never on my plan. I'm not that type of person, but lately, I have become a bad one."Damn, Dez… So, what's next?" Reeve jerked his head, smiling slightly.It's been five days since the family fun day event. I had a good time with my kids and, of course, with Anastacia. I can feel the thick wall she built in front of us getting demolished little by little.I want to be careful this time because I want her to trust me again, believe in me, and know that I am serious this time about her and the kids. "I'm fixing my mistake, Reeve. I want to create a family with my children and Anastacia. I won’t pretend anymore. This is how I truly feel, Reeve. I love her, and I will find my way back to
Anastacia."Go, Pappa! Go! Yes, yes!!"Panay ang talon at sigaw nina Zev at Skye. They cheered for their father, and I could only smile. Diezel was undeniably fast. He was nearly at the finish line, and when he finally crossed it, the twins ran toward him."Yeheey! Panalo si Pappa!" sigaw ni Zev.Binuhat lang din ni Diezel ang dalawa sa bawat bisig niya."Well done, Pappa. You're the best!" Skye kisses Diezel on his cheek.It's sack race for all the dads. Iikot sila sa sila sa unahan at kukunin ang mabigat na sako. Pasan nila ito sa balikat habang nag sa-sack-racing. Nanalo si Diezel. Hindi na bago dahil sa lahat ng mga lalaking ama na nandito ay siya lang din ang tanging naiiba."Tubig?" I gave him a lopsided smile as I offered it."Thank you." Ibinaba niya ang dalawa at saka ininom ang tubig. Napatingin na ako sa kambal, at mukhang hindi na yata hihinto ang ngiti sa labi nila.It's frustrating how things are right now. I have to pretend that I'm okay with this when I'm not. I need