2 - Veroni(c/kk)a

Vien was deeply engrossed in playing with her dollhouse, arranging miniature furniture and dolls with meticulous care. She eagerly beckoned Vlad to join her, despite his initial reluctance. "C-come on, V-Vlad! It's fun," she urged, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Vlad hesitated, eying the dollhouse skeptically. "But Vien, this is for girls," he protested, crossing his arms.

Vien frowned slightly, her brow furrowing in determination. "I-It's okay, Vlad. L-Let's just play together," she said still stuttering but trying to speak.

After a moment of consideration, Vlad relented with a small sigh, realizing how important this was to Vien. As they started playing, Vien's infectious laughter filled the room, temporarily lifting the weight of their challenging circumstances.

"Tha-that's n-not h-how to do it, V-Vlad." I observed gently as I watched Vien patiently guide her brother through assembling the dollhouse.

"You're really good at it, Vien." Komento ko. Sumilay sa kanyang mukha ang saya ng sabihin ko iyon.

"R-really?" Tanong niya kaya naman ay tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Seems like there's gonna be an engineer soon." Nakangisi kong sabi. Naramdaman ko ang pagkahiya ni Vien kaya napatawa ako ng marahan.

"Mommy La told us that our mom's an architect." Ani Vlad. Napa-'oww' ako sa sinabi ni Vlad.

Nagtaka naman ako kasi may sakit sa puso ang mommy nila, bakit siya nag-arkitekto? Hindi ba't bawal sa kanya iyon?

Then it struck me—no matter what challenges you face, nothing can truly stop you, not even a serious illness. It doesn't hinder the dreams of someone who is determined to pursue them.

"Here, let me help you."

We spent several hours playing games and sharing stories to keep the mood lively for both Vladimir and Vienna. As the clock struck ten in the morning, Vienna's speech therapist arrived for their scheduled private sessions in her room, focusing on her developmental needs.

Meanwhile, Vladimir and I remained in the living room. I took this opportunity to monitor his vital signs, ensuring everything was stable after he had taken his medication. Content and settled, Vladimir sat engrossed in watching cartoons, his attention momentarily diverted from the day's earlier activities.

"I want to be a doctor just like daddy!" He uttered.

"Talaga? Why?" I asked, gently combing his hair and holding his tiny hands delicately. His hands looked so small and fragile, which made me a bit apprehensive.

"To save lives. Isn't it amazing, Nurse Nika? Saving people's lives..." he said with wide-eyed wonder. I squeezed his little hands softly.

"It is, Vlad. You will achieve that, okay? Gusto mo 'yon 'di ba?" I encouraged him, smiling at his enthusiasm. He nodded eagerly. Napangiti ako sa ginawa niya.

"Then you will be." I said proudly at him. Sobrang saya naman ng bata. Siguro dahil may isang tao na suportado siya sa kanyang mga pangarap.

'Your father will be proud too, Vlad.'

Vladimir beamed with happiness. Having someone who supported his dreams clearly meant a lot to him.

Natulog ang mga bata nang tanghali matapos kumain ng tanghalian. Yakap na yakap ni Vienna ang braso ko maging si Vlad. Nasa iisang kwarto kami ngayon at pinagitnaan nila ako.

"Alam mo, Nurse Nika, ilap sa mga tao ang dalawang 'yan. Mabuti nga't nakasundo mo kaagad." Wika ni Ate Kelly na nagbabantay kay Vlad.

"Oh? Bakit?" Tanong ko. Inayos naman ni Ate Kelly ang kumot kay Vlad at ganon naman ang ginawa ko kay Vienna.

"Madaling makaila ang mga bata. Tititigan ka lang, alam na kaagad nila na ayaw nila sa'yo." Wika nito habang nakatitig kay Vlad.

"Lalo na si Vienna, may pagka-attitude ang batang 'yan. Kaya nga nagtataka kami kung bakit gusto kaagad sa'yo. Sabagay napakabait mo naman kasi." Komento niya pa. Napatawa ako ng mahina sa sinabi ni Ate.

"Nako, 'wag mo kong bolahin, Ate Kelly! Bola na nga itong pisngi ko!"

Natawa kami ng mahina ni Ate Kelly para hindi magising ang mga bata. Sinabihan ko kasi na gagala kami mamaya kapag matutulog sila ngayon. Mukhang excited na excited gumala kaya nakatulog kaagad.

"Maiwan muna kita, Nurse Nika, asikasuhin ko lang mga dadalhing pagkain nila." Tumango ako tsaka ngumiti.

"You are my sunshine,

my only sunshine,

you make me happy,

when skies are grey~"

As I sang softly while running the comb through their hair, Vladimir and Vienna are sleeping and I saw their innocent and adorable faces. They were so cute and lovable, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness thinking about why Sir Elio chose not to involve himself in their lives.

I mean look at them! Ang kokyot kaya! Kuhang-kuha ni Vienna ang features ni Sir Elio, habang kay Vlad ay 'yung ilong, shape ng mukha at bibig. Mukhang mana sa nanay ang mga mata.

Napaangat ako nang biglang sumara ang pintuan. Uh? Iniwan bang bukas iyon ni Ate Kelly? Hindi naman ako minumulto ano?

Hindi naman siguro mama nila iyon?!

"Hindi ko po inaagaw anak niyo sa inyo! Inaalagaan ko lang po sila." Kinakabahan kong sabi tsaka natawa ng kabadong tawa din.

Lumabas muna ako para makapag shower at makapagbihis na. Pagkalabas ko ng banyo sa loob ng kwarto ko ay halos atakehin ako sa puso dahil nasa loob ng kwarto ko si Sir Elio!

Ano ba 'yan! Nakatapis lang ako!

Napansin kong bumaba ang tingin ni Sir Elio kaya kaagad itong napatalikod.

"What do you want from me? Trying to fight me? Well, you won't gain anything from it. How much are they paying you? I can triple it. No, how about ten million?" He continued to rant without even facing me.

"Flirt? Wala talaga akong mapapala, Sir dahil hindi po kita type! 'Wag kang assuming! Tsaka ano? Thrice?" Bakit ba ang hilig ng mga Sierra sa salitang thrice? "Ten million?" Malaki-laki narin iyon! Pwede ko nang mailayo si nanay.

"Sorry, sir," I said calmly, maintaining my professionalism as their private nurse. "I'm simply here to fulfill my duties for Vlad and Vien. I can't accept your offer to leave them."

His expression hardened, but I stood my ground, focused on protecting the children's well-being above all else. "They need stability and care," I added firmly, hoping to convey that my commitment to them was unwavering.

Napamahal na sila saakin! Tatlong araw na akong nandito pero mahal na mahal ko ang mga iyon. Tapos tatanggalin kaagad ako? No! Isusumbong ko siya kay Doc Yasmir!

Hindi nakasagot si Sir Elio, at malamig lang ako tinapunan ng tingin tsaka lumakad palayo. Hahawakan na sana niya ang door knob ng kwarto nang magsalita ako.

"Sir Elio," I called out firmly, making him pause mid-action.

"The kids really want to play at the park, sir," I began, keeping my tone gentle yet firm. "They've been looking forward to it, and I think it would mean a lot to them if you could join us."

He seemed momentarily taken aback by my suggestion, but he didn't even glance back as he walked straight out of the room. I let out a sigh.

Earlier, Vladimir had been urging me to convince his father to join us, and I had promised him that I would try. As I watched Sir Elio leave without a word, I felt a mix of disappointment for the children and frustration at the situation. It was a constant challenge to bridge the gap between them and their father, but I was determined to keep trying for Vladimir and Vienna's sake.

It's been two weeks, and Sir Elio still keeps his distance from his children, as if they were contagious with some invisible disease. When the kids weren't around, he'd disappear like a cat sneaking away.

"Vien, don't run, baby!" I giggled as I watched her dash about. Her speech was improving, though there were still words she struggled to pronounce. We were patient with her progress, encouraging every step of the way.

"Let her, Nika. Look at her face," Jaxton, her speech therapist, gently urged me with a smile. His eyes were fixed on Vienna, who was running around with unbridled joy, her face lit up with pure happiness.

I watched Vienna with a mixture of pride and warmth. Despite her speech challenges, she was thriving in her own way, expressing herself freely through her actions and infectious laughter. Jaxton's words reminded me to appreciate these moments of genuine happiness and progress, where Vienna's spirit shone brightly despite any obstacles she faced.

Napatingin kay Vien at kitang-kita ang galak sa kanyang mga mata. I'm so in love with her laughs, her smile, her voice and everything about her. Feel ko tuloy para akong nanay ni Vien.

Sobrang nakakagaan tignan ang dalawa, lalo na noong nadapa noong nakaraan si Vien. Vlad was so sweet curing her little sister's wound. Sobrang cute nilang dalawa.

Vlad really acts like a doctor that time!

"Nurse Nika!" Vlad called me and lend me a stem of red rose. Napangiti ako sa ginawa niya.

"For you! I also give Nanay Kelly and Nanay Lia! They're so happy!" My heart melt. How could Sir Elio ignore his kids?

I hugged Vladimir and pinched his chubby face. Kahit na hindi inaalagaan ng ama ay todo alaga naman at nakatutok naman kami sa kanila, kaya these past few days, napapansin namin na nagkakalaman at ginaganahan nang kumain ang mga bata.

"Sabi ko naman sainyo na Ate nalang ang itawag niyo saakin," Vlad pouted. He was so cute! His cheeks looked plump and pinchable, making it hard for me to resist giving them a little squeeze.

"I don't want to call you, Ate, because you're not our sister." Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. Kaya naman pala.

Hindi niya kasi sinabi noong unang sabi ko sa kanya na tawagin nalang akong ate. He just pouted and walked away.

"Nako buti hindi nagwala," I heard a voice from behind, surprised by Nanny Lia's sudden appearance beside me, Vienna's nanny.

"Sino po?" Takang tanong ko. Ngumuso naman siya na tila tinuturo kung sino, kaya sinundan ko ito ng tingin.

Sir Elio.

He walked with a heavy, almost lifeless air towards the kitchen, his expression distant and cold. It became clearer why the children were so apprehensive around him; Sir Elio's handsome appearance was overshadowed by an apparent inability to care for himself.

I recalled an attempt to enter his room previously, hoping to bridge the gap between him and his children. Instead, I was met with a sharp shout, a reminder of the barriers he erected around himself. It was exasperating, trying to understand his aloofness while witnessing the impact it had on Vladimir and Vienna's longing for their father's warmth and presence.

Dahil ba ito sa namatay niyang asawa?

"Nagwawala? Bakit po?" Takang tanong ko.

"Ano kasi..." Nagdadalawang isip na sabi ni Ate Lia.

"It's okay po, Ate. Hindi ko po pipilitin." sabi ko nang maalalahanin. Tumango naman si Ate Lia at agad na umalis, iniwan akong nag-iisip sa kanyang mga salita.

"N-Nurse... N-Nika..." Napatingin ako kay Vien tsaka ngumiti.

Nasa kwarto niya kaming dalawa ni Vlad. Hawak ni Vlad ang librong babasahin namin ngayong gabi, dahil gusto niya daw kwentuhan si Vienna.

"Ano 'yon, baby?" tanong ko, habang tinutok ang atensyon kay Vladimir.

Yumuko siya ng bahagya, tila may iniisip. "It's our birthday tomorrow, Nurse Nika, but..." Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Vlad, subalit hindi ko ipinahalata sa mga bata ang pagkabahala at pagtataka ko.

Seeing Vlad and Vien's expressions, I could sense their sadness, and it made me feel helpless. I saw myself in them—the longing for acknowledgment and the pang of disappointment when it's not met.

In my family, we don't celebrate birthdays. Actually, none of us do. But it's still difficult to accept that your own family can't even greet you on your birthday.

And now, I don't want to see them sad on their fifth birthday. They deserve happiness and warmth, especially on such a special day.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago ako kumatok sa kwarto ni Sir Elio. I've been thinking this so many times, pero importante parin saakin ang kaligayahan ng mga bata.

I knock thrice yet no response. Ilang beses akong kumatok pero wala parin kaya pumasok na ako.

Unang bumungad saakin ang kadiliman. Binuksan ko ang ilaw pero isang malakas na sigaw ang narinig ko.

"'Wag!" Nagulat ako, napaatras pa ako sa sigaw ni Sir Elio.

I saw Sir Elio waking towards me and turn off the lights.

A-anong nangyayari?

"S-Sir..." kinakabahang tawag ko.

"Veronica, is that you?" he whispered, his voice filled with disbelief.

Huh? How did he know my name?

"Sir Elio, si N—" I started to say, but I was cut off as he suddenly embraced me tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Nics! You're back, right? Hindi mo na ako iiwan, right? You're alive! Thanks God!" His words bewildered me. I stood there, trying to process everything he was saying.

I was taken aback. Did he mistake me for his deceased wife? Did she and I share the same name? The realization hit me like a wave, leaving me speechless and unsure of how to respond.

I was just about to open my mouth to respond when Sir Elio's hand reached out and gently caressed my face. His touch was delicate yet deliberate, his fingers tracing a path across my skin as if he was trying to etch every contour into memory. It sent a shiver down my spine, a mixture of nervousness and confusion gripping me tightly.

I stood there, unsure of how to react or what Sir Elio intended by this intimate gesture. His actions were unexpected, and the way he touched me felt strangely familiar yet unsettling. Was he mistaking me for someone else, or was this a manifestation of grief and longing?

His touch lingered, and I could feel his warmth against my skin. The moment stretched on, filled with tension and unspoken questions. I struggled to find my voice, caught between wanting to reassure him and needing to understand his intentions.

"My wife," he muttered softly, his voice filled with a mix of longing and sorrow.

'Wife...' iniisip niya ba na ako ang dati niyang asawa?

As his fingers continued to trace gently across my face, I couldn't help but wonder. Sir Elio's actions were intimate, as though he was searching for remnants of his lost love in my features. The weight of his words hung in the air, leaving me unsure of how to respond or whether I should clarify the misunderstanding.

Emotions swirled within me — sympathy for his grief, confusion over his mistaken identity, and a tinge of discomfort at the closeness of his touch. Yet, beneath it all, I sensed his vulnerability and the depth of his loss, which made me hesitate to disrupt the moment with the truth.

I can't see a thing. It's pitch black. There's not a single ray of light visible to me. I feel nervous. Aside from the darkness, it's eerily quiet. The silence is deafening, and all I can hear is our heavy breathing.

A-anong nangyayari?

Suddenly, I felt something on my lips—warm and soft. And above all, the scent of alcohol was unmistakable.

He's kissing me!

I was shocked. In my surprise, I pushed him away forcefully, but I forgot he was holding onto my arm. We both tumbled to the ground in a heap.

The fall jolted me into a moment of clarity amidst the chaos. Fear and anger surged through me. How could he do this? Was this a mistake or something more sinister? I struggled to make sense of what had just happened in the suffocating darkness.

"Veronica," he called out again, but I knew he meant his late wife.

"I love you," his voice was tender and filled with affection. I understood that those words were meant for his former spouse. Yet, why did I suddenly feel a loud thud in my chest? My heart was pounding wildly, and it was driving me to the brink of madness.