Kabanata 19

“Ashton, are you insane?! You will not take that woman home, Ashton! She has a child! And it's not yours! Why would you feel obligated?”

Isang malakas at galit na boses ang bumungad sa tainga ko pagkalabas ko sa pintuan ng room namin. Agad kong sinara ang pinto at bumalik sa hospital bed kung saan naka-upo si Maia habang pinaglalaruan ang stuffed toy na kakabili lang ni Ashton. We looked like a real family here. How I wish this moment is could be true.

“Mama, are we going to Tito Lollipop’s house?”

“Yes anak,” kumpirma ko kahit hindi naman sigurado.

I played with Maia until Ashton went inside. Kalmado parin ang mukha nito ngunit may kakaibang emosyon ang kaniyang mga mata. Hindi ko kayang mabasa. Hindi ko mabasa. Ang hirap niyang basahin.

“Are you okay?” Nag-aalinlangan pa akong tanungin siya. He leaned first to kiss my head before replying my question.

“Yes, I'm okay. We're good to go.”

I held Maia’s hand before going outside the room. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag nang makitan