Chapter 22: Adam
"Welcome to Cape Town, Ma'am. How may I help you?"
"Hi, I do have a reservation. Serenity Williams."
"Yes, Ma'am. Your room has been prepared, do you need any assistance?"
"Yes, I need someone to carry my luggage." I requested.
The bellboy helped me go up to my room. Maluwag ang kwartong nakuha ko, May malaki itong sala at kwarto. May jacuzzi rin sa loob ng banyo. The bed is really comfortable kaya alam ko na okay na rin si baby dito.
It was afternoon when my plane arrived here in Cape Town. Buti na lang at malakas si baby, hindi naman sumakit ang aking tiyan habang nasa biyahe.
Inilipat ko na ang mga gamit ko sa cabinet mula sa maleta ko. Medyo marami ang nadala ko dahil may plano ako. Tatlong sapatos ang dala ko. Puro rin dress ang dala ko pang-alis para kumportable ako mag lakad. Umidlip ako pagkatapos dahil napagod ako sa biyahe. Nagising ako nang palubog na ang araw. Bumaba ako para maglakad sa tabing dagat.
Baby, Nandito tayo ngayon sa Cape Town. Dito ka namin ginawa ng tatay mo. Kahit ilang buwan pa lang ang nakakalipas nang huli akong pumunta rito, nandito pa rin ang lahat ng alaalang dumaan sa akin. Nilabas ang phone ko galing sa pouch bag na hawak ko. Kumuha ako ng litrato ng araw at ng dagat. Ang ganda ng tanawin na ito. Miss na miss ko na si Adam. Mahal na mahal ko pa rin siya. Kahit ang sakit tanggapin na wala na siya, pero hindi ako mawawalan ng pag-asa na isang araw babalik siya sa akin.
Umupo muna ako sa isang tabi para magpahinga. Pinapanood ko ang paghampas ng tubig-dagat sa pinong puting buhangin.
Napansin ko ang isang batang babae na tumatakbo pero nadapa siya. Tumayo ako para tulungan siya.
"Hello, Little girl, Are you okay" I asked.
"Uhm, I-I'm okay."
"Where are your parents? Are you lost? Do you want me to help you?"
"Yes, Lady. Please help me find my dad?"
"Okay, Sure. Let's go?"
Sinamahan ko siya na hanapin ang daddy niya. Kawawa naman yung bata kapag pinabayaan ko.
"Daddy!" She shouted.
"Penelope? Baby! Where have you been, I've been looking for you."
She ran to a man who looks kind of familiar to me. I am happy that she found her dad. I thought it would take us an hour before we find her father but luckily it took us just some minute.
"This lady helped me." She pulled me.
"Thank You, Miss. Wait, I think i've seen you before. Have we met?" The man asked.
"I'm Timothy Layne, We met at the masquerade ball."
"Oh okay, I remember now."
"Thank You for helping my daughter. Who are you again?"
He asked.
"I am Serenity Williams, it's nice to meet you."
"Hi, Lady! I am Penelope!"
"Hi, Penelope! It's nice to meet you too." I greeted.
"By the way, We're going out for dinner. Come with us." Timothy invited.
"Okay, Thank You."
Pumunta kami sa isang indoor restaurant, ang ganda sa loob puno ng bulaklak at palamuti. Hinatak niya ang upuan ko at inalalayan ako umupo.
"Since when did you stay here?" He asked.
"I actually just arrived today."
"How long will you be staying here?" He added.
"Four days but I've been thinking of staying here longer."
"Are you with someone?"
"No, I'm alone." I answered.
"If you're not busy tomorrow, I think you should come with us. After all, You're pregnant so I think you should need some company."
"I think we're set. Thank You for inviting me."
"No, Thank You for helping my daughter. Here, You should eat."
We ate together for dinner and I think he's right that I need company.
"May I ask something?" I asked.
"Sure, What is it?"
"What's your nationality? Where are you from?"
"We're from England. But we decided to stay here because my work is here."
Pagkatapos kumain ay sinamahan nila ako pabalik sa tinutuluyan ko.
"This is my place, Thank You Timothy and Penelope!"
"Wait, You stay here? Wow, This is our place too." He asked.
"Really? What a coincidence. I think we should go inside now."
We rode the elevator together but I got our first because their floor was at the higher level.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Thank You again." I greeted.
"Goodnight, Lady. I'll see you tomorrow! Ciao!" Penelope said.
I smiled back and walked to my room. It's been a long day for me, I know the baby's tired too. Nagpahinga na rin ako agad but I checked my phone before I sleep.
I saw text messages from Mom, Dad, Tito Alex, and Tita Gab. They have different messages but it does have the same content.
I only replied to Daddy and Tito Alex. Kasi sigurado ako na mas mahaba ang reply nila Mommy at Tita Gab kaysa sa kanila.
I was about to close my eyes when the phone in my room suddenly rang.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hi, Lady! It's Penelope. Dad said that we'll leave at 11 am."
"Hi Penelope! Alright, I'll see you. Goodnight, Sleep Well!" I ended.
Huminga ako ng malalim at naalala ko na naman si Adam. He'll always be with me no matter what. Hindi naman totoo yung sinasabi nila na hindi nawawala sa isip nila ang isang tao. But what I believe in is, Kahit magsaya ka buong araw, kahit libangin mo yung sarili mo, At the end of the day, You will always end in a moment where you'll feel that you're still incomplete and that truly saddens me.
Imagine being a single mom at your first child, that thought kills me already pero paano pa kaya kung mangyari na talaga? Can I really do it? I'll always try to be better for this seed with me. Kailangan ko maging matatag.
I slept soundly because of the day-long flight I had to go to come here. I hope to regain my strength for tomorrow. I am happy that I met new people. Especially, Penelope, She's too adorable.
I remembered that I set an alarm on my phone kaya hindi na ko nagulat sa lakas ng tunong na ito. It's 9:30 in the morning. I called for a room service para sa breakfast. Dito ko na lang kakainin ang plated free breakfast ko. I am wearing a robe that is included on what I payed for.
I ordered pancakes, waffles, hot chocolate, and mango. Of course, everything will come in two, except for the hot chocolate.
After I ate breakfast, I prepared the clothes i'll be wearing for today's tour. Mabilis lang ako naligo para makapag ayos pa ako. I brought my credit card and my cash. I only brought my satchel bag and wore my white vans.
Tinali ko na ang buhok in a fishtail braid. It's 11:10 in the morning kaya bumaba na ako at baka kanina pa sila naghihintay sa baba.
"Hi! Good Morning, I'm sorry I was a little late." I greeted.
"It's okay, We just went down actually, Let's go?"
Hindi ko alam na may sarili palang sasakyan sila Timothy and they have their own driver.
"Hi, Lady. W-Where are you from?" Penelope asked.
"Well, I am from the Philippines."
"P-Philippines? I saw the photos of the beaches there. It's beautiful."
"You know what? You should ask your dad to come there and visit for some time. You'll both have fun." I invited.
I think this is the Chapman's Peak. Nagmasid ako sa paligid at manghang-mangha ako sa nakikita ko dahil sa ganda ng kalikasan. Adam, If you're seeing this, I bet sasamahan mo ako sa pagluha ko dahil sa saya.
"Dad said that we'll see whales. I'm excited."
I was about to hand my payment for my ticket pass but Timothy shook his head.
"Don't worry, It's on me. Just have fun, okay?"
"Thank You." I smiled.
We rode a yacht to see the whales at the middle of the ocean. It was a bright and sunny morning, Kitang kita ko ang linaw at kulay asul na tubig-dagat. Ang sariwa din ng simoy ng hangin.
Naghintay kami ng tatlumpung minuto para makita ang mga balyena at ang buong akala ko ay hindi sila lalabas. Pero, laking gulat ko nang nakita kong tumalon ng isa sa kanila. Ang lakas ng epekto ng kanilang talon sa tubig kaya natalsikan kami nito. Natuwa ako sa reaksyon ni Penelope, dahil halos maubos ang boses niya kakasigaw sa tuwa. I took a video of the whales para mapakita ko ito kay baby pagkalabas niya.
May mga free drinks while we are in the yacht kaya kinuha ko ang pineapple juice. Masyado nang mataas ang sikat ng araw kaya nagsuot na ako ng eyeglasses and hat. Masama kasi sa akin ang naaarawan ng husto. Pumunta muna ako sa malilim na parte ng yate para sumilong.
"Are you okay, Serenity? Do you need any help?" Timothy asked.
"No, I'm okay."
"You sure? Don't worry we're heading back to the shore now."
"Yup, I am really okay." I smiled.
After we rode the boat, Timothy took us to a restaurant for lunch. Late na rin kasi and it's two in the afternoon kaya late lunch na rin.
"Do you want to order something?"
He asked before the waiter leaves.
"Please choose a dish for me, No caffeine and less sodium please?"
Timothy and I waited for the dish to arrive while Penelope was playing at a fountain inside the restaurant.
"I hope you don't mind me asking this question but, Where is Penelope's mom? I haven't seen her for a while." I curiously asked.
"Oh, We were actually a couple but after Penelope was born. She just disappeared like boom."
"Sorry." I replied.
"It's okay. The only thing I'm afraid of is that Penelope will get hurt if she finds out that her mom left her."
"You know, I think you just need time before you tell her. But, the earlier you tell her the truth, the less pain she has to endure." I replied.
"How about you? Where's your fiancé? I remember the last time we were at the party."
"Long story." I answered.
"Penelope! Your food is here." I called her.
She sat beside me and asked me to hand her the chocolate shake she ordered.
"Thank You, Mommy."
"W-Welcome, Penelope."
Nagulat ako nung tinawag niya akong Mommy. Was I really that affectionate towards her that she thought I am her mom? Alam ko dapat hindi ko siya kaawaan pero nalulungkot ako para sa bata, sinong tao ang kayang gawin iyon sa isang bagong panganak na bata? No one deserves to be left like that without giving any reason.
"Daddy, Can you take a photo of me and the lady?" Penelope asked.
"Sure, Baby. Is it okay?"
"Yes of course." I smiled.
I smiled widely while Penelope hugged me when we were taking a photo. Her smile is so genuine and priceless, for a little girl who has blonde hair and big green eyes, her eyes tells a story.
"Is the baby coming out soon?" She asked.
"Yes, but we have to wait until the baby's ready. Why?"
"I hope the baby is a girl so that we could have a play date. I hope we become friends."
"Of course, You two will be good friends."
"Ladies, I think we have a long way before we get home so we better start moving." Timothy interrupted.
"Okay, Shall we, Penelope?"
"Let's go, lady."
Nakailip ako habang nasa biyahe, naabutan kami ng rush hour kaya medyo natagalan kami sa traffic. Nakita ko na natutulog si Penelope kaya inilagay ko siya sa aking hita at tinapik ng bahagya ang braso niya para makatulog siya.
"It's okay." Tutol ko nung aktong kukunin sana ni Timothy ang bata.
Masyado siguro talagang napagod ang batang ito dahil halata sa sarap at himbing ng tulog niya.
Nang nasa tapat na kami ng tinutuluyan naming hotel ay kinuha na ni Timothy si Penelope at binuhat ito.
"Mommy!" Iyak ni Penelope nang magising siya.
"Shh, Daddy's here, baby."
Nauna na silang umakyat pero naisip ko na manatili muna dito sa labas para magpahangin.
Dahan dahan akong naglakad patungo sa lugar na pinuntahan namin ni Adam nung gabi na nag-propose siya sa akin.
Hanggang ngayon, Suot ko pa rin ang bracelet na binigay niya sa akin. Sana yung kwintas na binigay ko sa kanya ay nasa kanya pa rin. Sana magkita na uli kami, sana mahanap ko na siya.
Umupo ako sa parehong lugar na pinuntahan namin. May upuan na sa lugar na iyon kaya dun muna ako nagpahinga.
Isang tao ang nakakuha ng aking atensyon, parang kilala ko ang taong dumaang iyon. Naka-sumbrero ito kaya medyo natatakpan ang kanyang mukha pero alam kong siya iyon.
Sinundan ko siya.
"Sir!" Tawag ko habang sinusundan siya.
"Sir, Please stop!"
Pero nawalan ng lakas ang mga binti ko. Kaya nawalan ako ng balanse at tuluyang bumagsak sa buhangin.
"Sir!"
Nilingon niya ako, nakita ko ang kanyang bahagi ng kanyang mukha pero hindi ang kabuuan dahil natatakpan ito ng suot niyang sumbrero.
Nagulat ako sa aking nakita.
"A-Adam?"