HINDI mapigilan ni Kira ang mga luha niya. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya sa emosyon niya dahil halos hindi niya na makontrol ang sarili niya pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay.
People were staring at her and Kira was shy on what happened so she left Luther inside the grocery store. Nauna na siyang pumunta sa kotseng nakaparada at doon ibinuhos lahat ng luha niya. She never knew that they'd see him there, it just happened… Hindi alam ni Kira kung bakit ba siya ganito.
She gave birth to Kyrone without him, she moved forward without him and she had lived well without him for the past three years, and she never knew that she still loves him so much to the point that she regretted leaving him that day.
Kira wiped her tears as soon as she heard someone knocking from the window. She immediately opened the door and she gave Luther a smile.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't control my emotions back there. I'm sorry for leaving you…" Kira apologized to Luther sincerely. She kept on wiping her tears using her hands, but Kira can't stop her tears from falling. "Why can't I stop these tears! They kept falling from my eyes." Kira was very emotional to the point that she wiped her tears with so much force.
"Hey, don't do that, you'll hurt yourself." Pigil ni Luther sa kanya.
"I can't stop these tears from falling, Luther…" Napapikit si Kira at napahawak ng mahigpit sa sariling buhok. "It hurts, it really hurts… I just want to be numb… I can't take it anymore..."
Kira was shocked when Luther suddenly hugged her. It made her stop from what she was doing and she was startled. "No, don't cry, I hate it when you cry, Kira. It pains me too." Luther said in a low voice. "It's alright, Kira. I'm here, I'm always here…"
Kira hugged Luther back and she needs this. She needed this comfort. "I wanted to remove this feeling, Luther. I want to forget everything… Hindi ko naman alam na… ganito pala kasakit." Mahinang wika ni Kira at panay ang paghagod ni Luther sa likod niya.
Luther broke the hug and he gave her a smile. "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere to help you calm down." Anito sa kanya at kaagad na inabot ang cellphone sa bulsa. He messaged someone and as soon as he sent the message he assisted her to go inside the car. Nilagay na rin ni Luther lahat ng pinamili sa loob ng kotse.
"Where are we going?" Bungad na tanong ni Kira kay Luther pagpasok nito sa loob ng kotse. "What about Kyrone? Aviana and the others?" Nag-aalalang dagdag ni Kira.
"They'll take care of Kyrone. Don't worry, we will be back before dinner." Nakangiting sambit sa kanya ni Luther.
Hindi na nagsalita pa muli si Kira at hinayaan na lang na dalhin siya nito kung sa'n man ang lugar na tinutukoy nito. Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila habang nasa kalagitnaan ng byahe.
Tahimik lang si Kira na nakatanaw sa labas ng kotse. The scene earlier kept on replaying on her head, and he looks happy… with his own family. She never knew he already had a daughter. Will Kyrone be as happy as that child earlier if he'll be able to meet Aivan earlier?
What will happen if they didn't break up three years ago?
But, Kira knows better. There are no such thing as 'what if's', nangyari na ang dapat mangyari at wala dapat siyang pagsisihan dahil 'yun ang naging desisyon niya. That decision was breaking up with him.
Kira looked at Luther. Suddenly, she felt like asking something from him. "How did you meet him, Luther? Is he really your doctor three years ago?" Pagtatanong ni Kira kay Luther.
Tumango si Luther sa tanong niya at kahit na nagmamaneho ito, nasasagot pa rin nito ang tinanong niya. "Yes. Siya ang nag-check sa akin noong nagkaroon ako ng problema sa pag kain. Doon rin kita unang nakita. I saw a picture of you in his office, but don't get what I said wrong. It was a picture of you, but it was a picture kept as a memory of Krisza."
"Ah, I see…" Mahinang wika ni Kira at binalik ang tingin sa labas ng kotse.
It took them almost an hour to get to the place where Luther wanted for her to see. It was the beach. The sea breeze and sound of the waves crashing soothes her.
Somehow it calms her down. Kira can clearly see the deep blue sea in front of her, the white sand and the sound of the birds chirping.
This is definitely the place she will go if she's having a hard time. Kira looked at Luther and she gave him a smile. "Thank you for bringing me here, Luther…" She thanked him.
Kira sat on the white sand and she tried to let go of everything she wanted to let go, her feelings and emotions. The reason why she's suffering like this.
Luther sat beside her and Kira can't help but to think of how much he had helped her ever since then.
"For the past three years, you were always beside me. I am thankful that I have met a person like you, Luther. I am lucky to have someone beside me through times like this." Mahinang wika ni Kira. "And I want to ask why are you doing this much for me?"
Luther returned a smile. "That's simple to answer, Kira. Because I care about you."
Nawala ang ngiti ni Kira dahil sa sinabi ni Luther. He's always been there for her, but she can't even return the same feelings for him. She kept on rejecting him and even if she does reject him, Luther doesn't mind and kept on helping her and staying by her side.
"I'm sorry, Luther. I can't return the same feelings you have for me." Mahinang wika ni Kira, "You know that I can only offer you friendship. And it's been tough for me to move on with my past, because… I still love him…"
"You don't have to say sorry, Kira. It was my choice to love you after all. You are not obliged to return the same feelings I have for you." Nakangiting sambit ni Luther sa kanya. "Just be happy, then I'll be happy too."
Kira sighed, "You deserve so much better, Luther."
"And you, Kira… You deserve someone who values you."
Luther's words calmed her. She sometimes thought that why can't she fall in love with Luther instead? But, there's a part in her heart saying that she can't, because she only loves Aivan.
"I just realized that I still love that person I love before I lost my memories and after I regained them back." Kira took a deep breath and she looked at the sea with a calm smile. "Thank you for taking me here, Luther." Mahinang wika ni Kira. "I'm happy to have met you, even though we started off as enemies."
Mahinang natawa si Luther sa sinabi niya. "Enemies? You could say that."
"You know… By just looking at the sea, I remember that the sea was the reason why I never had the chance to meet Aivan again." Mahinang wika ni Kira. "Nakakatakot isipin na dahil sa takot ng mga magulang ko na mawala ulit, nakagawa sila ng mga bagay na dapat hindi nila ginawa."
"Pero ngayon, maiintindihan mo na ang mga ginawa nila para sa'yo. Now that you have Kyrone." Dagdag ni Luther.
"Yes, I understand them. But, I can't understand the reason for murdering my friends. They knew that Marta and Georges were precious to me." Kira said in a serious tone. "Come to think of it, it was never in my decision to be the owner of my family's company. It was never a dream for me."
"Also, come to think of it. Marami ring mag-aaway para pakasalan ka, now that you're the CEO of the Zhou Incorporation, other companies will chase you."
"I don't want to get married anymore, Luther. My first marriage failed, those were the days that Ricci was not that kind of stable when it comes to financial support. Hindi niya pa kasi tinatanggap ang posisyon bilang tagapagmana sa pamilya nila. He was just a professor then, ayaw niyang bumagsak ang ikinabubuhay ng pamilya niya kaya pumayag siya sa mga sinabi ng magulang ko." Pagkukuwento niya, "Ricci was a jerk, you see… But, I'm happy that he finally found his perfect match."
"Marriage was not one of my life choices." Mahinang wika ni Luther. "One day, I just found my parents forcing me to marry a girl named Kira Zhou, and I just found myself accepting it. Remember the reason why I despised you?" Pagtatanong ni Luther sa kanya.
Natawa si Kira at tumango. "Alam ko 'yun, you repeated it several times whenever we met three years ago." Sabi niya, "Hindi kita sinipot nung araw na dapat magkikita tayo dahil kami pa ni Ricci noong panahon na 'yon. I was kind of a rebel at the age of twenty."
"Natapakan ang pagkatao ko nuong nangyari 'yon. Nasanay ako na ang mga babae ang nagkukusang lumalapit sa akin at nasanay ako na ako ang hindi sumisipot." Mahinang saad nito at bahagyang natawa. "That's when I started hating you then. Then three years ago, I met you again. I thought you wanted to suicide that time and I just found myself saving you even though I despised you. I was surprised that you asked me who I was."
"I don't talk to strangers, okay?" Pabirong wika ni Kira na ikinatawa nila pareho.
NANG makabalik sila ni Luther ay naabutan nila ang mga ito na naglalaro sa condo, malaki ang pasasalamat ni Kira sa mga ito dahil binantayan nila si Kyrone. Mukhang natuwa naman si Kyrone dahil do'n at masaya silang lahat na mananghalian sa lugar ni Luther.
Kira was happy to see his son happy. Being able to meet her uncles and auntie, for Kyrone it was enough for him.
After lunch, umalis na sila dahil mayroon pa silang mga pasok at mayroon ding dapat asikasuhin ang iba sa kanila. She agreed on what Aiden just asked her earlier.
Naiwan silang dalawa ni Kyrone sa condo dahil may kailangang asikasuhin si Luther sa restaurant at ayos lang rin naman na maiwan silang mag-ina sa condo para hindi na masyadong maabala si Luther sa trabaho niya. They already disturbed hiim too much and this is the least she can do.
Tinatapos na ni Kira ang iba pang trabaho niya na naiwan para sa kanya. Kinuha niya ang tyansang ito para tapusin habang wala siyang ginawaa. Nabigla naman si Kira nang biglang lumapit si Kyrone sa kanya habang hawak-hawak ang gummy bears na binili ni Luther.
"Mommy, is it true? We're going to the beach?" Pagtatanong ni Kyrone sa kanya.
"Yes," Pag-sang ayon ni Kira sa tinanong ni Kyrone. "are you excited?"
"Of course, mommy. I'm excited!" Masayang wika ng anak niya.
"Tomorrow, we'll go and buy you a swim wear, okay? So you better behave and be nice to mommy and Tito Luther, okay?" Nakangiting wika ni Kira sa anak niya.
Tumango si Kyrone sa sinabi niya. "Okay, mommy!" Nakangiting wika ng anak niya at kaagad na nagpunta pabalik sa sala para ipagpatuloy ang panonood.
Nakapag hapunan na ang anak niya kanina. Siya na lang ang hindi pa naghahapunan dahil mayroon siyang natanggap na tawag mula sa sekretarya niya sa Italya. Oras na para patulugin niya si Kyrone dahil lagpas na ito sa dapat oras ng tulog niya.
"Kyrone, let's go to your room. It's time for you to sleep." Pagtawag ni Kira sa anak niya at kaagad naman na sumunod si Kyrone sa kanya. Pinatay nito ang TV at kaagad na lumapit sa kanya. Pumasok na silang dalawa sa kuwartong inuukupa nila at kaagad na nagtabi sila sa kama.
In order for her son to sleep, she has to stroke his hair until he falls asleep. That's the only trick to get him to sleep.
"Mommy…"
Kaagad na pinagtuunan ng pansin ni Kira ang anak. "Yes, Kyrone? Is there anything wrong?"
"My daddy's name is Aivan? I heard Ate Aviana and Tito Chaun kept on comparing me to that name and they kept on mentioning that he was my daddy. I kind of overheard them earlier."
Kira gave a sigh. Those two don't really keep their mouth shut. But, what can she do? Her son's already asking about his father.
"Yes, baby. Your father's name is Aivan." Kira honestly answered her son. "He is your Ate Aviana and Tito Aiden's sibling."
"Is that so, mommy? Then where is he? Is he here too?"
Kira doesn't know how to answer his son. He will keep on asking about Aivan to the point where he'll start to ask her when can she meet his father. Kira doesn't want her son to think that he has an irresponsible father because of her own selfishness.
Kira just gave her son a smile. "You should sleep now, anak. It's kind of late, how are we going to shop for your swim wear when we go to your Tito Aiden's beach?"
Hindi na nagtanong pa ang anak niya at kaagad na ipinikit nito ang mata. "I'll sleep na po, mommy! Goodnight and I love you!" Her son sweetly said to her and Kira can't help but to smile on what her son did.
Hindi niya pa alam ang isasagot sa mga tanong ng anak. Hindi naman niya pwedeng sabihin na hindi na nito makikita pa kahit kailan ang ama dahil may sarili ng pamilya, ayaw niyang makita na masaktan ang anak at ayaw niyang isipin na walang pakialam ang ama niya sa kanya.
Nang mapansin ni Kira na mahimbing na ang tulog ng anak niya, kaagad siyang umalis sa tabi nito at lumabas ng kuwarto.
Saktong naabutan niya si Luther na kakarating lang. "Where's Kyrone?"
Kira sat back to her chair and she stretched her arms, "Oh, pinatulog ko na." Sagot ni Kia. "Have you eaten dinner? If not, I'll heat the ---" Hindi natuloy ni Kira ang sasabihin nang biglaang mag-ring ang cellphone niya. Bumuntong hininga siya at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag. Nang mapansin niya na si Chaun ang tumatawag, kaagad siyang tumayo. "I'll just excuse myself first." Kira excused herself and she went to the balcony to answer the call.
Why would Chaun call her this time? It's kind of late for him to call. What happened?
"Hello? Chaun, what happened? What's with the sudden call?" Pagtatanong ni Kira kay Chaun sa linya.
"Kira, can I disturb you? Are you busy?" Hindi gaanong maintindihan ni Kira ang sinasabi ni Chaun dahil mukhang maingay sa paligid kung nasa'n man si Chaun.
Napatingin si Kira sa laptop niya at kaagad na ibinalik ang tingin sa tanawin, "No, I'm not. Why, what's wrong? May problema ba?"
"I need your help, I want to stop someone from taking his own life ---" Nabigla si Kira nang makarinig ng nabasag na bote sa linya.
"Hey, what happened? Ano 'yon?" Nag-aalalang wika ni Kira. "Nasa'n ka? Pupunta na ako d'yan."
"I'm sorry to bother you, Kira." Pagpaumanhin nito. "I'll send you my location now." Pagkasabi no'n ni Chaun ay kaagad na pinatay ni Kira ang tawag at kaagad na nareceive ang location ni Chaun.
Kira's forehead creased when she saw where Chaun is right now. Nasa isang bar ito malapit lang sa condo na tinutuluyan niya ngayon. Hindi na nag-aksaya pa ng oras si Kira at kinuha ang wallet niya at ang jacket niya.
"Where are you going? Late na." Pagtawag sa kanya ni Luther.
"Sorry, Luther. I have to go somewhere, pakibantaya nalang muna si Kyrone. I'll be back." Hindi niya na hinintay pa ang sasabihin ni Luther at kaagad na lumabas sa condo.
She immediately stopped a cab and as soon as she got inside, she gave the driver the location Chaun sent her.
Nagtataka si Kira kung bakit nasa isang bar si Chaun ngayon. Who is he trying to stop from doing such a thing?
Dahil rin sa pag-aalala para sa kalagayan ni Chaun kaya hindi na siya nagdalawang isip na puntahan ang kaibigan. Lalo siyang nakaramdam ng kaba nang makarinig siya ng nabasag na bote sa linya. It could be dangerous for Chaun.
When she finally arrived, she immediately paid her wage and when she stood in front of the bar, she immediately messaged Chaun. Ilang segundo pa lang ang lumipas ay kaagad niya nang nakita si Chaun na palabas sa bar.
"What's happening ---" Hindi naituloy ni Kira ang dapat niyang sasabihin nang hilain na siya ni Chaun papasok.
Sinalubong tenga niya ang malakas na tugtog sa loob ng bar pati ang mga nakakabulag na ilaw mula roon. Halos lahat ay nagsasayawan na tila ba wala nang bukas, it's as if they're doing something bad inside the dance floor.
Natigilan si Kira nang makita ang taong tinutukoy ni Chaun na nagbabalak na patayin ang sarili. He was there, sleeping on the island counter of the bar while holding a bottle of alcohol that is almost empty.
Kira looked at Chaun with confusion. Shouldn't he just called Aivan's lover instead of her?
"Chaun, I think you called the wrong person… i should not be here." Seryosong saad ni Kira at akmang aalis na nang mabigla siya nang may humila sa kanya at niyakap siya ng pagkahigpit-higpit.
It really startled her to the point that she doesn't know why she is letting him hug her like this. He already has his new lover!
"Kira… Kira… Is it really you?"
Kira just found herself crying again. She doesn't even know when she even hugged Aivan back to the point that Aivan hugged her really tight. "It's me, Aivan. It's me… Kira." In the end she gave in.
"Bro, I got her here for you. So, let's go." Pagtawag ni Chaun sa kanya.
Tumango si Aivan at pareho nilang inalalayan si Aivan sa bar. Pasuray-suray maglakad si Aivan at halos mahirapan silang dalawa na ilabas ito.
Kaagad nilang dinala si Aivan sa kotse nito na nakaparada. Kinuha ni Chaun ang susi g kotse sa bulsa ni Aivan.
"I'll drive the car. Stay beside him." Saad ni Chaun sa kanya na agad niyang sinunod. Kira sat beside AIvan who was sleeping at the moment.
Hindi alam ni Kira ang rason kung bakit naglasing ito at kung bakit ganito ang itsura nito ngayon. She never knew that Aivan would drown himself with alcohol even though he's a doctor.
Sinimulan na ni Chaun ang pagmamaneho ng kotse. "Sorry if I dragged you into this, Kira. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano siya papatigilin and I thought you can help." WIka nito. "And I was right."
"You dialed the wrong person, Chaun. You could've just called his lover." Mahinang wika ni Kira at napatingin kay Aivan na mahimbing ang tulog.
"I know who I called, Kira. Tama na ikaw ang tinawagan ko dahil ikaw lang naman ang may kaya na pauwiin siya." Ani ni Chaun. "I'm doing this for Kyrone and for the two of you, Kira. Remember, the greatest distance between two people is misunderstanding."
The car stopped from the very moment. Misunderstanding? What does he mean?
Napansin na lang ni Kira na nasa penthouse na sila ni Aivan. The place never changed a bit, it's the same how she last saw it three years ago.
Nahirapan silang dalawa ni Chaun na bitbitin papuntang kwarto si Aivan. Aivan reeked of alcohol and Kira can't help but to pity him because he looks really tired.
Umupo si Kira sa gilid ng kama nito at hinawi ang buhok ni Aivan. Without looking at Chaun, she immediately asked him a question. "Bakit nasa bar kayo? Balak na ba niya magpakamatay? Bakit nilulunod niya sarili niya sa alak?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni KIra kay Chaun.
Chaun sighed. "The owner of the bar called me, mula umaga pa raw kasi si Aivan sa bar nila. I was about to get him and I was about to drag him out. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang problema niya, kapag sinasabihan ko siya na kailangan na niyang umuwi ay nagpupumiglas siya." Paliwanag ni Chaun. "When I asked him why he was drinking, he didn't answer me and he just kept on calling your name." Dagdag pa ni Chaun.
"Maybe you just misheard him. Bakit niya ako tatawagin kung mayroon na siyang bago? This isn't right, Chaun. I don't want to be the third party here." Mahinang wika ni Kira.
"No, you got it all wrong, Kira. I already know the truth behind these misunderstandings." Wika ni Chaun. "If you want to clear those misunderstandings, stay here and take care of him. I have to go back. I still have to finish work."
"But, Chaun ---"
"Kira, I'm already helping the two of you out. Just stay here and take care of him. When Aivan gets drunk, just give him an hour to go back to his senses." Saad ni Chaun at hindi na nito hinintay pa na magsalita siya. Basta nalang lumabas si Chaun ng kuwarto at iniwan siyang naguguluhan sa nangyayari.
She wants to leave for the sake of her dignity, she doesn't want to be the third party and Kira can't risk having that image. Pero bakit hindi niya maigalaw ang paa niya palabas?
She doesn't want to leave his side. She wanted to stay and take care of him. But, there's definitely something stopping her from doing so.
Kira stood up and she immediately went to his bathroom to get a towel and wipe his body up. He reek of alcohol and he can't sleep properly in that state.
Kumuha si Kira ng pamalit ni AIvan. She sat beside him again and she could clearly see his face. The person she missed for three years is now close to her. Kira slowly wiped Aivan using the damp towel. Ang napunasan niya lang ay ang mukha at katawan nito, nahirapan siya sa pagpapalit ng tshirt nito dahil hindi kaya ni Kira na buhatin ang binata mag-isa.
Kira slowly caressed his face. "What are your intentions, Aivan? You're making me confused… You're hurting me again…" Mahinang wika ni Kira at natagpuan niya nalang ang sarili na hinahalikan ang labi ng binata. "Maybe I love to hurt my own feelings, ginagawa ko nang tanga ang sarili ko dahil sa'yo, Aivan." Mahinang wika ni Kira at napatayo sa kinauupuan.
Why do I keep on loving you even if you keep on hurting me, Aivan?
Lumabas si Kira ng kuwarto at napansin niya na walang nagbago ni isa sa loob ng penthouse ni Aivan.
Then, suddenly Kira remembered that she left the country without bringing anything with her. Napatingin siya sa pintuan ng kuwartong dating inuukupa niya. Hindi alam ni Kira kung bakit natatakot siya na puntahan ito.
Naglakad siya papunta sa pintuang iyon at dahan-dahang binuksan ang pintuan. She slowly twisted the door knob and when she finally saw the room, her tears stareted to fall.
The room she used to sleep… was still the same… parang hindi siya umalis ng bansa… kung paano niya iniwan ang kuwartong ito ay ganoon pa rin.
Aivan… What is the meaning of this? What does this mean, Aivan? Don't give me false hope…
Nanginginig ang mga paa ni Kira dahil hindi niya alam kung ano ang nararamdaman dahil sa nakita. Nakita ni Kira ang camera na naiwan niya sa bansa, kaagad na nagtungo si Kira doon at kinuha iyon. She never knew that he would still keep everything inside this room. It's as if she has stayed here those years she was gone.
Nabigla si Kira nang maarinig nang kung anong nabasag, kaagad na nilapag niya sa kama ang camera at lumabas ng kuwarto para tignan kung ano 'yon. Doon niya naabutan si Aivan na hinang-hina na nakatayo.
Nang magtama ang mata nilang dalawa ay para bang wala lang ang sakit na nararamdaman ni Aivan at kaagad na tumakbo papalapit sa kanya. He suddenly hugged her like he was really afraid to lose her. "Kira, I thought I was dreaming… Please don't leave… don't leave… I'm sorry… I'm really sorry…" Panay ang pagmamakaawa ni Aivan sa kanya at hindi alam ni Kira ang mararamdaman sa nangyayari.
Hindi alam ni Kira ang ginagawa niya. She just cried there like a fool, she doesn't know why she was this weak. "I'm confused, Aivan… Why would you still want me if you already have someone beside you…" Mahinang wika ni Kira at panay ang paghikbi.
Umiling si AIvan at mas lalong niyakap siya. "Tell me, Kira… Tell me… Luther was just lying, right? You're not with him, right? You only love me…"
Mapait na ngumiti si Kira. "What about your new lover, Aivan? I can't be ---"
"No, no… Let me explain…" Wika nito. "You misunderstood us, Kira. She's not my lover, that child is not my daughter. Honey Valderama is her name, I'm not married to her, she's not my lover. I'm just her friend, I'm that child's godfather. There's nothing between us, Kira…"
Mas lalong tumulo ang mga luha ni Kira sa sinabi ni Aivan sa kanya. Kira can't handle her emotions anymore to the point that he pushed Aivan away and she cried, she cried as if there's no tomorrow.
"Aivan… It really hurts, you know that? Why did you make me misunderstand, why would you lie to me? Why would you hurt me? Hindi mo ba naisip na nahihirapan din ako?" Nanghihinang wika ni Kira at panay ang pagluha. "It only proves that I have loved you! Why would you tell me that you don't love me? Why would you tell me you used me? Why would you ---" Hindi maituloy ni Kira ang sasabihin dahil sa sobrang sakit na nararamdaman niya.
"I'm sorry, Kira… I'm really sorry. I was a jerk, I'm sorry for hurting you." Mahinang saad ni Aivan. "Letting you go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I only realized that I really love you when you left me, and I didn't even know about my own feelings. I was confused, I'm sorry, Kira."
Mapait na ngumiti si Kira at prenteng tumawa habang pinupunasan ang sariling luha na kanina pa tumutulo mula sa mata niya. "You broke my heart, but all you can say is sorry?" Mahinang wika ni Kira. "Hindi mo ba alam kung gaano ako nahirapan at nagdusa dahil sa nangyari? That day that I broke up with you, was the same day when I figured out that my best friends was murdered and the culprit was my own parents. Nagsama-sama lahat ng sakit nung araw na 'yon. You never knew how hard it was for me, Aivan." Mahinang wika ni Kira at napahilot sa sintido niya. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I have to cool down."
Hindi na kaya ni Kira ang nararamdaman niya kaya kaagad siyang lumabas sa penthouse ni Aivan at nagtungo sa elevator na para bang walang nangyari. She was finally able to vent out everything to him.
She needs to cool herself down first.
"MOMMY, why are you quiet?"
Napatingin si Kira kay Kyrone na mayroong pag-aalala sa mga mata nito.
Ngumiti si Kira at kinuha ang pares ng swim wear na nakita niya. "Mommy's fine. What design would you like?" Pagtatanong ni Kira sa anak.
Hindi nakatulog si Kira kagabi pagka-uwi na pagkauwi niya. She never knew she'd get to react like that in front of him.
Lumapit ang isa sa mga nag-aassist sa mall kay Kira at kinuha ang pares ng swim wear. "Ako na po magpapalit sa anak niyo, ma'am." Kaagad na binigay ni Kira ag damit sa nag-aassist at napaupo sa upuan na nasa labas ng fitting room.
Tumabi sa kanya si Aviana at bakas rin sa mga mata ni Aviana ang pag-aalala. "Big sis-in-law, are you okay? I heard from Brother Chaun the sheep that you talked with Big brother last night."
Bumuntong hininga si Kira at umiling. "We did talk, but I can't stand talking to him. I walked away." Kira answered with honesty. "Inamin niya ang mali niya at totoo nga na ginamit niya lang ako noong kami pa. And I misunderstood him from having a wife and a daughter." Dagdag na wika ni Kira at prenteng tumawa.
"On behalf of my jerk brother, I'm sorry."
"No, no. Aviana, you don't need to say sorry on his behalf." Mahinang wika ni Kira, "It was also my fault, okay?"
"Will you still be my big sis-in-law?"
Napatingin si Kira kay Aviana at nagbigay ng ngiti. "I don't know, Aviana…"
"Give my brother a chance, big sis-inlaw. I know that he was a jerk, but I know my brother. He always loved you and he won't let go of you, too." Pagkasabi no'n ni Aviana ay kaagad na lumabas si Kyrone mula sa fitting room.
"How about this, mommy? Ate Aviana?" Kyrone asked.
Kira gave him a thumb-up, the same with Aviana. "It looks good on my cute niece!" Masayang wika ni Aviana at kaagad na lumapit kay Kyrone para yakapin. "Miss, kukunin na namin 'to." Dagdag na wika ni Aviana.
Pagkatapos nilang bayaran ang swim wear, kaagad naman silang lumabas para pumunta sa swim wear ng mga babae. Wala kasi siyang nadalang swim wear. But, Kira's mind is blank. She can't think straight;y, she can't focus.
"Mommy, can we buy ice cream?"
Bumalik sa huwisyo si Kira nang tawagin siya ng anak. Kaagad na kinarga ni Kira ang anak. "Can we have ice cream later, baby? We still have something to buy."
"Your mommy's right, Kyrone. If you buy ice cream now, hindi ka makakapasok sa pupuntahan natin."
"Okay, okay. I will follow what mommy says." Nakangiting wika ni Kyrone at pareho silang natawa ni Aviana sa sinabi ng anak.
"Kira?"
Tila tumigil ang mundo ni Kira nang marinig niya ang boses na iyon. She stopped from walking and she did not look up to clarify what she just heard.
"B-Big Brother? Why are you h-here?"
Huli na nang malaman niya na ang taong gusto niyang iwasan ay nasa harap niya.
"Is he my son?"