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?"
At that very moment, Kira knew that she couldn't stop this from coming. She heaved a sigh and she looked at Kyrone who's currently confused right now. Kira leveled herself to her son and gave him a calm smile, "Kyrone, go with your Ate Aviana first. I have to talk with him first, then I'll get back to you, okay?" Pagpapaliwanag ni Kira sa anak niya sa kalmadong tono.
Tumango si Kyrone at humawak sa kamay ni Aviana. "Okay po, I'll wait for you, mommy." Nakangiting wika ng anak niya.
Kira then looked at Aviana. "Sorry, Aviana. Can you bring him somewhere first? I'll have to talk with your brother."
Aviana gave her a smile. "Of course, just message me if there's something wrong." Saad ni Aviana sa kanya at tumingin sa kapatid. "Be nice to big sis-in-law, big brother. She had suffered enough from you." After that, Aviana carried Kyrone. "Let's go, Kyrone. Let's eat ice cream while waiting for mommy."
Nang makaalis na sila Aviana, matapang na hinarap ni KIra si Aivan. "Shall we go somewhere to talk?" Pagtatanong ni Kira kay Aivan at bahagyang tango lang sinagot nito sa kanya.
Kaagad na naglakad si Kira at nagpunta sila sa isang cafe sa labas lang ng mall. The two of them should talk about this matter over coffee.
Kira took a sip from her drink and she looked at Aivan who's being a little uneasy in front of her. "I came back to this country to talk to you about this matter." Panimula ni Kira at natawag niya ang atensyon ng binata. "To answer your question earlier… Yes, he is your son. I'm sorry if I kept it from you for three years."
"Why didn't you tell me? You should've told me about him."
Kira was surprised by what he just said. He did not question her and her son's existence. He could've asked her to run a DNA test, but he didn't.
Kira sighed and she looked at him with seriousness. "Paano kung nagsisinungaling ako sa'yo? What if I told you that he is not your son? Hindi mo ba ako tatanungin kung ipapa-DNA test natin ang anak ko?" Kira asked him just so she could test him.
"Why would I ask you that? I'm certain that he is my son from the very first glance at him." Sagot ni Aivan sa kanya. "If I'm not his father, as long as you're the mother, I will accept him. But in this case, I'm a hundred percent certain that he is mine, Kira. That's the only fact you can't hide from me."
He trusts her so much. How can he trust her like this? Isn't he afraid that she'll get revenge on what he did to her three years ago?
Nanatiling kalmado si Kira sa harap ni Aivan. "I'm sorry for keeping his existence, I didn't mean to keep him from you." Pagpapaumanhin ni Kira kay Aivan. That's all she can say after what Aivan had told her.
"Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit." Mahinang wika ni Aivan. "But, I want to ask you one thing… Kung sakaling hindi ko kayo aksidenteng nakita kanina, itatago mo ba sa akin ang tungkol sa anak natin?"
Natigilan si Kira sa tinanong ni Aivan. Walang nagawa si Kira kug 'di mapayuko.
"Yes. I intend to keep him from you until the very last day of our stay here in this country." Kira honestly answered. She doesn't want to lie to him.
"Why?"
Kira looked at him straight in his eyes. She can see the same expression she saw in his eyes from the very first day he saw him. HIs eyes were lifeless and empty. That was the expression she doesn't want to see.
"I can't promise my son a complete family." She answered straight away, without any hesitation from her lips.
Kira can see how her words impacted on him. His expression changed and Kira knows that he didn't like what she just said.
"You can't decide things like that, Kira…" Mahinang wika ni Aivan sa kanya. "Wala akong kaalam-alam na may anak ako. How can you be sure that I'm not willing to be his father? I am willing to take responsibility and marry you, Kira."
Kira was shocked by what he answered. Kira knows that there were misunderstandings that hindered her decision for Kyrone, but…
"I am not stopping you from being his father, Aivan. You can see him and take care of him as much as you like, you can be responsible for Kyrone, but marriage? I'm sorry, Aivan… but I want to take a rest from the things between us. Yes, I said that I still love you, but it's been too much for me. I want to have a rest." Kira explained and she took a sip from her coffee.
She saw how his expression changed in what she just said. "I understand that you want to rest about the things between us, I'm willing to wait for you, Kira. Alam ko na kasalanan ko ang mga nangyari, and I already suffered enough because of those stupidities. I'm really sorry, Kira. But, please…" He begged and he held her hands that made Kira startled. "Don't give me up. I am willing to wait, but please, don't let me go."
Hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang isasagot niya sa mga sinabi ni Aivan. She doesn't know how to respond on what he just said.
Binawi ni Kira ang kamay niya at nag-iwas ng tingin. Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nilang dalawa at hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang sasabihin.
"Can you tell me his name?" Aivan asked to kill the silence.
"Kyrone Denielle Zhou." Deretsong sagot ni Kira. "Don't worry, I can let him have your last name." Dagdag ni Kira, napatingin si Kira sa wrist watch niya at tumayo, kumuha siya ng isang business card niya at binigay kay Aivan. "I have to go, if you want to visit him. Just call me and I'll tell you the address." Saad ni Kira at akmang aalis na nang pigilan siya ni Aivan.
"Let me go with you."
Hinayaan na lang ni Kira na sumama ito pabalik sa mall. Kaagad niyang pinuntahan sila Aviana sa isang ice cream parlor at doon niya nakita na masayang kumakain ang mga ito ng ice cream.
Nang makita siya ng anak niya, kaagad nitong ibinaba ang ice cream cup na hawak niya at tumakbo palapit sa kanya.
"Mommy!" Masayang salubong sa kanya ni Kyrone. Sinundan naman ito ni Aviana at nakangiting sinalubong sila.
Kira leveled herself to his son and she gave him a smile. "Did you behave to Ate Aviana?" Kira asked.
Panay ang tango ng anak niya sa kanya at kaagad namang lumapit si Aviana sa kanya.
"Are you going to introduce my brother to him?" Pabulong na tanong ni Aviana kay Kira.
Kira gave her a nod. She looked back at Kyrone, "Kyrone, mommy want to introduce you to someone." Kira glanced at Aivan, inilapit niya si Kyrone kay Aivan at bago pa siya magsalita ay nauna nang magsalita si Aivan sa kanya.
"Kyrone, right?" Aivan said in a calm voice. "I'm your father."
Nabigla si Kira nang dahan-dahan na lumapit si Kyrone kay Aivan at napayuko. She saw how Kyrone asked for Aivan to carry him and it melted her heart. As soon as Aivan got to carry Kyrone, Kyrone hugged him and Kira was shocked when he suddenly saw his son cry.
"Tito Chaun told me about you…" Mahinang wika ni Kyrone at nanatiling nakayakap kay Aivan. "I finally met my dad…"
Kira saw how happy his son was and she can't help from her tears from falling, Kira immediately wiped her tears, she wanted to turn her back so that Kyrone won't see her crying but she was shocked when Aivan pulled her and he hugged her with Kyrone.
"I'm sorry…" Mahinang wika nito at hindi mapigilan ni Kira ang pagluha.
"I'm happy for you, big brother." Nakangiting wika ni Aviana at doon na kaagad kumalas si Kira sa pagkakayakap.
"It's time for us to go, Kyrone." Mahinang wika ni Kira at pinunasan ang mga luha niya na para bang walang nangyari. "Say goodbye to your father."
"He's not going back with us? No, I want to stay with him, mommy."
Hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang sasabihin sa anak dahil hindi niya alam kung paano ipapaliwanag sa anak ang sitwasyon. Mukhang ayaw nang umalis ng anak niya sa bisig ni Aivan.
"But, Kyrone ---"
"How about this," Singit ni Aviana. "How about we ask big brother to give us a ride back? Since, taxi ang sinakyan natin papunta dito. Would you like that, Kyrone?" Aviana suggested.
"Yes!" Masayang sagot ni Kyrone kay Aviana.
Kira looked at her son and he seems to love the idea that Aviana suggested.
"Are you fine with it, Kira?" Aivan then asked her.
She looked at her son with his begging eyes and she saw how Aviana looked at her as if she's asking her to agree. Kira sighed, she can't win against the two of them. "I'm fine with it. Excuse me from troubling you…" Mahinang wika ni Kira.
"This won't be a trouble for me, Kira. If it's for my family." Masayang wika ni Aivan at masayang tinignan si Kyrone. "Let's go."
Somehow, something's warming Kira's heart. She can see how happy Kyrone is to have met his father he longed for for three years. She never felt this kind of happiness, it felt like there's nothing empty in her heart as long as she can see his son happy.
"MOMMY, will daddy come?"
"Kyrone, that's the tenth time you asked." Buntong hininga na wika ni Kira. "I'm not sure, Kyrone."
"He only met Aivan once then he's already attached to him." Natatawang wika ni Luther.
"I know, Luther. I already saw this coming." Wika ni Kira.
Nasa harap sila ng restaurant ni Luther at hinihintay ang van na gagamitin nila papunta sa beach. Kira expected her son to keep on asking about the beach, but she was wrong. He kept on asking about Aivan, if he'll go or not. Hindi niya alam ang isasagot niya dahil hindi niya naman alam kung kasama ito o hindi. At sa pagkakaalam ni Kira ay hindi naman ito kasama.
Nang marinig nila ang busina ng van ay kaagad napalingon si Kira at narinig ang masayang hiyaw ng anak dahil sa excitement. Nagtaka si Kira nang makita na mayroon pang isang kotse na nakasunod sa van. Mayroon pa bang ibang sinama sila Aviana?
Bumukas ang pintuan ng van at nakita na nasa loob sila Anna, Mika, Chaun at Aiden, pero natigilan si Kira nang makita ang babae na nakasama ni Aivan sa mall pati ang anak nitong babae.
Kira felt a bit uncomfortable because of it. She misunderstood them and Kira knows that the wrong person was her. She just gave them a smile and greeted them with energy.
"Kira! Good morning!" Masayang bati nila Anna sa kanya.
Binigyan ni Kira ng malaking ngiti sila Anna. "Good morning to all of you!" Kira greeted them.
"Daddy!" Nabigla siya nang biglang umalis si Kyrone a tabi niya at tumakbo sa isa pang kotse kung saan bumaba si Aivan. Nabigla si Kira sa nangyari at miski rin si Luther.
"Ah, I see…" Mahinang natawa si Luther at ngumisi. "Let me tease him a bit, Kira. Since I won't be able to join." Dagdag nito at nang mapansin nilang dalawa na papalapit na sila Aivan habang karga-karga si Kyrone ay kaagad siyang inakbayan ni Luther na ikinatagis ng bagang ni Aivan.
"I did not know that you tagged along, doc." Nakangising wika ni Luther at ngumisi rin pabalik si Aivan.
"It's my responsibility to take care of my family, after all." Lumapit si Aivan sa kanila at kinuha nito ang bag nilang mag-ina na bitbit ni Luther. "My family will be riding with me."
"Well, have fun, Kira!" Masayang wika ni Luther. "Bring souvenirs for me, okay?"
Tumango si Kira at binigyan ng ngiti si Luther. "Of course I will. Good bye, Luther." Paalam ni Kira at nang nakapagpaalam na si Luther sa iba pa ay pumasok na ito sa restaurant.
Nabigla si Kira nang bumaba si Aviana sa kotse ni Aivan at lumapit ito sa kanya. "Good morning, big sis-in-law. Tara na para maaga tayong makarating sa beach!" Nabigla si Kira nang hilain siya ni Aviana papuntang kotse ni Aivan at sa shot gun seat siya nito pinaupo.
"Wait, Aviana ---" Akmang baba si Kira at pipigilan sana si Aviana pero huli na ang lahat dahil sinara na nito ang pintuan ng shotgun seat at kaagad itong sumakay sa likod ng kotse.
Mula sa likod, dumungaw sa harap si Aviana, "Big sis-in-law, don't worry. I'll sit beside my cute little niece." Wika ni Aviana at niyakap pa si Kyrone.
"Yes, mommy! I'll be fine with Ate Aviana. Just sit beside my daddy, okay?" Nakangiting wika ni Kyrone at tila nanigas si Kira sa kinauupuan nang bumukas ang pintuan sa driver's seat at doon niya nakita ang pagsakay ni Aivan sa kotse.
When Kira realized that she was staring at him for too long, she immediately looked away and she opened her phone to distract herself. She looked through her emails from work. She just waited for the car to move but Kira was shocked when Aivan suddenly leaned in and she could smell his scent from where she is currently seated.
Kira doesn't even know why her hearts started to react this way, she just realized that he just helped her to put on her seat belt.
"I just helped you to put on your seatbelt, sorry."
Nag-iwas ng tingin si Kira. "You could've just told me, so I could do it by myself." Mahinang wika ni Kira.
"Sorry." Paumanhin ni Aivan sa kanya.
The silence took over right after she said that. Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng konsensya sa sinabi niya. He only did that out of worry but, here she is! Saying such a thing because of her emotion.
Unti-unting iniisip ni Kira na masyado niyang ginagawang tanga ang sarili niya dahil alam niya naman sa sarili niya na mahal niya si Aivan, pero hindi lang siya handang sabihin ito dahil hindi pa niya kaya.
"Big brother, did you bring the breakfast you cooked? I'm kinda starving…" Biglaang wika ni Aviana na nagputol sa katahimikan.
"Nasa paper bag sa likod." Saad ni Aivan at sinimulan ang pagmamaneho.
"Ate Aviana, me too!" Nakngusong wika ni Kyrone kay Aviana at mahinang natawa si Kira dahil parang ang lakas ng epekto ng ginawa ni Kyrone kay Aviana.
"Of course, you also have your own, my cute little niece. Your daddy prepared these meals for you, for me and your mommy." Wika ni Aviana at binigay sa kanya nito ang isang lunch box. "Here, big sis-in-law!"
Narinig ni Kira ang masayang halakhak ng anak niya. "This tastes good, daddy!" Masayang wika nang anak niya kay Aivan.
Napatingin si Kira sa lunchbox na nilagay niya sa hita niya. She felt the familiarity with the packed breakfast. It felt like she already saw this thing back then, but she can't recall when and where she saw this.
Binuksan ni Kira ang lunchbox. "Thank you for these, Aivan." She said in a low voice.
"You're welcome." Masayang wika nito sa kanya.
Napuno ng saya ang kotse dahil sa anak niya at kay Aviana. Panay ang kuwento ng anak niya tungkol sa mga nangyari sa kanya sa Italya at alam ni Kira na ginagawa ito ng anak niya para malaman ni Aivan ang tungkol sa kanya.
At that age, he already knows how to handle stuff, but Kira doesn't want him to get involved in things like this because he's too young for it.
NAKARATING na silang lahat sa resort at nasa lobby sila ngayon para kunin ang susi sa mga cabin nila. Pagkadating na pagkadating ni Kira sa mismong lobby ay sinalubong na siya nila Mika at Anna.
"You already have a son?" Biglaang pagtatanong ng dalawa sa kanya at napakamot ng uo si Kira dahil do'n.
She gave them a nod. "Yes, he's already three years old. Sorry, I did not inform you about him…" Kira answered.
"Who's the father?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Mika pero bago pa makasagot si Kira sa tanong ni Mika ay kaagad nang nabatukan ni Anna si Mika.
"Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya mong magtanong o hindi e." Saad ni Anna at bumuntong hininga. "Obviously, the father is Aivan. Boss' brother. Look at them," Tinuro ni Anna si Aivan na karga-karga ang anak. "They both look a lot like! It's as if you took a child clone of Aivan."
Mahinang natawa si Kira sa inakto ng dalawa niyang kaibigan. Napatingin naman si Kira kay Honey na kausap ngayon ni Aviana, she misunderstood her that day and maybe Honey knew about it.
"What? What do you mean we only booked seven rooms?" Umalingawngaw ang boses ni Aiden sa lobby dahil sa sinabi ng receptionist dito.
Nakuha ni Aiden ang atensyon niya kaya doon nagsimulang mag-alala si Kira at baka mayroong problema.
"Yes, sir. I can show you ---"
The receptionist was cutted off when Aiden suddenly called Chaun. "Chaun Yu!"
Narinig ni Kira ang pagtawag ni Aiden kay Chaun at napansin ni Kira na namumutla ang mga receptionist sa takot nila kay Chaun.
Lumapit si Aviana sa kanya dahil mukhang napansin rin nito ang nangyayari. "What happened?" Pagtatanong ni Aviana sa kanya at bakas rin sa boses nito ang pag-aalala.
"I don't know." Mahinang wika ni Kira. "Let me ask your brother." Dahil sa pag-aalala, lumapit si Kira kay Aiden at nagtanong. "What happened? Is there some sort of problem?" Pagtatanong ni Kira.
Aiden gave her a stressed sigh. "Yes, a big one. We should've just gone to our family's beach instead." Saad nito, "Edi sana wala tayong problema. Why did I even entrust this to Chaun? I forgot he's half stupid." Dagdag ni Aiden na ikinatawa ni Kira.
Kaagad na lumapit si Chaun kay Aiden at mayroon itong ngiting pinakikita kay Aiden na tila ba nagpapanggap na inosente sa mangyayari. "Yes, you called for me?"
"Did you accidentally reserve only seven rooms? I told you, there are eight of us, how could it be seven… What's worse? It's all single beds!"
"My bad, I thought Aivan was not coming." Natatawang saad ni Chaun at lumapit kay Aivan. "My bad, man. You should just sleep outside ---"
"What? Why would you let my daddy sleep outside?" Nabigla si Kira nang magsalita ang anak niya at bakas ang galit nito kay Chaun. "Tito Chaun, dahil ikaw nakaisip, ikaw gumawa."
Nabigla si Kira sa sinabi ng anak, she was about to scold him when Aivan suddenly picked him up and he laughed. "What a good idea, son." Nakangising wika ni Aivan kay Chaun at tila parang dalawang tigre ang masama ang tingin kay Chaun ngayon.
"Am I seeing it right? There are two Aivan bullying Chaun?" Halos hindi mapigilan ni Aiden ang pagtawa dahil sa nakikita.
Bahagyang natawa rin si Kira sa nakita, they can't see the difference between Kyrone and Aivan.
"Kira? I kind of need your help here, I'm being bullied." Pagtawag sa kanya ni Chaun at napatigil siya sa pagtawa.
Kira stucked her tongue out at Chaun. "Bahala ka sa buhay mo." She teased him.
"What is this? A bully family?" Biglaang singit ni Aviana sa tabi niya at kumapit ito sa braso niya. "Well, this kinda solves the problem. Let the family stay together in one room." Aviana suggested and Kira was shocked with what Aviana just said.
In one room with Aivan? No, she can't.
"Well, that's kind of —"
"Yes! Yes! I want to sleep with mommy and daddy!"
Patagong napabuntong hininga si Kira dahil sa biglang pagsingit ng anak niya. This is not a great idea to begin with.
But, Kira looked at her son who's happily giggling beside Aivan. Will she just let this pass one time?
"Well, if that solves the problem then —" Kinuha ni Aiden ang isang lagayan kung saan nakalagay lahat ng susi sa cabin nila. "Let me distribute the keys and let's all meet by the beach."
Nakita ni Kira na binaba ni Aivan si Kyrone at kinuha nito ang susi ng cabin nila. She held Kyrone's hand and she was about to get their bags when Aivan came and snatched the bags away from her.
"Let me carry these." Nakangiting wika ni Aivan at kaagad na hinawakan ang kamay ng anak. "Let's go, we're on cabin 15."
Kira felt warm. She can see how happy her son is and she doesn't know why she feels complete…
Nang makarating na sila sa cabin nila, doon nakita ni Kira na may kalakihan ito at ang 'solo' bed na tinutukoy ni Aiden ay hindi mukhang pang-solo.
Five people can fit in this damn bed. As soon as Aivan got the bags inside, her son suddenly started to jump from the soft bed.
"Mommy, I think I should change from my swim wear."
Tumango si Kira ang kinuha ang backpack kung saan nakalagay ang gamit ni Kyrone. Kinuha niya ang swim wear ni Kyrone at akmang kakargahin niya si Kyrone para bihisan ay kaagad siya nitong pinigilan.
"No, let me do it, mommy." Kyrone stopped her and he immediately grabbed the swim wear and went inside the bathroom.
Why does it feel like he's not a three year old child anymore?
Napaupo si Kira sa gilid ng kama at kinuha ang pamalit niya. Kira actually forgot that she's with Aivan.
"Don't worry, I'll sleep on the couch." Nakangiting saad ni Aivan.
Kira just gave him a smile and she was startled when he suddenly removed his shirt, leaving him with his boardshorts.
Kira looked away, nagulat siya sa ginawa nito at ramdam niya ang pag-init ng pisngi niya dahil sa ginawa nito.
"Kira, ayos ka lang? Your face --- it's all red." Pagtawag sa kanya ni Aivan at mas lalo pang tinago ni Kira ang mukha niya dahil sa hiya.
"Mommy, I'm done changing!" Bumukas ang pintuan ng banyo at kaagad na tumayo si Kira at pumasok sa banyo.
"Kyrone, you can go first with your father. Susunod nalang ako." Sigaw ni Kira mula sa banyo at kaagad na nagpunta sa salamin para tignan ang mukha niya.
Halatang-halata ang pamumula ng mukha niya at talagang nakakahiya!
Mabilis lang ang ginawa ni Kira na pagpapalit at dinala ang mga kakailanganin ni Kyrone. Nakakahiyang paghintayin ang iba niya oabg kasama.
Pagkalabas ni Kira nang cabin, naabutan niya na naglalaro ang mga ito kasama si Kyrone at ang anak ni Honey.
Napansin ni Kira na mag-isa lang si Honey na nakaupo sa beach chair.
Kira took the privilege to go and have a chat with her. Since, Honey might have the idea that she misunderstood her that day at the mall when she was with Luther.
Nilapag ni Kira ang beach bag niya sa tabi nang uupuan niya. She looked at Aivan and Kyrone getting along really well.
Kira took the chance to talk to Honey about the misunderstanding. "Uhm, hi Honey." Kira started the conversation with a smile. "I'm Kira, I just want to apologize about the misunderstanding back at the mall the other day." Kira also bowed in front of her to make her apology sincere.
"No, no, no. It's fine, I understand." Honey said and she returned a smile. "Aivan told you that I'm his friend, right?" Nakangiting tanong nito.
"Yes." Tipid na sagot ni Kira at nakita niya na napatingin si Honey kay Aivan at 'yun lang ang biglang gulat niya nang nagdikit ang kilay nito at napabuntong hininga. "That damn brat! He doesn't even acknowledge me as his cousin!" Inis na wika nito.
Kira was caught off guard on what she just said. Cousin? He's Aivan's cousin?
"Wait, wait… I'm sorry, I'm just kind of confused… You're his cousin? You're not his friend?" Kira asked out of curiosity.
Honey sighed and gave her a nod. "That damn brat doesn't even call me 'Ate' when in fact I'm five years older than him." Dagdag na reklamo nito at nabigla si Kira nang hawakan nito ang kamay niya at nagpakita ito nang masayang ngiti. "I'm happy to have met you, Kira. So, you're the girl that made my bratty cousin really crazy." Anito at napatingin muli kay Aivan na masayang kalaro ang anak. "I see, you two already have a son. He looks a lot like Aivan when he was little. No doubts."
"Uhm, so you're a doctor too?" Kira asked Honey.
"Yes, we currently work at the same hospital."
Kira was really speechless. Why did he even call his cousin just a friend? Is he really fond of lying? Pinsan niya na nga lang, magsisinungaling pa. What a great move, Aivan…
"Ah, I see…" Mahinang wika ni Kira at napatingin sa batang babae na kalaro ni Aviana. "What's your daughter's name, Honey — wait, I'm sorry… I should have asked you how will I address you…"
Ngumiti si Honey sa kanya. "Honey is fine."
Napatango-tango si Kira. "Okay then… uhm, what's your daughter's name, Honey?"
"Olivia Hayley." Nakangiting sagot nito. "How about your son? What's his name?"
"Kyrone Denielle."
"Mommy!" Nakita ni Kira na papunta ang anak niya sa kanya kasama si Aivan. "Why don't you play with me and daddy?"
Napatingin si Kira kay Honey. "How about you, Honey?" Kira asked.
"I'll be fine here. Go on, enjoy."
Tumayo si Kira at nagpahila na siya sa anak niya. Kaagad silang pumunta sa buhanginan kung saan nakalapag ang mga gamit para sa pagbuo ng sand castle.
Pinaupo ni Kyrone si Aivan sa tabi niya at nang magtama ang tingin nilang dalawa ay binigyan siya ng ngiti nito ngunit tanging irap lang ang binigay niya dito.
"Let's build a sand castle, mommy… daddy!" Masayang wika ng anak niya at kaagad na inabutan silang dalawa ng mold.
Kinuha nila pareho iyon at sinimulan na samahang mag-laro si Kyrone. Her son was enjoying this vacation and Kira seems to enjoy her vacation with his son. All she wants to see is his son to be this happy.
"What a picture of perfect family!" Sigaw ni Aviana mula sa gilid nila at napatingin si Kira sa direksyong iyon.
Napansin niya rin ang reaksyon nila Mika at Anna sa nakikita. Nagulat nalang si Kira nang biglang lumapit si Chaun sa kanila na mayroong dala-dalang camera.
"Compress kayo ng konti. I'll just take a good picture of a great family!" Masayang wika ni Chaun.
Nakita ni Kira na kaagad tumayo si Kyrone at umupo ito sa hita niya.
"Okay, let me count from one, two… three, say cheese!"
"Cheese!"
Nabigla si Kira nang inakbayan siya ni Aivan at ipinatong nito ang ulo sa braso niya at dahil sa pagkabigla niya ay hindi niya alam kung naging maayos ba ang kinalabasan ng litrato.
Nang matapos sila kuhanan ng litrato ni Chaun, kaagad na dumistansya si Aivan sa kanya at tumayo naman si Kyrone sa pagkakaupo sa hita niya.
Bumalik si Kyrone sa dati niyang puwesto at ganoon rin si Aivan. Pareho nilang binalikan ang naiwan nilang gawain at si Kira ay pilit na tanggalin sa isip ang nangyari.
"Mommy…" Bumalik sa huwisyo si Kira nang tawagin siya ni Kyrone.
"Yes?" Kira responded.
"Sasama ba si daddy sa atin sa pagbalik natin sa Italy, mommy?"
Natigilan si Kira sa tanong ni Kyrone sa kaniya. She doesn't know what to respond with his question and they only have three days left before they head back to Italy to permanently settle down there.
Kira can't leave the company alone. She can't permanently stay here anymore. She has to take Kyrone with him… How should she explain this?
"Kira! Kyrone! Aivan!"
Sabay silang tatlo napalingon kay Anna.
"Let's have our lunch!" Pagtawag nito sa kanila.
Kaagad na tumayo si Kyrone at hinatak siya nito patayo. Kyrone held Aivan and her hands, "Let's eat lots of seafood, mommy! Daddy!" Her son happily exclaimed and the three of them walked their way to the venue.
KYRONE was dead tired from all the activities they did earlier. Maagang nakatulog si Kyrone at nakatulog na rin si Aivan kasama ang anak.
Pero si Kira ay hindi pa rin makatulog dahil sa dami nang iniisip. She decided to take a short walk at the beach to calm herself down.
Kira sat on the sand and she stared at the full moon as the sea breeze calmed her.
It's already eleven-fifty, malapit nang magmadaling araw kaya napakalamig ng hangin sa labas.
She did wear enough clothes to warm her up, but she can still feel the coldness in her skin.
The scenery's perfect in her eyes. She really did love this scenery since then.
Nabigla si Kira nang mayroong nagpatong ng makapal na balabal sa kanya.
Nagtaas ng tingin si Kira at nakita na si Aivan iyon. He sat beside her and handed her a warm tea. "Keep yourself warm, you'll catch a cold." Anito at napatitig sa buwan.
Mahigpit na hinawakan ni Kira ang balabal para hindi ito liparin dahil sa malakas na hangin. "Thank you." She said in a low voice.
"I'm happy." Biglaang wika ni Aivan. "To have someone like you beside me. Kyrone grew up with proper care and love and I thank you for that."
"I'm sorry, I took your responsibility as his father." Kira apologized.
Umiling si Aivan at ngumiti sa kanya. "You don't have to say sorry, it was my fault after all." Anito, "I'm glad that you gave me a chance to be his father, even if I don't deserve it."
Bumuntong hininga si Kira at sumimsim sa tsaa na binigay ni Aivan sa kanya. "Paano mo masasabing hindi ka karapat-dapat kung hindi mo pa naipapakita?" Kira asked him, "You made Kyrone really happy, Aivan. And as a mother, it really makes me happy too." Dagdag na wika ni Kira.
Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila, tahimik ang lugar at tanging ang paghampas lang ng tubig mula sa dagat ang maririnig at ang hangin na nagmumula sa malamig na gabi.
"I want to ask you something." Tinignan ni Kira si Aivan at hinintay ang tatanungin nito sa kanya. "You won't settle here?" Aivan asked.
Natigilan si Kira sa tanong nito sa kanya at kahit alam niya na ang isasagot ay mahirap pa rin sabihin kay Aivan.
"We won't. I have a lot of things in Italy to settle, and it's — it's just that, I can't leave Italy anymore." Sagot ni Kira sa mahinang tono. "But, I promise you. Kyrone will visit you every month."
Kira saw that Aivan was unsatisfied with what she said. "How about you? You're not going to visit me? I want you to be with me, Kira."
Kira froze on what Aivan just said. She doesn't know how to respond with what he was saying and Kira can't even think straight.
Kira looked at Aivan. "I'm —" Kira wasn't able to continue what she was saying when a firework display suddenly came.
It really caught her attention and it was really… beautiful. Kira stood up to see the fireworks clearly.
"Kira."
Kira looked at Aivan and she looked at him with confusion. He was holding a sunflower and he's wearing his sincere smile.
"What's the meaning of this?" Kira asked him with confusion.
"Today is your birthday, Kira. Your original birthdate." Nakangiting paliwanag ni Aivan sa kanya. "Happy birthday, Kira…" He said and he suddenly showed her a blue velvet box.
Kira can't hide her tears and she really was surprised. She completely forgot that today was her true birthday. For how many years, she celebrated her fake birthdate. But, now…
"I know that I broke your heart several times and fate made me meet you twice in my life, I may not be the perfect man and the perfect father for Kyrone, but I am willing to be one." Wika nito at binuksan ang velvet box na hawak-hawak nito. "Will you marry me, Kira?"
Kira smiled while her tears kept on falling from her eyes. "You don't have to be perfect, Aivan." Nakangiting wika ni Kira at niyakap si Aivan. "How could I say no to the person I love?"
Niyakap siya pabalik ni Aivan at sinuot sa kanya ang sing-sing. Kira can see how happy Auvan was and she knows to herself that she's happy too.
"I'll go with you to Italy with our son. You don't have to worry about everything, Kira. I'll always be by my family's side." Nakangiting wika nito at niyakap siya muli nang mahigpit.
"Congratulations, big sis-in-law!"
Kira was surprised to hear Aviana squealing. She looked at her and she saw that Aiden, Chaun, Aviana, Anna and Mika were there watching her with a smile.
"Finally, you got her back." Nakangiting wika ni Aiden kay Aivan at lahat sila ay binati silang dalawa.
Kira can't contain the emotion she's feeling right now. She's really happy to be able to be with the person she lives after years of suffering from lies and misunderstandings.
She never knew that it would turn into this.