Sehun’s POV

“Hon, k-kapit ka lang!”

“Dali Sehun! Dali!”

“H-hon… hooh! Hooh! Hooh! Lalabas na!”

“Pigilan mo muna Xyla! Sehun, Dalian mo! Love! Ready my tools!”

“Ate!”

Jusko! Abot-abot ang kaba ko habang karga siya sa mga bisig ko papunta sa Medical room ng bahay.

“Ang mga bata! Naiwan sa labas! Kyle, Sienna! Check before them!”

“Sama na kami!” Taranta na lahat. Hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa kanya hanggang marating na namin ang kwarto.

“Maiwan na kayo dito. Sehun, ipasok mo na siya!” Nagtuloy-tuloy ako sa loob at inalalayan ako ni Lae na maihiga siya.

“Lay, please…” He nods and wears his mask and operating gloves. Nanatili ako sa uluhan niya’t hawak ang kamay niya.

“Lala, kaya mo yan. Andito lang ako. Hindi ka na mag-iisa sa pagluwal ng anak natin. Hindi ko bibitawan ang kamay mo. I love you Lala. I love you. I love you. I love you.” I kiss those tears coming out from her eyes.

“Iire mo lang Xyla!” Humigpit ang kapit niya sa kamay ko’t hindi ko binitawan yon.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“Sige pa!” She keeps pushing while holding my hand tight.

A tear fell from my eyes when I saw Lay holding our little angel. Napatingin ako sa kanya nang lumuwag ang hawak niya sa kamay ko’t tumunog ng diretso ang heart monitor.

“Lala? H-hon?” Lumipat ako sa gilid niya’t hinawakan ang pisngi niya.

“L-Lay! What’s happening?! Lala?! Lala?!”

“Tumabi ka muna Sehun!” Umiling ako pero inalis ni Lae ang kamay kong nakahawak sa kamay niya. Bahagya akong lumayo. I brush my hair and look at her. Lay and Lae was doing something to revive her. They keep pumping her chest with those things.

Hindi mo ako pwedeng iwan. Hindi na ako papayag na iwan mo ako ulit. Ayoko nang maulit ang dati. You can’t leave me Lala. You can’t… hindi ko na kakayanin.

***Flashback***

8 YEARS BEFORE…

(Still Sehun’s POV)

“Talaga bang aalis na kayo? Hindi na ba kayo mapipigilan?”

“Babalik kami Bel. Kapag naayos na namin ang lahat.”

“Wag ka nang malungkot Bel. Maiiwan naman sina Kris, Kai, Suho at Lay dito.”

“Pero mababawasan na kami. Hindi ko na kayo makikita.”

“Wag ka ngang umiyak. Nasa iisang mundo parin naman tayo a? Isang lipad lang naman ang gagawin namin at magkikita rin tayo.”

“Mauna na ako sa labas.” I said and turn my back to them.

“Sehun…” Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang pagtawag nila sa pangalan ko’t tuluyang lumabas at sumandal sa kotse. I look at Auntie’s house.

“Hahahaha! Bakla ka pala e!”

“Shh… wag kang maingay Sehun, baka Makita nila tayo.”

“Sehun! Asan ka?! Lumabas ka na! hindi mo ako habang buhay na matataguan!”

“Huli ka!”

Napapikit ako. Puro alaala niya lang sa bahay na ‘to ang maaalala ko.

“Sehunnie~”

I bit my lower lip.

“Sehun, andito lang ako lagi para sayo.”

“Sehunnie~ I’m sorry for making you cry.”

“Sehunnie~ tikman mo~ Sarap di ba?”

“Blitz! Ako ang Mommy mo bakit mo kinakampihan ang Daddy mo?!”

“Bumalik ka dito Sehun!”

“Sehun! Sehun! Sehun! Sehun!”

Napahilamos ako ng mukha. Tama na. Tama na.

“Sehunnie~”

“Tama na Lala. Tama na. Tama na.” I lower my head and let those tears fell. Pagod na ako. Ayoko nang isipin ka. Ayoko nang magpakatanga. Ayoko nang umasang babalik ka dahil… malabong bumalik ka pa.

“Sehun.” Pinunasan ko kaagad ang mga mata ko’t tumingala.

“Hindi ka ba magpapaalam sakin?” Ayokong tignan si Bel.

“Ayokong magpaalam Bel dahil… dahil sure akong babalik rin ako dito.” Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa balikat ko.

“Be strong.” Tinignan ko siya’t muli na namang pumatak ang mga luha ko.

“H-how? How can I be strong if she was my strength?” I said with a shaking voice. D^mn! Kelan ba ako hindi iiyak?! Bel smiled weakly and hugged me. I hug her back.

“Then make her as your strength. Tanda mo yung sinabi niya? It’s not bad to believe. Now I’m telling you Sehun, believe.” She release and point my left chest.

“This. Believe this.” She gets my and put something to it and close it.

“Mag-iingat ka doon. Magpakatatag ka. Kapag nagkita tayo ulit, sana… ibang Sehun ka na. Grow up Sehun. Not for her but for yourself. Destiny will help you.” She said and pats my shoulder and smiled before leaving me. I look at my hand and look at the thing Bel put on it.

Binuklat ko yon at nangilid muli ang mga luha ko.

A letter… from Lala.

7 YEARS LATER…

(Still Sehun’s POV)

“Farah, what’s my remaining schedule for the day?” I asked as I sat on my swivel chair and sign some documents.

“Uhh… Nameeting niyo na po ang board… well… last schedule niyo po ay… May personal meeting po kayo ngayon kay Mrs. Smith at 2:30pm at SedriGO Hote---” Tinignan ko yung orasan.

“Sh’t! Bat ngayon mo lang nasabi yan?! Bat di mo pinaalala sakin kanina?!”

“I’m sorry Sir. Sabi niyo po kasi wag kayong istorbohin.”

“You know how important our deal with Smiths. We need to close that deal.”

“Sorry po talaga Sir.” Tumayo ako agad at naglakad palabas ng office ko.

“Come with me and don’t forget to bring the documents.” I said at bumaba na ng kumpanya at nagdrive papunta sa hotel.

Bumaba ako agad ng kotse’t pumasok sa loob ng hotel. I fix my coat before entering the classy restaurant. Sinalubong ako agad ng isang staff.

“Any reservations, Sir?”

“Yes. To Mrs. Smith.” He smiled.

“This way Sir.” Sumunod ako sa kanya kasunod ang secretary ko.

I saw a woman sitting facing her back towards us. Her hair was long wavy brown. Hindi ko alam bakit pero kinabahan ako bigla. Huminto yung staff sa kaharap niyang upuan at itinuro yon bago magbow sa amin at umalis. Natigilan ako sandali.

“Sir, ayaw po ni Mrs. Smith na pinaghihintay.” Mahinang sabi sakin ni Farah. I sighed and breathe deeply before took a step.

“I’m sorry we’re late, Mrs. Smith. I hope you can forgive us.” Nakayuko kong sabi.

“It’s okay. Take a seat.” Pinauna ko munang umupo si Farah bago ako umupo sa tabi niya’t hinarap ang kliyente namin.

I look at her. Bahagya siyang nakayuko’t parang may isinusulat or something. I can’t see her face dahil natatakpan ng mahaba niyang bangs ang mukha niya. I cleared my throat to get her attention.

“Don’t mind me. Just speak and tell what you want to tell. I’ll listen.” I raised one of my brows. Sinenyasan ko si Farah na siya na ang magsabi. Ayokong magsayang ng laway sa taong mukha namang walang pakealam.

I was just looking at her and she’s still up to something. Hindi ko nga alam kung nakikinig ba talaga siya o hindi.

“That’s it Ma’am. What can you say?”

“I’m done. I don’t accept your offer.” She said and didn’t even give as a glance.

“Excuse me Mrs. Smith, did you even listen to what my secretary says? Mukha pong focus kayo diyan sa ginagawa niyo.”

“She stated what will happen and what my company gets if I’ll sign the contract. I heard it all loud and clear. My answer is final. I don’t accept your offer. Besides, meeting a client means important right? If you’re really interested to get my yes, then you should be ahead on me for an hour or before I came. You’re the one not showing interest Mr… whatever your surname is.” Tumayo ako agad. Pati apelyido ko hindi alam? Sino kaya ang walang interest sa amin?

“Let’s go Farah. We’re just wasting our time here.” I unbutton my coat to breathe and pass her but then, something bumped my legs.

“Aww~” I look at the little boy who was sitting on the floor.

“Are you okay kid?” Tears are forming to his eyes at agad na namula ang matabang pisngi’t ilong niya. He sniffs and by then…

“Uwaaaah~ Mommmyyy~” Sh’t! kasalanan ko pa ngayon? Itong batang ‘to ang tumatakbo dito’t sumagi sakin. Ngumawa nalang siya’t tinignan pa ako ng mangilan-ngilang kumakain dito.

“Sedrih?” Bigla nalang may dumaan sa gilid ko’t nilapitan yung bata.

“Baby, what happened?”

“Mommmmy! Uwaaaah~”

“Hala Sir! Anak po pala ni Mrs. Smith.”I looked at Farah.

“So? Hindi ko kasalanan. Nakita mong ang bata ang bumangga sakin kaya wala akong kasalanan.” I said and walk and pass those Smiths.

“Tahan na baby, sinong umaway sayo? Tell Mommy’t papaluin natin yan.” I smirk. Papaluin her face.

“Yun pong scary monster na yon~” Nanlaki ang mga tenga ko. Ako? Scary monster? T^ngn^! Sa gwapo kong ‘to? Pake ko ba? Binuksan ko na yung pinto pero napahinto ako ng may tumamang kung ano sa likod ko.

“And you’re not just uninterested man, wala ka pang puso! Pati bata inaaway mo? At anak ko pa?! At aalis ka nalang without even saying sorry? How stupid you are?!” Pinapainit ng babaeng ‘to ang ulo ko a?

“Wala kang kwenta. Let’s go baby.” Hindi ako umalis don sa pinto at nakita kong dinampot niya ang sapatos niyang ibinato niya sakin. She was about to leave but I hold her arm and pulled her.

“You don’t have rights to---” *dugdugdugdug* Natigilan ako’t natulala ng Makita ang mukha niya.

That face… I never saw that face for how long. That face that I always dream of. That face that my mind was longing for. I blink.

“L-Lala?”

“Let go of my Mom~!” Nabitawan ko siya’t napahawak ako sa binti kong sinipa nung bata.

“Sedrih, stop it.”

“Excuse me, do we have a problem here Ma’am? Sir?” Biglang sulpot nung isang staff.

“A, no… we know each other.”

“Sir, ayos lang po kayo?” Hindi ko pinansin si Farah’t tinignan yung bata tapos, siya.

“He—he’s your… son?” She carried the kid and look at me.

“Yes. My son... For real.”

“Mommy, do you know him?” Tinignan ko siya’t tinignan niya ang anak niya. I gulped. She has… a son. Dumagundong ang mundo ko’t ayaw huminto ng malakas na kabog ng dibdib ko. Something’s stuck to my throat and the side of my eyes heatened. I clenched my fist. I’m not weak.

“Yes baby. Mommy knows him.” I averted her gaze and breathe before loking at her again. I smiled forcedly.

“It’s nice seeing you again Laurene… after 7 long years.” She smiled and that weakens my knees. Bakit nagagawa mong ngumiti habang ako… nasasaktan ngayon?

“Hmm… I’lll go ahead. May meeting pa akong pupuntahan. Sorry for accidentally bumping your son.” I look at her son for the last time and mess his hair.

“Take care of your Mom.” I said and pass them.

“Sir, kilala niyo po si Mrs. Smith? Kaano-ano niyo po siya?”

“Yes. She’s… my friend.”

“Sehunnie~!” I stopped and my heart keeps rumbling. Gaa! When was the last time I heard that nickname from her?

“Sir, tawag po ata kayo.” Sehun. Stop it. Nagmove on ka na right? I take a deep breath before looking back at her. I smiled. She walked towards us.

“May kailangan ka Laurene?”

“Uhh well… kung may oras ka pa, maybe you want to join me and my son for a meryenda?”

“I’m sorry but I can’t. May meeting nga ako ngayon at baka magsimula na yon in any minute.”

“Sir, wala po kayong meeting. Last sched niyo po is with Mrs. Smith.” I glared at Farah. She lowered her head.

“Hmm… nagiging makakalimutin ka yata’t masyado kang naattached sa trabaho mo.” Napakamot ako ng kilay at bahagyang natawa.

“Uhh… yeah. Just being responsible with my company.”

“So… kung wala ka namang gagawin, pwede ka bang mainvite sandali?”

Now what? You can’t escaped her now Sehun. I smiled half and nods.

“Sure.”

“Okay. Let’s go outside.” Nauna na sila’t sinundan ko nalang sila ng tingin.

“Tara na daw Sir.” Hinila ko ang coat ni Farah.

“No matter what happened, wag kang aalis sa tabi ko mamaya ha?”

“B-bakit po Sir?”

“Para hindi ka makatakas sakin. May kasalanan ka remember?”

“Sir, wag mo kong sesesantehin. Sinasabi ko lang naman po ang totoo~” She said as if she’ll cry. Binitawan ko na siya.

“Don’t worry, matagal pa bago kita sesantehin.” I said and walk after them.

“Mommy, buy mo ako ng aish cream po.”

“Kaka-ice cream mo lang kanina Sedrih. Puro ice cream nalang laman ng tummy mo.”

“Pero Mom~”

“Gusto mo bang isumbong kita kay Daddy?”

Nakasunod lang kami sa kanila’t nakikinig ako sa pag-uusap nila.

“Do you know something about her?” Mahina kong tanong kay Farah.

“Well Sir, ang alam ko lang po, She’s Mrs. Smith. She keeps her name privately and she’s the acting CEO of Smiths whenever Mr. Smith is out for other businesses. Siya po talaga ang nakikipag-usap at nakikipagdeal sa mga clients nila. And, besides for their company, she owns the largest Fashion gallery Smith’on Fashion and La Selaine and FOYO Mag in Paris and has 45 large branches each around the world.”

Napatango ako. For 7 years, she became successful like this. Well, hindi na ako magtataka. She’s a well business minded woman at hindi ko kukwestyunin ang kakayanan niya. She deserves this.

“At yung SedriGO hotel, kanya po yun.” Napatingin ako kay Farah. That hotel was owned by her?! That 5 star hotel? Gaa! Kalaban pa ng hotel nila Suho.

“I’ll have vanilla bizarre and vanilla cake and mint iced tea.” Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang nag-oorder siya.

“Sehun, ano sayo?”

“Uhh… ganon narin. Katulad ng order mo.”

“And you’re secretary?”

“Ganon nalang rin po Ma’am.”

“Okay, well take 3 of that.” Umalis na yung waiter at naiwan kaming nakaupo’t magkaharapan.

“Mommy, when would I see Daddy?” Her son suddenly asked. Napatingin siya sakin bago tignan ang anak niya.

“Later baby.”

“Really?!” She nods and her son stood up and jumped in glee.

“Sedrih, baka mahulog ka.”

“Ang cute po’t ang bibo ng anak niyo Ma’am, ilang taon na po siya?” Farah asks. Nakatingin lang ako sa bata. I’m seeing someone from him. Though some of his features were gotten from his Mom. Brown eyes. Brown hair. But those eyes… and other feature of his face…

“He’s 7.” Napatingin ako bigla sa kanya then to Sedrih. Seven? Magtatanong sana ako pero dumating na yung order namin.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa maliban sa anak niya na dinadaldal si Farah.

“Uhh… Sedrih, why don’t you play with your Ate Farah for a while?”

“Okay Mom. Let’s go Ate Farah~”

“Sige Sir, Ma’am.” Tumango nalang ako’t umalis na yung dalawa’t naiwan kaming dalawa. I drink my water and look outside to see Sedrih playing.

“How are you for 7 years?” I heard her asked. I put down the glass and look at her. She waslooking at me with blank face. Hindi parin siya nagbabago. I smiled half. Ito, malungkot atmedyo nasasaktan parin.

“I’m okay. How ‘bout you?” She looked outside at tinitigan ko lang ang mukha niya. Still… she’s beautiful. Hindi halatang may anak na siya.

“Eto… busy sa business at pag-aalaga kay Sedrih.” Tumingin rin ako sa labas.

“He’s a bubbly kid.”

“Pero napakaiyakin. Mana sa Daddy niya.” I smiled weakly.

“He’s so lucky.”I whispered.

“Yeah… he’s so lucky.” Narinig niya? Napatingin ako sa kanya’t ngumiti siya.

“You’re so lucky.”