EPILOGUE

Everything was almost back to normal. Ericka was breathing fine and her life was better. She was whole again but still, she could remember all the memories of pain sometimes. But somehow she had moved on from all the bad things that her past gave her.

Palagi siyang kinakamusta ni Martha, palagi rin itong may balita sa lahat ng taong pinapahalagahan niya. It's been five years since then, she was now living a normal and peaceful life.

May sakit padin siyang nararamdaman paminsan-minsan, but it was tolerable. She could control it.

If there was one thing she was thankful about, it was the day someone gave her a blessing in disguise.

"Moooooom!!!!" Prince bolted out from the living room. He was running and holding a paper on his left hand.

"Who is this baby?! You never told me I've sissy in Philippines!" he tried to jump at the bed as fast as he can.

"Baby... Baby."

All of a sudden, her three year old daughter---Lorde, joined too. She was pointing out something on the picture she was holding.

Winawagayway sakanya ni Prince ang papel na hawak. Sa kabilang kamay nito ay may larawan na familiar sa kanya.

Prince was pouting his lips while waiting for her answer. Then Lorde gave her the picture. Ericka carried her to sit on her lap.

"Who are you pointing at, brat?" Kinuha niya ang larawan sa kamay nito.

"Baby," Lorde said slowly. Then pointed her hand on Ericka. "You. This. Baby?"

Kinakabahan na napalunok si Ericka.

It was no other than her and, and... Oh God. Napahawak siya sa bibig niya. Her heart skipped a beat.

Young lady,

As I was writing this letter I still don't have any idea if you will read this in the exact date I told you. If you are, happy birthday, sa pinaka matigas na ulo na batang kilala ko. 

Marunong kana sumunod sa sinasabi sayo. Maghihintay lang ako hanggang sa pagbalik mo ngayon araw dahil gusto ko ngayon kaarawan mo maging masaya ka. Gusto ko makalimutan mo ang lahat ng sakit na ibinigay sayo ng mundong ito. Nais kong maintindihan mo ang mga rason sa mga nagawa ko.

Una, ang iyong ama ay matalik ko na kaibigan. Mula pagkabata nakikita na kita at alam ko kung gaano siya kasaya nang isilang ka ng iyong ina. Minahal niya ang iyong ina... Pero dahil mataas ang kanyang ihi, mas pinili niya na iwan kayo para makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa.

He loves you. I saw it, on his eyes everytime he talked about you. I hope someday, you will forgive him and let yourself be free from all the angst and pain. You deseved a happy life.

Pangalawa, we met before. After you and your sister was abducted. When you returned two years ago. Alam kong binayaran ka ni Laura para lumayo sa akin ganak. Alam ko rin ang pagbubuntis mo.

Sinubukan ko ang lahat sa aking makakaya para protektahan ka. Alam ko ang paglaki ng tyan mo. Alam ko ang lahat, Ericka, pati ang pagpa-plano nila Laura sa hospital para patayin ang dinadala mo.

Pero alam din niya. Pinabantayan ka niya. Because he knew how much you hated someone in control of your life. But he was there... Your dad. He stopped them from killing your child.

Pangatlo, the day you were about to give birth. I knew about it. Bumisita ako para sabihin sayo ang totoo. Pero huli na ang lahat, nalaman ko na namatay ang batang isinilang mo.

Just like you I was left devastated.

I'm sorry if I take it away from you.
It's my fault.
Never blamed yourself. Hindi ko alam kung gaya ng ama mo susubukan akong ipapapatay dahil sa naging desisyon ko.

Pero sana... Maging masaya kana ng tuluyan kapag nalaman mo ito.

A week after you givebirth, my son's girlfriend showed up . She was holding a baby. It was Laura. Limang buwan siyang nawala. Inamin niya kay Rake na nabuntis siya nito at ayaw niya na kahit sino ang makakaalam na siya ang ina ng batang 'yon. Her reasons? Someone will kill her baby if they find out.

Pero alam ng puso't isip ko kung kaninong anak iyon... It was the combination of Rake's face and your dad's.

Hindi ko alam kung huli na ang lahat o babalik ka ngayon gabi sa tahanan ng anak ko. Pero sana, sana, mabasa mo ito.

I'm sorry for keeping her. Gusto ko rin alagaan at protektahan ang apo sa mga kaaway mo, Ericka. I'm sorry for being selfish. Dahil ako na ang nagdesisyon para sayo, at para sa anak mo. Gusto ko lamang siya magkaroon ng ligtas at masaganang buhay.

Natulalang nakatingin si Ericka sa litrato na hawak niya ngayon. It was the day she was born... Hindi iyon ang batang pinakita ng mga doctor sa kanya.

She was smiling. She was breathing. She's alive.

Binasa niya ang huling salita sa sulat ni Sonya sakanya.

Alam kong meron kanang ideya kung sino ang sinasabi ko.

Her name is Rebecka.

She is your daughter.

END OF BOOK 1