18

I trudged through the door, my eyes puffy from crying, my heart heavy with grief. The memories of my father's death still lingered, fresh and painful. I felt lost and alone, my emotions raw and exposed.

I dropped my bag and sandals on the floor and made my way to the bathroom, seeking solace in the familiar routine of washing my face and brushing my teeth. But even the comforting rituals couldn't ease the ache in my heart.

As I emerged from the bathroom, I saw Jarred walking into our bedroom, a look of concern etched on his face. He'd just gotten home from work, and I could tell he'd been worried about me.

I ran to him, throwing my arms around his waist, and buried my face in his chest. Another wave of tears washed over me, and Jarred held me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me.

"What's our problem, baby?" he whispered, his voice soft and gentle. But I couldn't answer. I was too tired, too emotional, and too broken.

Jarred didn't press me. Instead, he held me, stroking my hair, and whispering words of comfort. "Everything will be okay, love. I'm here. Just cry."

He knew me so well, knew exactly what I needed in that moment. He knew that sometimes, the only thing that could soothe my soul was his presence, his love, and his comfort.

After a while, Jarred asked, "Do you want me to grab some ice cream?" He knew it was my favorite comfort food, and he knew it might help calm the storm raging inside me.

I nodded, still sniffling, and Jarred guided me to the sofa, where he sat beside me, wiping away my tears with his thumb. "Don't cry, love," he whispered, his eyes filled with compassion.

He got up to get the ice cream, and I watched him go, feeling grateful for this man who loved me, who understood me, and who always knew how to make me feel better.

When he returned with a chocolate ice cream, I smiled weakly, feeling a tiny spark of joy in the midst of my sorrow. Jarred sat beside me, and I lay my head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body, the comfort of his presence.

"Love," I whispered, my voice barely audible. Jarred looked at me, his eyes attentive, his heart open. And I knew, in that moment, that I could tell him anything, and he would listen, he would understand, and he would be there for me, always.

As I lay my head on Jarred's shoulder, eating the ice cream he'd brought me, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. But the storm inside me still raged on.

"Do I have no right to know the truth?" I asked Jarred, my voice barely above a whisper.

He looked at me with shock and concern. "Ofcourse you do have the right, love." he said, his voice filled with conviction.

Kung meron, bakit ayaw sabihin ni Mama sa 'kin ang totoo?

"I had a fight with Mama earlier," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Jarred's eyes locked onto mine, filled with concern.

"She called me during lunch and talked about Papa," I continued, feeling a lump form in my throat.

Jarred's expression softened, and he asked gently, "Does it still hurt when you talk about your dad?"

I nodded, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me. Jarred's eyes filled with empathy, and I knew he understood my pain.

"How did you cope when your father left?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. Jarred's smile was warm and reassuring.

"It was tough at first, but I learned to live with it," he said. "I understood why he left – for our safety, especially Jelly's. She's the most vulnerable among us."

Jarred's words were laced with a deep sense of acceptance and understanding. His father may have left, but Jarred had found a way to forgive and move forward.

I felt a pang of envy, wishing I could find the same closure. But my father's death was different – sudden, violent, and unresolved. The pain still lingered, a constant reminder of what I'd lost.

I asked Jarred, my voice barely above a whisper, "Babe, what would you do if your father had a hidden wealth?" Jarred's expression changed, confusion etched on his face.

"I'd be shocked at first, but then I'd try to understand why he kept it a secret," he replied, his eyes filled with empathy.

I took a deep breath, the memories still painful. "Mama told me that Papa's old boss gave Lola a document, but she forgot about it because of her memory loss."

Jarred's eyes widened, surprise evident on his face. "That's shocking, babe."

I nodded, feeling the ache in my heart. "Yeah, Mama and I were both shocked."

I paused, collecting my thoughts before continuing. "Papa was a manager at a hotel before... The children of his boss were kidnapped, and Papa saved them. His boss awarded him for his bravery, and he even took us to Japan with him."

The memories came flooding back, and I felt a lump form in my throat. Jarred's eyes locked onto mine, filled with compassion and understanding.

"D-Do you know who they are?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I shook my head. "I met his whole family in Japan, but I don't remember their faces. But Papa's boss's face, I remember it too well."

Jarred's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep intensity. "Babe, I'm too curious about what happened to your Papa. Why doesn't your Mama want to tell you?"

I felt a lump form in my throat. "She says I'll hate myself if I find out."

Jarred's expression softened. "Do you want me to help you?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

But I shook my head. "No need, we're going back to Mindanao anyway."

Jarred's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why?"

I took a deep breath. "Tita wants to get Papa's money."

Jarred's expression turned determined. "Come with me, please. I need you there."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Knowing that Jarred would be by my side, I felt like I could face whatever lay ahead.

Jarred pulled me into a warm hug, holding me close as I struggled to contain my emotions. "I'm here for you, love," he whispered, his voice soothing my frazzled nerves.

As we sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Jarred gently stroked my hair, his touch comforting.

After a while, he suggested, "love, why don't we watch a movie? Something to take your mind off things."

I nodded, still feeling a bit raw. Jarred smiled and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his streaming apps.

"How about some cartoons?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I smiled weakly, but Jarred's enthusiasm was infectious. We ended up watching a marathon of our favorite childhood cartoons, laughing and giggling together.

As the night wore on, the pain and sadness began to recede, replaced by a sense of warmth and comfort. Jarred's presence was a balm to my soul, soothing my hurts and calming my fears.

Eventually, we curled up together on the couch, watching the credits roll on our favorite cartoon. Jarred wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as we drifted off to sleep.

In that moment, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be – in Jarred's arms, surrounded by love and comfort. The pain would still be there in the morning, but for now, I was at peace.

"I'll come with Jarred, Kuya," I said, trying to reassure my brother.

Kuya's expression was somber, his eyes filled with concern. "That's good," he said quietly.

I asked, "Okay ka lang?" and he smiled weakly.

"I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

I felt a surge of concern and asked him if he wanted to talk about it.

"Don't tell Mama, ayaw ko siyang mag-alala," he said, his eyes pleading.

I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.

"It still haunts me," he said, his voice cracking. "Hanggang ngayon hindi parin ako magaling." A tear escaped from his eye, and I hugged him tightly.

"I know you hate talking about Papa," he said, his voice muffled against my shoulder. "You hid all the things that remind you of him."

I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt.

"Except for the cherry blossom," he added.

I smiled weakly, remembering the happy times we shared in Japan. "Cherry blossom reminds me of our trip in Japan, and how happy Papa that time."

"Papa is the reason why I pursued law," Kuya said, his voice filled with determination. "I want to give him justice. I want to punish the people responsible for his death."

I felt a surge of anger and resolve, knowing that I had to face my fears and pursue justice for Papa.

Just then, Jarred called out from the stairs, "Babe."

I turned to him, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.

"Good morning," he said, smiling. But I could sense something else behind his smile.

"Morning," I greeted him, trying to sound cheerful.

Kuya bid us goodbye, and I hugged him tightly, feeling grateful for my brother's support.

As Kuya left, I turned to Jarred and said, "We're leaving tomorrow afternoon."

I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation.

"I'll go to school and process my leave," he said.

I nodded again, feeling grateful for Jarred's support.

As we stood there, I knew that I had to face my fears and pursue justice for Papa. I couldn't run away from the memories anymore. It was time to confront them head-on.

Jarred and I sat down at the breakfast table, the warm sunlight streaming through the window. We ate our breakfast together, the silence between us comfortable.

As we finished our meal, Jarred asked, "So, what's the plan when we get to Mindao?"

I smiled, excitement sparkling in my eyes. "I want to show you around the city," I said. "There's this one place, the Mangroves, it's a beautiful place to unwind. And we have to try the freshest tuna in the market!"

Jarred chuckled. "You're making me hungry," he teased.

I laughed. "And I want to take you to Olarte Cave,"

Jarred's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing," he said.

As we talked, I felt my heart lighten, the pain of my father's death temporarily forgotten. I was excited to share my hometown with Jarred, to show him the beauty and wonder of General Santos City.

When we finished our breakfast, I leaned in, my voice taking on a more serious tone. "Jarred, I need to tell you something," I said.

Jarred's expression turned curious, and he nodded for me to continue.

" 'Yung mga kamag-anak ko... they're not the best people," I said, choosing my words carefully. "They're toxic and greedy. At ngayon alam nilang may tinago palang yaman si Papa, hahabolin nila 'yun."

Jarred's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "I won't let them hurt you," he said, his voice low and fierce.

I smiled weakly, feeling grateful for his support. "I know you'll always be there for me," I said. "That's why I want you to be by my side when we start talking about my father's hidden wealth."

Jarred's expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded. "I'll be there," he said. "We'll face them together."

I felt a surge of relief wash over me, knowing that Jarred would be by my side. I knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Jarred's support, I felt like I could face anything.

After breakfast, Jarred headed to work to process his leave, while I stayed behind, alone with my thoughts. I decided to reach out to Clint and shared my concerns with him. Fortunately, he was understanding and granted me permission to take a temporary leave to visit my hometown.

To distract myself, I started cleaning the house, trying to occupy my mind with mundane tasks. But my thoughts kept drifting back to the problems my family was facing.

Just as I was scrubbing the kitchen counter, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I rushed to the bathroom, my stomach churning with nausea. I vomited up the breakfast Jarred and I had shared, feeling weak and shaken.

As I cleaned myself up, I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to make sense of what had just happened. And then it hit me - I was late. My period was supposed to start last week, but I hadn't gotten it yet.

A spark of realization ignited within me, and I felt a mix of emotions: excitement, nervousness, and a hint of fear. I quickly grabbed my wallet and a hoodie and rushed to the nearest drugstore.

My heart was racing as I bought three pregnancy tests. I couldn't wait to get home and find out the truth. As I waited for the results, my mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions.

And then, I saw it. The results of all three tests stared back at me, clear and unmistakable.

Positive.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt a rush of emotions. I was going to be a mother. Jarred and I were going to have a baby. Tears of joy and wonder streamed down my face as I processed this life-changing news.

I sat in our bed, staring blankly into space, lost in thought. Time seemed to stand still as I processed the life-changing news: I was pregnant. Jarred and I were going to have a baby.

Our dream of building a family was finally coming true, but fear and uncertainty crept in, casting a shadow over my joy.

Before I knew it, the day had slipped away, and Jarred walked into our bedroom, concern etched on his face. "Babe, are you okay?" he asked, but I just stared at him, unsure of how to share the news.

He called out to me again, "Love," and I slowly held out the three pregnancy tests, my hands trembling.

Jarred's eyes widened in surprise, and he whispered, "P-positive." He looked at me, and then suddenly, he was hugging me, tears streaming down his face. "Baby, I'm going to be a father," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.

But when he noticed my silence, he looked at me with confusion. "What's wrong? You're not happy?" he asked.

I shook my head, feeling a mix of emotions. "I am happy, of course. I've always dreamed of this." But my voice trailed off, and I couldn't hide my anxiety.

Jarred's expression turned concerned. "Then why do you look like that?" he asked gently.

I took a deep breath, trying to put my thoughts into words. "I don't know. I'm happy, but nervous at the same time. With everything going on with Papa's wealth, and now this... I don't know how to process it all."

Jarred's face softened, and he pulled me into a warm hug. "Babe, don't worry. Nothing bad is going to happen. I won't let it."

But my fears lingered, and I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, "What if I'm not a good mother?"

Jarred's grip on my hands tightened, and he kissed them gently. "You will be," he said, his eyes filled with conviction.

I smiled weakly, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over me. Jarred's love and support enveloped me, and I knew that together, we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

"I love you," Jarred whispered, holding me close.

And in that moment, I knew that everything was going to be okay.

"I'm just glad you can't come with me," I said, trying to sound casual. But Jarred's expression turned sour, and I immediately sensed that something was wrong.

"You are coming, right?" I asked, feeling a nervous flutter in my chest.

Jarred avoided my gaze, and I knew that something was amiss.

"Babe, I'm sorry," he said, his voice laced with regret.

My heart sank, and I felt a pang of disappointment. "Jarred," I called out, trying to keep my emotions in check.

He took a deep breath before explaining, "I tried to ask for permission, but they said I just got back from our trip to Japan, and they need more help because it's graduation season."

I felt a wave of sadness wash over me, but I understood the situation. "It's okay," I said, trying to sound calm. "There's nothing we can do about it."

Jarred's face fell, and he looked at me with pleading eyes. "Sasama ako sa 'yo, kahit hindi ako pinayagan mag leave," he said, offering to accompany me despite the risks to his job.

"And you will jeopardize your work?" My heart swelled with love and appreciation for Jarred's willingness to prioritize me. But I knew that I couldn't let him put his job in jeopardy.

"No, you'll stay here," I said firmly. "I'm pregnant, and we need to save money."

Jarred nodded, understanding the practicality of my decision.

"I'm really sorry," he said, his eyes filled with regret.

I reached out, holding his chin and locking his gaze into mine. "It's okay, love," I said, my voice filled with reassurance. "I understand."

I kissed him softly, trying to convey my love and appreciation for his willingness to support me, even if it meant staying behind.

As the time passed, Jarred and I made the most of our time together. We spent our evening being sweet and affectionate, cherishing every moment we shared.

We talked about my pregnancy, and Jarred was over the moon with excitement. "Magiging Daddy na 'ko!" he exclaimed, beaming with pride.

"I know, right?" I replied, laughing. "Kahit hanggang ngayon I am still shocked."

Here's a rewritten version with a more emotional and introspective tone:

As we sat together, lost in conversation, Jarred's eyes sparkled with excitement. "May naisip na 'kong name," he said, his voice filled with anticipation.

I smiled, intrigued. "Ano?" I asked, leaning in closer.

Jarred's face lit up. "We will name her Hanami Sakura," he said, his voice filled with conviction.

I felt a flutter in my heart as I processed the name. Hanami, the Japanese festival where people admire the beauty of the cherry blossoms. It was a poignant reminder of our trip to Japan, where our love had blossomed.

"Japanese name, baka mapagkamalang Hapon anak natin."

But Jarred just chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It means cherry blossom," he explained. "And cherry blossom is significant in our love."

My heart swelled with emotion as I realized the thought and love behind Jarred's choice. He was weaving our love story into the very fabric of our child's identity.

As we sat on the couch, holding hands, and talking about our future, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. "I'm so grateful to have you, Jarred," I said, squeezing his hand.

"I'm grateful to have you too, Clyde," Jarred replied, smiling. "We're in this together, always."

The night flew by, morning sickness struck, jolting me awake. Jarred was by my side in an instant, helping me through the uncomfortable ordeal. As I cleaned myself up, he took charge, preparing a gentle breakfast for us.

As we ate, I pushed aside my emotions, focusing on the practical task at hand: packing my clothes. Jarred offered to help, and together we carefully folded and placed each item into my luggage.

But as I packed, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. I felt a pang of sadness, knowing I'd be leaving Jarred behind. Excitement and nervousness about returning home and facing my family's challenges also simmered just below the surface.

Jarred seemed to sense my emotional turmoil. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as I packed the last of my belongings. "I'll be here, waiting for you," he whispered, his voice filled with reassurance.

"You'll only be gone for one week, my love," he whispered, his warm voice a soothing balm to my shattered heart. But the tears wouldn't stop. I abandoned my packing and flung myself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I'm going to miss you," I choked out, my voice barely audible. He held me at arm's length, his hands cradling my face. I felt small, fragile, and utterly lost in his gaze.

"I'll call you every morning and night, so you won't miss me too much, okay?" he promised, his eyes sparkling with reassurance. "I'll update you every second. You'll feel like I'm right there with you."

I nodded, a small smile trembling on my lips. With renewed determination, I returned to my packing, the ache in my heart slightly eased by Jarred's words.

"'Wag masyadong makulit dun," he said, his voice filled with concern.

I smiled, knowing he was worried about me. "I'll be good," I promised.

Jarred continued, "Tatawagan ko si Tristan, sasabihin ko sa kaniya pagbubuntis mo so he can watch over you."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards Jarred. He was making sure I'd be taken care of, even when he wasn't there.

Jarred continued to give me advice and reminders as I finished packing my clothes. His words were a mix of caution, love, and concern, and I felt my heart swell with emotion.

As I zipped up my luggage, Jarred pulled me into a tight hug. "I'll miss you," he whispered.

I hugged him back, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I'll miss you more," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

I leaned into his embrace, feeling a sense of comfort and security. Knowing that Jarred would be here, supporting me from afar, gave me the strength to face whatever lay ahead.

Jarred drove me to the airport, his eyes filled with tears as we said our goodbyes. "I'll be back soon," I promised, hugging him tightly.

"I'll be waiting," Jarred replied, his voice choked with emotion. "Take care of yourself and our little one."

Jarred's eyes locked onto Tristan's, his expression serious. "Tristan, please," he said, his voice low and urgent.

Kuya Tristan nodded solemnly, his face a picture of reassurance. "Don't worry, Jarred," he said. Kuya and I will go together. Mama went ahead of us yesterday.

I felt a surge of gratitude towards Jarred for ensuring my safety and well-being. His concern for me was palpable, and I knew he was struggling to let me go.

Jarred's gaze lingered on me, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and longing. I knew he was going to miss me, and I felt the same way.

As I boarded the plane, I felt a sense of excitement and nervousness. I was going home to face my family's problems, but I knew that Jarred would be with me in spirit, supporting me every step of the way.

———

Ready na 'ko. :(