UNFORGIVEN (Mistake Sequel) ENGLISH

EPISODE 6

ALESSANDRA

My youngest child, Alessan Philippe, looked up at me. Among all our children, he resembles Philippe the most; he inherited everything from his eyebrows, eyes, and nose to his lips. Even the way he furrows his brow and smiles is just like Philippe.

I gently caressed my child's sweat-beaded forehead. “Why did you have to come, my child? It's hot outside,” I said to him. We were at the market to buy fruits and vegetables. My child pouted at what I said.

Among all my children, this one always follows me and cannot be left behind on my outings.

“I want to see a fish,” said my child. I smiled. He likes fish, especially live ones. We went to the vegetable market. I looked at some vegetables that I would cook for our lunch.

I plan to look for a job to support the needs of my children. It feels embarrassing to rely on Gabriel. He provided us with temporary accommodation while I was still unemployed.

We were about to turn when we encountered a tall man. I almost dropped the bag I was carrying because we bumped into each other. I ended up grabbing his arm to avoid falling.

“I am so sorry, Miss,” the man said, apologizing. He was also holding a bag and looked like he had just come from the market.

“I'm sorry too, because I wasn't paying attention to where I was going,” I said. I held my child who was looking at the man.

“No, it's my fault.” The man smiled. To me, it seemed like there was no problem. The man was smiling, and even his eyes were smiling. He had beautiful, white, and even teeth.

The man glanced at my child. He smiled at him, but Alessan Philippe hid behind me. He was shy.

“Hello, kiddo.” He greeted my child.

“Your child?” he asked. I nodded in response.

“By the way, I am Tristan Torres.” He introduced himself and extended his hand, which I accepted.

“I am Alessandra.” I introduced myself as well. I didn’t mention my last name. What for? It would only remind me of what Philippe did to me.

“What a nice name for a woman like you.” I laughed at what he said.

“Is that what you say to the women you’re flirting with?” I jokingly replied to him. He also laughed at my joke. That's how men are when they try to impress. They say beautiful words to women just to get noticed, and women often believe them.

“What I said is true. I thought you were just with your sibling.” I pouted. Do I look like a child who mistakes my child for my sibling? I'm 40, so I'm already old. I glanced at my son as they tugged at the hem of my blouse.

“I'm hungry. I wanted to eat at Jollibee,” my child said. I was about to speak when Tristan interrupted.

“Just in time, I was about to go to Jollibee. If it's okay with you, shall we go there together?” he said with a smile. His smile is truly enlightening. He has dimples on both cheeks.

“That's fine with me,” I just said. The Jollibee store is close to the market.

“I'll treat you,” Tristan said when we sat down at the table we chose inside.

“It's embarrassing if you treat us to food. You just met us now,” I said.

“It's not important that I just meet you now. I want to treat you today, and besides, I already know you, so it's not a problem for me.” I felt shy about agreeing with what he said. From my estimation, Philippe's age isn't far from Tristan's.

“Where is your wife?” I asked him. Tristan paused for my question. He smiled again.

I feel like he is just hiding his true feelings behind a smile.

“I’m separated from my spouse. It's been a year now. Well, that's just how it is. Nothing lasts in this world; everything has an end,” he said poetically. What he said is true: There is no forever. We both have the same fate—separated from our spouses.

I arranged Alessan's food before I looked at Tristan, who was staring at my child.

“Where are your children if you don’t mind me asking?” I asked the man.

“We don't have any children with my wife. I want my wife to get pregnant, but she doesn't want to because she says she's not ready yet. She still has dreams she wants to fulfill. I just gave in to my wife because I loved her.” I suddenly felt pity for him. His love for his wife is genuine.

“I am sorry,” I apologized.

I admire the loyalty of this man. Suddenly, Philippe came to my mind. He was not faithful to me. We have many children, but I still do not have enough for him. The pain in my chest started to resurface.

“I'm okay now. You are lucky you have a kid. How many children do you have?”

“I have 8 kids.” Tristan's eyes widened.

“Really? Wow! You have so many children, but you look young. You and your child look like siblings.” I laughed.

“Oh, you're just flattering me again,” I said.

“No, really?” he replied. I just shook my head.

PHILIPPE

I frowned when my friend Stephanie walked into my office. She was the reason for my breakup with Alessandra. I regretted bringing Stephanie to my office.

“What are you doing here?” I asked irritably.

I hadn't had a good night's sleep in days. I was searching for my wife and children. I wouldn't be okay without them by my side.

My friend sat on the table and crossed her legs, exposing her thighs.

I squinted. I remember her slapping my child. I stood up from the swivel chair and gave it a strong slap that surprised it. She held her cheek while her eyes, wide with shock, stared at me.

“Damn you! Why did you slap me?!” She said angrily.

“You slapped my child, so you deserve that! They left because of you! My wife left me!” I said angrily.

“Isn't that what you want? You want freedom, right? This is it, and you're still refusing!” My eyebrows met. It's not like the freedom I want is what she thinks.

“Get out of here!” told her to leave. Stephanie got up from her seat, approached me, and hugged me.

“Please, Phil, just choose me. I promise I won't leave you. You are the one I want to be the father of my future child.” My eyebrows furrowed even more at what she said. I detached her hand that was wrapped around my waist.

“What the f*ck, we were both married! I admit I want freedom, but that doesn't mean I'll leave my wife and cheat. I love Alessandra!” I said.

I was taken aback by what I said. If I love Alessandra, why did I hurt her? I know I went too far with the way I treated her. I also don't understand myself because I get annoyed every time I see her. I feel like she is the reason why I can't freely do what I want.

“Please, just love me, Phil. I won't change for you.” This is her plea to me. I shook my head at my friend's insistence.

“Go back to your husband. You're lucky because he's a good husband even if you can't give him a child. What was lacking in him when you just left him? You're crazy.” I said with an insult. Well, my friend is used to what comes out of my mouth.

“Because I'm getting bored with him. Like you, I want something new. And you are something new!” This woman is crazy. I want freedom, but not where I leave my wife and children. I want to focus on myself, to have some fun. In the past 14 years of my marriage, my life revolved only around my work and my family, but not about myself. I have no time left. I'm tired of what I always do － it's just the same thing over and over. I got tired of it. That's the reason why I want to feel like a bachelor.

“I won't go back to him, I hate him!” She said with finality.

“He was a good man. You’re lucky because he was a man who knew how to do everything, even better than you. You're crazy,” I said.

“Yeah, I am crazy about loving you, Phil. My feelings for you won't change because of what you say to my husband.”

I don't want her to regret leaving her husband, just like I regret what I did to Alessandra. The corners of my eyes warmed. I wonder where my family is.