The Taste of Romance

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

One fine day, enjoying my day. While roaming around the mall looking for something to buy, my eyes pasted on the toy store when I saw a little crying. Without any thoughts, I started to walk towards the little girl. Upon seeing her, her brown eyes and long thick eye lashes with her angel look like face brightens my mood. She’s wearing a pink dress and a glass sandal with a little crown on her head. She’s so cute. Sarap niyang panggigilan.

“Hi,” I said in sweet voice waving my hand at her. Ang ganda naman ng batang ito.

I started to panic when she suddenly cries so loud. May napapatingin na sa'min. Baka ispin nila pinapaiyak ko ang bata.

“Sweety, don’t cry. I won’t harm you.” I did my best to sound sweeter, and I guess it works because suddenly she stop crying. Napatitig siya sa'kin na para bang pinag-aaralan niya ang mukha ko.

“Yayi said that I shouldn’t talk to strangers,” she said in a small sweet tone.

Geez. She’s so cute. I want to pinch her.

“I’m ate Lauvve,” I said introducing myself.

The little girl stared at me intently and I was caught off guard when she cupped my face.

“Mommy?” she said with a bright smile pasted on her face.

My eyes widened when she suddenly called me ‘Mommy’. O geez! Mukhang magkaka-anak pa ako.

“Mommy?” Ulit niya. “You’re really my mommy,” she said once again, but this time happier and full of excitement.

I was caught off guard when she suddenly hug me and started crying again. Will she cry again kapag sinabi kong hindi ako ang mommy niya? She looks lost. What if someone is now looking for her? Anong gagawin ko?

“Sweety, I’m not you're mother, " mahinahong saad ko ngunit nagulat ako nang bigla siyang sumigaw.

"But you are my mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" sigaw niya habang umiiyak. "Do you hate me, Mommy? Why are you denying me?" dagdag niya na tuluyan na ngang nag tantrums.

Napapatingin na ang mga tao sa amin at pinagpapawisan na rin ako ng malagkit. Kinakabahan naman ako sa batang ito.

“Yayi is right when she said that mommy will show up for my birthday surprise. My fairy granted my wish!” she said happily as she jumped off to me to give me a warm tight hug again.

She’s so happy. I might ruin her birthday if I will firmly tell her that I really am not her mom. But what if her real mom will suddenly show up? This is trouble. Should I just leave and pretend that I didn't see her?

I stared at her. Okay! Just for today.

Today is my birthday too. I roamed my eyes around to look for someone that will able to help me, pero wala akong makita. Tumayo ako at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti niya.

"How did you recognized me?" I asked.

I was caught off guard when she handed me a picture of me. What the?nWhere did she get this? Wait! This is my profile picture in the magazine I wrote before. Does she mistakenly took my photo, kaya sa pagkakaalam niya ako ang mommy niya? Sino bang magulang nito at pati ako dinamay sa kalokohan nila? Ugh.

"I found it at Daddy's room, Mommy." Nakangiti pa rin ito sa'kin.

I heaved a deep sigh. Okay. I’ll just go the ‘paging center’ of the mall to ask for help. Hindi naman pwedeng isama ko siya kung saan ako pupunta dahil baka mapagkamalan pa akong kidnapper.

“Mommy, I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten yet,”

I wasn't able to stop my brow to arched. O come on! My money is just enough for my fare. Kinikilabutan talaga ako every time na tinatawag niya akong mommy. O geez!

“Okay. Do you want to eat there?” Tinuro ko ang isang sikat na kainan para sa mga bata.

I guess, with her look and the way she talk, she haven’t eaten at a place like this before. Wala na akong pera kaya sana naman okay lang sa kanya.

"Yes mommy." Tch. Buti naman dahil kung hindi baka iwan kita rito.

“Baby, you stay here. I’m just gonna order.”

I stared at her who is now busy roaming her eyes around. Buti na lang medyo walang tao ngayon. Mas lalo kong nakitaan ng saya ang mga mata niya nang makakita siya ng mga batang kagaya niya.

“Do you want to play there?” I asked because she looks so happy watching the kids playing at the playing center.

“Uhm. I haven’t try that before, Mommy,” she said with a slight glimpse of tears in her eyes, but I know it’s a tear of joy.

Tinungo ko ang lugar kung saan magbabayad. 30 minutes will cost 100 pesos, kaya iyon na lang ang pinili ko.

“You can play. I’ll just buy foods.”

Ngumiti ako nang tinitigan niya lang ako.

“Mommy, are you going to leave me again?” she asked in a small sad tone.

Something inside me exploded. Yumuko siya at pinaglaruan ang dulo ng bestida niya. Lumuhod ako at sinubukang iangat ang ulo niya, nang masalubong ko ang mata niya ay mas lalo akong nadurog nang makita namumuong luha sa kanyang mga mata.

Without any words, I hug her.

“Why would I leave you?” I asked brushing away her tears.

I don’t know her, but why am I so heartbroken? Poor thing.

“Because Daddy said that mommy will never ever comeback again. But I found you.” Malungkot siyang ngumiti.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago ko muling hinawakan ang kamay niya. Napagpasyahan kong kumain muna kami bago ko siya hayaang maglaro.

"How old are you today?"

Pinunasan ko ang nguso niya na punong-puno ng sauce.

"Six po," she said showing it off using her fingers.

Hindi matanggal ang pagkakangiti ko habang pinapanood ko siya. She's enjoying the food as if it's a treasure to her. Kung magkakaanak ako, gusto ko katulad din niya.

“Haru!”

Pareho kaming napatingin nang biglang may sumigaw. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha dahil biglang may sunod-sunod na lalaki ang biglang humarera, lahat sila ay nakaitim na coat – bodyguards? maging sa labas ay may nagbabantay.

Agad tumayo ang bata at sumiksik sa akin na tila nagtago ito sa likuran ko habang hawak-hawak ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.

"Haru, we've been looking for you. Glad you're just here," the guy who walk towards us said happily.

"Uhm. Excuse me? May I know who you are? Parang natatakot sa iyo ang bata eh," saad ko at bahagyang inilayo ang bata sa kanya nang akma niyang kukunin ito sa akin.

So her name is Haru. Mas lalo niyang isiniksik ang katawan niya sa akin. She’s shaking too, kaya naman binalingan ko siya ng tingin.

"Haru, you're Daddy is waiting for you. Come on," nakangiting sabi ng lalaki na inilahad pa ang kamay sa kanya.

“I’m afraid to Daddy,” she said almost to herself.

"Hindi mo ba nakikitang natatakot sa'yo ang bata?" saad ko. "At paano ko masisuguradong hindi kayo isang sindikato?" dagdag ko na ikinatigil niya.

May lumapit na isang lalaki at bumulong sa lalaking kausap ko.

"Miss if you want, you can come with us. Haru, do you want her to come with you?"

Tinignan ko ang bata na dahan-dahang tumango.

"Tito Deon, I finally found my mommy. Dad won't take her away from me right?"

I pursed my lips. Takhang takha na tumingin sa akin ang lalaki. I just faked a smile

Hindi ko maiwasang kabahan ng lumabas kami sa kainan. Nakapalibot sa amin ang mga bodyguards habang naglalakad kami. Hindi ko rin maiwasang mamangha nang makita ang mga bodyguards na nagkalat sa bawat parte ng mall. So this girl is really rich. What the hell?

Pare pareho naming narating ang isolated na lugar which is the basement of the mall. Hindi naman siguro nila ako ililibing ng buhay o papatayin dito? Ramdam ko ang kaba ko ngunit pilit kong pinapatatag ang loob ko.

Halos lumabas palabas sa akin ang puso ko nang may lalaking lumabas sa itim na sasakyan.

Mas lalong humigpit ang hawak niya ng bata sa'kin, samantalang matapang ko namang hinarap ang lalaki na kulang na lang mamatay ako sa titig niya. I saw him somewhere before, saan nga ba? He really looks kinda familiar.

"Mommy, I'm afraid." She started to cry.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” I said in calm tone, she slowly nodded.

"Mommy?" puno ng kasarkastikuhang bulalas ng lalaki na para bang galit sa mundo.

Lumapit sa kanya ang tinawag ni Haru kanina na Deon, at tila bumulong ng kung ano.

"Drag her."

Sumenyas siya sa bodyguards niya at akmang lalapit sa akin ngunit muli akong nagsalita.

"Today is her birthday and she just want to spend it with her mother," giit ko.

Mas lalong tumalim ang tingin niya sa akin.

The little girl tries to hold me but her father didn’t let it. Marahas niyang inilayo sa akin ang bata na nag-umpisang umiyak. Hindi maganda ang nararandaman ko rito. Umiiyak ang batang isinakay nila sa isang itim na sasakyan. Ngayon ay naiwan ako kasama ang isang lalaki na mas lalong tumalim ang tingin sa akin.

“Mommy?" he said full of sarcasm.

Napadaing ako nang bigla niyang hinila ang braso ko palapit sa kanya. Kitang-kita ko ang galit sa mga mata niya, maging ang pag-igting ng panga nito.

"So you earn her trust by pretending as her f*cking mother?" Bawat salitang binibitawan niya ay may diin at galit. Nakakainsulto.

Napangiwi ako nang mas lalo niya akong hawakan ng mahigpit. I feel a glimpse of tears in my eyes because of the pain.

"I don't think you have the r-right to hurt me —" I didn't able to continue my sentence when I groaned out of pain.

What the f*ck is happening? I'm just trying to help, but I ended up suffering.

"Is this kind of your modus to leech off some money?" he said with a smirk on his face, staring at me with the full of insult.

Dumbfounded, I stare at him when he slap me with his money.

"Take it," he said coldly as he push me off the ground.

I never been treated so small before, I grow up in a poor family but not even once, I got insulted like this. Something inside me sting, and I know it's so painful. So much that I couldn't bear it.

Natawa ako ng mahina at iniisa isang pulutin ang perang isinampal niya sa akin. Shootangina!

"The little girl is so unlucky to have you as her father," I said trying to stare at him with the same stare he's giving me.

I sneered and throw the money to his face. Mabilis nakalapit sa akin ang dalawang bodyguards at hinawakan ang magkabilang braso ko.

"You maybe rich, but you can't buy her happiness. Today is her birthday but here you are ruining it," I said bitterly.

Mas lalong tumalim ang tingin niya sa'kin.

"Don't f*cking speak as if you knew everything—."

"O yes!" I cut him off sarcastically. "I don't f*king know everything, and I don't f*cking want to know it!" I hissed

"Shut up!" he angrily said.

He maybe rich, but I won't let him insult me even more. Hindi ako pinalaking mahina ng magulang ko, dahil alam nila na darating ang araw na ganito, na may taong iinsultuhin ako at itatrato akong basura. And I met him right now.

"Alam mo kung bakit hindi masaya ang kagaya mo, kahit sobrang dami ng pera mo? Hindi kasi nabibili ng pera ang gusto mo! Sabagay, sino ba naman ang tangang gugustuhing kang makasama kung ang ugali at pagkatao mo, nangangamoy basura. Sobrang baho—"

Hindi ko naituloy ang sasabihin ko dahil isang malakas na sampal ang natanggap ko sa isa sa mga bodyguards niya. Ramdam ko agad ang pamamanhid ng pisngi ko. Mas lalong nanlisik ang mga mata niya sa akin na isang utos niya lang sa mga bodyguards niya ay uuwi na akong bangkay. Marahas kong itinulak ang dalawang lalaking nakahawak sa akin at mabilis na lumapit sa lalaking galit na galit.

"Here," abot ko sa kanya sa stab na nabili ko kanina sa playing station, pero mukhang wala siyang balak tanggapin ito kaya sapilitan ko itong inilagay sa kamay niya. "She supposedly going to play with the kids, not until you interfere and destroy everything. Thanks to you, your daughter's birthday was ruined. You even don't deserve to be called a father.

Shootangina! Ni hindi ko nga alam kung deserves niyang matawag na tao.

"And one more thing, I didn't force your daughter to call me her mom. Hindi ko papangaraping mapangasawa ang isang tulad mo na kulang na lang sungay!"

Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na makita ang galit na galit niyang mukha. Nag igting ang panga niya.

"Name your price," he said in a dangerous tone.

Hindi ko maiwasang matawa dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Do you really think money can buy everything?" sarkastikong tanong ko.

Naikuyom ko ang kamao ko at pilit kinakalma ang sarili ko.

"Ya. You may have all the money in the world, but at least have some heart. Here's my account. You can just send me the money when you finally make your daughter happy," I said as I turned my back at him.

Agad naman akong hinarangan ng mga bodyguards niya.

"Ah wait! Do you want to see how happy your daughter when she's with me?" sarkastikong tanong ko. "I'll just dm you the videos and photos," I added with an evil grin as I rolled my eyes and turned my back at him once again.

Kaumay! At my own birthday, I got myself in trouble by simply helping a kid who is crying, I got myself insulted, slapped, and worst got myself so much pain by hearing his words.

"Don't worry, I won't file a complaint for hurting me," malamig na turan ko sa lalakeng nanampal sa akin.

Nilampasan ko silang lahat na nagbigay sa akin ng daan. Mariin kong ikinuyom ang kamao ko at kagat-kagat ang dila ko para mapigilan ang pagtulo ng luha ko. I don't deserve this, but I can't do anything.

"Mommy!"

Napahinto ako sa paglalakad at nilingon ang batang kahit kanina ko lang nakilala ay nakagaanan ko agad ng loob. Pilit itong kumakawala sa may hawak sa kanya, at malakas itong umiiyak habang tinatawag ako. Watching her, pains me too, kaya lang ang pangit kabonding ng ama niya na mukhang pinaglihi sa sama ng loob.

"Don't leave me!"

Bakit nadudurog ng ganito ang puso ko? Siguro, dahil dumaan din ako sa ganitong parte ng buhay ko. Nagmamakaawa na huwag akong iwan.

"Daddy, birthday gift," pagmamakaawa ng bata pero sa halip na magsalita ito ay tinalikuran niya lang ang bata na mas lalong umiyak.

He's imposible! How could he do that to her daughter? It's her birthday. Humarang sa akin ang ilang mga bodyguards ng akma akong lalapit.

"Can't you see the child?! Are you that damn that heartless? It's her birthday! Could you just f*ck off!" galit na galit na sigaw ko habang pilit tinutulak ang mga lalake.

"Miss maswerte ka at iyan lang ang inabot mo. Mas magandang umalis ka na lang at huwag ng palalahin pa ang sitwasyon," pagbabanta ng isang lalake.

Sinulyapan ko ang batang pilit isinasakay sa sasakyan habang tinatawag pa rin ako.

"She's only six and today is her birthday," malungkot na bulalas ko habang pinapanood ang mabilis na patakbo ng sasakyan.

Naiwan akong tulala sa kawalan ng biglang maglaho silang lahat sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong nanatili sa basement, dahil paglabas ko ay madilim na ang paligid.

Hanggang sa makauwi ako sa bahay ay hindi mawala sa akin ang nangyari. Tulala akong dumiretso sa kwarto ko kahit na tinatawag ako ni Mama.

I can't believe that a guy like him really exist. He is so heartless.

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Luvvess