Secret

"MOMMY! Mommy! Wake up!"

Nagising si Kira sa boses ni Kyrone at wala siyang nagawa kung 'di bumangon.

"I'm awake na, anak." Nakangiting wika ni Kira sa anak pero nakapikit pa rin.

"No, mommy. Tulog ka pa rin!" Ibinuka ni Kyrone ang mga mata niya at hindi mapigilan ni Kira ang pagtawa.

She hugged Kyrone. "Good morning, Ky." Bati ni Kira sa anak at mas lalong hinigpitan ang yakap.

Kira's really sorry for her son, he can't meet his father anymore. And all Kira can do now is to let his son enjoy his week stay here so everything won't go to waste.

"Let's eat our breakfast, mommy. Nakapagluto na si Tito Luther ng breakfast."

Tumango si Kira at kinurot sa pisngi ang anak. "Okay, okay. I'll just wash my face. I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay, mommy!" As soon as her son left. The smile Kira was wearing was gone. Her only happiness now is her son, and she can't keep her promise for him to meet his father.

Kira broke another promise.

Kaagad na bumangon si Kira at nagpunta ng banyo. Naghilamos siya at ginawa lahat ng ritwal niya tuwing pag-gising.

Lumabas siya ng kuwarto at naabutan na nagbabangayan na naman ang anak niya at si Luther.

"Ang aga-aga nag-aaway na naman kayong dalawa?" Natatawang pagtatanong ni Kira sa dalawa at kaagad namang lumapit sa kanya ang anak.

"Kasi naman, mommy... Si Tito Luther ayaw niya na ako papuntahin sa restaurant kasi daw ang dami ko daw kumain." Nakangusong saad ng anak niya sa kanya.

Mahinang natawa si Kira at kinarga ang anak. Pinaupo niya ito sa upuan sa dining table. "We're going to the mall after breakfast, how about that?"

"Yes! Yes!" Hiyaw ng anak niya at binigyan ng masamang tingin si Luther. "Let's not bring Tito Luther with us, mommy. Can we —"

"No, you have to take me with you."

"No! I don't want to! Ayoko, mommy!"

"Yes, you need to!"

"No!"

KIRA sighed as soon as they entered the mall. Hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang sinabi ni Luther kay Kyrone para mapapayag ito na sumama siya.

And from the looks of it, they have a good relationship today. Hindi sila nagbabangayan at walang naririnig si Kira na iritadong reklamo ng anak niya sa kanya dahil kay Luther.

Malaki ang utang na loob niya kay Luther. He helped her manage her parents' business during those times she was pregnant with Kyrone and with the help of Ricci. He stood there beside her and he almost acted as if he is Kyrone's father.

But, she can't accept Luther. It's unfair for his part and Kira doesn't want to hurt him.

"Mukhang malalim yata ang iniisip mo, Kira." Pagtawag ni Luther sa atensyon niya.

At saka niya lang napansin na nasa isang toy store sila at busy ang anak niya na tumingin ng mga laruan.

Napahilot si Kira sa sintido niya at mahinang natawa. "I'm confused, Luther. I pity my son." Mahinang wika ni Kira at matiim na nakatingin sa anak niya. "I can't let him meet Aivan anymore."

"What? Why? What happened?" Pagtatanong ni Luther sa kanya na punong-puno ng pag-aalala.

"I can ruin his relationship to his present. I don't want to use my son to get him back, right? I only want to meet him for the sake of Kyrone, but I can't let Kyrone's hopes up. I did promise Kyrone that he can meet his father. But, looks like I can't anymore." Sagot ni Kira kay Luther at bakas sa mga mata ni Luther ang awa.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Tumakbo palapit sa kanya ang anak at itinaas ang laruang kinuha. "Can I get this? I really want this, mommy...."

Tumango si Kira at nginitian ang anak. "Okay, if you want it then let's buy it." Nakangiting wika ni Kira at kinarga ang anak.

Pumunta silang tatlo sa cashier at binayaran ang laruan. Nabigla si Kira nang mag ring ang cellphone niya.

"Answer the call first, I'll look after him." Saad ni Luther at tumango si Kira.

Kira excused herself and she immediately answered the unregistered number.

"This is Kira Zhou, may I know who's speaking?" Kira formally asked.

"Kira! No need to be formal, it's me Chaun."

Mahinang natawa si Kira. "Okay, Chaun. What's the matter?" Pagtatanong ni Kira.

"The company will be having a 'reunion' like party later. Can you come?"

"No, I can't. I'm not an employee there anymore —" Hindi naituloy ni Kira ang sasabihin nang biglang sumingit si Chaun.

"C'mon, even Aiden wants you to come. It's been three years!"

Natigilan si Kira sa sinabi ni Chaun. "What?! You told him?"

"Yes? Is there any problem? You only asked me to keep it a secret from Aivan, right? Plus, Aiden won't tell Aivan. This will be a secret reunion party. C'mon, sumama ka na."

Kira looked at Kyrone and Luther. She sighed in defeat. "Fine. What time? Location?"

"8 in the evening at Restaurant S."

Kira nod. "Okay, see you then." As soon as Kira said yes, she ended the call and she was startled when Kyrone suddenly hugged her.

"Is it business again, mommy?" Pagtatanong ni Kyrone sa kanya.

Umiling si Kira at kinarga ang anak. "No, it's mommy's friends. They invited me to a dinner, mommy can go, right?" Pagpapaalam ni Kira sa anak.

"Of course, mommy. Babantayan naman ako ni Tito Luther." Nakangiting sambit ng anak niya at niyakap siya.

"Thank you, baby. Where should we go next?" Kira asked her son.

"There's a famous candy shop here." Wika ni Luther.

"Really, Tito Luther?" Manghang pagtatanong ni Kyrone kay Luther at bumaba sa pagkakarga. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Masayang sambit ng anak niya at mahinang natawa si Kira.

When they finally saw the candy shop that Luther was talking about, she let Kyrone choose the gummy he wants to buy.

"Where should we eat lunch?" Pagtatanong ni Luther sa kanya.

"Let's just ask Kyrone where he wants to eat." Nakangiting sagot ni Kira.

Habang hinihintay na makapili ang anak ng gustong bilhin ay biglaang nag-ring naman ang cellphone ni Luther.

"I'll just answer this." Paalam ni Luther sa kanya at tumango si Kira.

"Go ahead." Aniya.

"Mommy, I want this and that!" Turo ng anak niya sa dalawang flavor ng gummy.

Kira looked at the saleslady and gave her a smile. "I'll take what he pointed. Thank you." Masayang wika ni Kira.

Inabot sa kanya ng saleslady ang candy at ibinigay sa anak. Tuwang-tuwa si Kyrone at niyakap siya. "Thank you, mommy!"

"Big sis-in-law...?"

Natigilan si Kira nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Dahan-dahan na nilingon ni Kira anv babaeng nakatayo sa gilid niya at tama nga ang hinala niya.

"Mommy, who is she?" Pagtatanong ni Kyrone sa kanya.

"He's your son, big sister-in-law?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Aviana sa kanya at napansin niya ang tila pagtitig ni Aviana kay Kyrone.

"He looks like my —" Hindi naituloy ni Aviana ang sasabihin dahil kaagad na nagsalita si Luther.

"Done buying?" Pagtatanong ni Luther at napatingin sa kanya.

Mukhang hindi napansin ni Luther si Aviana.

Kira looked at Luther. "Take Kyrone to eat lunch first. Susunod ako." Saad ni Kira.

"Okay, I'll just message you where we'll be eating."

Tumango si Kira at tinignan ang anak. "Kyrone, go with Tito Luther first, okay? Mommy has to talk with a friend." Paalam ni Kira sa anak at kaagad naman itong sumunod sa kanya.

Binalik ni Kira ang tingin kah Aviana na nabigla sa nakita. "Hi, Aviana. It's been three years. You're already a grown up." Nakangiting bati ni Kira kay Aviana.

Nabigla si Kira nang yakapin siya ni Aviana ng sibrang higpit. "Where have you been, big sister-in-law?"

Kira thought Aviana will be angry at her for leaving his brother, but she was wrong.

"Am I an aunt now? I can't be wrong from what I saw. That kid called you mommy and he looks a lot like big brother Aivan!" Aviana sounded desperate to hear the answer from her.

Kira doesn't know what to do, Kira doesn't know what to answer her. She doesn't want to tell her that she is Kyrone's aunt, that Kyrone is his brother's son.

"Big sis-in-law, please tell me the truth ---"

"Aviana, you can just call me, Kira." Walang emosyon na wika ni Kira kay Aviana. "I'll explain everything to you, shall we have coffee?"

NAKARAMDAM ng kaba si Kira habang kaharap si Aviana. She never knew that she would bump into her in that mall. She specifically chose the mall that's a bit far away from Aivan. Naiwasan niya ngang makita si Aivan pero ang kapatid naman nito ang nakita niya.

Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Kira sa baso niya at alam niya na hindi niya maiiwasang mangyari ito, and she can't deny the fat that Kyrone is Aivan's son. This is a secret she can't keep. It is very obvious that Kyrone is Aivan's son, from the way her son looks like, everyone who knows Aivan will definitely know that Kyrone is his clone.

"About my son..." Panimula ni Kira. "He is... He is your brother's son..." Mahinang dagdag ni Kira.

"Big sis-in-law, where were you these past three years? Why didn't you tell my brother about your child?" Bakas ang pag-aalala sa boses ni Aviana.

"Three years ago, I knew what my true identity was." Wika ni Kira, "I was happy and I wanted to tell your brother that his dead ex-girlfriend and me are the same person. But before I could even tell him, he was the first one who surprised me. Ginamit lang ako ng kapatid mo, Aviana. It's because I am very similar with his first girlfriend who he thought was already dead and he didn't know that Krisza and I are the same person. I broke up with him that day, Aviana. And can't you imagine? In just one day, I faced different difficulties. That's the reason I left the country that day, I went back to Italy to settle everything." Pagkukuwento ni Kira kay Aviana.

"I understand everything, big sis-in-law. Pero kailangan bang itago mo yung pagkabuntis mo? If you can't tell my brother about it, you could've just told about it to me instead. I am willing to take care of my niece without my family knowing it, even my own brother!"

"Aviana, you are still young. Hindi mo pa naiintindihan ang sitwasyon ngayon. Those years that I was gone, I wanted to tell your brother. Pero sadyang mapaglaro ang tadhana dahil masyado akong maraming hinarap na problema sa tatlong taon na nawala ako." Paliwanag ni Kira kay Aviana at mukhang naiintindihan naman ng dalaga ang ibig niyang sabihin.

"I understand, big sister-in-law." Mahinang wika ni Aviana at marahang ngumiti sa kanya. "Can I see a picture of my niece?" Aviana asked.

Kira returned a smile and gave Aviana her phone where she can see photos of Kyrone. Nabigla si Kira sa naging reaksyon ni Aviana. "Can I know his full name?" Aviana asked her while she's still busy looking at Kyrone's photos.

"Kyrone Denielle Zhou." Sagot ni Kira kay Aviana. Napatango-tango ang dalaga at nanantiling naka-pokus sa mga litrato ng anak niya. "Can I ask you a favor, Aviana?"

Inilapag ni Aviana ang phone at tinignan siya. "Of course, what is it?"

"Can you keep this a secret? Ikaw pa lang ang nakakaalam na mayroon akong anak. For Kyrone's sake..." Pakiusap ni Kira.

Aviana sighed. "I can, but in one condition."

"What is it?"

"Can I visit my niece and play with him? I promise, I won't tell my brother as long as you let me play with him and visit him anytime I like."

Kaagad na tumango si Kira sa kondisyon ni Avian sa kanya. Kumuha si Kira ng business card niya at inabot kay Aviana. "If you're going to visit him, you can call me and I'll tell you the address of the place we are currently staying."

Kinuha ni Aviana ang business card niya at bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkagulat. "You own a company, Kira?" Nagtatakang tanong sa kanya ni Aviana.

"I had no choice but to manage it." Sagot ni Kira. "It's not my company, it's my parents'." Dagdag niya.

"Still! You own it."

Mahinang natawa si Kira at napansin na mayroong tumatawag sa kanya. It was Luther. So, she immediately excused herself and she anwered the call. "Hello?"

"Nasaan ka, Kira? Puputahan ka namin ni Kyrone para sabay na tayo pabalik sa kotse." Saad ni Luther sa linya.

"I'm in a coffee shop beside a fast food chain called xxx." Sagot ni Kira kay Luther at pagkatapos no'n ay pinatay na ni Luther ang tawag.

Halos wala pang ilang segundo ay nakarinig na si Kira ng batang tumatawag sa kanya sa hindi kalayuan. Pareho sila ni Aviana na nabigla dahil do'n.

"Mommy!" Napalingon si Kira sa pinagmumulan ng boses at nakita niya si Luther na karga-karga si Kyrone.

Napalingon si Kira kay Aviana, kaagad niyang kinuha si Kyrone kay Luther at ipinakilala ang dalawa sa dalaga. "Aviana, this is Luther, he's my friend." Tinignan naman ni Kira si Luther, "Luther, this is Aviana. She's Aivan's sister."

"It's nice to meet you, Aviana." Bati ni Luther at natawa si Kira nang hindi iyon pansinin ni Aviana dahil nakatuon ang atensyon niya kay Kyrone.

"Mommy, who is she?" Pabulong na tanong sa kanya ni Kyrone at napangiti naman si Kira.

"Kyrone, she's your Aunt. You can call her ---" Bago pa makapag-salita si KIra ay naunahan na siya ni Aviana magsalita.

"Hi, baby Kyrone. I'm your aunt! You can just call me Ate Aviana, okay?" Pagpapakilala ni Aviana sa sarili kay Kyrone.

Kaagad na binigyan ng ngiti ni Kyrone si Aviana na ikinatuwa nito. "Hi, Ate Aviana! I'm Kyrone Denielle." Pagpapakilala naman ng anak niya kay Aviana.

"Oh my gosh, Kira. My niece is soo adorable! I can't wait to play with him!" Masayang wika ni Aviana, panay ang pagkurot ni Aviana sa pisngi ni Kyrone at natigil iyon nang may tumawag kay Aviana. Kaagad na sinagot ni Aviana ang tawag at bakas ang iritasyon ni Aviana sa tumawag.

It only took her second to talk to the person. "I'm sorry, big sis-in-law. But, I have to go. Nand'yan na ang sundo ko." Malungkot na wika nito. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kyrone! Bye!" Paalam ni Aviana sa kanya at kaagad itong umalis ng coffee shop.

Binaba niya si Kyrone sa pagkakakarga. "Mommy, why do I have soo many aunts and uncles?" Pagtatanong ni Kyrone sa kanya.

"It's because we have a large family tree." Simpleng sagot ni Kira sa anak.

"I kind of like my aunt than Tito Luther." Biglaang wika ng anak niya na ikinatigil ni Luther.

Hindi mapigilan ni Kira ang pagtawa dahil sa sinabi ng anak.

"Hey, akala ko ba okay na tayo? I flet betrayed..." Mahinang tanong ni Luther kay Kyrone na hindi pinagbigyang pansin ng anak niya.

Tahimik lang silang naglalakad pabalik sa kotseng nakaparada. Unang pinasakay ni Luther si Kyrone. Bago siya sumakay papasok ay tinanong siya ng kaibigan.

"Okay lang ba na sinabi mo sa kapatid ni Aivan ang sikreto mo?" Pagtatanong ni Luther sa kanya.

Marahang ngumiti si Kira. "My secret will be fine. Don't worry, Luther. We only have a week here, Kyrone can at least bond with his niece before leaving. Hindi ko sigurado kung makakabalik pa kami dito."

Luther sighed. "If that's your decision, then I'll support you. Besides, mothers knows best."

KIRA entered restaurant S. She's wearing her simple blue velvet dress and she came a bit late due to the heavy traffic, plus she put Kyrone to sleep first before leaving.

Tinignan ni Kira ang cellphone niya para tignan kung saan banda ang venue na nakareserba para sa dinner party na ito. Hinanap ni Kira ang venue number four, and as soon as she saw the venue number, she immediately went to the door and she can see a big round table inside the venue.

She immediately message Chaun that she's in front of the venue's entrance. And she assumed that Chaun received the mesage.

"Kira! Here you are! Finally!"

Nabigla si Kira dahil do'n, napatingin si Kira sa likod niya at nakita si Chaun pala iyon. "You startled me!"

"Sorry, it's good that you came! The others will be happy to see you!" Masayang wika ni Chaun at nabigla si Kira nang hilain siya nito papasok ng venue.

Nakita niya ang tila pagkabigla sa ekspresyon ng mga tao sa loob maliban kay Aiden. They were her colleagues three years ago, and because of her sudden disappearance three years ago, she's sure that they'll be shocked.

"Kira!" Kira heard a familiar set of voices calling her.

She saw Mika and Anna running toward her. Sinalubong siya ng mga ito ng yakap at niyakap niya ang dalawa pabalik. "Kira! Why did your resign without even saying goodbye to us?" Bakas ang pagtatampo sa boses ni Mika.

"I'm really sorry, nagkaroon lang ng family problems sa Italy kaya kinailangan ko bumalik." Kira explained.

"It's great that you're back! Mahirap pa ag long distance relationship?" Pagtatanong ni Anna sa kanya.

Hindi alam ni Kira ang isasagot sa tanong ni Anna. Buti nalang ay tinulungan siya ni Aiden, "Well, since Kira's here, shall we start our dinner?"

Lahat ay sumang-ayon sa inanunsyo ni Aiden, tumabi si Kira kay Chaun at sa oras na iyon ay marami silang naging usap-usapan. Kira thought that they would be angry at her because she almost failed to do the solo project Aiden assigned her three years ago. But, she was thankful that it was a success.

"Photographer ka pa rin ba sa Italya, Kira?" Pagtatanong ng isa sa mga naging katrabaho niya.

Kira wanted to keep a low profile, just like how they knew her then.

Sasagot sana si Kira ay nabigla siya nang batukan ni Anna ang dating katrabaho. "Looks like you're not updated internationally, Leo." Mahinang saad ni Anna. "Before Kira worked with us three years ago, she's already an international photographer!"

Hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang sasabihin dahil na-expose na siya. That's what not she was supposed to answer, but what can she do? Anna already knew.

"I heard that you're a business woman now, Kira." Biglaang sabi ni Aiden habang hawak ang wine glass.

Wala na talaga siyang takas sa mga tanong ng mga katrabaho niya dati. Expose na ga siya, mas lalo pa siyang na expose.

"Uhm, I am. I just manage the company while my parents can't manage it. But, I still do photography." Nakangiting sagot ni Kira kay Aiden.

Habang lumalalim ang gabi, mas lalong napapalalim ang usapan. Kira missed this, it' bee soo long after all.

She never knew that they will treat her the same, and she's happy about it.

Isa-isang nagsi-uwian ang mga dating katrabaho. Tatlo nalang silang natira sa loob ng venue. Chaun, Aiden and her.

"The exhibition three years ago was a success, thanks to you, Kira. I never knew I hired a professional photographer that is famous internationally." Natatawang wika ni Aiden sa kanya.

"And if you didn't hire me maybe I starved to death three years ago. Even if you have this weird mood swings." Natatawang wika ni Kira na ikinatawa rin ni Chaun at Aivan.

Inabot sa kanya ni Chaun ang isang photobook. "Here's the copy we saved just for you. It's good that you came back." Nakangiting saad ni Chaun.

Tinanggap ni Kira ang photobook a sinuklian ng ngiti si Chaun. "Thank you." Napatingin si Kira sa orasan niya at napansin na late na pala kaya tumayo siya at napag-desisyunan na magpaalam. "Sorry, but I think I have to go. It's kind of late now." Kumuha siya ng business card at inabot kay Aiden. "Here, you can call me if you need my help. I'm happy to work with you again." Nakangiting wika ni Kira.

"It's late, ihahatid na kita ---"

Hindi naituloy ni Chaun ang sasabihin nang biglaang may nagsalita mula sa likod niya.

"K-Kira? Is that you?"