Chapter 3 3

Kyla

"Kyla!" I heard Mommy shouting downstairs. I wasn't planning to come out, but I could hear Mom and Dad's voices, sounding like they were having an argument.

"Just please calm down, Jenna." Dad was trying to talk to Mom, but when Mom turned her attention to me, her eyes were glaring.

"You! You're pregnant!" She angrily exclaimed, holding an envelope. Not my medical results, please no!

"Jenna, let's talk to the girl first!" Dad tried to hold Mom's arm, but she quickly pulled away. As I approached and tried to speak, Mom slapped me. It wasn't my first time, but I shouldn't get used to it. Before I could say anything, she slapped me on the other cheek.

"Jenna!" Dad shouted.

"I don't know where I went wrong! But I am tired of being your mother."

That was maybe the most painful thing I have ever heard. I couldn't hold back my tears.

It hurts so much that the people you think will understand you are the ones pointing out your mistakes.

I was dying to tell my mom that I am pregnant because I was already having a hard time.

"Anak," Dad approached me with tears in his eyes.

"Get out of this house," Mom shouted. My eyes widened at what she said.

"Jenna, this is our child! You don't want to do that!"

"Get out of this house and get out of this family," she said firmly.

"Okay," I gasped. "I will. But the moment I step out of this house, I am no longer your daughter, and you are no longer my parents. You're right, I am a disgrace, a worthless child. That's how you see me, right? Now, I'm just another disappointment, and it's just right to disown me. But remember this." I looked at Mom with resentment.

"If you ever see me on the streets, impoverished, with my child, do not come near me, and above all, do not shed a tear." I wiped away my tears.

"Because from this day forward, you have no right to me, especially in my life. You chose to disown me. There has to be a price."

"When the guard saw me, he immediately opened one side of the glass door. This glass door is two-way open, but only one side is open. I couldn't get my kids' train inside.

I pulled their train inside where they were seated. It's difficult to handle all three of them because they sometimes get separated. I search for one, and suddenly another one disappears. Taking care of three kids alone is challenging, so I put them in their trio stroller or in their train where they sit, and I just pull them along. Sometimes I attach it to my bike, so even when I'm biking, I can still pull them all together.

"OMG!" Some employees seemed entertained when they saw my kids.

"How cute, Kyla!" They pinched their cheeks.

Now it's Sir's Welcome Party. Since I'm at the front desk and have no one to watch my kids, I brought them along.

"Mama, can we eat something delicious here?" Darc asked as we entered.

"Yes, but later." I placed the baby seats on the table. Darc sat down, and so did Kino and Sean.

It's exhausting just getting them to sit.

"Remember what Mama told you earlier. Don't leave your seats. Stay here. Don't go with strangers. Aunt Lotie will come later. She'll check on you. Mama is just over there. I can see you from here. If you misbehave, you know what will happen. Darc, take care of your two siblings." I instructed them. Darc nodded. He's the oldest and the most mature among the three.

I went to the front desk with an intern, one of the event coordinators. We checked each guest entering against the list. Sir Miguel and his fiancee Suzeth arrived in a luxurious limo.

Miss Suzeth wore a sparkling long backless dress, and she was surrounded by cameramen. She's a model, beautiful, mestiza, and charming. Meanwhile, I'm looking worn-out, having given birth to three super active kids.

I glanced at where I left my kids, and they were chatting with some of our friends, including Lotie. My kids were talking and laughing; it's amusing to watch.

I stayed at the front desk even as the party began. Sir Miguel started his speech.

"I want to be the CEO who is not to be feared but to be an inspiration to work for the goals and objectives of the company." People applauded at his words.

I looked where I left my kids, and my eyes widened when I couldn't see them where they were. I stood up and looked around the tables.

Oh my God! My kids.

I looked forward! There was Sean, running to the front. I was about to run, but a bodyguard stopped me.

"Cha! Start!" Sir Miguel paused as Sean suddenly shouted.

I couldn't believe my kids were on the stage!

"Wait, those are my kids." I insisted to the guard. "Our guys will take care of them."

I saw two guards heading to the stage. One guard lifted Darc, but he cried. Sean and Kino ran to Sir Miguel and held onto his slacks!

Oh my God! I might get fired.

I couldn't hear what Sir Miguel said because he turned off his mic. But he dismissed the bodyguards and approached Darc. Kino and Sean followed.

"I got you, buddy," I heard him say as he lifted Darc.

"So, I was saying that our company will be a greater one if we work together wholeheartedly..." Sir Miguel continued his speech.

Kino wanted to grab the mic from Sir, so he hurriedly finished his speech.

"Have a great evening everyone, and, um, our little friend here wants to sing you a song."

He lowered Darc and knelt to hand the mic to Kino. My triplets were delighted to hold the mic.

"Old MacDonald had a farm, eeyah eeyah yo. Old MacDonald had a farm, eeyah eeyah yo."

Sir Miguel didn't leave my kids and even joined them in singing. Darc's singing was a bit off, but I could see the audience thoroughly enjoying it, especially Sean's dance performance.

"Say thank you," Sir Miguel told Kino.

"Thank you!" They giggled.

"Maa!" My kids welcomed me with laughter.

"Why did you go there? It's bad, my child. The person was speaking. Don't do that again, okay? How did you get out of your baby chairs?"

"Our friend said we should go there to play with toys," Kino explained.

"That's why... Hihi. So we ran there. Eheheh. But Mama, there were no dinosaurs there," Sean added.

"And Mama, I sang in front!"

I didn't know who to respond to.

"But my child, Mama could get in trouble if you do that. Don't do it again, okay?" I cautioned.

"Yes, Ma," they all said together. I saw Juvy and her cronies laughing while watching us.

When will this woman stop?

"Are they yours?" I froze upon hearing that voice. I stood up and turned around.

And he was the person I least expected to see.

"Kyla..." He called my name.

"Hija..." It was Dad. I stepped back.

"Babies, turn around, okay? And cover your ears," I instructed them.

"Mama needs to talk with an adult." They immediately followed my command, as I had taught them before.

"For the record, I am not your daughter," I said firmly. I noticed him bowing his head.

"They are so nice. Don't worry, I am not with your mom. You look good," he said before walking away.

For almost four years, I never expected that I would see my father again.

I looked at my children with their backs turned to me, covering their ears.

If my children feel the way I feel, I don't know how I will handle it. Just thinking about it hurts. My kids grew up with me, only me. When they were little, our room was cramped. They cried whenever there was a cockroach or mosquito. I moved them to an apartment, but compared to the life I grew up with, I'm far more comfortable now. My kids endured a lot. The most painful part is that they were affected by my past struggles. Now, they have to bear the pain of being fatherless.