"Mama, forgive me if I have hurt and caused you pain," Erik pleaded, holding Aurora's hand gently.
In response to his gesture, tears welled up in Aurora's eyes, streaming down her cheeks. "Please forgive me too, both your father and me," she replied, tapping his hand lightly.
Erik smiled and nodded, understanding the depth of her words. He stood up and embraced his mother tightly. Then, he glanced at Fidel, who smiled back at him.
Though it was a simple smile, Erik knew it carried profound meaning. In an instant, he felt a weight lifted off his chest, a burden he had been carrying for a long time. And he couldn't deny that it was because of his act of forgiveness towards his mother.
Yes, he loved his parents dearly. And now, as a father himself, even though he and Mia had yet to welcome their child into the world, he had gained a deeper understanding of the true meaning of life. This was why he found it easy to comprehend and accept everything his mother had done and the choices she had made.
At that moment, Erik realized that forgiveness had granted him the sense of liberation he had longed for. It was a pivotal turning point that allowed him to embrace the profound beauty of life, love, and family.
*****
They set off early the next day. Nathaniel, accompanied by Nanny Ising, included her as they made their way to the foster home Nathaniel had mentioned.
"This is it, Nathaniel," Nanny Ising said as she read the iron signage at the gate of the Safe Haven Foundation.
Nathaniel got out of the car to talk to the security guard at the foster home. Mia, in the meantime, sat in the backseat, while Nanny Ising occupied the passenger seat.
It didn't take long before Nathaniel returned. He noticed that the guard had opened the gate wider and motioned for him to park the car in the foster home's parking space.
Quietly, he followed Nathaniel. Nanny Ising walked beside her, providing support along the way.
Many children were playing in the spacious playground of the foster home. And in a moment, as Mia caught sight of a little girl and a little boy happily playing on a swing, something registered in her mind.
She froze, her hand instinctively pressed against her chest, as her heart pounded loudly.
"Is something wrong, Mia?" Nanny Ising asked, concern evident in her voice, pulling her back to the present.
"H-Huh? Oh, no," Mia stammered, quickly shaking her head. "I was just delighted by those two kids," she said, pointing at the children and letting out a soft laugh.
"That's how Nathalie and I used to be," Nathaniel suddenly interjected, his gaze turning somber as he watched the two children continue to play joyfully.
The little girl sat on the swing while the older-looking boy pushed her gently.
As they walked further into the foster home, Mia couldn't shake off the stirring emotions that the sight of those children had awakened within her. It felt as if a door to a forgotten part of her heart had been opened, revealing a yearning she hadn't fully recognized before.
At that moment, amidst the laughter and innocence of the children, Mia couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to experience the joy of parenthood and create a loving family of her own.
"Come, let’s go, sweetheart," Nanny Ising said, deliberately attempting to dispel the somber atmosphere that had begun to permeate the surroundings. Sensing the need to lighten the mood, she took the lead, and they moved forward.
At first, it wasn't easy for Nathaniel to gain permission for what he wanted to happen. He hadn't made an appointment. Fortunately, the very nun who had grown close to him was now seated as the director of the foster home.
"I am delighted to see you, my dear. You have grown into such a handsome man, and I always knew your life would turn out well," Sister Cecilia said, embracing Nathaniel tightly.
"I'm glad you still remember me, Sister," Nathaniel replied with a beaming smile.
The nun nodded. "I never forgot you, nor your sister. Nathalie, isn't it?" she confirmed, ensuring she got the name right.
"That's correct," Nathaniel answered, suddenly overcome with sadness.
Mia noticed that she wasn't the only one who had picked up on the melancholy that had settled upon Nathaniel's face and voice. Sister Cecilia, too, sensed it. So, it didn't surprise her when the nun opened her mouth to speak. However, her words were immediately stifled when she noticed Mia standing behind Nathaniel.
"N-Nathalie? Sweetie?" Sister Cecilia exclaimed, rising from her chair and approaching Mia.
Mia glanced around the room, her gaze shifting from person to person. Then, Sister Cecilia drew nearer, and her focus settled on the nun.
"Oh, it's you!"
Sister Cecilia said, taking hold of Mia's hands before embracing her tightly.
"You are such a beautiful young woman. I've always known that you would grow up to be stunning," she continued, releasing Mia from her fervent embrace.
Mia was taken aback but felt a warm sense of connection with Sister Cecilia. It was as if the nun had seen a glimpse of her past, of the person she used to be. And at that moment, Mia realized that the foster home held a significant place in her own story—a connection that she couldn't ignore.
"W-What do you mean, Sister Cecilia?" Nathaniel asked, his gaze fixed on her.
Mia clearly saw the quick furrowing of Sister Cecilia's brows in response to Nathaniel's question. The nun turned and looked at him, then spoke.
"What do I mean? Isn't this your sister, Nathalie?" the nun replied.
"P-Perhaps you're mistaken, Sister. My name is Mia," she responded, even though her heart was pounding loudly in her chest.
"Oh no," the nun shook her head in succession. "Wait, tell me the truth, Nathaniel. What happened to you and your sister when you ran away here? Anyway, why did I forget to have you both seated? Please, have a seat," she gestured towards the sofa set in one corner of her office.
Mia observed Nathaniel's chest rising and falling rapidly at that question. Then, after a moment, she noticed his lips quiver.
"T-The truth is, we got separated, Sister," Nathaniel confessed, his voice filled with sadness.
"W-What? But—"
"That's why I came here, to see my sister's files. Even just a picture of her would be a great help in my search. The truth is, I've wanted to do this for a long time, but I only found the courage now, because of Mia," he said, glancing at her with a smile.
"My child, I cannot be mistaken," the nun insisted, looking intently at Mia. "Don't you notice the striking resemblance between the two of you? Wait a moment, let me ask my secretary to find your sister's folder," the nun said, standing up and calling for her secretary.
Mia felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety building within her. Could it be true? Was there a chance that Nathalie, his long-lost sister, was connected to her in some way? As they waited for the folder to be retrieved, the room filled with an air of anticipation, as if fate itself was about to unveil its secrets.
"That was a long time ago, and my secretary might have difficulty finding it, but if you can wait," she said, shifting her gaze between Nathaniel and Mia.
"No problem at all," Nathaniel replied.
"Are you pregnant, my dear?" Sister Cecilia asked, noticing her gaze directed towards her slightly swollen belly.
Mia nodded and smiled kindly.
"If you don't mind me asking, who is the father of your unborn child?" Sister Cecilia asked with a meaningful tone, hinting at her understanding.
Mia quickly shook her head in protest at the implications of the nun. "N-No, Sister. The father of this child is in Manila, and—," she couldn't continue expressing what she wanted to say because, at that moment, there was a precise knock on the door, followed by Sister Cecilia's secretary entering the room, handing her a folder that had turned yellow with age.
Mia's heart started racing uncontrollably for inexplicable reasons. She didn't know and couldn't explain why she felt that way in those moments.
She held her breath as she saw Sister Cecilia opening the folder. The nun remained standing, and the three of them looked up at her. Mia clearly saw the expression of surprise on Sister Cecilia's face as she gazed at the contents of the folder. After a few moments, instead of handing it to Nathaniel, Sister Cecilia extended the folder toward her and spoke with a smile.
"Perhaps even after a long time, you can still recognize yourself when you were a child, Nathalie," she said to Mia.
Mia's hands trembled as she accepted the folder, her eyes wide with anticipation. Slowly, she began to flip through the pages, her heart pounding in her chest. And then, as she reached a particular photograph, time seemed to stand still. Her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes welled up with tears as she stared at the image before her.
The first was a picture of two young children, a boy, and a girl, their arms wrapped around each other, smiling joyfully. The second one was a solo full-body photograph. Mia couldn't believe her eyes. The girl in the picture bore an uncanny resemblance to herself—the same eyes, the same smile. It was as if she was looking at her own reflection from the past.
"Nathalie... it's really you," Sister Cecilia whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
The revelation brought a flood of memories and emotions rushing back to her. The fragments of her forgotten past started to piece together, forming a clearer picture of who she truly was. And at that moment, Mia knew that her journey of self-discovery and love was just beginning.
Mia held her breath at the nun's words. Then her mind seemed to soar as she gazed at the childhood version of herself—a picture of her when she was just two years old.
A lump formed in Mia's throat, making it difficult for her to swallow. Afterward, she handed the folder to Nathaniel, which had now shifted to her side. He, too, stared at the photos and, like Mia, found himself speechless.
"Whatever the reason why you ended up in this place, Nathalie, or Mia. Whatever name you prefer to call yourself, there is only one reason—you need to meet your sibling," Sister Cecilia said.
Upon hearing those words, Mia couldn't hold back her tears any longer. And in response, Nathaniel tightly embraced her. Her long-lost brother, who had never forgotten her throughout all those years. But what about her? How did she end up forgetting him?
"I-I'm sorry," Nathaniel whispered tearfully.
"It's okay, Nate. I'm sorry too for forgetting you, for not remembering," she said, wiping her tears and letting out a soft laugh.
Nathaniel playfully pinched the tip of her nose, a smile on his face. "Wasn't I right? I was right to feel that surge of connection with you," he said.
She nodded, embracing him tightly once again. "Everything that's happening, there's a beautiful reason behind it," she said, her voice filled with undeniable happiness.
At that moment, Mia and Nathaniel realized that fate had brought them back together. The memories that were lost and buried deep within their hearts were now resurfacing, filling their lives with newfound joy and love. Their journey of rediscovery had just begun, and they were determined to make up for all the lost time.
As they held each other, their hearts intertwined, Mia and Nathaniel knew that their bond as siblings was unbreakable. And with this newfound strength, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, hand in hand, supporting each other every step of the way.
Love had not only reunited them but had also opened their hearts to a deeper connection—one that would guide them toward their shared destiny that would transcend time.
Indeed, Mia had truly forgotten about Nathaniel. Perhaps it was only natural, considering she was very young back then. But now, as she saw him and got to know him personally, she felt in her heart that she had known him for a long time. And that was the only explanation she needed.
"It doesn't matter, my dear, if you forgot about your brother. Minds work that way; they know how to forget. But not the heart. And that's the explanation behind all the care and concern you both have shown each other during the short time you've been together," Nannny Ising, or rather Auntie Ising, said as she wiped away her tears.
"You're right, Ising. Now, I believe there's one more person who would be thrilled to see the two of you," Sister Cecilia chimed in, wearing a smile as she observed the two of them.
Mia and Nathaniel exchanged puzzled glances. And unable to contain her curiosity, it was her brother who asked the question.
"Who, Sister?" he inquired.
At that moment, Sister Cecilia stood up. "Follow me, both of you, and you shall find out," she replied before leading the way out of the room.
Mia and Nathaniel looked at each other, their eyes filled with wonder. And unable to resist, it was their aunt who voiced the question that lingered in their minds.
"Whom could it be?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
As they followed Sister Cecilia, Mia's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. The journey to discovering their shared past and the person who would bring them even more happiness was about to unfold. With each step they took, their bond as siblings grew stronger, and their hope for a future filled with love and unity soared.
Little did they know that their lives were about to be intertwined with another person, someone whose presence would complete their family and add another layer of warmth and affection. As they walked side by side, Mia and Nathaniel held onto each other, ready to embrace the surprises that awaited them.
Love had a way of leading them to unexpected connections and weaving their destinies together. And as they approached the unknown, their hearts beat in sync, knowing that the greatest chapter of their lives was just beginning.