Almost, Always | Ligaya
Content Warning:
Emotional confrontation, parental guilt, child in medical danger, and mentions of abandonment.
Reader discretion is advised.
@coupslovre
They stood in silence, far from the hospital lights. The faint glow barely reached their faces, leaving their silhouettes sharp against the night. Between them stretched a space wide enough to hold seven years of unspoken words.
Joy’s hands were deep in his pockets, shoulders tense, his back trembling with exhaustion. Cyrus stood a few meters away, stiff and still, as if afraid to move and break the fragile balance between them.
Only the distant hum of traffic filled the air. The night wind cut through, tugging at Joy’s sleeves and sharpening the chill around them.
Neither spoke. The silence pressed in, thick and unbearable. It was much louder than shouting.
Joy swallowed hard. His throat burned from holding back tears he refused to let Cyrus see. He lifted his gaze, just briefly, before looking away again.
“Huwag na natin ituloy ang kasal.”
Cyrus suddenly looked up. His chest rose sharply, his breath catching in his throat. His hands, which had been hanging loosely by his sides, clenched slightly. Pero hindi tumingin si Joy sa kanya. His eyes stayed on the ground, as if staring there made it easier to speak.
“You know we can’t do that—” Cyrus started, his tone careful, almost pleading.
“Huwag na natin ituloy ang kasal, Cyrus.”
This time Joy’s voice was steady. Cold steel wrapped in heartbreak. Each word landed heavy, deliberate, cutting through the night air.
“Joy, you don’t understand—”
“Ikaw ang hindi nakakaintindi, Cyrus!”
The sound tore through the stillness. Cyrus flinched, his shoulders tensing as Joy’s voice echoed off the nearby walls.
Joy’s chest heaved, hands trembling at his sides. “I almost lost my Ligaya,” he said, voice cracking, eyes glistening under the dull glow.
“Ang kaisa-isa kong Ligaya.”
He took a step forward, fists tightening. “Alam mo kung bakit? Dahil kumain si Ligaya ng hipon just to prove na hindi ako mukhang pera. Dahil lang magpapakasal ako sa isang Altamonte!”
His breathing grew erratic, each inhale shuddering through his body.
“Kaya itigil na natin ‘to.” His voice dropped lower, dangerous in its calm. “Umalis ka na. Huwag ka nang bumalik.”
Cyrus’ jaw flexed. His hands curled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white. He looked down briefly, fighting the surge of guilt clawing at his throat.
“You know damn well I can’t leave you and Ligaya.”
Joy’s laugh came out bitter. “Bakit ba ang kulit mo—”
“Dahil anak ko rin si Ligaya!”
Joy froze. His lips parted, eyes flicking to Cyrus in disbelief. For a split second, the wind stopped—everything did.
“I almost lost my daughter too, Joy.”
Joy froze, then blinked hard, shaking his head as if the words themselves burned. “You don’t get to say that,” he hissed, voice trembling between anger and pain. He stepped forward, jabbing a finger into Cyrus’s chest.
“You don’t have the right to call Ligaya your daughter, Cyrus.” His voice cracked at the end, his hand shaking as he pressed his finger harder against Cyrus’ chest, anger spilling past his control.
Cyrus caught Joy’s wrist, gripping it firmly but not harshly. “Anak ko rin si Ligaya, Joy,” he said, his tone low, steady but his eyes burned.
“Anak natin.” He took a step forward too, matching Joy’s intensity, closing the space between them. “I have every right.”
“No!” Joy snapped, yanking his hand free and shoving Cyrus back. “You left! You chose your damn company over me—over us!”
His voice cracked, and this time the tears came freely. “Kaya ipinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi mo makikilala ang anak natin. Hindi ko siya gagawing Altamonte!”
Cyrus’ jaw tightened. He took a small step forward, hands slightly raised as if trying to reach for Joy but stopping halfway. “Joy—”
But Joy cut him off, shaking his head, eyes glistening. “Pitong taon, Cyrus,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “Pitong taon ko siyang pinalaki.” His breath hitched.
“Lahat ng iyak, lahat ng gabi na wala ka…” He pressed a trembling hand against his chest, voice trembling as the memories clawed their way out. “Kinaya ko mag-isa.”
“Ayos na kami, Cy,” he said, letting out a weak and broken laugh. “Ayos na kami. Pero nung dumating ka, nagulo na naman lahat.”
He looked down, his tears hitting the concrete. “But when I saw the way she looked at you—when she asked about you… I knew. Gusto niya ng kumpletong pamilya.” His shoulders trembled.
“Kaya nung nalaman niyang Papa ka niya…”
He pressed a hand over his face, sobbing softly. “Ligaya begged me for you to stay.”
He inhaled sharply. “So I didn’t stop you. Dahil anak pa rin natin ang iniisip ko. Kahit masaktan ako, basta masaya si Ligaya.”
Then his tone shifted. Sharper and angrier. “Pero ito—ito ang nangyari!” He struck his chest with his fist, once, hard.
“This happened because I gave you another chance. Dahil pinayagan pa rin kitang pumasok sa buhay namin!” His breathing was harsh. Each sob caught in his throat.
“Na naging mahina na naman ako…”
“Cy…” He choked on his next words. “Habang yakap-yakap ko si Ligaya kanina, she said ‘I love you’ to me like it was her last.”
He looked up, tears falling faster now. “She said, ‘I love you, Dadi. Tell Papa I love him too.’”
Joy gave a weak, trembling laugh that dissolved into sobs. “Kahit iniwan mo kami, she still prays for you. She still hopes you’re okay.”
Cyrus blinked rapidly, his breath catching as guilt crushed his chest. His eyes softened, the tears finally escaping.
“Cy…” Joy whispered. “Kahit ngayon lang… maintindihan mo ako. Ayokong mawala ang anak ko.”
He took one step closer, his knees finally giving in. “Ayokong mawala ang iisang taong mahalaga sa buhay ko.”
He fell forward, barely catching himself on shaky hands. “Ayokong mawala si Ligaya. Hindi ko kakayanin, Cy…”
“Cy, please…”
Cyrus lunged forward before he could stop himself, catching Joy in his arms. Joy’s face buried against his shoulder, his sobs raw and unrestrained. Cyrus wrapped both arms around him tightly, pulling him close as if his hold could undo everything.
Joy’s hands clutched the back of Cyrus’, trembling violently. Every hitch of Joy’s breath cut straight into Cyrus’s chest.
Cyrus closed his eyes, his own tears falling silently into Joy’s hair. The smell of antiseptic clung to both of them. The reminder of why they were here.
The pain Joy carried, seven years’ worth was pouring out now, drowning them both.
“Let’s stop the deal, Cy,” Joy whispered against his shoulder, voice barely a breath. Cyrus’ arms instinctively tightened, refusing to let go.
“For our child,” Joy murmured.
A long silence. Then, softer… breaking.
“Para sa Ligaya natin.”