Kabanata 10
1242 Words
Bea
"Mama, awis? Ma-eat ice kwim?" Khalid asked while I'm getting him ready for our dinner with Kreige. My little man looks so cute in his rose pink long sleeves and black pants. Regalo iyon ng tito Rafael niya't ngayon pa lamang masusuot.
I smiled and pinched his cheek. "Kapag nag-behave ka, I'll give you ice cream later."
Khalid threw a punch in the air before he kissed me on my cheek. Nakangiti ko naman siyang pinanood na masayang lumabas ng silid para siguro manood muna ng paborito niyang palabas habang nagbibihis ako.
I stood up and went through my closet to find the best dress I could wear for this evening. Dejesa is a fancy restaurant, but there's a deeper reason why I wanted to look good.
At hindi ko pa iyon kayang aminin sa aking sarili.
I picked up a sultry red dress but ended up putting it back on the shelf before I grabbed the evergreen dress that has a modest design with a little bit of a teasing cut right on the chest.
The thought of me, Khalid and Kreige having dinner made my heart warm. This will be the second time that my son would share a meal with me and his Dad. Kahit hindi naman nila alam ang totoo nilang relasyon, kahit papaano ay masaya ako para sa anak ko.
I put on my dress and did my hair and make up. Nang akmang magsasapatos na ako ay pumasok si Khalid sa aming kwarto.
My son gasped and happily giggled. "Mama, you pweety!"
I laughed softly and watched him grab my shoes. Napili niya ang puting sapatos na balak ko talagang isuot. Nang makalapit siya sa akin ay nakangiti kong hinaplos ang kanyang buhok matapos niyang lumuhod upang isuot sa akin ang sapatos ko.
Oh, what would I do without this little bundle of joy? Baka successful nga ang career ko pero araw-araw naman akong malungkot kung sakali.
"Thank you, baby." I gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Ang swerte-swerte ng Mama sayo."
He gave me another sweet smile before he started dragging my hand. Natatawa naman akong nagpahila matapos kong makuha ang sling bag ko.
"Magbi-behave ka mamaya, okay?" I reminded.
"Opo," he innocently replied before I put on the seatbelt of his car seat. Nang masigurong ayos na ay nagtungo ako sa driver's side.
We went to Dejesa where Kreige has already made his reservation for us. Binati kami ng staff sa bungad ng resto, at nang ngitian nila si Khalid ay bibong kumaway ang anak ko.
"Heyow! Ooweebning!" Khalid greeted happily.
"Aw, you're so cute!" puri ng staffs kaya ngingisi-ngising naglakad si Khalid habang nakahawak sa aking kamay.
"Table for Kreige Ducani, please," I said.
The staff smiled. "This way, Ma'am."
Panay pa ang kaway ni Khalid sa ibang staff habang naglalakad kami. Nang mapaupo kami sa aming mesa ay nag-chat ako sa kanya para sabihinh naroon na kami ni Khalid, ngunit pagkalipas ng tatlompung minuto at wala pa ring Kreige na dumarating, nagsimulang mapawi ang excitement ko.
"Mama, shan na? Mitagaw pa ang chicho Kwei?" ani Khalid.
I put my phone back in my bag and caressed his back. Sakto namang lumapit ang waitress para itanong kung ready na kaming mag-order.
Tiningnan ko ang nagugutom ko nang anak. Alam kong kanina niya pa gustong kumain, ngunit dahil wala pa si Kreige ay tumatanggi tuwing inaalok ko ng pagkain.
I sighed. "Kain ka na, anak. I think tito Kreige is busy."
Khalid pouted and bowed his head. "Gawit na ko. Yaw na nga misama esh chime!"
"Oh, Khalid." Muli akong bumuntonghininga. Nasaan na ba kasi ang magaling na Kreige na ito? Huwag niyang sabihing pinaasa lang niya ang bata at wala naman talaga siyang balak pumunta?
Ano rin naman kasi ang pumasok sa kokote ko para seryosohin ang imbitasyon no'n? Baka nga nasa kung saang club na iyon ngayon at nakikipagsayaw sa kung sino-sinong babae. That was his reputation anyway. Ang pinakapalikero sa mga anak ni tito Khalil.
"Wee na. Wach lalang Mistew Bean," Khalid said in a dishearted way when another fifteen minutes passed and Kreige still hasn't showed up.
Halatang disappointed ang anak ko, at sa totoo lang ay nagi-guilty ako na ganito ang nararamdaman niya ngayon. Ang gwapo-gwapo niya. Naka-wax pa ang buhok niya at ang sigla-sigla pa niya kanina noong papunta kami rito, tapos uuwi lang kami na malungkot siya.
Sa inis ko kay Kreige ay inilabas ko ulit ang phone ko't niratrat siya sa chat. Nang mapindot ko ang send button ay ipinasok ko sa bag ang phone at akmang yayayain na si Khalid na umuwi, ngunit bago ko pa nagawa ay lumapit na sa aming mesa ang pamilyar na bulto.
"Bea. . . "
I swallowed. "Gerby. I didn't know you'll be here."
"Ikaw rin." He smiled as he looked at Khalid. "Hello, little boy. You must be Khalid."
Khalid just nodded. Halatang wala na talaga sa mood dahil hindi kami sinipot ng magaling na si Kreige.
"Mind if I join you? Hindi ako sinipot ng pinsan ko," ani Gerby.
I was about to say we wouldn't stay anymore but I spotted Kreige heading towards us, his bushy eyebrows were furrowing.
"Sorry, I'm late, baby," Kreige said to Khalid as if he wanted Gerby to hear what he said.
Sumimangot nang husto si Khalid saka malakas na nag-'hmp' habang nakahalukipkip.
"Ni-hugwy na aposh wana pa itaw!"
Kreige dominantly stood between me and Khalid before he jerked his head on Gerby. "Zup? Long time no see."
Napakunot ako ng noo. "You know each other?"
Kreige flashed a dangerous smirk. "Oh, we do. I'm sure he still remembers me."
Gerby clenched his jaw before he turned to me. "I'll see you in your office tomorrow, Bea." He smiled at Khalid. "Goodbye, Khalid."
"Goobye!" sagot ng anak ko.
Kitang-kita ko ang dilim ng titig ni Kreige sa papaalis na si Gerby. Nang makalayo ang ex ko sa aming mesa ay salubong ang kilay kong binalingan si Kreige.
"How'd you know Gerby?"
He sighed before he sat and pulled the chair next to Khalid. "Sinaksak ako ng lapis sa dibdib no'ng elementary ng lalakeng 'yon."
I scoffed. "And you never moved on from that? Jesus." I shook my head. "You're unbelievable."
"I was called a weakling because I wasn't able to fight back. He's also my number one bully when we were in elementary," dagdag niya.
"Ish dat mee dadjy?" Khalid suddenly asked.
I saw how Kreige's brows furrowed. The next thing I knew, he was already pulling Khalid to sit on his lap while telling his own son that Gerby can't possibly be his Dad because Gerby is ugly.
The immaturity of this guy sometimes.
"Am shupew mad," ani Khalid nang maalala nitong halos isang oras kaming pinaghintay ni Kreige.
Kreige looked at me, seeking my support but I just rolled my eyes on him. Mayamaya ay bumuntonghininga siya bago tumingin sa naniningkit na mga mata ni Khalid.
"Alright? How can I make it up to you?"
My son grinned meaningfully before he whispered on Kreige's ear. Nang marinig ang sinabi ng bata ay ngumisi rin si Kreige saka tumingin sa akin.
"Why? What did he say?" I asked with wrinkled forehead.
Kreige licked his lips and said the words that nearly made my heart jump out of my chest.
"He said he wants me to live with you for a month and be his Dad. . . "
- Writer
