Mom in Secret

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It was indeed a crazy turn of events after I found out I was pregnant. Halo-halo ang emosyon na aking naramdaman, nariyan ang masaya dahil mag kakaanak ako, at ang takot at lungkot dahil hindi ko alam kung paanong ipapaalam iyon sa pamilya ko. After all I am only 18 years old.

I am Tasiana Arabela Torres. 

All my life, devoted myself in taking care of my child, Betrisian Arem, my only child. My world, my sunshine, my everything. I was the school's Valedictorian from elementary to high school, my parents loves and supports me, my brothers dotes on me a lot. But after getting pregnant at such a young age, things started to become different.

Years passed, I gave birth to Betrisian, I graduated from college, now my son is already already 7 years old, and as of now, I am working as a secretary in a well-known company after finishing Business Management. Betrisian, or Tris, just like what I call him, lives with me in my condo unit.

His father you ask?

He's not around. I mean, we're not together. We almost got married after we found out I was pregnant, but I chose not to. Because it doesn't have to be that way.

Like what I said, although we have a child, we are not married. WE live separately, work separately, but the two of them still see each other from time to time.

"Tasi" Sir Alec called. He is my boss, and I am his secretary. Limang taon na din simula nang matanggap ako sa trabaho na ito bilang secretary ni Alec Lucas, a business man known for being notorious... and cold.

"Yes, Mr. Lucas?" tanong ko dito. He's sitting on his swivel chair while facing the glass window. Siguro ay pinapanood na naman nito ang mga sasayan at buildings sa labas.

"Can you get the papers inside that drawer? I need to check something" aniya bago nilingon ang pwesto ko. If it was before, I would've been mesmerize and amazed y his ethereal look, however it was different now kase nasanay na ako sa mukha nito.

Although seeing him smile at me from time to time is really different.

"Okay, sir. Please wait for a while" I answered. Tumayo ako at lumapit sa drawer s gilid ng opisina. "Is it this one,Sir?" I asked and showed him the papers.

Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin. I stared back at him. A smirk flashed on his face before he look away. I heard him chuckle. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa pwesto ko, I didn't move an inch. Kinuha niya ang papeles na hawak ko bago nagsalita.

"Yeah, yeah. Aren't ya' too competitive, Ms. Secretary?" he said with a smirk on his face before turning his back against me. He was about to leave the office but he stopped beside the door.

"I have a meeting right now, since you don't have work to do, you can go home early. Bye" aniya bago tuluyang lumabas ng opisina.

Naiwan akong nakatulala doon habang nakatayo, I could feel my face burning. It was so hot. Pinaypayan ko ang sarili gamit ang aking kamay bago naglakad sa table ko. Inayos ko na ang aking mga gamit at siniguradong ayos din ang gamit ni Sir Lucas bago tuluyang lumabas at umuwi.

I could still remember how my first month on this job went. He said that my table should be put inside his office. Because according to him, he will call me a lot because there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Well, who am I to disagree? After all, this office is bigger than the meeting room. It has 2 restrooms, 2 small bedroom and a huge refrigerator that has a lot of food which I can access and use freely because he allows me to. My salary is really high and the ambiance here is not that bad. Mr. Lucas is a nice boss but he gets mad if you do your job half-heartedly.

"TASIANA ARABELA TORRES" his voice sounds colder than usual. It was my first week working here. I immediately stand up and look at him forcing myself to smile.

"YES SIR!" I energetically answered para naman mabawasan kahit papaano ang init ng ulo niya.

"Stop daydreaming and finish your work before you go home. I'm leaving first" he said as he stand up and put his clothes.

"Okay, sir. Thank you for your hard work. Take care" I said and see him off. Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako nang makaalis na si Sir Lucas. I couldn't breathe properly because I feel like when he hear me breathing, he'll fire me right away.

"Alright. Now I can finish this off fast" I said and continue doing my job.

My baby is surely waiting for me home.

That was how it was for me when I first started here. A smiling Sir Lucas can only be seen when he got a proper sleep.

But it only happen once every three months.

I notice that it was already afternoon when I was driving on my way home. I bet Betrisian is waiting for me now. I should hurry up.

Medyo binilisan ko ang pagmamaneho pero tumigil muna ako sa isang donut shop na madalas kong bilhan bago umuwi.

"Hello Miss Tasiana, the same?" Ari asked. She's a worker here and I am her regular customer.

"Yes, please add some hot chocolate too" I said and smile at her. I always believe that a simple smile from the customers can help the workers do their job well for you. So you can be satisfied.

After paying, sumakay na ako ulit sa sasakyan at nagmaneho pauwi. Pinarke ko ang sasakyan sa parking lot ng condominium bago bumaba. I ran as fast as I can towards the elevator so I can reach my unit right away. Tris is waiting for me. He will get mad if I get home any later.

"Baby, I'm home" I said as I entered the house. I could my sweats dripping off my face since I run after I got out of the elevator.

I heard my son's footsteps coming from his room. Lumapit siya sa pinto na kinatatayuan ko bago tumigila sa harap ko.

"You're late!" he said while pouting. I couldn't help but smile after I saw him waiting for me. I feel like all the tiredness from work disappeared.

Yumuko ako para maging magkapantay kaming dalawa before I hug him.

"Awee, I'm sorry, honey. Here, I have pasalubong naman for you" ani ko bago hinalikan ang kanyang pisngi. He smile at me and I saw how his eyes twinkle after he saw the box of donuts that I bought for him. Iniabot ko iyon sa kanya at agad niya iyong kinuha.

"You should go and take a bath, Mom. You're mabaho na. Amoy pawis" Tris said. Umakto pa siya na para bang nababahuan nga sa akin dahil sa pawis ko bago tumakbo papalayo.

I heard his laughter when he reached the living room. Napailing nalang ako bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

Betrisian Arem, my son. He's only 7 but he's really cute. He's too matured for his age that I sometimes worry if this is still right. Minsan ay naiisip ko na baka hidi tama ang ginawa kong hindi pagpapakasal sa Tatay niya noon

Mygosh, who did this child take after? His father is not that matured, tho.

Agad na akong naghubad ng damit pagpasok ko sa aking kwarto at dumiretso sa banyo. Dali-dali akong naligo dahi paniguradong hinihintay na naman ako ni Betrisian.

After finishing, I dry my hair and walk towards Tris who is now eating his donuts while watching a educational videos on TV. Naupo ako sa tabi niya bago nagsalita.

"Tris, sweety, your Papa will be taking care of you this weekend, have you prepared your things already?" I asked. He stopped eating for a minute before nodding his head, then continued eating again.

"Are you excited?" I asked again worried that there is something happening to him that I don't know. But Tris just nodded again.

I sighed and pause the video he was watching to get him look at me. And it worked.

"Baby, is something the matter?" I asked again. He's now looking at me. Everytime we're talking about his father he always act like this.

"None, mom" he answered shortly. Tinuloy niya ang pagkain ng donuts, but this time, he looks really sad.

"Really?" I asked again. I can't let my son look like this. I really am a worrywart.

"Mom, you know I don't want to lie to you. To be honest, I don't want to leave this weekend. I want to spend everyday with you. Every time I am at Papa's house, his eyes were always focus at his paper works" he said sadly. "He rarely play with me and the Yaya's were the only people I can play with."

"I'll talk to your Dad, then. Just understand him, okay? You know his work is not that easy since it is their business. For now understand him, okay? I'll make sure to talk to him tomorrow when he fetch you. Is that alright, baby?" I answered assuring him that I will talk to his Dad about his worry.

"*sigh* Okay, Mom. I'll do as you wish" he answered and continue eating his donuts.

I stare at him while he continue eating and watching the videos after I play it again. He really look so sad. Oh goodness, Benedict, what did you do to your son?

Weekend finally came and Benedic, Tris' father and my ex-boyfriend, is already here.

"Hi, good morning, Tara" he greeted and kiss my cheeks. Ngumiti siya na para bang sobrang saya niya dahil nakita niya ako.

I frowned. He's really annoying.

"There is nothing good in the morning if you act like that, Benedict" I said blatantly. He chuckled as if what I said was nothing to him.

"You're as moody as ever" he said. "Where's our son?"

"Tris is still inside, checking his things. Anyways, he told me last time that he doesn't want to go to your house because you're always focus on your paper works. Please, spend more time with him. Ayoko naman sabihin ng mga tao sa paligid na siniraan kita sa anak mo kaya ayaw niya pumunta sa'yo" diretso kong saad. His smie faded after hearing what I said.

"Ah! I did it again, goodness gracious. I didn't know Rem would think that way. I feel bad right now. But he really did took after you,huh." ani Benedict. I rolled my eyes and heave a sigh.

'"Make sure you take good care of my son. If you don't, I'll kill you" pagbibiro ko dito. He chuckled before answeing.

"Yes, boss!" he energetically said.

"Mommy, I'm done" Tris said as he get out of his room He's wearing the clothes that his Lola and Lolo bought for him. He look so cute.

"My cute baby, take good care of yourself okay? Refrain from eating a lot of junkfoods, it's bad for you health" sabi ko habang nakayuko sa harap niya.

"Yes, Mommy. You too, you should eat healthy foods. Stop eating noodles and ordering fast foods. You're thin!" sagot niya bago humalik sa pisngi ko.

Lumapit siya sa Papa niya. Binuhat naman siya ni Benedict.

"Hahaha. That's my boy. Are you sure you won't come with us?" Benedict asked. Talagang hinintay niya muna ang anak niya bago ako tanungin, ha.

"Nah. I have work. Take good care, you two. Enjoy!" I said and bid my good bye to them. It will be another boring day since my son isn't here. What should I do now? It's my day off too!

Binuksan ko ang laptop ko at tiningnan ang mga E-mail.

alvinlucas@g*****.com

"A personal e-mail from Sir Lucas?" he wouldn't send me an e-mail unless it really is an emergency.

"Sorry to bother you rest day but can you come to the office today? It's an emergency." I read it out loud since I still couldn't believe it. A persona e-mail out of nowhere?

Dali-dali akong naligo at nagayos bago lumabas ng condo unit. I drove my car as fast as I can to the office.

What the heck is this?! I'm nervous. He rarely use the term emergency when it comes to work and he never send me an e-mail like this before. What could it be? Did I perhaps do something wrong? Did I lost one important document or something? Am I going to get fired?

Tumakbo ako papunta sa elevator at mabilis na pinindot ang buttons papunta sa opisina. Nang makarating sa 12th floor ay tinakbo ko naman ang papunta sa opisina ni Sir Lucas. Huminga muna ako ng malalim nang nasa tapat na ako ng pinto bago kumatok. This is really nerve recking.

"Sir Lucas?" I called whie trying to calm myself.

"Tasi? Come in" he answered shortly. I could feel some serious tension coming from the inside of the office.

Binuksan ko ng dahan-dahan ang pinto at sumilip sa loob. I saw Sir Lucas frowning face while he was looking at his laptop and the documents above his table. The office was super messy too and there were a lot of papers on the floor.

"There is an emergency regarding our business in Batangas, Tasiana. One of the manager ran away with the building's important documents and even the bank books. I need to go to Batangas as soon as possible because of that. f*****g hell. Just when y schedule is packed with meetings" Sir Lucas said as soon as I enter the office. He really is mad.

"I will immediately fix your schedule, Sir. I will move some unimportant meetings on a later date and then contact the people you have an important meeting with. I will also assign Atty. Jacobs to go with you in Batangas" sagot ko sa kanya habang isinusulat sa planner ang schedule niya at inaayos ang mga ito.

"No, not Jacobs. YOU. You'll be coming with me to Batangas today" he said with finality in his tone.

Napalingon ako sa kanya at gulat na gulat habang nakaturo sa sarili.

"Me, sir?' I asked again.

I know, it's Batangas.That's a really beautiful place with lots of beaches. Pero alam kong magtatagal kami doon dahil importante itong business na 'to.

"Yes, you. It's not like you have a son to take care of or something, right?" aniya na mas lalong nagpatigil sa'kin.

Oh s**t. No one in this office knows about me having a kid!