More Than Anything (TAGALOG)

Margaux

I couldn’t unsee how excited Shawn is for his game today. He says he need to do better because his Daddy is going to watch him.

Quinn sent me a text telling me that he’s already there. I relayed it to Shawn because it was everything he keeps on asking. It made him happy and excited at the same time.

From: Guevarra

I’m waiting for you. Papunta na ba kayo?

“Mommy! Is Daddy handsome?” He asked as I tucked him in the backseat. He looked so cute in his football uniform. Somehow, I admired the view.

I smiled and kissed him on the forehead. “Gwapo ka, anak, so, gwapo rin ang daddy mo.” Hindi ko naman ipagkakailang gwapo si Quinn. I wouldn’t have noticed him ifhe wasn’t good-looking in the first place.

Quinn was every girl’s dream in college. He’s the only heir of one of the richest families in the country. He’s hot. His eyes could make your knees jelly whenever he looked at you. He’s intelligent. Lahat na. Nasa kanya na ang lahat.

Who wouldn’t fall for that?

“I’m so excited!” My son was squealing so bad. Hindi ko alam kung tama pa ba itong nangyayari sa kanya.

I just smiled and shook my head as I walked to the driver’s seat.

Hindi ganoon kalayo ang school ni Shawn kaya naman wala pang fifteen minutes ay nandoon na kami. I looked at him from the rearview mirror and saw him eyeing everyone in the field. I wonder if he’s thinking who his father is.

I wonder how he feels today. Shawn has been so used to having only me around and I wonder what changes would happen now that he knows that he has a father.

Knowing Quinn, the meetings with my son wouldn’t end today. After meeting my son, I know that he will want to meet more, to do more with Shawn. I just hope I’m wrong.

Tinulungan ko si Shawn na bumaba sa sasakyan. Hawak-hawak ko ang mga gamit niya habang naglalakad kami patungong open field. Kitang-kita mula dito ang mga batang masaya sa kani-kanilang pamilya. It’s fun seeing how complete they are.

And now it made me think, matagal na bang naiinggit si Shawn dito? Is he just trying to see the positive things in life at an early age kaya hindi niya hinahanap ang daddy niya? Had I been harsh on him for not telling him who his father is?

“Where’s Daddy?” He asked me with an innocent face.

I looked around and spotted Quinn sitting in the bleachers. He’s watching the kids warming up on the field. He’s too focused on watching the cute children.

He’s wearing a skyblue button down shirt and a pair of khaki pants. Even from here, iba na ang dating niya. Anyone who would see him will know that he’s from the upper class.

I smiled at my son and pointed at Quinn’s direction. “There’s your Daddy.” I told him.

Lumingon ito sa direksyon ni Quinn habang hindi ko mabasa ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Kung kanina ay sobrang excited siya, ngayon, halatang kinakabahan siya.

I pulled him close to me. “Your daddy’s name is Quinn Leonard Guevarra.” Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko sinasabi ito. “He’s going to like you. He’s been wanting to talk to you.” I gave him an assuring smile.

Shawn blinked at me before hugging me. “I love you, Mommy. You’re still my favorite.” Aniya bago ako hinalikan sa pisngi.

I smiled and nodded. “That better be true.” Sabi ko bago siya hinalikan sa noo.

“He’s coming! He’s coming!” Ani Shawn habang tinuturo ang direksyon ni Quinn.

Napalingon ako sa tinuturo niya at nakitang papalapit na si Quinn sa amin. He still walks like he owns the world. Yes, that’s what made him more attractive.

I took a deep breath as I held my son’s hand. This is it, Margaux. Do this for your son.

“Daddy!” Shawn beamed and that made Quinn stop in his tracks. “Daddy!” He called again and there I saw Quinn smile. He walked slowly as he approached us. From the looks of it, I know that he’s overwhelmed.

Quinn stopped when he was already in front of us. He bent to Shawn’s height and smiled widely. “Shawn?” He asked.

Shawn nodded and smiled. “You’re my daddy.” It was a statement. Not a question. Para bang siguradong sigurado ito.

“Yes I am.” Ani Quinn. “How are you?”

Shawn grinned. “I’m good. Watch me play, Daddy!” He beamed.

Quinn smiled and that I couldn’t hide my smile. Seeing my son this happy is my heaven. Just seeing him smile makes me glad. He’s the center of my life since I had him.

Quinn patted his head and nodded. “Sure, buddy. Are you good?” he asked.

Shawn nodded his head. “Of course!” He laughed and looked at me. “Mommy said I’m the best.” He grinned.

Quinn looked at me and smiled weakly. “Of course, you’re my son.” Aniya.

Umirap ako sa sinabi niya. No. Shawn is my son.

“Shawn!” Tawag ni Coach Mike. Ngumiti ito sa akin at kumaway. I did the same before looking at my son.

Shawn chuckled and took his bag from my hand. “Mommy, Daddy, I’m going!” Aniya bago hinalikan ako sa pisngi.

Quinn stared at how my son interacted with me. He looked satisfied but jealous at the same time. “Where’s my kiss?” He asked Shawn.

My son smiled and gave him a hug. “I’m happy you’re finally here, Daddy.” Aniya bago hinalikan ito sa pisngi.

I saw Quinn freeze on his spot as he heard what Shawn said. Para bang may kung anong nagclick sa loob niya at hindi siya nakagalaw sa puwesto niya.

Shawn laughed before running towards his team. I’ve always watched him play but he’s extra hyper today. If it’s because of his father, I wouldn’t mind. What I’d give to see him this happy everyday.

I took a deep breath and started to walk to the bleachers. Hindi ko na pinansin si Quinn. Hindi naman ang isa’t isa ang ipinunta naman dito. We’re here for Shawn.

Hindi rin naman siya nagsalita habang naglalakad kami papunta bleachers. We were both quiet. And I would want to keep it that way. He should just be happy and contented that he met Shawn today.

Contrary to what I have watched from the movies, hindi awkward and first meeting nila. Sure, Quinn was taken a back for a bit but he recovered right away. Walang iyakang naganap. Life isn’t a movie afterall.

“Hey, Doc Margaux, right?”

Someone called me when I was busy watching my son play. Isang minuto na simula nang magstart ang game at wala pang nakakaiscore. Tiningnan ko ang taong tumawag sa akin. I know this man. Marky Perez. He’s one of those flirts who thinks they can get me whenever Deonna and I go to the club.

Marky grinned at me before sitting beside me. “Are you watching your son?” he asked.

“Obviously.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I can flirt with anyone anytime but not when I’m focused on my son’s game. My son is first in my priority list.

He chuckled. “He looks so cute. You think I can get you two to dinner some time?” he asked.

I inhaled a sharp breath. Akala ko ay ayaw ng mga lalaki sa babaeng may anak na? Bakit itong isang ‘to ay walang hiya? He’s even throwing himself at me. Flirt!

“Dude, stop talking like you’re the father of my son.”

Sa sobrang inis ko kay Marky ay nakalimutan kong katabi ko nga pala si Quinn dito. He heard everything. s**t!

I saw Marky’s eyes narrow. “Father? Who is?” He asked as if trying to dig his own grave.

Quinn’s jaw clenched as he heard Marky’s question. Damn it! This is not good!

“I am.” Quinn uttered in a sharp and powerful voice.

Marky looked at Quinn like the later just cracked a joke. “Dude, the kid’s father didn’t take responsibility. Pwede ba? If you like Margaux, you must play fair. Hindi iyong inaangkin mo iyong anak niya.” Anito.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang nakita kong mabilis na sinuntok ni Quinn si Marky. It was a hit straight to the nose and Marky’s wincing in pain. May mga taong umawat at umalalay sa kanya.

Quinn was towering over him as some men held him back. “That kid…is my son.” Humihingal na sabi nito kay Marky. “Shut your mouth when you don’t know the story, asshole! Go f**k around with someone else who’s not the mother of my child!” He gritted his teeth and pointed at Marky before leaving the scene.

While everyone is panicking, I’m left stunned and astonished.

What the hell just happened?

Nang makabalik ako sa sarili ko ay agad-agad akong tumakbo ang sumunod kay Quinn. Mabilis siyang maglakad dahil nang makita ko siya ay katabi na niya ang sasakyan niya.

His eyes were shut as he leaned on his black Range Rover Sport. Kotse pa lang, kita mo nang mayaman talaga siya. He’s reeking of wealth!

“Hey…” I trailed and that’s the only time that he opened his eyes.

He stood straight and looked away. I can see that his jaw is still clenched. Ganoon pa rin. Hindi pa rin siya kumakalma.

I bit my lip and fiddled with my hands in front of me. Dapat ay hindi ko na lang siya sinundan! Ano naman ang sasabihin ko sa kanya?

“Do you always receive offers from assholes like that?” He asked without looking at me.

I sighed and shook my head. “Ngayon lang.” Sagot ko.

“Pero alam nilang may anak ka?” Tanong niya.

I nodded. Hindi ko alam kung nakita niya iyon pero narinig ko siyang pabulong na nagmumura. He messed his hair before looking at me.

“Has…Shawn…my son ever met with one of your boyfriends?” He asked as he stared deep into my eyes.

Tinanong na naman niya ito sa akin nang magkita kami sa ospital. Noon ay sinabi kong oo kahit ang totoo ay wala akong balak ipakilala si Shawn sa kahit na sinong lalaki. Ngayon, habang kitang-kita ko ang lungkot sa mga mata niya, sinabi ko ang totoo. “I would never do that.” At tila lumuwag ang paghinga niya.