His Twins [ PAMELA P.O.V. ]"WHO son is he again?" my mom asked me after a second of silence."Didn't you hear it clearly, Mom? I said this is Axel. Kuya Ashton, son."Their jaw dropout when I said it slowly but clearly for them to hear it enough."Are you..." Dad wants to say something while looking at Axel's existence but he back off and just keeps staring at the kid."How did it happen that your brother has a son?" Granddad finally speaks after his silence."A-are you sure that this kid is your brother, son, Pamela?" Mom asks me but still glaring at Axel.I smiles as I saw their shocked reactions. I cleared my throat for them to look at me. "Listen first," I said. "Yesterday, I was also shocked when my brother called me and ask for my help to take care of this little one while the mother and himself fly to New York to sort out important matters..." I paused. Ayoko na ako mismo ang magsasabi ng dahilan kung bakit nasa new york si Kuya ngayon. "I doubt when he instructed me to go to
Successful Operation "YOU said, you haven't eaten yet." Mommy Cell said when Ashton and Dad finish their private conversation.Napasulyap ako rito. "Don't bother, Mom," I said."ARE you hungry?" Napasulyap rin ako kay Ashton ng tanungin niya ako."It's almost lunch," Dad said. "You go now and have your lunch." wika nito sa aming dalawa ni Ashton."But–" I try to protest ngunit inunahan na ako ni Mom magsalita."Come on, honey. Kailangan n'yo ring kumain para magkaroon ng lakas," he said."Your mom, and I are here. Kami na muna ang maghihintay ng update sa operasyon ng Apo ko." Dad said.Wala na akong nagawa pa. Isa pa tama sila at nagugutom na rin ako. Ilang araw ding wala sa ayos ang pagkain ko.Ashton drive a car and we went to the nearest restaurant. Nagtataka ako at gusto ko sana siyang tanungin kung bakit may kotse ito sa parking lot ng hospital."I have a property here. I ask someone to drop my car," he said. I assume na nabasa niya ang nasa utak ko.Napapatango na lang ako rit
Visitors IT'S been three days since our daughter's operations become successful. Astrid slowly gains her energy. Inalis na rin ng mga doctor ang mga nakakabit sa kanya na mga aparato. I am happy to see her relationship with her father. Sa bawat araw na nagdaan ay mas napapalapit ang dalawa sa isa't isa."Papa, when can I go home? I miss my brother, I want to see him and my Lolas at home." Astrid asks her father. That time he was feeding Astrid, and I peeling some healthy fruits for her."You will see him soon, baby," he answered her while smiling."Really, Papa?" he nodded. "Yehey... I am excited now."He gently tapped her head. "Come on, eat this all so that you will feel better."Hindi naman sumalungat ang bata at sunod-sunod nitong tinanggap ang pagkain na mismo ang hospitals kitchen staff ang nagluto para sa kanya. It was a food that her doctor prescribes para mas gumaling ang opera niya.When I already finished peeling the fruits lumapit ako sa kabilang kama."If you are done ta
Bad News ASHTON's mom and dad volunteered to look for Astrid at the hospital that night para naman daw makapagpahinga ako at si Ashton ng maayos. I have no choice since they insist on it. Also, they want to have some bonding time with their granddaughter. Lalo na at kinagigiliwan ng Nanay ni Ashton si Astrid, that because they really look alike. Hindi naman ako madamot para hindi sila pagbigyan na alagaan nila ang anak ko. After I agree with them, they immediately show gratitude. They have said that it was a dream come true for having and taking care of a grandchild.I and Axel have time to bond with each others during at night. Bago ako tuloyang nagpahinga ay pinagtimpla ko muna ng gatas si Axel, I also let him drink his vitamins.Pagpasok ko sa loob ng silid ni Ashton ay nakita ko ang dalawa na nakahiga sa malaking kama at nagtatawanan. I immediately avoid looking at him. Dahil sa paguusap namin kanina sa hospital ay bigla itong nag-iba sa akin, he really thought that I am regretti
Breaking Point NARAMDAMAN ko ang paglapit sa akin ni Ashton nang makita nito natahimik ako at bahagyang namamasa ang aking mga mata. Naramdaman ko rin na nasa akin ang mga mata ng kanyang kapatid at abuwelo."What happened?" he asks me in a concerned voice.My eyes watered. "K-Kailangan ko umuwi. A-ang Mama ko... K-kailangan ako nila ngayon." I said."You want to go back home now?" he asked looking at my teary eyes.Tumango ako ng bahagya. "K-kaso si Astrid." nag-aalangan kong wika rito.His sister's cleared her throat. "Amber, kung may emergency na nangyari sa pamilya mo ngayon you can go home. Huwag kang mag-alala sa pamangkin ko na nasa hospital. I and our family are here for her. Babantayan namin siya habang wala ka."Bahagya akong ngumiti kay Pamela. "Oh, please... E-emergency lang talaga. I'll go home with, Axel." wika ko kay Ashton."I'll come with you—""Huwag na. Dito ka na lang kay Astrid." pagputol ko sa sasabihin nito."Kuya can also come with you, and Axel. Huwag kayong m
Good Father INASIKASO agad namin nila Mama Flor at Joan ang labi ni Mama Shirley matapos inihayag ng doctor ang pagpanaw niya sa mga oras ding iyon. Sa tulong ni Ashton ay napadali ang lahat na pagaasikaso.Dumating ang labi ni Mama Shirley sa funeral home kung saan malapit sa subdivision ng bahay na tinitirhan namin, that way everyone that is close to our family and friends can visit her wakes. Lalo na ang mga kapwa guro at ang mga naging estudyante niya noong nagtuturo pa lang ito sa isang pampublikong paaralan.Sa una't pangalawang gabi pa lang ay hindi na nauubusan ng tao sa funeral home. Ate Nelia, her husband, and Ella are also there to help us prepare some food for the visitors. Si Axel naman ay may sariling tagapag-alaga na in-hire ni Ashton upang makakagalaw-galaw ako habang ito naman ay pumupuslit sa kanyang kompanya.I, Mama Joan, and Mama Flor makes ourselves busy entertaining everyone, that way we can forget or avoid thinking about the pain in our hearts. Ngunit ako, hin
Last Glimpse I was standing alone in front of my dear mom's casket, while everyone is still busy chatting and busy reminiscing the beautiful memories they have shared with her. Iyon na ang huling araw ng paglalamay kaya mas dumagsa ang mga bisitang nakikiramay sa buong araw hanggang sa gabi.I just have a chance to get near when some of them left when it was already in the middle of the night. Mas gusto ko kasing bahagya nang tahimik ang paligid at wala na masyadong tao na gustong sumulyap sa labi ni Mama.Ang nakatagong emosyon ko ay nanumbalik. I was softly staring at Mama Shirley's face. Her face looks peaceful like she was just sleeping deeply na para bang walang bahid na pangamba roon.Ma... This is the very last night I will see your face. Gusto kitang titigan sa huling gabing ito hanggang sa huling saglit bago ang oras ng libing mo bukas. I do not want to miss out on every single second. I thought while my small tears began to fall. Pinahid ko agad iyon sa hawak kong tissue pa
His Plans TATLONG linggo ang lumipas simula nang pagkawala ni Mama Shirley. Hanggang ngayon ay may bahid na kirot at lungkot pa rin ang bawat isa sa amin na naiwan. Ngunit dahil nandiyan ang mga bata ay bahagya naming nakakalimutan ang kirot sa aming mga dibdib.Axel and Astrid still filled the house with their laughter and joy. Dahil sa kanila ay naiiwasan rin namin ang manatili sa lungkot.My two mothers go on with their lives again. Trabaho at bahay muli ang inaatupag nilang dalawa. Hinayaan ko na muna sila ang bumalik sa pagma-manage ng farm at shop ng mga ito dahil naiintindihan ko sila na gusto nilang maging abala upang makalimot sa lungkot. I also make sure that Astrid is really fine without me at her side bago ako bumalik sa pagpapalakad ng aking negosyo. Hindi na rin ako masyadong nagaalala sa mga bata at nandiyan pa rin sila Ate Nelia at Ella. Nandiyan rin ang tagapag-alaga na in-hire ni Ashton. I also make sure to check Astrid from time to time kung okay lang ang bata.Asht