Truth vs. LiesKairos Gregor Rouvin Dela Monte – Consunji – Vejar's"Truth versus lies, Kairos. I dare you."It was a game we used to play back when we were younger. It used to give us sleepless nights and endless laughter but now, I dread this game for I know that everything will be set free, but it will also hurt a lot for her and I."Lie one." Cachi said to me. Magkaharap kaming dalawa ngayon. "Na hindi na kita mahal. The moment I saw you in Seattle, I knew that I am in love with you, still but I was trying to do the right thing, Kairos. Alam kong may pamilya ka, alam kong hindi na simple ang lahat. Alam ko lahat iyon and I tried so hard to stand by the sides and watch you. You are a good man... a man torn between his responsibility and what he wants..."Cachi looked as if she is going to cry. Well she is crying now, and I couldn't do anything. Kahit anong iwas ko, magkakasakitan kaming lahat – hindi lang kaming dalawa."Your turn." She sat on the cold tiles. Nakasandal siya sa pad
Nothing happenedKairos Gregor Rouvin Dela Monte – Consunji – Vejar's"Cachi..."Catherine Fe looked at me. Nakaupo kami sa waiting lounge kasama ang buong pamilya ko at naghihintay kami kay Danielle. Maga ang mga mata ni Caterine pero nagawa niya akong tingnan."Stop saying sorry. Lalo lang akong nasasaktan." Bulong niya sa akin. Hinawakan ko na lang ang kamay niya. I wanted to be with her because I know she needs me, kahit na ako pa ang may kasalanan nang sakit na nararamdaman niya, alam ko rin na pwedeng ako ang makaalis niyon. I noticed that she was looking at Mariake who was sitting with her Dad. Nakayakap lang si Iake sa braso ng Daddy niya. Nakukuyom ko ang mga palad ko.Ako dapat ang katabi niya. Ako dapat ang karamay niya pero alam kong kapag lumapit ako sa kanya lalo lang siyang masasaktan. I could hear her heart breaking from afar and I want to mend it but how can I? Naging ganito siya nang dahil sa akin.Lumabas iyong doctor. Napatayo kaming lahat."Doc, how's my girl?" I
I'm doneCatherine Fe'sUmuwi ako nang gabing iyon sa bahay ni Fatima nang hindi ko alam kung ano bang mararamdaman ko. Wala akong pinanghahawakan kay Kairos at kahit lumaban ako noon, kung lumaban ba ako noon, may mapapala ba ako? I realized that he was right, we really did grow apart."Mom!"I smiled when I saw my sons rushing to me. Nagpakarga si Rom. Sa kanilang dalawa ni Rem siya talaga ang pinaka-clingy. Ang saya-saya niya. Napansin kong may cookie dough pa siya sa gilid ng bibig. Sumunod si Rem sa kanya na dinidilaan iyong pinky finger niya."What are you guys doing?" Tanong ko."Oh, Auntir Fatima was baking cookies and she had an extra dough so we ate it. How's Danielle, Mommy? Can we see her again? Please! We made a lego tower for her!""Yes, Mommy! We made a tower and then a letter. I want her to get well because she is my sister."Hinalikan ko si Rom sa noo tapos ay ibinaba siya. I smiled at them. Nakakainis iyong sobrang kamukha sila ni Kumag. Nakakainis na kapag nakatingi
SleeplessKairos Gregor Rouvin Dela Monte – Consunji – VejarI couldn't sleep that night. Cachi let the kids stay with me that night. Nasa bahay rin siya at kasama namin si Dione at Pan. They were talking while I was with the boys and we were watching a movie. Rom was leaning beside me. HInahaplos ko ang ulo niya katulad nang ginagawa ko noon kay Danielle habang nanonood kami ng TV. Rem was the more independent one. He was just sitting beside me while eating his popcorn."Do you think, Ada would like this movie?" Rom asked me. "Papa, you are sad. I know why. It's 'cause you miss Danielle. We missed her too. Too bad we didn't have the chance to give her the lego tower we made for her.""Yeah. I mean, we could've been great playmates. Plus, Mommy said that we can be the best brothers for the girls. Uncle Daddy told me that I am a Kuya and he said that a Kuya should always protect the sister whatever happens. He doesn't have a sister. He only has Tito Luigi but they are great buddies."G
READ. AT. YOUR. OWN. RISK.InevitableJuly 26, 2016Seattle, WashingtonMariake Rojas"Be careful huh?"I told Ada as she opens the car door. She was at the backseat and she was wearing a white dress. Today is Alejandros and Elisha's engagement party. I just dropped her off tapos ay aalis rin kami ni Maria Juana. I looked at Maria Juana. She's the one driving the car. Anak siya ni Ninong Pidong na best friend naman ng Daddy ko. She yawned."Babalikan lang ba natin si Ada?""Yes, Mary Jane." I told her. "Maglibot muna siguro tayo. She's a big girl plus hindi naman siya pababayaan ni Ate Amal. Isa pa, Cachi is there."Mary Jane made a face. "I still cannot believe you, Mary. Alam kong mabait kang tao – actually for me you aretoo mabait. Why did you become friends with you ex's old flame who turns out to be the legal wife thus, making you the kabit? Alam ba ni Uncle Seb ito? Alam mo bang hindi lang iisang beses kong narinig si Pops na pinipigilan si Uncle Seb na ipa-good shot iyang Kairo
READ. AT. YOUR. OWN. RISK.This is the momentMariake Rojas'"Mama, mama, mama, nakita kita kanina sa TV! Nag-wonder nga ako akala ko nag-alis ikaw."Nakahiga ako sa kama habang si Ada ay nakatabi sa akin. My very big belly is exposed in front of my daughter's eyes. I have no idea if she knew that I am pregnant or she really believed what Maria Juana told her these past few weeks, that I have eaten a big chunk of watermelon at na-impacho ako.Maria Juana is putting a lot of things inside my baby's head. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisi, maigi na rin siguro iyon para hindi masabi ni Ada sa Papa niya na buntis nga ako."Hindi pa pwede, Baby kasi nga nagre-rest pa si Mama."She was drawing something in her paper."I like it when you're on tv. Kasi you're very pretty po. Just like Ate!"Napangiti ako nang banggitin niya ang Ate niya. I cupped her face tapos ay nagpa-kiss ako."Ay, Mama, lalabas na ba si Baby Dog? Kasi nagbibili na si Tita Mary at Tita Clari ng mga things.""Oo, malapit na,
READ. AT. YOUR. OWN. RISK.Tell me why, KairosMariake Rojas'I couldn't stay still. Si Ada ay nakayakap sa Papa niya at umiiyak. Si Mary Jane ay karga si Xhan habang may subong pacifier. Iyak ako nang iyak. I can't lose another child again. I can't lose my Xavi. He's too young!Not a moment later, lumabas iyong nurse at tinawag ako. Agad akong tumakbo papasok. I wiped my tears and moved closer to the bed. Naroon si Xavi. Ave Maria was playing with him. He was making googly sounds, halos pumutok na ang pisngi niya kakatawa."What happened? Did he choke? Is he okay?""Oh, he is, Mariake." Sabi ni Ave sa akin. "May namuong milk sa may lalamunan niya and he almost choked pero okay na siya. I got it all out. Advice lang, every now and then, iki-clean mo iyong tongue niya." Napalunok ako. I forgot to clean his tongue a day ago dahil sa pag-aalala ko kay Ada. I talked to her on the phone and she seemed sad, dala ko na iyon sa isipan ko hanggang sa ngayon.Naluluhang kinuha ko si Xavi at hin
Read. At. Your. Own. Risk.Pros and Cons Kairos Gregor Rouvin Vejar"Tell me why, Kairos?"Her tears fell. I somehow know how hard she was trying to look stronger. Her hands were clasped in a way na hindi mahahalata na nanginginig siya. I know her, she is my wife. I know how scared she is now and I cannot blame her. I know how much of an asshole I am. I know how much I have hurt her. I know these things and yet, I cannot prevent them from happening to her because, well because of the wrong choices I have made in my life."Well, that's not true." Biglang sabi niya. "I felt like I was the wife but at the back of my mind, I was never sure if you love me or not or you were just being nice. But to me, those were the best moments of my life, Kairos but that all went away because you told me that it was always been her. How about that huh?"May pait sa boses ni Mariake. I sighed again. She stood up and fixed the pillows inside the crib."Bakit pa ng aba tayo mag-uusap? Alam ko naman, Kairo
Esmeralda Alba Vejar'sI could still remember that day when my Mom and Dad walked down the aisle. I was only ten years old back then and I am very much happy because I know for a fact that it's that day that will change everything in our lives.My dad told me that he had always adored my mom when they were younger. He had always seen her as a special girl. He was just too gay to even realize that.Their wedding was six years ago, and now, I am sixteen and I am watching them as they talk to each other in the gazebo while drinking tea. Momma smiled at Dad and they laughed again.I sighed."What are you doing, Ate?" Eros asked me. I looked back, I think he just got home from school."Look at them. They're so perfect for each other." Sabi ko pa."Oh yes. So perfect that they had two other kids." Tumawa si Eros. May dalawa pa kaming kapatid, si Alexandro at si Sarita. Sarita is our youngest, she's in kinder now, si Alexandro naman ay grade four. We have a semi - big family and my parents h
Alejandros'"You didn't tell Sabino you're back? Pinasundo mo lang siya papunta dito sa CLPH? Bakit? Dapat ikaw ang sumundo sa kanya, Alele. He cannot walk."I was having a morning walk with Ate Amal that morning. Kahapon ako dumating galing Seattle at kahapon ko rin nalaman ang tungkol sa katotohanan kay Sabi. Ang hindi ko maintidihan ay kung bakit kailangan niyang gawin iyon. I know, maybe it's about love or because he didn't want to feel alone.I feel responsible for whatever happened to him. Ako talaga ang may kasalanan noon kasi naman iniwanan niya ang pamilya niya para sa akin at kailangan kong harapin iyon. Kahit na hindi ko na siya mahal sa paraang nais niya, he is still my responsibility. Hindi ko siya pwedeng iwanan basta. Alam kong dapat akong magalit sa kanya but as I looked at him that day, I realized that he changed as I did.Pareho kaming nagbago. At sa pagbabagong iyon, naiwanan ko si Sabino."Ate, Sabi can walk. He's been trying to hide that for a long time. Not sure
Elisha's"Momma is Papa gonna be alright?"Eros was sitting beside me. His hands were clasped together and he was looking at me with his wide almond shaped eyes."He is going to be fine, Eros. He promised you and Ate right?" Ginulo ko nang bahagya ang buhok niya. Nasa waiting area kami ng ospital at naghihintay sa kanila. Si Alba ay nasa kabilang couch at nagbabasa ng libro niya. Alba is a wide reader, isang bagay na namana niya sa Papa niya. I remember seeing a lot of books in his rooms when I was a teenager. He loves reading, mana si Alba sa kanya."But will we be able to eat the candies in his coat pocket after it's done?" Eros asked me."Of course! But Papa needs to eat many broccolis because he needs to get healthy after it's done." He smiled at me. Napangiti na rin ako."I miss him already Momma. After its done, I'm letting him hug you because he helped Rom. Rom's gonna be alright after this, too right?" He asked again. I could only hope. I am hoping and praying that everything
Alejandros'"Papa, are you still bakla?"I was going upstairs with Alba in my hands. Pikon nap ikon ako kay Elisha. Kung sino-sinong lalaki ang kinakausap niya. Inabot na siya ng tanghali sa labas! Hindi naman niya kasama si Eros. Kahit pa sabihing may baby sitter doon. Anong magagawa noong baby sitter?! Sasabunutan ko na talaga itong babaeng ito! Hindi siya nag-iisip!Ini-stress niya ako samantalang bukas na ang operation namin ni Rom! Hindi niya baa lam na bawal ma-stress ang beauty ko?!"Anak, stop asking me that." I plainly said to my daughter. She shook her head."According to google, baklas don't go around punching people if they're upset. They slap people around, pulling their hair, then they don't have kids. "Cause they're baklas. Papa, I don't think you're a bakla nymore. I think you love Momma that's why you punched Mr. Jarvis. He's Mommy's friend and he gave us two bottles of cow milk for Rom. You're jealous, Papa. You're in love with Momma."Hindi ako nakakibo. Tinitingnan
Alejandros'"Thank you, Alejandros ha."Pagpasok namin sa apartment ay iyon agad ang sinabi ni Elisha sa akin. Thank you. Nagpapasalamat siya dahil pumayag akong maging donor para kay Rom which is never really a problem kasi pamangkin ko naman ang pinag-uusapan at isa pa kailangan talaga ni Rom ng tulong. I saw the kid. He was too weak. Kamukha siya ni Rem pero mas maliit siya at mas maputla at mas payat dahil nga siguro sa sakit nito."It's nothing. I'm glad to help." I told her. Sinusundan ng mata ko si Eros. Kanina sa plane ay magkausap na kami. Natutuwa ako sa kanya dahil para bang ang independent niya tulad rin ni Alba. Now, he's taking out all his toys and the he looked at me."Hey, Papa, let's play with my cars and lego! Faster!" Gigil na gigil siya habang kinakawayan ako. Napatawa ako tapos ay agad na nagpunta sa kanya. He gave me some lego blocks and told me to build whatever I want. Alba joined us and played too."Papa, are you going to marry Momma?"Natigilan ako. I looked
Alejandros’“Come fly with me, Alejandros.”I couldn’t decide on what to do. Gusto kobg sumama kay Elisha pero hindi ko basta pwedeng iwanan si Sabi. But then, looking at her now, in front of me makes me want to fly with her – gusto kong sumama sa lahat ng lugarna pupuntahan niya. Gusto ko na siyang makasama at ituloy kung anuman ang naudlot noon. We have kids. Two of them at hindi ko hahayaan na mawala na naman sila. I have missed seven years of Alba’s life. Hindi ko hahayaang madagdagan iyon. Hindi ko rin hahayaang mawala sa akin ang anak konh si Eros. The way he looked at me earlier - iyong para bang kinikilala at tinatantya niya akong mabuti ay sobranh awakward para sa akin. Hindi naman dapat ganoon iyon. I sighed."Please, Alejandros. Let's fly to Seattle. Please..." Hinawakan niya ang braso ko and I swear, I felt fireworks all over me. Napabuntong - hininga na lang ako."I will arrange our plane, Lisha.""Oh my god! Thank you, Alejandros!" Bigla na lang niya akong niyakap. Natig
Eight years later...Kindred Hospital Seattle – First HillElisha's"Momma, will he be okay? I mean really, really okay? I am really really worried about him. Rem keeps on asking me if Rom is going to die. Mama Cathy doesn't want us to think that Rom is going to die. Rem said that if Rom dies, he wll die too, is that true? If that is, where are we gonna bury him? In Qatar, here in Seattle or in the Philippines? It's so confusing because we have like dual citizenship."Alba keeps on talking while we walk around the hospital to find Cachi. I just got back from picking Alba and Rem from their school and since we got in the car, hindi na tumigil si Alba sa kakasalita. Hindi ko maintindihan kung paanong naging napakadaldal nang anak ko samantalang noong baby siya ang tagal niya bago natuwid sa bulol niyang pagsasalita. She's now seven years old. Two months from now, eight years old na siya, I was thinking of giving her a birthday party. Ngayon lang kung sakali siya makakapag-party."Rom is
Elisha'sWe are now walking back to the main base of the CLPH. Alejandros was holding my hand while we walk. I couldn't contain my happiness. Basta masaya ako at mukhang masaya rin naman siya."Hey, Alele!"Napansin kong may golf cart na huminto sa tapat namin. In there, I saw his cousin, Apollo Vejar kasama ang girlfriend nito. They were laughing while talking to Alele."Saan kayo? Tara, sakay na!""Sure! Saan ba kayo pupunta ni Wewe?" He asked. "Si Lisha nga pala." He looked at me then he grinned. "Jowa ko." Napansin kong kumunot ang noo ni Apollo."Jowa?" He repeated what Alele said."Girlfriend iyon, Pol." Sabi noong maliit na babae. Hindi naman nagsalita na si Apollo pero halata sa kanya ang pagtataka. Inalalayan naman ako ni Alejandros hanggang sa makaupo kaming dalawa sa likod ng golf cart. Hindi niya pa rin binibitiwan ang kamay ko. I am happy – so happy. Mahal ko naman kasi si Alejandros. Iyon nga lang, hindi ko alam kung mahal niya ba ako. Paano kung hindi, paano kung ganito
Elisha's"Ateng, lalaki na ba siya? Parang lalaki na siya... feeling ko lalaki na siya."Taa nang tawa si Catherine Fe sa akin. Nasa bahay niya ako nang umagang iyon. Naghahanda kasi siya sa pagdating ng Mommy niya. Excited ang lukas. Sabi niya nga bantayan ko siya dahil baka atakihin siya ng epilepsy sa sobrang excitement niya. Ganoon daw kasi siya kapag mataas ang emotions. Inaatake siya."Hindi ko alam." She smiled. "Malay mo naman. Ano nag-wrestling ba kayo?" She asked me."Hindi. Umiyak kasi si Alba, so I had to attend to her. Ewan ko ba. Parang napapaso na rin ako. Umalis nga ako sa kabila, tulog pa rin si Alele. Sa iisang kama kami natulog eh. Bahala na, basta." I sighed. Nasa play pen si Alba, habang si Rem at Rom ay nakahiga sa crib nilang dalawa at para bang nag-uusap."Everything has to be perfect. I don't want Nanay to think that I am losing it." Tumawa siya. "Anyway, h'wag mon ang pakaisipin si Alejandros. Kung gusto ka niya at kung may nararamdaman siya sa'yo, gagawa siy