Chapter 4.1

Gabrielle Gabriel. Gabby had very little luck early in life. She was told that she was left at the door of St. Gabriel Cathedral when she was a newborn. And that’s how she came to have the last name, Gabriel. And as if a joke by the nuns na kumupkop sa kanya, they named her Gabrielle, nakakalito tuloy when she had to say her name in full. She left the convent the convent when she reached Eighteen and tried to find her place in the world. She would have come back at nag madre kung hindi siya nakahanap  ngiba pang dahilan para manatili sa secular world kung tawagin ng mga madre. 

She might not have had a conventional family but she had a huge family. She was clothed, fed, and educated by the nuns. She slept at the convent. She had her own room. She had simple things but she had enough. 

“Mommy, add more colors, please. Make it pwetty.” tuwang-tuwa si Mango habang ginagawa nila ang princess crown. 

Nakasalampak sila nang upo in the living room. 

Gabby was creating the crown with wire and beads. She can proudly say that she’s an art and craft mom. She knitted, crocheted, sew clothes, and made jewelry from beads and wire. Things she learned at the convent. They mostly made bead rosaries but she also created other things. She made intricate jewelry na kalaunan binebenta na din nila in a small gift shop run by the nuns.

“Say it again, Baby.” pag-papaulit naman ni Gabby kay Mango

“Pwe --” Mango stopped, “Pwetty.” nahiya naman ito sa bulol na pagsasalita. Mango came closer and buried her face in Gabby’s neck. 

“It’s Prrrrrre- Pretty,” Chico said, instructing ang kakambal. “Prrrray, Prrrrrice, Prrrriest. Rrrrrrrrrrrr. Bulol.” Chico said na iniinis ang kakambal. 

Tiningnan naman ni Gabby si Chico and shook her head. Mango started to cry. 

Her little boy bit his lower lip. “Kasi she can say princess but she can’t say the other words. They are just the same.”

Gabby gave Chico a disappointed look. 

“Sorry, mommy,” agad nitong hingi ng paumanhin. His lips started to quiver. 

“You should not be saying sorry to mommy. You should be saying sorry to your sister,” seryoso namang sagot ni Gabby sa anak. 

“I’m sorry, Mango,” tuluyang na ring umiyak pati ang lalaking anak. 

Gabby opened her arms. Chico quickly got up from sitting on the floor at agad na yumakap sa kanya. Then he stroked his sister’s hair at pinapatahan ito even when he was still crying himself. 

Unang pinunasan ni Gabby ang luha ni Chico. She just looked at him at naiintindihan na nitong ayaw niya nang nakikitang umiiyak ito. Chico took the tissue from her and wiped his own tears. 

“Get Mango a glass of water, Baby,” utos niya dito.  

Dali naman itong tumayo para sundin ang utos nya. 

“Baby, Chico already said sorry,” bulong niya naman sa anak na babae na umiiyak pa rin. “He will feel bad if you continue crying.”

Gabby was relieved nang huminto naman ito sa pag-iyak. 

“Chico-Chico always tease me bulol, Mommy,” sumbong ni Mango. Nalukot na naman ulit ang mukha, nagbabanta ulit ang luha. 

Gabby wiped Mango’s cheeks with a tissue. “You said it, Chico was just teasing, but I will make him stop teasing you, okay? Don’t cry anymore, Baby. Your eyes will be puffy tomorrow.”

Dahan-dahan namang lumalapit si Chico holding a glass of water in his hand. Trying hard not to spill it. 

“Wait, Wait,” Tumayo si Gabby para tulungan ang anak. “Why did you fill it up to the brim, Chic?”

“I want Mango to have more, Mommy,” he innocently replied. 

She sighed and smiled inwardly. She never regretted having her children at the age of 24. Even though she did not exactly plan for twins and when she had to do it all alone. 

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GABBY PINNED THE MEDALS she made to complete Chico’s prince outfit. Gwapong-gwapo ito sa suot. She can imagine her son looking like that mysterious guy pagtanda nito. 

She kissed the tip of his nose. 

“Mommy,” angal nito agad. 

“Why?”

“Just kiss Mango. Mango is a baby.” 

Napalabi naman siya  sa sinabi nito, “I should be allowed kisses forever.” 

Chico sighed like he was running out of patience. 

Bigla nyang niyakap ito at nag akmang kikilitiin. Tumawa naman agad si Chico. 

“Mommy, I’m ready.” Mango interrupted. She came from their walk-in closet. Sabi nito ay kukunin lang ang bag which she also made to pair with her daughter’s gown. 

Napatda naman si Gabby to see her daughter na punung-puno ng pulbos ang mukha. She tried to cover her smile. She looked at Chico at pasimpleng umiling para hindi na nito biruin ang kapatid. 

Pinalapit nya naman si Mango at pinaupo sa stool in front of the dresser. She started to braid Mango’s hair paikot sa ulo nito.

“Can I wear my crown, Mommy?” tanong nito ng natapos nyang ayusin ang buhok nito. 

“I’ll put it on after we finish your make-up. Is it okay if I remove some of the powder, Baby?”

Nagisip pa muna si Mango before she agreed. 

Gabby took out the make-up she bought for Mango’s young skin. She put it on very lightly and just used the sparkly type para mapansin ng anak that something was put on her skin. 

She put the crown on her head after. 

Matinis na sumigaw sa galak si Mango when she saw herself in the mirror. 

“Mommy! Mommy! It’s so - so pwetty.” mahinang ibinulong lang nito ang huling salitang sinabi para hindi marinig ni Chico.

“Yes!” Tiningnan niya ulit ang anak who was wearing a pink princess dress with the elaborate crown that they made for her. 

“Now, h’wag masyadong malikot okay. Mommy will just change.” 

Gabby picked a simple regency gown na pwede niyang isuot so she can look like a governess. No puffed skirt or anything. She fixed a period-correct cover for her hair. She quickly put on some makeup. She double-checked the bag and made sure they had water and towels for the kids.

“Mommy!!” salubong ng mga anak nya when she came out. 

She can’t stop herself from taking pictures of her kids and them together. She remembered to email some photos to Sister Mary, someone she regarded as a mother almost at the convent. 

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