Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

"HELLO, Sansrif? Napatawag ka?" kinakabahan niyang tanong habang pilit na kinakalma ang sarili.

"I just called to invite you tonight," he said from the other line.

"Why? I mean anong meron?" she tried to sound calm.

"It's Mom's birthday, she wanted to invite you tonight. It'll be a masquerade party."

"But I don't have any dress or even a mask. I can't go out now, I am still in a gig." She reasoned out.

It's because she remember how Sansrif mom thought she was dating him. It was embarrassing! Thank God, Sansrif save her from her misery. He explain they wasn't dating, but his mother didn't believe it.

"Don't worry, Mom bought you a dress."

"But I think I'll be home around five I guess. Will that be okay?"

"Sure, I'll fetch you at six. The kids wants to see you too."

She misses the kids too, phone calls aren't enough. She couldn't help but smile. She's too excited to see the kids, she misses their scent and the way they clung to her. She sighed and put her phone back to her pocket after she heard the line died.

"Ano teh? Ba' ang laki ng ngiti mo, abot hanggang langit, ah!" puna pa ni April.

"Che! Lahat ng galaw ko pinupuna mo," reklamo niya habang nakabusangot.

"Aba't! Kaninong galaw ba ang dapat kung punahin? Sa kliyente? Saka isa pa, yang ngiti mo na 'yan lumalabas lang kapag mag kinalaman sa mga bata at sa tatay nito!"

"Hoy! Huwag kang mambintang, ah! 'Di puwedeng masaya lang ako 'pagdating sa mga bata?"

"Heh! Nagdududa na talaga ako sa 'yo. Pakiramdam ko may tinatago ka sa 'kin," madramang saad ng kaibigan.

"Alam mo, gutom lang 'yan! Mabuti pa kumain na tayo," she said and cling to her friends arm. "Masyado kang napapraning!"

"Heh! Bruhang 'to! Sasabunutan talaga kita sa pekpek mo, kapag nalaman kung may tinatago ka."

"Excuse me lang, ano! Kapapawax ko lang kahapon, aber! May kitty is fresh and smooth like a baby, kahit tignan mo pa," pagbibiro niya pa at akmang i-aangat ang suot na bisteda.

"Putang ina ka ha! Mandiri ka nga sa ginagawa mo, ew!"

She laughed so hard that her eyes misted. However, April glared at her like he is ready to pull her hair. She just love moments like this, nakakawala ng pagod sa trabaho. April has always been her gravity, natutulungan siya nitong ibalanse ang buhay at sarili sa tuwing napapariwara siya dahil sa pagmamahal. She just love April so much that if he'll need kidney transplant, she'll probably give him one of her kidney. Pero huwag naman sana, in case of emergency lang.

"KAYA PALA TUWANG-TUWA KA!" April screamed almost pulling her hair.

"Gaga! His mother invited me, saka I miss the kids. It's been days since the last time I saw them."

April flipped, tila gigil na gigil ito sa kanya. At siya naman 'tong nakadefense  stance na, mabigat pa naman ang kamay ng kaibigan niya.

"You traitor! You never told me you met his parents," he thew her a piece of tissue paper.

"Yuck! Baka ginagamit mo 'yan," arte niya pa.

He rolled his eyes, "Shut up! You betrayed me! Akala ko ba lahat ng sister code, walang itatago sa isa't-isa!"

"Hala siya! I told you kaya! I told you at the bar but you were busy ogling at some guy and you were  also fucking drunk."

"Stupid! I hate you," he mumbled as he touch his chest acting like he was hurt.

"OA, teh! Nakalimutan ko lang sabihin ulit, you know. We were both pre-occupied with our gigs these past few days.

He sat at the bed, while she was lying down.

"You meet his parents? I am pretty sure things will get more complicated," patango-tango pa nitong sambit.

"Masyado kang nega! Isa pa, paano magiging komplikado. Wala naman dahilan para magkagulo o kung anuman," she reasoned out and rolled over the bed.

Tinatamad siyang mag-ayos. In two hours, Sansrif and the kids will fetch her. She asked for April's help on putting make up, and as she explained her reason he went mad. Gigil na gigil itong sabunutan siya.

"Hay, naku! Hindi ka ba nag-iisip, what if Sansrif is in a relationship or will be in a relationship sooner or later. You have to distance yourself, hindi ka na pweding magpaka-bidang nanay sa mga bata. His future partner will take over unless you'll be his future parnter or second wife."

"Ang advance mong mag-isip! Huwag ka ngang nega. Saka I know where I stand in their lives and I am okay with that. Hindi ko lalandiin si Sansrif, okay? Puro ka hula, manghuhula ka ba ha?"

"Ano ka ba, dapat matagal mo nang inisip ang mga pros and cons. Hindi habang buhay magiging nanay ka sa kanila."

She rolled her eyes, "Ano ka ba! Aattend lang ako ng party, hindi lalandiin si Sansrif. Eh, bato ata 'yun!, Ni hindi nga ngumingiti sa 'kin. Palaging aburido!"

"Eh, ikaw ba may gusto  ka na sa kanya?"

"Wow, ha! Matagal ko nang sinabi, hindi. At wala akong plano, I just love the kids. It's just that," she shrug. "Saka ano ka ba, parati mo na lang pinipilit na may gusto ako sa kanya. Nakakaloka, ha. Ikaw na lang kaya mag ako?"

"Che! maligo ka na nga roon. I'll do your make up afterwards. Bilisan mo na," ani pa nito at hinila ang paa niya.

"Gago!" mariing usal niya nang kamuntikan siyang mahulog sa kama.

Humalakhak lang ito nang malakas at saka siya binitawan.

"Walang hiya ka talaga, Bakla!"

Matapos niyang maligo ay inayusan siya ng kaibigan. She knew how to apply make up, pero iba kapag si April ang nag-ayos sa kanya. April has magical hands when it comes to mixing colors.

"Perfect! Mukha kang duwendeng maganda ngayon," April commented which made her roll her eyes.

"Maganda na sana, eh. Dinagdagan pa ng kabulastugan," ismid niya pa rito.

"Whatever, make sure girl. Makahanap ka ng papable ro'n para sa 'kin at hindi sa 'yo, okay?"

"Wow, naman. Sana ikaw na lang ang um-attend, ano."

Napapalakpak si April, "Haller! Matagal ko ng crush si Sansrif ano, naunahan mo lang ang  beauty ko!"

"Duh, as if naunahan kita—"

A loud tone stopped her from continuing her rebuttal to her friend. She took her phone from the table and it was Sansrif's name on her phone screen. She immediately answered it.

"Hello," she said trying not to sound excited or what.

"Mommy!" the two kids shouted, their voice pierced though her ears. Agad niyang nilayo ang cellphone sa tenga. 

She put the call on loudspeaker.

"Babies!" malamyos niyang tawag sa dalawa.

"Let me talk to your, Mom first." She heard him say. Nakatanggap tuloy siya ng kurot mula sa kaibigan niya.

"We want to see Mommy wearing the dress Mommy Lola gave!" It was Ching who was giddy.

"I want to see Mommy too!" Chan said.

"Hello," she said again and cleared her throat.

"I am outside the house address you gave me a while ago. I brought you the dress Mama, bought." He said in monotonous voice.

"Well, I be there in a second. Hang in," she said and ended the call.

Akmang tatayo siya pero pinigilan siya ng kaibigan niya.

"Hep-hep!"

"Hooray!" she answered trying to joke around.

"Maupo ka, at ako ang bahala sa mag-ama mo. Dapat makita ka niya ay bihis ka na, para naman minsan sa buhay mo naging tao kang duwende ka."

"Che! Pero sige, dito na lang ako da kwarto. Ayaw ko namang lumabas ng naka-roba lang."

Nag-thumbs up ito at umalis agad, she stared at her reflection. Totoo, mukha siyang tao. Mukha siyang dalaga, dati kasi mukha siyang highschool. Madalas tuloy siyang mapagkamalang junior noong college years niya, ilang beses pa siyang nakipag-away sa guard noon dahil ibang paaralan dapat ang puntahan niya.

Few minutes later, April came with two boxes, a small one and a large one.

"Ano yan?" she curiously asked.

"Dress raw at heels. Nang tumangkad ka naman," paismid pa nitong saad. Tinulak siya ng kaibigan. "Pumasok ka na sa banyo at magbihis, hindi mapakali ang tatay—esti ang mga bata. Excited na raw makakita ng duwende."

"Che!" hinablot niya ang dalawang kahon at nagmartsa papasok sa banyo.

She opened the large box and saw a baby pink dress, inilabas niya ito sa box at sinuot. It was a simple yet elegant, backless dress. She looked like a debutant wearing those, it was paired up with a white heels. May price tag pa! Muntik niyang maibato nang makita ang presyo. It was too much for a pair of heels, it was ten thousand pesos for  heels.

'Jusmiyo! Ang dami na sanang mabibiling burger niya, kaloka ha!' she thought.

Pikit matang sinuot ang sapatos at naglakad palabas ng banyo.

"Ano ba—"

"Oh, na paano ka?" she asked her friend.

Seryoso ang mukha nito at nakatingin sa kanya.

Natataranta siyang lumapit rito, "Hey! What's wrong?"

"Baby," he said and paused for a second. "Yuck! Hindi ko talaga kering maging lalaki!"

She bursted into laughter.

"Piste ka talaga. Akala ko na paano ka na!"

April smirked, "Hindi ko talaga keri maging lalaki. Kahit pa ang ganda-ganda mo ngayon."

"Huwag mo 'kong bolahin, hindi kita isasama."

"Edi huwag mo! Bilisan mo na nga, naiinip na sila kahihintay sa 'yo." Ani nito saka hinila siya palabas ng kuwarto.

Pinihit ni April ang sedura at marahan siyang hinila palabas.

She almost screamed when the two kids shouted. She couldn't helped but chuckled when she saw their reaction.

"Wow!" the two said in awe. Their mouth gaped and their eyes twinkled.

"Ngayon lang talaga ako nagmukha tao?" she asked as an ice breaker.

Sansrif was looking at her intently without even a single reaction. She tried to smile but she end up grimacing. When the two kids run towards her direction and threw their selves to her.

"Careful," she said.

"Mommy let's go!" Chan said and reached out for her hand.

"Mommy, you're pretty and my Daddy is handsome!" Ching said, her eyes where full of amazement.

"Ehem!" April faked a cough. "Kailangan niyo na sigurong umalis. Baka matunaw ka girl, hindi ka makaabot sa party."

"Ha?" nalilito niyang tanong.

"Wala! I said you should go, sayang naman kung kami lang ang makakakita ng kagandahan mo. Right Sansrif?" ani niya saka binalingan ang binata.

Bumaling rin siya kay Sansrif.

Sansrif cleared his throat, "Let's go Baby."

He said looking at her intently without even removing his gazed at her.

'Baby? Baka mga bata,'' she said to herself and nodded.

"ARE you sure your parents wants me to be here?" she asked nervously as they get out from the car. She asked for the ninth time. Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali, they drove for thirty minutes before they reached the venue.

"Yeah," tipid nitong sagot at kinarga si Ching. Bumaling ito kay Chan, "Love, huwag kang pakarga sa Mommy mo. You might cause wardrobe malfunctiom. We don't want to embarass Mommy right?"

"Yes, Daddy! I'll be Mommy's knight and shinning armor tonight."

Halos maihi siya nang titigan siya bigla ni Sansrif. Kanina niya pa ito napapansin, na panakanakang tumitingin sa kanya. Kapag nahuhuli niya ito ay bigla itong umiiwas. Tila napapaso siya sa titig ng binata, kaya umiiwas rin siya. They went inside the hall, the party has already began. They were late, and as they enter the hall. Everyone's eyes in on them. She couldn't help but be nervous about it, everyone is looking at their every move. Nabawasan lang ang kaba niyang nang lumapit ang mga magulang ni Sansrif.

"Hija, I am glad that you came!" she said and kissed her cheeks.

"Pasensya ka na, Tita. I didn't bring any gifts, I was busy the whole day with work." She explained, nahihiya siyang ni isang regalo ay wala siya.

"Your presence is already enough, right Hon?" she asked her husband who's looking at Sansrif mom lovingly.

"Yes, but let them eat first, Hon. I am sure they are already famished so as the kids." Ani nito at pinasadahan ng tingin ang dalawang bubwit na tila pagod na pagod na.

As if on cue, the two kids greeted their Lola. "Happy birthday Mommy Lola!"

"Aww! Thank you my darlings," Sansrif Mom said.

"What is your wish Mommy Lola?" puno nang kuryosidad na tanong ni Ching.

Her grandmother laughed, "Hmm. I want another apo. I want you to have a baby sister or brother!"

"Ma!" pigil ni Sansrif.

Pinandilatan ito ng ina, "What? What's wrong with my wish?"

"Stop giving the kids idea. You knew how persistent they are when they want something!"

"Mabuti iyon, nang tumino ka naman. Mas maganda kapag may kapatid na iyang kambal, 'di ba Jann?"

Kahit siya ay nagulat nang tanungin, kahit kabado ay sumagot siya.

"Opo, Tita."

"Hon, let them eat first. Sansrif," his father said. "Kumain muna kayo ni Jann at ng mga bata, then give us the kids. Ipakilala mo si Jann sa iba."

"We want a baby, Daddy!" Ching said, she almost choked with her own saliva.

"See Ma?" iritadong saad ni Sansrif.

"Kaya na ni Jann iyan. Right Hija?"

Biglang na sa kanya naman ang hotspot, "Po? Ah—opo!"

Halos mapasigaw siya nang makaaalis ang nga magulang ni Sansrif. They went to a table and sat at the chairs. Naalibadbaran na siya sa suot na mascara kaya tinanggal na niya ito.

"Mommy can I remove mine too?" Chan asked na nakaupo sa lap niya.

"Sure, Baby." She said and helped Chan remove her mask.

Sansrif left to get some foods for them. Si Ching naman ay busy katitingin sa cellphone niya. Chan was looking at her gallery.

"Mommy why there are many pictures here. And we don't have one?" tila nagtatampo nitong saad.

She chuckled, " Well, we can have one right now."

"But I want Daddy too, so we can have a family picture."

"Sure," she said. Kahit na kinakabahan siya sa gusto ng bata.

"Mommy," si Chan naman ang bumida.

"Yes, Love?" she asked and kissed his cheeks.

"Mommy, can you sleep with us tonight?"

"Ano—si Daddy! Tanungin na muna natin si Daddy niyo."

"Hi," a baritone voice spoked.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Tito Dwen!" the two kids said.

"Akala ko pa naman, hindi niyo 'ko makilala. Anyway sino itong kasama niyo kambal?" he asked the two kids as if wala siya.

"Mommy!" the two answered in unison.

"Kailan pa kayo nagkaroon ng Mommy?" nalilito nitong tanong. "Is your Daddy hiding something from u—"

"What are you doing here Dwen?" Sansrif voiced laced with coldness.

"Calm your tits, Bro! Nagtaka lang ako sino ang kasama ng kambal, kako bakay kidnapper."

Mukga ba siyang kidnapper? Eh sa liit niyang 'to baka siya pa ang kidnapin!

"She's off limits," Sansrif said.

"Why?" he asked playfully.

"Mommy what's tits?" Ching asked, she almost choked.

"Baby! You shouldn't say that. That's if for grown up already," natataranta niyang paliwanag.

"Leave, Santos. Kung anu-anong kabalahuraan sinasabi mo, pati mga anak ko nadadamay mo!"

"Whatever, Bro. Ipakilala mo siya kina Eivan. I'll tell them or else,"

"Leave Santos, let my kids and her eat silently without seeing your ugly face."

"Yuck! Tito Dwen is ugly!" said Ching which made her chuckled.

When Dwen left, they eat silently. After that the kids wet with their Grandma. She's with Sansrif, ipinakilala siya nito sa iilang bisita. She would smile and shake their hands. Kahit mismo mga kaibigan ni Sansrif ay nakilala niya. She meet, Dwen, Eivan, Cielo and Briely. They were funny to be with, panay tawa siya sa mga ito. While Sansrif was quite the whole time, hindi niya ito pinansin. She was enjoying their company. But when Sansrif held her waist, it took her breath away. Ang tanging naiisip niya lang ay nakahawak ito sa bewang niya.

Tila buong pagkatao niya ay naestatwa. She could feel his warm hand, nahihilo siya sa nangyayari paano pa kaya kapag iba na?