Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

"HELLO, Mommy! Can you come over in our house? Pretty please!" Ching pleaded which made her laugh.

Ching is on the other line, it has been a week since the last time she saw the kids. They still talk through phone call, she had been very busy. The kids always contacts her every night to say good nigh and I love you, they had been the sweetest that it made her love them more.

"Hmm. Is there something we should celebrate?"

"You're so unfair, Ching! I want to to talk to Mommy too!"

"I am not yet done, Chan!"

She heard cries and screaming, the line went off. She sighed, 'God, those two!' She tried to dial the number but it texted, Sansrif.

'Hope the two didn't hurt each, other. Tell them I'll be coming this weekend if that is fine with you?'

She hit the send button and sighed, Sansrif has been very distant and that is understandable. The last time they were together, he was fine but his mood suddenly change when they went home. They dropped her off at her apartment, Sansrif nodded and didn't say a word.

Her phone beep, she opened the message.

'Sure.'

"Hay, naku! Bakit nakabusangot ang mukha mo riyan, Jann?!"

She rolled her eyes and hid her phone in her pocket.

"May kalandian ka na naman, aber?"

"Of course not! Anong akala mo sa 'kin? Tuwing linggo iba-iba ang dyowa?"

April rolled his eyes, "Che! Mag-ayos ka na, pack up na tayo. Super stressful ng linggong 'to."

"Pasalamat ka nga marami tayong gig ngayon. Hindi tayo nawawalan ng trabaho ngayong linggo," paalala niya sa kaibigan.

Hinampas siya nito ng pamaypay, napangiwi siya. "Hindi ako inggrata ano. Sadyang stressful lang ang clients, ang daming demands. Hindi keri ng camera at make up na baguhin ang pagmumukha nila. Anong akala nila sa 'tin, Fairy Godmother?"

Napahalakhak siya, "Baliw! Baka may makarinig riyan at ichismis tayo sa iba na unproffesional."

"Gagang 'to! Dyosa lang ako pero ang pasensya ko gaya niyang height mo, maliit!"

"Ay gagong 'to! Height ko na naman pinagdiskitahan," nakangiwi niyabg sagot.

April grunted in annoyance, "If this isn't our passion and our business. Nunkang! Babalik na lang ako sa pagtuturo, kaimbyernang mga taong 'to!"

If it wasn't their passion, they wouldn't get through. Clients, schedules, bookings and whatever things that could go wrong stresses them out. Some small clients are too demanding without even considering their payments, okay sana kung ang demand nila ganun kalaki rin ang binabayad. Ang iilan naman na bigating kliyente, ma-attitude rin! Ang ibang model, ang babastos rin. Akala mga sikat, minsan na nga rin siyang nabastos ng isang modelo, kung hindi pa siya pinakiusapan ay kamuntikan na siyang magdemandan. She was sexually harassed, the male model touch her butt. The said model was under the influence of alcohol. It was a red flag for her, under the influence of alcohol or not, groping someone's but is a fucking no.

Minsan na rin siya napagalitan ng tatay niya dahil sa propesiyong pinili. Noong una ay maliit lang kasi ang kita nila, hindi pa sila kilalang studio at mismong siya ay hindi kilalang photographer. It was a rough path for them but they made it, they endured a  lot just to get where they are.

"Salamat naman at makapagpahinga na rin tayo sa weekends, lantang-lanta na 'ko. Kailangan ko na nangdilig," saad pa ni April.

"Kadiring 'to!" bulalas niya pa.

April smirked, "Hindi mo pa kasi nararanasang madiligan. Gaya ng halaman, kapag kulang sa dilig hindi namumukakad ang mga bulaklak o 'di kaya natutuyo ang mga dahon. Ganyan ang pechay ko!"

"You don't even have one!" giit niya pa.

April chortled which made her cringe, "A hole is still a hole."

"Shut up! You're so gross!"

"Heh! Maghintay ka at darating rin ang panahon mo. Itataga ko sa bato, kapag nangyari ang araw na iyan magpapainom ako."

She almost choke with her own saliva,   "I don't even have a boyfriend, seriously. And if ever that day will happen, I will never ever tell you."

"Bitch! We have the sis code, you tell me every details of your romance!"

"Gagang 'to! Bakit, hiningan ba kita?" nakaismid niyang saad.

"Gaga! Diring diri ka na nga sa butas na sinasabi ko, what more if I'll divulge my sex life to you. Your surely get sick."

"Duh, talagang-talaga!"

*****

"MOMMY!" the two kids screamed when they saw her.

"Careful!" she said when they ran towards her.

Kasunod nito si Sansrif na walang ekspresyon sa mukha. Hindi niya mabatid, kung natutuwa ito o nayayamot sa presensya niya. Ang mga kasambahay ay nakamasid sa kanila, hindi niya tuloy maiwasang mailang. The two kids hugged her, she kissed their cheeks.

"Amoy Mommy," the two said in unison.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang bata. "Oh, walang mag-aaway."

She couldn't help but kiss their cheeks. Miss na miss niya ang dalawang bata, kahit pa nagkakausap sila sa telepono. Iba pa rin talaga ang personal na presensya.

"Mommy! Can you cook for us?" Chan pleaded.

Her gaze automatically went to Sansrif who's staring at them. He glance at the two kids who's looking at her with loving eyes, walang nagawa ang binata kundi tumango na lang. Agad naman siyang kinabahan, she knew how Sansrif cherished the safe haven of his deceased wife. How he went berserk when she stepped in. She doesn't want to push herself, she don't want to hurt anyone. She respects Sansrif and his sentiments.

"I don't know, Baby. If your Daddy will allow me to cook for you then it'll be fine. But, don't expect too much from my cooking." Patawa-tawa niya pang saad.

Lumayo ang dalawang bata sa kanya ay lumapit sa kanilang ama. Huminto ito sa tapat ng ama at matamang tinitigan ito gamit ang nakakahipnotismong mga mata ng dalawang bata.

"Daddy please?" the two said in unison again. But they didn't react, they stared at their father with their pleading eyes and pouty lips.

Sansrif sighed, "May magagawa pa ba ako sa tingin niyong ganyan?"

"Yes!" sigaw nung dalawa at nag-apir pa. They all laughed at the two kids cute antic.

Mabilis na kumaripas ang dalawa papalapit sa kanya at hinila siya ng mga ito papuntang kusina. Ang tanging nagawa niya lang ay magpatianod sa dalawa at papaalalahanang mag-ingat. Halos mabuwal siya sa bilis ng dalawa. Huminto sila sa loob ng kusina.

"Go, Mommy cook for us! We only have Nana to cook for us," Chan said while tugging her hand.

"We want to see you cook and wear apron, just like how the mommies of our schoolmate, Mommy!" Ching said cheerfully, her eyes were full of hope. Sino ba naman siya para biguin ang dalawa.

"Magluluto ako, but don't expect too much okay? My cooking skills aren't that great."

Ching crossed her arms, "It will be great Mommy. You're not like Daddy's girlfriends naman, they're pangit and only gives us toys."

'Girlfriends? Plural, marami sigurong pinakilala si Sansrif sa mga bata. Kawawang mga paslit.' She thought.

"That's bad, that's not nice to say something bad." Paalala niya sa dalawang bata, kahit mismo siya napaplastikan sa sarili niya.

She had badmouth other people, but those people deserve it! Iba talaga kapag bata ang tinuturuan mo ng mabuting asal. She only had an attitude not a good one.

"They're bad naman, they make agaw Daddy!" dagdag pa ni Ching. While Chan on the other hand motioned her to let him sit on the high chair. Sinunod naman niya ang paslit at binuhat ito at isiniguradong maayos ang pagkakaupo nito.

She sighed, 'Paano ba 'to?' "Listen, if people are bad let them be, unless they are hurting you that is very wrong. Just don't be like them, our hearts should be pure and loving. Basta, you'll understand things when you're both old enough. For now, what do you want me to cook?"

"Adobo!" they both answered in unison, but what made her laugh was the way how they pronounce Adobo. It sounded, Adoboow.

"Adobong manok or adobong baboy?"

"Adobong chicken!" the two answered in unison.

WHILE she was waiting for the chicken to simmer. She was tapping on her phone screen, they'll have a drink tonight with her friends. The two kids when outside, they got bored while waiting for the chicken to cook. Ni hindi nga rin pumasok ang mga kasambahay sa kusina, tanging siya lang ang naroroon. Para tuloy siyang mababaliw sa katahimikan.

"Who are you?"

When she heard the voice she almost throw her phone. Luckily, she stopped herself from doing so, her brother would probably kill her. Regalo ito sa kanya noong nakaraang pasko.

A woman, wearing an elegant dress paired with glamorous jewelries entered the kitchen. She was raising her right eyebrow, flaunting her beautiful bitch rest face. She couldn't help but to admire the woman's beauty.

"I don't like repeating my question."

Napatayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo mula sa stool, "I am Jann."

"Are you my son's new girlfriend?" her reaction didn't even change.

"Son? Anak niyo po?" nalilitong niyang tanong.

"Yes, my son."

Napakamot siya sa ulo sa kalituhan, "Hindi ko po kilala anak niyo. Baka taga kabilang bahay."

"Why would I be mistaken, this is my son's house!"

She smiled, trying not to faint. "I don't know your son. I only new the twins, and imposibleng maging nanay nila kayo. Ang chika sa 'kin, nag-fly sa heaven si girl."

Oh. God. This is why she hate being nervous, mas nagiging bakla siya kung magsalita, kasalanan ito ng mga kaibigan niyang bakla.

"Mama? What the heck are you doing here?!"

Sansrif appeared out of nowhere. He was holding the two kids in his arms.

"Mommy Lola!" the two kids  said and writhed their body. Their father let them down, the two happily snuggled their grandmother's leg.

"Mama?" she asked in confusion. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa dalawa. "Nanay mo siya?"

"Is there a problem, Dear?" Nakakunot-noong tanong ng babae.

Halos dumugo ang balat niya dahil sa kurot na ginawa niya sa sarili. She almost curse, she shook her head lightly. "None, there's nothing wrong."

Sa loob loob niya ay gulat na gulay siya, hindi naman mukhang nanay ni Sansrif ang babae! Mukha lang itong nasa thirties.

"I told you, to text me when you're coming over, Mama! Where is Papa?"

"Oh, my babies!" the woman squat down and kissed the kids cheeks. "Mommy Lola, misses you so much!"

"Mama you've seen them yesterday!" hindi makapaniwalang na giit ni Sansrif.

Umayos ang ginang at nakapamewang na humarap sa anak, "Nonsense! What is wrong with visiting my grandchild and son? Kaya ba hindi mo  ako gustong pumunta because your new girl friend is here? How about the girl I met last time? Did you dumped her?"

Sa kalituhan ay natahimik siya, at bumalik ang tingin sa manok na niluluto. Pinabayaan niyang magbulungan ang mag-ina. She took a pot holder, and open the lid of the pot.  She took a taste of her Adobo, when the taste was already perfect for her taste buds. She took a small part of the chicken to make sure the meat of it was already tender. She was quietly doing her things.

Small voices burst the bubble she tried to make.

"Mommy are you done?" Chan asked, raised his arms. She knew what he wants, she turned off the stove and remove her apron.

She went to Chan and picked him up, she kissed his cheeks. "I'm done cooking, hope you both like it."

"How about me Mommy?" pa-cute na tanong rin Ching.

She giggled, "If I'll carry you both we might fell. My arms are short, unlike your father."

"But I want to smell you, Mommy." Giit pa nito, napailing na lang siya. May katigasan talaga ang ulo ni Ching.

Bumaling siya kay Chan, "Can I put you down? It's Ching's turn, then after that it will be your turn."

Chan pouted and  eyed his sisters, "Fine. Kiss Mommy," he said and pouted his lips even more.

She kissed Chan's cheeks and giggled, "Naku, ha. Baka masanay ako sa kaharutan niyo."

NASA hapag silang lahat, they were eating their lunch. Tahimik lang siyang kumakain habang katabi ang dalawang bata na sinusubuan niya. Sinasaway ni Sansrif ang dalawa pero sisimangot lang ng dalawa at agad na tiklop ang binata. Habang ang mga magulang ni Sansrif ay tahimik na kumakain. Pero pansin niya ang nagbabagang titig ng ina ni Sanrif. Hindi siya nakapaniwalang nanay ni Sansrif ang babae, kung tutuusin ay mukha lang silang magkapatid. Kahit ang ama ni Sansrif ay batang-bata kung tignan. Papasa ang mga ito bilang artista.

"Mommy can you tuck us to bed for our afternoon nap? Please?" Ching pleaded.

She eyed Sansrif, hindi ito umimik o kung ano. He continued eating without even glancing at them.

"Sure! I still have time. For now, finish your food."

Tahimik ang lahat na kumain, tanging tunog ng kubyertos lamang ang maririnig sa hapag. Kahit ang dalawang paslit ay walang imik, sarap na sarap ang mga ito aa niluto niyang adobo. Siya naman ay naiilang sa tuwing susubo siya, pakiramdam niya ay lahat nakamasid sa bawat galaw niya. Na ultimo paghinga niya ay pinapanuod ng mga ito.

Hanggang sa matapos silang kumain ay hindi siya nagsalita, inihatid lang siya ni Marie sa silid ng mga bata.  Habang naglalakad sa hagdan ay hindi siya mapakali, pakiramdam niya ay sasabog siya dahil sa ang daming mga tanong sa isipan niya.

"Marie," saad niya.

"Bakit po, Ma'am?" tanong nito.

"Sure ka bang nanay iyon ni Sansrif?"

"Ay! Si Ma'am Carlie? Ay oo naman po!  Nanay niya sure ako diyan, Ma'am. Ano aka niyo Ma'am? Dyowa ni Sir? Nagseselos ka ba, Ma'am."

Natawa siya nang bahagya at sandaling tinignan ang dalawang bata na naunang naglakad sa kanila.

"Hindi, ah! Ba't naman ako magseselos. Ang akin lang mukha lang silang magkapatid," pagpapaliwanag niya pa.

"Very true ka diyan, Ma'am! Ang alam ko kasi po ay bata pa raw nang ipinagbuntis niya si Sir. Saka magfo-forty five pa lang si Ma'am Carlie. Sana ganyan din ako kapag nag-forty na ako, seksing-seksi tignan saka ang bata. Dati nga napagkamalan  kong girlfriend ni Sir si Ma'am. At si Sir Felix kapatid ni Sir Sansrif. Hay naku, Ma'am. Atin atin lang 'to, naging crush si Sir Felix! Ay, crush ko pa rin pala."

Ang gaan gaan ng pakiramdam niya kay Marie, napaka-kwela nito. Kung makikila ito ni April baka itakwil siya at gawing kaibigan itong si Marie. Hinatid siya ni Marie sa kuwarto ng mga bata, naglaro sila saglit ng kung anu-ano hanggang sa dinalaw na ng antok ang dalawa. Si Marie naman ay nagpaalam na magpi-f******k, maghahanap raw ng AFAM. Dah siya sa pinoy. Halos batukan niya ito dahil sa sinabi ng dalaga.

The two kids, fell asleep already. She was getting her things ready, she'll go home. But before she could, a soft knock stopped her.

She saw Sansrif mother, she was not smiling. But she wasn't being a bitch too. Her face expression was soft.

"Can we talk, Hija?" she asked and she closed the door.

Iniwan niyang nakabukas ang pinto kanina, ayaw niyang isipin ng iba na may ginagawa siyang kalokohan o kung ano.

"Sure," she answered.

Sansrif mother motion her to sit on the sofa, sumunod naman siya rito. Maingat siyang umupo at pilit na hindi kinakagat ang mga daliri dahil sa kaba.

"I wasn't introduce properly, I am Carlie, Sansrif biological mother, I know I look young, well I had him when I was young too. Anyway, that is not my reason that is why I want to talk to you. I want to ask a favor."

"Ano po yun?"

"Take care of them, they have been through a lot. I know my son, he never tells the hardship he had been through. He lost his happiness when Nadia died," hinawakan ng ginang ang kanyang kamay. "Please be patient with him. And love the kids as much as you love my son."

"Po?" gustohin man niyang itama ang ginang pero hindi niya magawa.

"My son, rarely spends time with the kids. I know, whenever he's with kids it reminded him of Nadia. Alam mo naman sigurong, namatay si Nadia sa panganganak. But that doesn't mean he loves the kids less. I know you are a beautiful soul, Hija. Please be patient with my Sansrif."

"Teka—"

"Welcome to the family, Hija!" Mrs. Carlie said and enveloped her with a warm hug.

Oh no! Mukhang mayroong hindi pagkakaintindihan. Mukhang iniisip nito na nobyo siya ng anak nito. She doesn't want to complicate things but entering Sansrif life? Is  a room full of uncertainties.