"Say ah, Uno. This will be the last,"
It's already nine in the morning. Uno and I were left here in the house. Manang was out for grocery while Jonas went to his work.
"Uno!" I shouted in startle.
I panicked when Uno's face reddened and he was about to vomit. I made him stand and suddenly he threw up all the foods he took. My body shook in nervousness.
"Uno!"
He threw up all the foods I gave him! He looked like he got suffocated and it's making him hard to breathe. Fear consumed me. I wasn't able to think straight! I gently tapped his back using my curved palm.
"Uno," I cried. "What's wrong with you?"
This was usually what happened everytime I was left with Uno alone. It was driving me crazy! How much more if Jonas will decide to move in to his unit knowingly he would not be around always. He would take his day off depends on his schedule.
"Here's your water, Uno," I said and gave him his bottle. He immediately drank from it. M
I was studying his bare face unhurriedly. He wasn't perfect physically. In fact, Jonas wasn't my ideal type based on his physical appearance.He had no stubbles which I didn't prefer since it didn't make him look mature. His eyelashes were short but I liked the shape of his brows which was angled. The shape of his face was heart, complimenting his slicked back black hair that sometimes is down, sometimes it looks like a bangs. His eyes were lifeless. You can't tell if he was tired or he was annoyed. When he was annoyed, he looked like the typical bad boy on a movie.His lips were thin—sometimes red, sometimes pale. He has high bridged nose and its tip looked like a ball. I'd like to pinch it.After studying his bare face, I scrambled out of bed and went down the stairs. Jonas and Uno were still sleeping peacefully. I got hungry so I looked for something to eat. And while eating, I was calling Thrante."Caz!" I greeted cherfully over the line."Hi! Wh
"Love, Uno's still sick. Please come home, love. I need you!"I got nervous and anxious when Uno still had a high fever. I already gave him a paracetamol yet his body temperature didn't decrease. So, I had to call Jonas even if he was in the middle of his work. I don't know what to do anymore."Wait for me, okay? Did he take his medicine already?""Yes, love, but nothing happened. Should I take him to the hospital?""I'm coming home, love. Just wait for me, okay?""Please hurry up. Take care too. Bye."I placed my phone on the table and scooped Uno in my arms. His medicine didn't have any effect on him. He also had a patch on his head to cool his body temperature down but still, it's all useless."Papa's coming home, baby. Stay with Mama okay?" I said gently and caressed his back.Uno was just silent while he was hugging me. I wanted to cry because I felt hopeless and helpless. Uno wasn't crying but it was obvious he was
When Uno fully recovered, we went back home. Mommy was still checking us from time to time while Dad was supporting us too, guiding both me and Jonas."Love," I called Jonas who was on the kitchen while I was on the living room. Today was his rest day and the three of us are here. Manang Marites took her rest day since Jonas is here."Yes, love?""About you said that we are going to Leyte."He washed his hands with tap water and wiped them with white cloth. His eyes spoke curiosity."Have you decided already?" He asked, looking straight at me."Yup. You said we will stay there for three days.""Yes, love. When do you want us to go?""Depends on your schedule, love. You might have some work to finish.""We're almost done with the blueprint. I'll update you once we settled everything.""Sure thing." I agreed
Thrante and I went home together. We were still outside the gate when our personal driver met us there."You look beautiful today, Ciela," he praised politely."Do I look like a lady again, Manong?" I joked."Yes, Ma'am! You look like you don't have a child."I blushed. He was always the kind person to me. He was closed to my heart, like a second father."Are you going inside now?" He asked."Yes. Where is Uno by the way?""He is inside, Ma'am. Your mother is babysitting him but what I know is that he is sleeping.""Okay, Manong." I smiled at him.As we entered inside the house, my breathing froze as darkness welcomed us. There was an array of small candles on the floor and a LED lights above. Thrante and I traced the end of it as my heart was beating so loud against my chest.When we reached the endpoint,
Jonas joined in the conversation. He stood right next to me and held my waist."Thank you, tito, for allowing me to marry your daughter. I won't promise anything but I will do my best for Uno and for Etincelle," he said politely."No problem, son. Just do what makes my girl happy.""I will, tito.""Call him Dad. He's your future father-in-law," I teased and turned to my Das. "Right, Dad?""Of course. When will be the wedding?""No exact date, tito. Etincelle will decide.""Me?" I overreacted, shocked. "But why me?""Because I want you to be ready to commit once you will say your vow,"My heart skipped a beat. I suddenly felt nervous. I'd been attending weddings of my friends but I had no idea what it felt like. They were just crying tears of joy. I don't exactly know how it feels."Where is Uno, b
"What makes you like Jonas, day?" Tito Bong asked me while he was driving. We were on our way home.Everything, Tito Bong. Jonas is responsible. One of a kind."I glanced at Jonas and smiled at him. He reached for my hand and locked it with his.If there was one thing I liked about Jonas was him being responsible. I never knew he was like that until I witnessed it myself."It's his nature, day. He is caring and thoughtful. When he was just little, he was the one who's taking care of his younger siblings.""True enough, Tito Bong. That's why I was really kind of surprised when I found out he knows how to babysit Uno.""Uno is the name of your son?""Yes, Tito Bong.""He's a boy, huh? When is his birthday by the way?""May 18.""It's fast approaching. How old is he now?""Seven months."
They bought liempo and lechon manok. We gathered around the table. Jonas and I sat next to each other. At my right was was Tessa. Next to her was her mother and the old woman."You just came home at the perfect date, dong. My birthday is tomorrow," the old woman stated in her own dialect which was the bisaya."I made sure we can attend your birthday, Ma," Jonas replied, who spoke also using his dialect."Awe. That's thoughtful of you. So, you will be staying here?""Yes, Ma. My wife and I will occupy my room. So as Uno."Jonas was calling his grandma "Mama". I wondered why.Uno reached for my plate, which created a noise of my untensils. Good thing Jonas was too quick to hold Uno's hand. He helped me to glide the plate away from me so Uno cannot reach it anymore."Arang himusa nija uy!" The old woman blurted out. "Earlier he was playing cars. He h
I waited 'till Jonas came home. Everyone was still busy and from where I was sitting, I could hear Honey's voice. She was talking to Lola Helena.Why was she here? Did Lola Helena invite her?The door creaked open. I hoisted Uno up and got up. I welcomed the ones who were coming in.I halted in between when I saw another familiar face. My eyes locked to his. His lips spread wide and his eyes glistened."Hey," he greeted with a breathy smile. It was contagious."Hey," I greeted and went to him.I stepped back, pulling Uno closer to me."I didn't know that you are actually here," he said with a smile. "Since when did you arrive?""Yesterday. How about you?""Last week. I did some business here.""That's good. I forgot you're Joe's friend.""Yep. We grew up together, along with Joshua and Hon
Someone knocked on the door, stopping our moment. I heard a little voice and that's when I realized we left Uno downstairs."Mama?" He called.Jonas and I looked at eacher. We both laughed upon realizing Uno was outside the room. I pulled away from him and marched the way out. I opened the door for Uno."Mama, what's taking you so long?" He asked innocently."Sorry, Uno. I almost forgot you.""Can we sleep now, Mama?""We haven't taken our dinner yet, Uno. Are you sleepy already?""Yes, Mama. Can I sleep beside you and Papa?"I glanced at Jonas. He nodded. I turned to Uno again."Of course, Uno. Mama will just change, okay?""Okay, Mama. Please hurry up."I chuckled. "Sure, Uno."I changed my clothes quickly. After that, I lied next to my little family."Mama," Uno called. He was between me and Jonas."Yes, Uno?""I don't have siblings, Mama?""You want one?""Uh-hu
"I'm home!" I declared excitedly and went inside the house. I looked after Jonas and Uno. I saw them both in the living room while studying. Jonas was teaching his son to read.Uno looked up at me and smiled widely. "Mama!" He called and ran towards me. I lowered my hips so he could reach me."I miss you, baby!" I kissed his cheek."Look, Mama! Papa teaches me how to read!""Oh, that's nice, Uno."I rose to my feet. Jonas welcomed me and kissed me on my cheek as well.I decided to give Jonas another chance to be part of our lives and to give myself another chance to be his partner. Now, we were happy again. Uno was happy to be with his father."Hi, love," I greeted."Are you hungry?""Not much, love. Have you eaten already?""Yup. Before we study.""Okay. I'll just go upstairs to change my clothes.""Can I join?""Huh?"He chuckled. "Alright. You go up now.""Wanna come with me?"
"How are you?" He asked me the moment he started driving."I'm fine. How about you?" I casually answered and asked him the same question."I'm all good. Kinda busy.""Same. Tomorrow we will start the renovation of our restaurant.""I heard that from Baste. You hired Thrante to be your engineer.""You heard it right. Yet, this is a business deal and money is involved."""Our restaurant", what do you mean?""Vince is with me, Joe. We're partners.""Vince what?" He glanced at me."Vince Vega. You know him?""Yeah... the chef?""Yes," I confirmed.Silence followed. I glanced outside the window, wondering where he was taking me."Where are we going?" I asked, roaming my eyes outside the car."Anywhere."I peered at his side, "W
We bid our goodbyes to each other after that. Thrante went home to Taguig while I went home to where I originally lived. When I arrived inside the house, I saw Uno singing his ABCD. I went to him and hugged him."How's your study, Uno?" I asked and knelt in front of him.Mommy started tutoring him at the age of three. I reasoned our Uno was still so young to start learning but she insisted. She argued I was three years old when I first learned the ABCD. She believed Uno was smart he could learn easily."I'm fine, Mama. ABCD is fun!" He smiled widely, revealing his complete teeth."Really?" I mirrored his smile because it was contagious. "Can I have a kiss?"He hugged my neck, "Muah!" He planted a long kiss on my cheeks. "Let's eat, Mama!"I pulled away, holding both of his arms."What do you want me to cook?""Pasta! Yehey!"
"We can start the renovation tomorrow," Thrante told me as she checked my blueprint."Thank you, Engineer Marcado," I smiled to her."Congratulations," she shook her hand with mine.After four years of studying culinary arts, finally I had the time to renovate our property here in Manila. Mommy gave this to me as her gift while Dad gave me a brand new car."Coffee after this?" I offered."Sure!" She agreed happily.We went to our favorite coffee shop—not the usual coffee shop where my friends and I went. Thrante and I had our own favorite coffee shop."So, how's life lately?" She started, grinning happily. We already ordered our coffee."I'm so excited to this new restaurant, caz. Like I can't believe this is actually happening!" I clapped in excitement.Eversince I started schooling, I had dreamt this day to happen. I did my best in school and now I finally finished it. And not just that, I would be having a resta
When the call ended, I hoped things would get better for both of us. I sighed heavily as I felt lonely. I missed him in my arms.The truth was, I didn't like this set up. I could not hug him. I could not feel him on my skin. We had a schedule of our talk and we often times talked about Lola Helena. That became the cycle of our lives.But for him I would endure this feeling of wanting him to stay by my side. I knew he was struggling too. He surely didn't like this set up. I had to adjust and understand because he too had needs but he was holding back himself. He endured the loneliness and pain.I brought down my phone on the bedside table. I crawled on bed and lied next to Uno. He now slept next to me so that whenever he would wake up, I didn't need to get up and get him. It would be easy for me to breastfeed him if he would sleep next to me.The following morning, I woke up when I heard a loud bang on the
I went home and saw Jonas standing near the window of our room. He was holding a mug, probably it was his favorite coffee."Love?" I called and walked inside. He spun around and looked straight at me. He gave me a small smile after. "I'm home."He brought down his mug on the bedside table and spread his arms wide. I did the same thing and let him engulf me around his arms."I miss you," I whispered.I clung my arms around his neck and placed the side of my face on his chest. He smelled like a blooming flower in the garden. Favorite fabcon niya 'yong luxe perfume.His chest moved as he breathed sharply, his body tensed. I tucked my head just below his chin and glided my body against his."Love, you know that I am here for you. You don't have to solo your battles," I told him.I knew it was strange for him to open up his heart to someone. He lived h
Manang told me to go upstairs already. She will be the one to finish cleaning the sink. I should be resting now and be with my little family.I was careful not to create any unnecessart noise. I silently opened the door and peaked inside. I saw Jonas and Uno sleeping peacefully on our bed. I smiled and locked the door.I watched them two. It was peaceful to see them like that. My heart was happy.When Uno turned eight months, I trained him to walk. He could stand up on his own but he needed something to hold on to."Come to Mama, Uno!" I played with him.The edge of the sofa was supporting his back. His arms were spread wide, trying to balance while learning how to walk too. He could stand but he was afraid to step forward."You can do it, baby! Come on!"I clapped my hands. He giggled and lost his balance. I was quick to catch him."Come!" I encouraged him.Everyday I was practicing him to walk. I reached out to him his
"I'm planning to study abroad, Mommy. What do you think?"I wanted to consider studying abroad where I could learn a lot. I was thinking of France since I loved its culture."That's good, honey. It will be better if you will study abroad.""I'll take Uno with me.""What about Jonas? Do you think he will permit you?""I... don't know," I shrugged.I hadn't discussed this to Jonas yet. What I knew was he would support my decision to study culinary arts."It's only four years, Ma. By that time, Uno will be four years also.""You have to discuss this to Jonas first, honey. I don't have any problem if you really want to study abroad. You can take Uno with you but think about Jonas too.""Then I will take him with us, Mommy.""For four years?""He will take care of Uno while I am busy studying.""Where will you get your source of income? If Jonas will stop working, what will happen to Uno?"I