COCO

I have a secret I never told  Anais. I started working at a nightclub about two weeks ago. Nagtatrabaho ako bilang macho dancer. Nah, I'm just kidding. I was working here as a waiter. Malapit na ang birthday ni Cookie. It would be his first birthday and I wanted to make sure it'd be perfect. Ayaw kong si Dad o si Mama ang sumagot ng birthday party at lalong ayaw ko si Tito Axel. Gusto kong balang araw maipagmalaki ko yun kay Cookie. Kahit sa simpleng bagay man lang, malaman niya na lahat ng ibinigay ko sa kanya pinaghirapan at pinagtrabahuan ko. I wanted him to know that I'd be willing to do everything for him. 

"Hey, handsome. Why don't you come here and sit with us?" The obviously tipsy woman patted the empty space next to her.

I flashed her a charming smile and proceeded to clearing up their empty glasses. "Sorry, ma'am. I'm afraid I can't do that. Marami pa akong kailangan gawin."

"How much?" She looked up at me with hooded eyes.

"I already gave you your bill." I said.

"No, that's not what I mean. I'll pay you to be with me tonight." She giggled. The women she was with laughed and teased her. She was a good looking woman, probably in early to mid twenties. She looked hot and bangable. I contemplated for awhile. I had never banged a chick other than Anais. In a sense, I was still a virgin to other women and I wasn't ready to change that. Not just yet.

"You're a pretty lady, ma'am. I'm sure someone would be willing to accompany you for free." One corner of my lips lifted into an amused smirk. I needed to act all charming and sweet for the tip. 

"Really? You think so?" She hiccuped.

I nodded my head. 

"I like him..." She laughed drunkenly as she spoke to her friends. She took out a paper bill, shoving on the side of my pants like I was some kind of a male stripper. Damn this girls! "Thank you. You deserve that. I'm going through a rough patch and you're the first guy who has ever made me feel pretty since my boyfriend broke up with me."

I nodded at her and thanked her for the tip before taking the tray full of empty glasses. Women are crazy when they're drunk. I went back to the kitchen and put the dirty glasses in the sink. Bumalik ako sa bar kung saan nakaupo sina Yvo at Tate. They weren't allowed in here but I was able to sneak them in. 

The nerd was sipping a fruit juice while Tate had a light beer. Yvo would belch at the smell of alcohol, he tried drinking but after a sip he ended up throwing up. 

"We need to go." Yvo fixed his glasses. 

"Already? Akala ko ba gusto niyong magparty. There's some hot chicks over there." I pointed at the table where I last went to. 

"It's almost twelve. Magagalit si Nanay kapag nalaman niyang lumabas ako." Yvo said.

"Pag umuwi ka ng alas-dose yung galit ni aunt Andi pang-alas tres pa rin kaya sagarin mo na." I reasoned. 

"Damn right." Tate agreed. "Minsan lang 'to."

"Want some more drinks?" I asked them.

"I'll have vodka and sprite." Tate tapped his fingers on the table. 

"Kanina pa kayo order ng order baka gusto niyo naman magbigay ng tip." I said as I pulled out a glass and poured Tate his liquor of choice. "Para din naman to sa inaanak niyo."

"Di mo naman kailangan magdrama. I'll tip you." Tate shook his head, smiling.

"Here's a tip, it's going to rain tomorrow. Bring an umbrella." Sabi ni Yvo bago tinungga ang juice.

"Ulol! Ano'ng gagawin ko dun. Kailangan ko ng pera." 

"Bakit hindi ka na lang muna manghiram sa parents mo?" Tate asked.

"First birthday ng anak ko yun! Gusto kong ako ang gumastos sa lahat. Mula sa balloons hanggang sa giveaways. Gusto kong maipagmalaki ko balang araw kay Cookie na ginawa ko ang lahat mabigyan lang siya ng magandang birthday party. That way, he'd always know there's nothing I won't do for him. Isa pa ayaw ko din may masabi si Tito Axel, alam niyo naman ang lolo ng anak ko."

"Hanggang ngayon ba mainit pa rin ang dugo sa'yo ni Tito Axel?" Yvo asked.

"I don't think that will ever change." I shrugged. 

"I just lost my virginity to Naomi." Sabi ni Tate. 

"Nice." I grinned and then looked at my cousin. "You hear that, dork? Ikaw kailan kaya? When you're thirty?"

"Leave me alone." Yvo groaned. 

"I can't fully enjoy it because there's this fear that I'll get her pregnant. Mom and Dad will kill me if that happens, I'm only sixteen." Tate brushed his fingers through his hair. "I mean what should I do? How can I make sure I don't get her pregnant." 

"Gago ka ba. Ako pa tinanong mo niyan. Si Anais nga natalsikan ko lang nabuntis na." I shook my head. "Is she taking pills? Did you use condom?"

"She said she's on pills and yes, I did use condom." 

"I'd say you're pretty safe." I patted him on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it too much and just enjoy."

"Nicholas, may bagong dating na customer. Ikaw muna dun sa isang table." Sabi sa akin ng katrabaho ko.

"Aasikasuhin ko muna yun." Paalam ko sa dalawa.

I went to the table and there were a group of young ladies sitting their. I put on a charming mask, that's how you get huge tips.

"So, what are all these beautiful girls doing here without any dates?" I started.

"Ikaw yata kasi hinihintay ko." Sabi ng isa sa mga babae.

"Sorry, yung hinihintay mo paalis na." I heard Anais voice next to me. Before I could even turn around, I felt a stinging pain on my ear. She was suddenly holding me by my ear and dragging me. 

"Anais, aray! Ano bang ginagawa mo?" I asked.

"You asshole, habang ako nagpapakahirap sa pag-aalaga kay Cookie, ikaw nakikipaglandian ka lang dito." She finally let go of my ear.

Tinignan ko siya. I was surprised when I saw her holding Cookie in one arm. The handsome little one clapped his hands together. "DADA!"

"Cookie." I grabbed her from Anais and kissed his forehead. "What is my son doing here? Maraming lasing dito saka mausok. What were you thinking?"

"What was I thinking?" She sarcastically laughed. "What were you thinking noong inuna mo pa yung mga babae mo kaysa sa sarili mong anak? Ang saya saya mo eh no? Nakikipaglandian ka pa dun. Hinihintay ka ni Cookie!"

"I have to work." I quietly said.

"Work?" Her brows arched. 

"I'm working here as a waiter." I showed her the name tag on my shirt. 

Her face was much calmer this time. "Why are you working here?" 

"Para makaipon ako sa birthday ni Cookie." I sighed. 

"Why didn't you tell me..."

"I'm... I'm embarrassed." I lowered my gaze to my son. He was now rubbing his face with his hands and he yawned. "Ayaw kong magulang ko at lalo na ang Daddy mo ang gumastos sa birthday ni Cookie."

"Coco!" I turned my head to see Ara walking towards us. She had been working here as a promo girl and she was also the one who helped me get a job here. "Oh my God, is that your son? Siya si Cookie right?"

Anais' face crumpled in annoyance. 

"Yeah, this is our son..."

"Ang cute cute naman ng baby na yan." Ara pinched his chubby cheek.

"Halika na nga, Cookie!" Anais pulled Cookie from my arms. "Uuwi na kami! Inaantok na yung bata! Magsama kayo ng..." She eyed Ara from head to toe.

"Hi baby!" Suddenly Yvo and Tate were walking towards Anais and Cookie. They started playing with my son. Nawala ang antok ng baby ng makakita na naman ng kalaro.

"Hanap tayo ng chicks para sa'yo." Tate took him from Anais. "Mauunahan mo pa ang Tito Ninong mong magkaron ng girlfriend, ano, Cookie?"

He laughed as if he understood what Tate just said. Nagpaalam ako kay Ara and decided to just call it a night. I couldn't let Anais and Cookie leave the club by themselves. I ran to Anais and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

"Ano ba?" She shrugged my arm away. "Huwag mo nga akong hawakan."

"Bakit na naman?" I asked cluelessly.

"Why don't you go back to work? Uuwi na kami ni Cookie baka malaman pa ni Dad na wala kami sa bahay."

"Uuwi na din ako. Pababayaan ko ba naman kayong umuwi ng  kayo lang ni Cookie."

"Nakakahiya naman sa mga babaeng naghihintay sa'yo." She rolled her eyes.

"I don't care about them. I'm only working here because of Cookie." I explained and then grinned. "You don't want me around those pretty girls?"

"What do I care? Wala akong pakialam sa inyo ng mga babae mo."

"Wala naman akong babae." I couldn't keep the grin off my face. I wrapped my arm around the small of her waist and pulled her against me. "Let's get our son out of here. Kay Yvo pwede ko pang pagkatiwala ang anak ko pero kay Tate, I'm having doubts. He just lost his virginity."

"Dude!" Tate's eyes snapped and narrowed at me. 

"Akin na nga si Cookie, inaantok na yan. It's way past his bedtime." She said, carrying our son in her arms. We went out of the club together. Hinatid ko si Anais at ang anak namin pabalik sa kotse nila. Much as I wanted to, I couldn't drive them home because I knew Tito Axel would go berserk if he sees me with his daughter.

Inalalayan ko siya sa pagpasok sa kotse at maingat na inupo si Cookie sa kandungan niya. The little dude was already starting to fall asleep. I bent down to give him a kiss.

"Bumalik ka na kay Ara at sa mga babaeng yun. Mang Ben's driving us home."

"I want to make sure you get home safe. Susundan ko kayo." I told Anais as I leaned against the car. "And Anais, you're more beautiful than Ara and all those women combined."

Nagbaba ng tingin si Anais. She pretended to be busy with fixing Cookie's position in her arms. "Whatever. We're going home."

I dipped my head down again and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Good night."

"Good night." She said, almost in a whisper.

I turned my head to her driver. "Mang Ben, ikaw na ang bahala sa mag-ina ko. Susunod na lang kami sa inyo."

He nodded his head through the mirror. I closed the door and turned to see Yvo and Tate. 

"What was that about? Akala ko ba magkaibigan lang kayo ni Anais?" Tate grinned at me.

"Friends don't kiss friends on the lips." Yvo frowned, shaking his head.

"Ano naman masama dun? It's just a friendly kiss."

"Yeah, it you just had friendly sex with her which resulted into a friendship baby." The geek sarcastically said. 

"That's quite unique. Some people have friendship necklaces or rings or whatever. But you two have frienship baby." Tate snorted.

ANAIS

Today was Cookie's big day. He had a Sesame Street themed birthday party and a huge Cookie Monster cake. Coco paid for all of these and without the help of his parents. Mula sa venue ng party hanggang sa mascotts, cake, cupcakes at mga pagkain. Much to my Dad's dismay. Gusto niya kasing siya ang magthrow ng birthday party ni Niccolo. He wanted the party at our backyard garden but I knew he wouldn't let Coco and Tito Phoenix in. 

Cookie was wearing a cute blue cookie monster jumpsuit costume and everyone was all over him. Everyone couldn't wait for their turn to hold him and take pictures with him. Thank God, Cookie was a natural born people person. He loved being around people. Sanay kasi siyang nasa kanya ang atensyon ng lahat ng tao. Mula kay Mom, Dad, at Bryce hanggang sa mga Cordova. 

"Bless nga Ninang." Therese offered her hand to him. Cookie took it and brought it to his forehead. "Good boy!"

"Ang cute cute ng baby namin." Audrey squealed while carrying him in her arms. "Kamukhang kamukha namin siya ni Coco! I hope you don't get offended pero habang lumalaki mas nagiging kamukha ni Coco si Cookie."

"I know that naman. Hindi lang ikaw ang nagsasabi." I laughed. 

"Wag na nga lang sana mamana ang ugali ni Coco. Sana hanggang sa itsura na lang." She giggled.

"Oh I hope so." I sighed and rolled my eyes. 

"My Daddy said Cookie looks nothing like kuya Coco or any Cordova." Sabi ng maldita kong kapatid. Bryce was a well trained Daddy's girl. Para sa kanya lahat ng sasabihin ni Dad iyon ang tama at paniniwalaan niya. 

"No, are you blind? He looks like my kuya Coco and my Daddy!" Ronnie defended, folding her arms against her chest. "They have the same blonde hair and the same eyes and the same nose."

"But not the same last name." Of course, she was Bryce Charlotte Lavigne. She took on my Dad's personality. Hinding-hindi magpapatalo yan. "See his name on the banner. Happy Birthday, Niccolo Xavier Lavigne. He has our last name! It means he's our family!"

"He's our family too! Cookie's Dad is kuya Coco!"

"Then why doesn't he have the same last name as yours?" Bryce cocked her brow.

"Because Dad said your Dad's an asshole." 

"RONNIE!" Saway ni Audrey sa kapatid niya. "Ikaw yung bibig mo ah!" 

"What? I just heard it from Dad." Ronnie said innocently.

"My Dad said your Dad's a...a... what's it called again?" Bryce looked up at me, asking for help. "A spedo..."

"Keep your mouth shut, Bryce. Isusumbong na kita kay Mommy." I warned her.

"Well, my Dad said your Dad's dumb because he used to copy from my Dad when they were still in school." 

"I said enough." Audrey gave Ronnie a light slap on the mouth. 

"My Dad's not dumb! He's the smartest! He helps me with my homeworks and I always get perfect scores! Your Dad's a liar and he's the dumb one!" Bryce frowned.

"Tumigil na sabi!" I tugged on her braided hair.

"Susubong kita sa Daddy ko. Sinabunutan mo ako!" She said looking up at me, her eyes narrow with anger and filmed with tears. She started wailing and running towards Dad who was sitting with Uncle Tristan, Aunt Andi and Mom. The five were divided again into a group of two. I excused myself and left Cookie with Audrey and Ronnie.

"Daddy, sinabunutan ako ni Ate Anais!" She sobbed like the real drama queen she was. It was just a light pull. 

"Bakit?" Dad asked, wiping away her tears. His eyes suddenly lifted and he saw me. "Ano'ng ginawa mo sa kapatid mo?"

"Nakikipag-away kay Ronnie yang malditang yan. She just told Ronnie that you said her Dad's a pedophile." I shook my head.

"See, what you're doing!" Mom said in a scolding tone. "Pati yung mga bata nadadamay diyan sa mga kagaguhan niyo. Kung anu-ano kasing naririnig sa'yo!" She turned to Bryce. "That's not a nice thing to say, okay? Hindi maganda yung sinabi mong iyon."

"She said my Dad's dumb. Hindi ka naman dumb, Daddy, di ba?" The corners of her lips pulled downward.

"No, of course not." He kissed her forehead. "Pero hindi dapat kayo nag-aaway ni Ronnie."

"Hindi ba friends kayo?" Mom said.

"Yeah but she started saying mean things about Daddy." She hugged Dad.

"And you said mean things about her Dad too." Sabi ni Mom. "You have to apologize to her and tell her you didn't mean that para friends na ulit kayo."

"Mm... okay!" She said and quickly ran to where Ronnie was. In no time, they were playing again.

"Kids." Uncle Tristan shook his head. 

"Magdadalaga na din si Bryce. I'm sure she'd have a lot of young guy's chasing after her." Aunt Andi said.

"Well, she's my daughter." Mom proudly said and looked at me. "Parang si Anais lang noon. Alot of boys wanted to ask her out pero mahigpit ang bantay." She eyed Dad and she and Aunt Andi laughed.

"Pero nalusutan pa rin ako. I'm thankful for having Cookie in our life but it's never gonna happen again. Once Bryce gets her period, I'm going to order a chastity belt."

"Make that two. I need one for Monique." Uncle Tristan chuckled.

"You guys are jerks!" Aunt Andi said. "Bakit hindi niyo hayaan ang mga anak niyong mag-explore?"

"Hindi niyo kasi alam ang nararamdaman namin mga ama." Uncle Tristan said.

"They don't. Valerie doesn't  get me because she's not a Dad." Dad shook his head. "A man's goal as a father to beautiful daughters is to try to get as many virgin years as possible. We strive for 100 years- a lifetime of virginity."

"I agree, I want to keep my Monique innocent for as long as I could. But I realistically pray for at least 30 years." Uncle Tristan laughed.

I wanted to roll my eyes at them but decided to just walk away. Tamang-tama naman na dumating si Coco. Nagpaalam siya kanina sa akin, he said he needed to get something. He was with two men, one big as The Hulk and the other as thin as needle. 

"Si Cookie?" He asked.

"Na kay Audrey." I answered. 

"Mga Ninong niya pala. Hindi ba nakwento ko na sila sa'yo?" Tinignan niya ang dalawang lalaking nasa likod ko. "Ito si Atoy at si Oca, kakosa ko, sila yung mga nakasama ko sa kulungan." 

"Hi. Nice to meet you." I politely smiled at them.

"Pasensya na di kami nakapunta sa binyag ng inaanak namin. Kailan lang kasi kami nakalaya." Sabi ng lalaking malaki ang katawan. 

"Okay lang yun. Teka, kumain na ba kayo?" I asked them.

"Hindi pa nga eh." The thin guy said, rubbing his tummy. "Kanina pa kami gutom."

"Kain muna kayo." Aya ko.

"Nanay mo ba nagluto niyan?" The thin guy asked Coco. "Miss ko na yung luto ni Mommy. Nasaan ba si Mommy?"

"Wag mo ng tangkain, kosa." Coco patted his shoulder. "Wala kang pag-asa sa Mama ko. Maiba lang tingin mo kay Mama at makita ni Dad yun, baka saksakin niya yang mga mata mo."

"Tinatanong ko lang." He said, scratching the back of his head. 

"Sino yan?" Dad asked in an even tone when we passed by their table. We practically knew everyone here in the party. We only invited relatives and close friends.

Coco paused with the two men he was with. "Mga kaibigan ko po, Tito."

"Ba't ngayon ko lang nakita at hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" He asked in an arrogant tone.

"Kalalabas lang din kasi namin sa kulungan." Sabi ni Oca, the well built guy. "Hindi na nga kami nakapunta sa binyag ng inaanak namin."

"Kulungan? Inaanak?" Dad stood from his seat. "Kayo yung mga na kasama niya sa kulungan? Ano bang mga kaso niyo?"

"Nakapatay ako." Oca nonchalantly answered. 

"Ako naman na Tokhang ako." Atoy said matter of factly.

"Ayos pala 'to. Nag-imbita ka pa ng mga kaibigan ng Tatay mo." Dad chuckled as he looked at Coco and then turned his head to where Tito Phoenix was sitting. "Phoenix, barkada mo o! Pareho kayong na Tokhang."

He flipped his middle finger at Dad.

"Dad, stop!" Pinandilatan ko siya.

"Stop being immature, Atticus." Mom had a warning tone in her voice.

Embarrassed, I lead them away from Dad and showed Cookie to them. Tita Cassie was helping Cookie walk as she held him by his hands. Medyo natututo na din si Cookie maglakad but he still needed support.

"Ma, sila yung mga ninong ni Cookie. Yung nakasama ko sa kulungan." Coco introduced the two men to Tita Cassie as he picked Cookie up in his arm.

"Hi." She smiled at them.

"Ako nga pala si Apolinario. Atoy from short." The thin guy held his hand out to Tita.

"And I'm his husband. Coco's Dad, Niccolo's granddad." Tito Phoenix suddenly appeared from behind Tita Cassie, wrapping an arm around her waist and possessively pulling her against him.

Biglang binawi ni Atoy ang kamay niya. Coco snickered quietly.

"Hi, It's a pleaure to finally meet you two. Salamat sa malasakit niyo sa anak ko noong nasa kulungan siya."

"Salamat din sa masarap na pagkain. Minsan lang kasi kami makatikim ng mga ganon." Said Oca and then turned to play with Cookie. "Hi baby, ang pogi naman pala ng inaanak namin. Pwera usog."

"Syempre pogi ang Daddy, maganda ang Mommy, pati si Lola." Sabi ni Atoy. Tito Phoenix's face turned evidently sour. 

"Dad, cool lang." Kuya Miggy jokingly patted Tito Phoenix's shoulder. 

"Syempre si Lolo din." Bawi ni Atoy.

"Protektado ka na ni Oca, baby." The well-built guy said.

"The cake's ready." Kuya Miggy said and ruffled our baby's blonde hair. "I can't wait to see our little guy blow his first candle."

The party went well. May mga Sesame Street mascots na dumating. The party organizer kept the kids entertained with games. Thank God, hindi gumawa ng gulo si Dad at si Tito Phoenix. As long as you keep them apart, there won't be any problem. Uncle Tristan, Tito Seth, and Tito Wayne had to take turns accompanying the two as they knew it would be a complete disaster kung pagsasamahin silang dalawa. Cookie enjoyed his unlimited Cookies and being the center of everyone's attention

"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday, dear Cookie... Happy birthday to you..." Everyone sang around us. Karga ni Coco si Cookie habang nakatayo ako sa tabi nila. We bothe gave him a kiss on the cheek at the same time before helping him blow his candle. Everyone around us clapped. The party went on after that and Coco brought Cookie to the balcony when he sensed that he was starting to feel tired.

Sinundan ko ang mag-ama ko. Cookie had already fallen asleep in his Daddy's arms, his head resting on Coco's shoulder. Everything felt so serene with only Coco and Cookie here.

"A thousand thank you, Anais." Coco whispered as he pulled me into a hug. "I know I say this alot but I don't think I could ever stop thanking you for giving me our son."

"This won't be possible without you." I said, bringing Cookie's hand to my lips and kissing it. "I can't believe it's been one year since we had him."

"I can't believe I'm still here, alive and kicking." He chuckled. "Dapat kasali ako sa episode ng 'I shouldn't be alive'."

"Sira ka talaga." I giggled, shaking my head. My giggled died down and I stared at our sleeping son. "I remember how scared I was when I saw those two lines in all five pregnancy test kits. Akala ko katapusan na ng mundo, yun pala simula pa lang iyon. I can't imagine a life without him."

"I can't imagine a life without the two of you. You and Cookie are the reason why I thank God everyday." He kissed my head. 

I encircled my arms around one of his. We didn't talk much, we just quietly stood there, feeling very near to each other. My heart was filled with so much love and gratitude, I couldn't find a word for it. We simply enjoyed the presence of the life we created together. Our Cookie.