Family Day

Saina's

NAULIT pa ng ilang beses ang pagkakaroon ng playdate ni Haniel at Joshua. Hindi na ako nagdadalawang isip ngayon kasi kitang – kita naman sa mga bata nag-e-enjoy talaga silang kasama ang isa't isa. Isa pa, natutuwa ako kay Joshua, he maybe the same age as my boy but he treats Haniel like a little brother, gina-guide niya si Haniel sa mga bagay na hindi nito alam at sa mga bagay na hindi gaanong naiintindihan ng anak ko. He teaches him Tagalog words, hindi lang iyon, minsan ay nadatnan ko si Joshua na tinutulungan si Haniel na magbasa ng Filipino.

Joshua is a great boy, isa lang rin ang ibig sabihin noon, mabuting ama si Birada. He's sweet – Joshua – okay, I am thinking about Joshua when I say that sweet description. Paanong magiging sweet si Birada? Hindi ko makakalimutan when he implied that I am only here because I slept with the boss' son and carried his grandchild. Whatever happened after Uriel and I, walang kinalaman iyon sa kung anong mayroon ako ngayon. Makapal ng ang mukha ni Birada, hindi man lang siya nag-sorry sa akin dahil sa nangyaring iyon.

But then, I realized that maybe because of the friendship out sons have, we automatically had this silent agreement to be civil to each other in and outside of work. Nagkikita naman kasi talaga kami outside of work dahil sa mga bata, pero kung tutuusin, mas madalas silang magkita ni Uriel kasi napag-alaman kong araw – araw palang sinusundo ni Birada si Joshua sa school, just like Uriel to our son.

I was brought back to reality when I heard my intercom beeped. I clicked the button and waited for my EA to speak. Abala ako sa pagpirma ng mga contracts at sa pagcheck ng mga ito.

"Miss Avery is here to see you, Miss."

"Let her in." I sighed. Tiningnan ko ang oras, it's only ten am and I feel so tired already. Bukas ay may quarterly meeting kasama ang buong board which include my father and Uriel's dad, sure akong hindi palalagpasin ni Papa ang pagpunta bukas ngayong alam niyang darating si Gabriel Consunji, alam kong ipapakita ni Papa sa tatay ni Uriel na hindi siya matitbag and I feel sorry for my old man, hindi niya lang alam but everything in his life is bound to fall apart.

"Girl!" Avery greeted me when she entered the room. I smiled widely when I saw the twins in their double troller. They're three years old now and they're so lovely.

"Awww!" I cooed. The twins looked so good in their matching Gucci shirt and shorts. I stood up and leveled with them. Nakakalakad naman na sila but Avery told me that she puts them in this stroller when they go out of the house for an easier walk. Ang hirap daw kasi kapag takbo nang takbo iyong dalawa – and I feel her, sa ganitong edad ni Haniel, sobrang active niya, we used to go to the park in Italy and he chases the birds, I had to chase him to make sure he wouldn't fall, I end up so tired after.

"Hi babies!" Sabay silang nag-hello sa akin na may kasamang tiny wave. My heart burst with so much happiness. "I wanna bite their cheeks, Avery, can I? Can I?"

"NO!" She hissed at me. "As their mom, I'm the only one allowed to bite them."

"Damot." I pouted but I pinched Elle's cheeks lightly, she giggled at me. "Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"Uriel's here with Papa Gab and Migs." I recalled being told that Uncle Gab will come today, hindi lang malinaw sa akin kung para saan. Hindi naman ako nangingialam sa kanya sa mga bagay na iyon. I know he has his reasons for being here. Sa totoo lang ayokong makialam sa kung anong plano niya. I am just here doing my job. "Are you okay?"

"Uh? Yeah. I'm good." I smiled at Avery and then I continued playing with the twins. Inalis na ni Avery si Ernie mula sa pagkakaupo sa stroller, ako naman ay kinuha si Elle at kinarga, she giggled when I kissed her chubby cheeks, sinayaw – sayaw ko pa siya habang natatawa na rin. Avery got busy feeding the other twin, I looked at saw her holding a zippy cup and some bag of chips, nakaupo sila sa couch, I on the other hand was distracting Elle because I don't know of she can take two kids and feed them at once.

"Tati, danda hair mo." The twins are already talking pero may pagkabulol pa sila but I found it cute. I nuzzled Elle's cheeks and blew raspberries on her neck. She giggled like a little angel that she was.

"Oh you're so cute, Gabrielley." Pinanggigilan ko ang pisngi niya. "And you smell so good. Are you hungry?" I kept on nuzzling her cheeks kaya hagikgik siya nang hagikgik. Busy ako sa pakikipaglaro sa anak na babae ni Uriel nang may mahagip ang mata kong pigura na nakatayo sa may pinto ng office ko. I stopped and looked at the person for a while, si Birada, hindi yata niya namalayang nakatingin na ako sa kanya kaya naroon pa rin siya, nakatayo, nakatitig sa akin.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, and then I spoke.

"What do you want, Birada?" I barked at him. Mukhang noon niya lang napansin na hindi na ako nakikipaglaro kay Elle, at nakatuon na ako sa kanya. Mukhang noon lang niya napagtanto na sa kanya na ako nakatingin. He cleared his throat, looked left and right and then he just left. I made a face, anong problema noon?

"Is that Joshua's dad?" Pumasok si Uriel sa loob ng office ko. Nang makita siya ni Elle ay pumalakpak ang bata at saka nagsalita.

"Daddy, arms, arms!" It means that she wanted to be carried by her dad. Binigay ko naman si Elle kay Uriel na naghihintay ng sagot sa akin.

"Yeah. He works for my father. Hindi ba nasabi sa'yo ni Uncle Gabriel?"

"Nasabi yata, but I'm not paying attention." Hindi rin naman nagpe-pay attention sa akin si Uriel, sa pagkakataong iyon ay nakatalikod na siya at papunta na siya kay Avery, he sat beside her and looked at her like he is holding everything dear to him closely. I found myself smiling at them. Never have I thought that I'd see this side of Uriel. He's changed so much. Parang guni-guni ko na lang iyong version ni Uriel na mainitin ang ulo at nagmamaktol agad kapag hindi nasunod ang gusto.

Avery looked at Uriel, Uriel, then, kissed Avery's nose and then they both giggled, they are both trapped in their own little world that I suddenly felt shy and so I just left them alone. They need time for their own and their little family.

I left my office, dala ko na rin ang papers na pinirmahan ko kanina, ibibigay ko iyong sa EA ko. I smiled at Patricia, but as she was looking at me, I realized that she wanted to ask something.

"Yes, Tricia, what is it?"

"Si Attorney Birada, lagi kayong sinisilip, Ma'am. Nanliligaw po ba?"

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Gusto mo bang ikaw ang ligawan ko?" I even winked at her. I made her fluster. I chuckled at she fan her face, mukhang nagulat ang EA ko sa akin. I left her table and continued to walk the corridor, sakto, nasalubong ko naman si Birada. I stopped dead, siya naman ay nagulat nang makita ako, parang napapansin kong iniiwasan niya ako rito sa office. Pinamaywangan ko siya.

"Why the fuck are you avoiding me?" I hissed at me. "Saka anong ginagawa mo sa labas ng office ko? Pinagbabalakan ninyo baa ko ng masama? Do I need to take my bodyguards with me?"

"I..." Napakamot siya ng ulo. Napakunot na naman ang noo ko. Naka-off iyong chewing gum niyang ugali. Binaba ko ang mga kamay kong nakalagay sa baywang ko at naghintay sa sasabihin niya.

"This Friday is family day in their school. I was just going to ask if you wanted to go together or are you going with Mr. Consunji. It's not what you're thinking, no it- it's not a d-date..."

Awww he's stuttering. I controlled my laughter. Imbes na tumawa ay tinaasan ko na lang siya ng kilay.

"The kids... the kids had this idea that we should go together, as a family..." He shrugged. "Well, it's mostly my son's idea. I guess your son was just easily convinced. I'm really sorry, Saina for all the trouble Joshua is causing you... hindi ko... I don't have the guts to tell him to stop 'cause..." Hindi niya maituloy ang sinasabi niya. Well he didn't have to. I get it. Hindi naman ako ipinanganak kahapon at ilang beses ko na rin namang nasabi sa sarili ko na kahit na nakakainis si Birada sa office, when it comes to his son, he is a great father.

I wanted to ask about the woman, it's just I have no rights.

"It's ... okay." I gave him a genuine smile. "But then I have to ask Uriel about this. He wants to be involve to every school activity for Haniel, I can't just say yes, you know."

"That's good enough. May isasagot na ako sa anak ko." He sighed. "I'm sorry. As much as I could try, I don't want to lei to my son."

"I know. I know. I'll update you."

"Okay..." We stared at each other for a while and then he was the first to leave, ako naman ay bumalik kay Avery at Uriel, when I got to the office, the twins were asleep in their strollers and the couple were making out. I didn't even budge. I took Avery's hand to rip her away from Uriel.

"Wh—Saina!" Sigaw ni Uriel.

"Wait lang, Uriel pahiram ng asawa mo." Hinatak ko si Avery palabas.

"What the he—" Hindi ko na narinig ang kasunod ng sigaw ni Uriel, lumabas kami ni Avery ng office, I took her to the conference room and I locked the door.

"Tell me, tell me everything about Jose Gerardo Birada."

Avery smiled. "The ex-wife's name is Alona Alonte, high school sweetheart, naging girlfriend noong college, nagpakasal after law school, nagsama ng ilang taon pero naghiwalay rin agad, annulled sila, si Girl nasa States, pauwi – uwi lang dito, si Gerry, umaasa pa ring babalikan siya kahit nakailang jowang afam na si ateng!"

"Like omg!" Napahawak pa ako sa dibdib ko.

"Yes, girl!" Tinapik pa ni Avery ang balikat ko. "He maybe ruthless in court and in his job but when it comes to love, shunga si kuya sa department na iyon! Wala silang sex video. I searched."

Nawala ang ngisi ko. Napalitan iyon ng pagsimangot. "Why would I want to know about his sex video? It's bad enough that you showed me yours and Uriel!"

"And I can't still believe you two didn't record it before!"

"Avery!"

xxxx

THE FAMILY Day arrived and as expected, naroon si Uriel para suportahan ang anak namin. I came too, even Avery was there. Hindi nga lang niya sinama ang kambal kasi masyadong mainit and Ernie has asthma, si Elle naman ay naman ang allergy ni Avery sa init ng araw. Actually, pinagtitinginan nga si Avery sa school's ground. Naka-hoodie kasi siya kahit na tirik na tirik ang araw, may dala pang sariling industrial fan si Uriel, parang tanga pero ginawa niya lang naman iyon para masiguro niyang okay si Avery.

"Mommy, Mommy..." Katatapos ng first event nang maramdaman kong hinahatak ni Haniel ang t-shirt ko. Uriel and I were wearing matching blue shirts, iyon kasi ang kulay ng team nila Haniel, ka-team niya rin si Joshua, but he's not playing kahit na ilang beses na siyang niyayaya ng Papa niya. I was eyeing the two. Nakaupo lang sa bleachers ang dalawa. Apat na event na ang naganap – sack race, agawang tali, patintero at long jump – pero hindi talaga siya tumatayo roon. Gerry looked like he's having a hard time.

"Yes, baby love ko?"

"I'm sad..." Humigpit ang hawak ni Haniel sad ulo ng tshirt ko.

"Why, son? Isn't Daddy good enough?" Tanong ni Uriel sa anak naming dalawa. "Do you wanna go sit beside Tita Avery? Are you tired?"

"No. Joshua is sad, he doesn't want to play."

Napalingon kami parehas ni Uriel. Nakita naming nakaluhod na sa harap ni Joshua si Birada, and then suddenly he hugged the kid. My heart broke, lalo noong makita kong umaalog ang balikat ni Joshua.

"His Mommy said that she'll come for today, but she didn't. He thought that when a mommy promises something, it will come true. I told him that and when it didn't come true, he got mad at me." Nagyuko ng ulo si Haniel.

"Hayaan mo, anak, hindi natin siya bati." Uriel said. Siniko ko naman siya.

"Kung ano – anong tinuturo mo sa bata, para kang tanga." Hinawakan ko sa balikat si Haniel. "Baby, hindi naman siguro siya galit sa'yo, maybe he's just upset, when he feels better, he's gonna talk to you again and you'll be best friends."

Bigla ay naalala ko iyong sinabi ni Birada sa akin noong nakaraang araw – the fact that the kids wanted us to go together – like a family pero hind inga natuloy dahil sumama si Uriel. Napansin kong umalis iyong mag – ama. I kissed Haniel's cheek and told Uriel that I needed to do something. Pero sa totoo lang, sumunod lang ako sa mag – ama, I found them at the school's parking lot, nakatayo si Birada sa may gilid ng kotse niya. Nasa loob na si Joshua.

"Gerry..." I softly called on him. He turned to me. "Where are you two going? Hindi pa tapos ang event?" He sighed.

"Nagpapauwi na. Wala sa mood."

"I'm so sorry talaga... but, Haniel told me that his mom promised she'd come here right, nasaan siya?"

Gerry looked hurt. "Well, she arrived last week, noong Sunday lang namin nalaman, noong nagsabi kayo ni Hanhan na sasama iyong Daddy niya today, Joshua asked his mom to come and Alona – my ex promised him, he was really excited, but she didn't come, tinatawagan ko, hindi sumasagot. Kaya gusto na raw niyang umuwi. I was really looking forward today. I wanted to spend this day with him. Anyway... we'll be leaving."

"No!" I grabbed his hand. Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa kotse niya. Joshua was sitting on the backseat; he was clutching his sweatpants so hard. I held his hand and made him look at me.

"Honey baby, are you really leaving? Ayaw mo bang maglaro kasama si Hanhan?"

When he looked up to me, I literally heard my heart breaking to million pieces. He's eyes were glassy and he was biting his lip, an indication that he was trying so hard not to cry and for a kid like him hindi niya dapat ginagawa iyon.

"Wala naman akong mommy. Everyone has a completed family there, I only have my daddy."

I caressed his cheeks. "But I'm here. You call me Mommy, that makes me your mommy right? We can play with them, you can play with Hanhan's Daddy too. Uriel looks like a big bully in the park but he's a great sport."

Hindi siya nagsalita. Nagtuloy – tuloy ang pagtulo ng luha niya.

"Haniel said that when a mommy promises something she will make it real, why is my mom like that, Mommy?"

"I don't know, honey love." I hugged him tightly. "I just know that you're a beautiful boy, and you deserve all the love in the world. I let him cry. I could only wish that he could be calm after this. Ang tagal niyang iyak nang iyak hanggang sa siya na mismo ang kumawala sa yakap ko.

"Can I really play with you, Mommy Saina?" He sweetly asked and who am I to say no? I smiled and nodded.

Five minuted later, we're back in the school's ground, magkakasama ako si Uriel at si Birada, we were all cheering for our sons, flag relay ang laro at magkakampi kaming tatlo, tumakbo si Haniel, of course, Avery and I were cheering for our precious boy, kahit na ubo na siya nang ubo at kanina pa siya pinababalik ni Uriel sa loob ng van, tatapusin niya raw muna ang relay.

Pumwesto na si Uriel, parating na kasi si Haniel, he gave the flag to his dad, and then he ran, then Uriel gave the flag to Joshua, and the Joshua ran around the ground to go to his father, Birada runs as fast as he could for him to reach for the finish line and when he did, the team shouted – they won!

I was clapping and shouting so loud. Tumakbo kami ni Avery papunta sa kanila, Uriel got Avery in his arms, ako naman ay sinalubong ang dalawang bata. I kissed the two of them and ruffled their hairs. I was just so happy to see that both were happily playing like they should be. They are having the time of their lives and I was having mine too.

"Papa! You're great!" Sigaw ni Haniel. We were all jumping. Tuwang – tuwa talaga kaming lahat, even Birada was laughing so hard! Birada kissed the kids, and then he turned to me. I smiled at him and then he kissed me on the lips and suddenly I couldn't hear anything but that deafening beat of my fucking heart.

He. Kissed. Me. On. The. Lips.

It was so sudden that even after it, we were looking at each other, with nothing to say at all, just staring...

He kissed me. And everyone saw that. He kissed me.