#HHFM Chapter 23:

Marry

* * *

"Are you pregnant?"

Nasamid si Ryo sa iniinom na tubig at ilang ulit na umubo. Si Nate na nakaupo sa tabi niya, mabilis na kinuha ang baso ng tubig sa kaniyang tapat at inubos iyon sa isang lagok. Napatigil si Raianne sa pag-scroll sa phone niya habang kumakain at inangat ang tingin sa akin. This woman beside me looked at me like I was a ghost. Cali looked like all her blood dropped to her toes and wanted to get out of this house as quickly as possible.

"Ako?" maang-maangang tanong ni Cali sa akin.

I raised a brow. Tatatlo kaming babae rito sa lamesa. Ryo and Nate couldn't bear kids. Obviously, I couldn't be pregnant. Kapapanganak ko lang. I have no idea about Raianne's love life, pero hindi naman siya ang mukhang blooming. Hindi naman siya ang mukhang hindi nakakain nang ilang araw sa sobrang ganang kumain. Hindi rin siya ang may ibang aura. Si Cali.

I was not sure if it was because we have been friends for so long, but I knew that there was something different. Maybe she just did her hair and makeup well today. I had no idea why but my guts sensed that she's pregnant, but I could also just be imagining things.

"Sino pa ba?" tanong ko pabalik. Saglit na tumayo si Ryo at nagpunta sa lababo na ilang hakbang lang naman ang layo. Hindi pa rin siya natatapos sa kauubo niya.

Cali chuckled. Nervously. I mentally took note of that. She averted her gaze and waved her hands as if dismissing the topic.

"Hindi, a! Ang sabihin mo, na-miss mo lang ako. Saka bumagay 'yung gupit ko sa 'kin," aniya bago magpatuloy sa kinakain.

I let my stare linger on her face for a moment. She was right, though. Bumagay sa kaniya ang apple cut. She looked younger. Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magkaroon ng ibang pakiramdam. Memoryado ko na si Cali sa tagal naming tumira nang magkasama. Napapakiramdaman ko kung may nagbabago sa kaniya. Even the slightest change in her mood, I could tell.

I didn't press on the topic further. Bumalik na si Ryo sa puwesto niya, nahimasmasan na mula sa pagkakasamid. Bago siya umupo, kitang-kita ko ang pagpapabalik-balik ng tingin niya kina Cali at Nate, tapos, iiling na parang nangingilabot sa kung ano.

Earlier, when Raianne arrived here with Cali and Nate, lumukot na nang todo ang mukha niya. Up until now, wala pa ring nababanggit si Cali sa akin tungkol sa kanila ni Nate. All she told me was work related. I was convinced that her "work tea"—which has been revolving around a certain intern going in and out of our building—has something to do with Nate. Ayaw niya pa kasi akong diretsahin. Imbes na building namin ang sabihin niya, aminin na niyang opisina lang ni Nate ang tinutukoy niya.

Nate remained silent, and I didn't fail to notice how his posture went rigid. Parang gusto na nga niyang sawayin si Ryo na pinipilit hulihin ang mata niya. Mahina kong sinipa ang binti ni Ryo mula sa ilalim ng mesa para senyasan siyang tigilan si Nate. Hindi kasi makakain nang maayos iyong tao.

Mukhang pagod si Raianne sa biyahe at walang idea kung ano ang pinag-uusapan namin kanina. Hindi na ako nagtanong kung bakit nila kasama si Nate, pero siyempre, si Ryo, nang-usisa pa. Cali and Nate both ignored his interrogation, though.

"Saan kayo nagsi-stay?" tanong ko para mawala ang awkward silence. Hindi na tinatanan ni Ryo si Nate at talagang nagpupumilit na silipin ang mukha para mahagilap ang mata.

"Diyan lang sa malapit." Si Nate ang sumagot. I was sure that he was sharing a room with Cali, pero sinarili ko na lang ang komentong iyon. "May masa-suggest ka bang puwedeng puntahan dito? Baka puntahan namin ni Love bukas."

I think I gasped a little after that. Napaawang nang bahagya ang may laman pang bibig ni Ryo at napatulala ulit siya kay Nate. Nanginginig pa nang kaunti ang kamay ni Cali na humagip sa baso ng tubig at nilagok iyon. Even Raianne's brows shot up.

"Love?" natatawang tanong ni Raianne. Her eyes were wide with amusement as her gaze shifted from Cali to Nate. "I didn't know that you two were dating! Sabi mo, Ate, workmates lang kayo?"

Humagalpak ng tawa si Ryo. My initial plan was to pretend that I didn't notice Nate's endearment for Cali. Sigurado naman akong mabilis na makakapag-isip si Cali ng paraan para ibahin ang usapan at matabunan iyon. Too bad for her, though. Naunahan siya ng clueless na si Raianne at natawanan na siya ni Ryo.

Pulang-pula na ang mukha ni Cali. Nate looked like he wanted to smack Ryo's face to stop him from laughing. I didn't want Cali to feel embarrassed, so I tried my hardest not to laugh kahit na nakahahawa ang nang-aasar na tawa ni Ryo.

"Tapos ka nang kumain?" pag-iiba ko sa usapan. Sira na ang lipstick ni Cali sa ibabang labi dahil ibinaon niya roon ang ngipin niya. She looked at me like I caught her doing something bad before nodding.

"Love?" Nang-iinis ang tono ni Ryo. Masama na ang tingin sa kaniya ni Nate pero parang hindi naman siya tinatablan. "Dinaig n'yo pa kami ni Frankie e! Minsan nga lang ako tawaging 'babe' niyan!" Sumulyap siya sa akin.

"Sige na, labas na kayo," I told Cali, ignoring Ryo's comments. Cali looked like she was about to cry because of embarrassment and annoyance. Tumango at tumayo siya agad bago ako tulungang magligpit ng mga plato.

"Teka, kumakain pa ako e. Huwag n'yo naman akong pagligpitan ng mesa," alma ni Ryo na may laman pa nga ang plato.

"Dapat lang 'yan sa 'yo para hindi ka na makapag-asawa" was Cali's snarky reply. Ryo chuckled before giving her arm a light backhand slap.

"Huy, foul 'yon," narinig kong bulong niya. Inambahan siya ni Cali na hahampasin ng place mat at natawa lang naman siya roon.

Pinalabas ko na sina Cali dahil bukod sa hindi ko naman siya hahayaang magligpit ng pinagkainan, mukha rin siyang sasabog na talaga sa pagkapikon kay Ryo.

When I was finally alone with Ryo, sinabihan ko siyang huwag nang ungkatin dahil napipikon na sa kaniya si Cali.

"Si Nate lang naman ang inaasar ko e," katwiran niya. I rolled my eyes at that and shook my head. Kumakain pa rin siya habang nagpupunas ako ng mesa. Magana talaga siyang kumain. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya isinisiksik ang lahat ng kinakain niya.

"Tapos ka na ba?" I asked. Inubos ko ang lamang tubig ng baso niya para maligpit ko na. He frowned.

"Iwan mo na sa lababo 'yung kinainan. Ako na ang magliligpit. Saka huwag mo nga akong pag-ayusan ng mesa habang kumakain pa. 'Pag ako talaga, hindi nakapag-asawa. . . ."

I snorted at that. If he gave me the ring the moment I found it in his luggage, then he wouldn't have to worry about those superstitious beliefs.

I shook my head and shooed those bitter thoughts away. Kinalimutan ko na nga ang pakiramdam kong asang-asa roon e.

I let out a dramatic gasp. "Oh, no. Baka nga hindi ka makapag-asawa," I said, just to stress him out.

Lumalim ang pagkakasimangot niya. I chuckled when he rolled his eyes before taking a spoonful of rice and tapa. Smiling, I poked his cheek. Umiling lang siya sa akin at nagkunwaring nagtatampo pa bago tumayo, bitbit ang plato niyang wala nang laman papunta sa lababo. I lifted a brow at that.

Siya pa ang may ganang magtampo? E ako nga ang pinaasa niya?

"Ako na rito," aniya. Hinihintay ko pa naman siyang matapos sa lababo para sana magligpit. "Doon ka na kay Cali habang tulog pa si Raiko. Mamaya, hindi ka na naman tatantanan n'on kaiiyak."

I chuckled. It was true, though. Whenever Raiko's awake, I am practically glued to the bed. Para siyang gumigising lang tuwing nakararamdam ng gutom, at kapag busog na, tutulog na ulit. I nurse Raiko in my room, dahil kahit na parang okay na si Tatay kay Ryo, ang sama pa rin ng tingin niya tuwing makikita kaming magkalapit masyado, o sa tuwing nakatingin si Ryo sa akin. For now, we just have to put up with it.

"Wow. Very househusband material," I joked. His frown turned to a pout before he finally broke into a smile.

"Pasado ba?" tanong niya at pumaling sa akin.

Nagkunwari pa akong nag-iisip. Nanliit agad ang mga mata niya. I chuckled and tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek. "Yup. Five out of five stars."

* * *

The next day, I woke up earlier than usual. After taking a bath and bathing Raiko, I knocked on Ryo's door. Kahit na puwede ko naman iyong buksan na lang dahil wala ngang doorknob at may tela lang na nakasiksik sa butas, kumatok pa rin ako. Baka kasi mamaya, nagbibihis pala siya o ano.

I received no response. Baka tulog pa.

Carefully, I pushed the door open with my hip. Sumilip ako nang bahagya at nang mapansing maimis na ang kama niya, nilawakan ko na ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. I turned to my side and let Raiko see the empty bed. His small head was resting just on my chest, neck steady, little fingers gripping the ruffles of my shirt. His eyes roamed inside the room.

"Wala si daddy mo," I told him. He just shifted his gaze at me like what a normal infant would do before going back to touching the ruffles of my shirt.

I thought I would find him downstairs, forcing himself to down a mug of coffee he obviously didn't like and watching the morning news with my father, but I didn't. Si Nanay lang ang naabutan ko sa kusina at saka si Louie na maaga sa amin dahil may pinababarnisan si Tatay—na wala rin doon.

"Sina Ryo po?" tanong ko kay Nanay bago umupo sa tabi niya. May nakasalang nang sinaing habang busy siya sa pagsasagot ng crossword sa diyaryo. Nakalapag sa mesa ang malunggay na hindi pa nahihimay.

"May kakausapin daw na kakilala sa munisipyo at may pi-pick up-in na kahoy. Ewan ko roon. Hiniram 'yung owner nina Eddy at si Ryo ang pinagmaneho," sagot niya, hindi inaalis ang tingin sa hawak na papel.

I nodded. Raiko's hand wandered to my face, and I gently bit his finger with my lips. That earned me a little sound from him. I chuckled before kissing his small hand and standing up. Bumaba ulit ang kamay niya sa T-shirt ko.

Pumunta ako sa salas at maingat siyang inilapag sa kuna. He seemed so comfortable being placed on my chest, but I needed to get some chores done. Bahagya pa siyang umungot nang mailapag. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa ni Ryo at kapag siya ang naglalapag, hindi naman ito nagrereklamo.

The crib had wheels, so it was easier to bring Raiko closer to Nanay. I sent a text to Ryo before preparing breakfast. I know Tatay made him his personal driver for today, so I didn't call.

"Tayo lang po ba ang kakain?" tanong ko kay Nanay. I checked my phone at ang reply lang ni Ryo e nasa labas nga sila ni Tatay. He didn't say what time they would be home or if they could make it to breakfast.

"Tawagin mo si Louie sa labas. Isabay na natin," utos ni Nanay na sinunod ko. Hindi pa rin nakauuwi sina Ryo hanggang matapos kaming kumain at inaayos na ni Nanay ang pinagkainan.

I ended up calling him. Wala naman na akong gagawin kundi magpalipas ng oras at magluto ulit pagdating ng tanghali. I missed going to work and looking at my deadlines, but I knew that it wouldn't be so easy once I'm done with my leave. How Ryo and I would figure out our setup, I have no idea yet. But we'll make it work, that's for sure.

Nakailang ring na pero hindi siya sumasagot kaya pinatay ko na ang tawag. I called him again and this time, he answered, pero ibinaba niya rin naman agad. Before I could call him for the third time, he texted, telling me to call later instead. Patay na ang phone niya nang subukan ko ulit tumawag.

Instead of worrying about it, I've decided to clean up my room a bit and talk more with Raiko. Kapag kasi narito si Ryo, lagi siyang nanonood kapag kinakausap ko ang bata. The smile he wears every time I would do some baby talk makes me feel embarrassed, kaya naman madalas, tahimik na lang ako.

"Wala pa rin sila, 'Nay?" tanong ko nang malapit nang magtanghalian pero hindi pa rin sila nagpaparamdam.

Ryo's phone was still off, and I couldn't contact him. Ayaw kong mabahala dahil kasama naman niya si Tatay, pero sa isang banda, iyon nga mismo ang pinag-aalala ko—na kasama niya si Tatay.

He shouldn't have turned his phone off, para naman alam ko kung napaano na sila ni Tatay sa daan. O baka naman biglang nagalit si Tatay sa kaniya, tinangay ang owner, at iniwan na lang siya sa kung saan. Sigurado naman akong mayroong perang dala si Ryo at kayang umarkila ng tricycle pabalik dito sa amin, pero kahit na.

"Wala pa, e. Pero baka naman pauwi na rin." Nanay didn't seem worried, so I tried my best to calm down.

Kung kukuha lang naman sila ng materyales, hindi naman iyon ganoong kalayo. It would take them less than an hour to get back here. Pero kanina pa kasi sila nasa labas, so I was not sure if they went somewhere else or if they couldn't find the materials Tatay was looking for.

Kami lang ulit ni Nanay ang kumain ng tanghalian. Kinalaunan ay iniwan din ako ni Nanay dahil pupunta na siya sa palengke. Louie's work was done, too, so the house was left to Raiko and me.

Sa labas na ako umupo dahil may silong naman at hindi gaanong kainit. Raiko's cheek was pressed against my chest, his hands busy touching the ruffles of my shirt. I had nothing else to do but worry about Ryo and Tatay. Wala naman akong makausap dahil hindi pa naman nagsasalita itong anak namin.

"Ang tagal ng daddy mo, kumain na kaya iyon?" I lowered my gaze to Raiko's eyes. His head moved a little. How would he know, anyway?

Hindi ko pa rin ma-contact ang phone ni Ryo kaya si Tatay na lang ang tinawagan ko, hoping that he would answer because my father doesn't really care about his phone. Madalas ngang pakalat-kalat ang phone niya sa workspace niya, wala siyang pakialam kung madaganan ng kahoy o matabunan ng kung ano. The only reason why he was keeping his phone was because I live far from them. Kung hindi ko naman sila tatawagan, baka matagal nang natabunan ng pinaglihaan ng kahoy ang kawawang phone ni Tatay.

My phone was on loudspeaker. Panay lang ang ring n'on sa tabi ko. Sa pang-anim na ring, saktong may tumigil na tricycle sa tapat ng bahay.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansing si Tatay lang ang sakay n'on.

Where's Ryo? At nasaan ang owner? Bakit nag-commute siya pabalik?

Pinatay ko na ang tawag bago siya makalapit sa amin ni Raiko.

"Kumain na ba kayo? Ang Nanay?" tanong niya. Pagkatapos ay tinanggal niya ang lumang-luma nang sombrero at isinabit sa pakong nakausli sa may pinto.

"Umalis na po. Si Ryo po, nasaan?"

Lumapit siya at bahagyang tinapik-tapik ang hita ni Raiko. "A, e iniwan ko muna sa m—" Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin. Both of my brows shot up, waiting for him to finish his sentence. "Sa ano. . . ." Napatayo siya nang maayos. Paulit-ulit lang siyang kumurap sa akin. Ganoon din ako sa kaniya. What? Don't tell me he threatened Ryo to drive away from here!

"Saan po?" Bumaba ang tingin ko sa phone nang umilaw iyon. My forehead creased upon seeing Nate's name on my email notifications. I made sure that my left arm's hold on Raiko was secure before opening the email.

"D'on sa may kuhaan ng rattan. Pinagbantay ko muna," rinig kong sabi ni Tatay.

Tumango na lang ako dahil abala sa binabasang email. A few raw transcripts and a few files were attached for review. Seeing that it was about work made my blood rush in excitement. I could hear how Nate's basically begging me to take the job, even if I'm still on my leave because a certain someone was getting mad at him for contacting an intern while they were supposedly on vacation.

Napangiti ako roon. Selosa pala si Cali. I was scanning the files when Tatay called my name and handed me a ballpen. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang hawak niyang brown envelope.

"Papirma nga ako. May kukunin lang akong dokumento kaya ako dumaan dito sa bahay e."

"Ano po 'yan?" I asked, putting my phone down and taking the pen. Umungot si Raiko kaya naman sa kaniya napunta ulit ang tingin ko. Lumukot na naman ang mukha at mukhang paiyak nang walang dahilan.

"E, pirmahan mo na lang. Nagmamadali ako e. Baka palya-palya iyong si Ryo ro'n," aniya. The document was folded that I could only see my name and Tatay's. Pumirma ako sa taas ng sa akin. Before I could flip the paper open, Tatay grabbed it from me quickly.

"Aalis na ulit ako," aniya.

Bago pa man ako makapagtanong kung nakakain na sila ni Ryo, bumunghalit na ng iyak si Raiko. I stood up and shushed him. Parang may switch na pinindot at bigla siyang tumahimik. I really don't understand how a newborn's mind works.

"May ID ka ba riyan? Pahiram na nga rin ako," pahabol ni Tatay.

"Para saan po?" tanong ko. "Nando'n po sa kuwarto ko. Nasa wallet."

"A, humingi kasi ako ng palugit do'n sa pinagkuhanan ko ng kahoy. 'Di pa nagbabayad 'yung kliyente e. Humihingi sa 'kin ng ID, pangalan mo na lang ang ilalagay ko, ha? Babayaran naman 'yon ngayong linggo." Pahina nang pahina ang boses niya habang pumapasok sa bahay para umakyat sa kuwarto.

Tatay left before I could even remind him to pick Nanay up and go home before dinner. He was clutching the brown envelope and my ID on his right hand and running after an empty tricycle as if he were in a great hurry.

Napanatag naman ako kahit papaano. At least, Ryo's safe at hindi siya iniligaw ni Tatay sa kung saan. Hopefully, nakapag-lunch na sila.

Nawala rin agad iyon sa isip ko dahil inabala ako ng s-in-end ni Nate. Raiko and I went back inside. I had to put him in his crib while I settled on a small table in my room. Ngayon ko na lang ulit bubuksan ang laptop ko para magtrabaho.

For a moment, I got too occupied and too distracted to even think about Ryo and Tatay. Patay lang sa akin si Ryo mamaya kung pinatayan niya ako ng phone on purpose. Mukhang gusto lang niyang mag-alala ako.

It seemed like Nanay would go home a bit late, so I took care of dinner. Pirmi lang si Raiko sa dibdib ko habang kumikilos ako sa kusina. Ang problema lang, kapag tinatablan ng ngalay ang mga binti ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang pag-upong gagawin nang hindi nahahalata ni Raiko. I have no idea why he kept on crying whenever I would sit down.

Akala ko, kasabay na ni Nanay sina Ryo kaya siya na-late, pero hindi pala. Mag-isa lang na dumating si Nanay.

"Wala pa ang tatay mo?" tanong niya habang nagtatanggal ng sapatos bago pumasok. I picked up her bayong from the floor and put it on the table. Hindi pa ako kumakain kahit nagugutom na dahil hinihintay ko pa sina Ryo. I couldn't believe he had his phone off for the whole day!

"Wala pa po e. Nasaan na raw po ba?" I asked.

It was hard to keep myself busy in this place. Wala naman akong ibang gagawin dahil nasimot na ni Nanay ang lahat ng alikabok bago siya umalis. I was done with the tasks Nate assigned to me. Maagang umuwi si Louie kanina pa kaya wala rin akong makausap. Maybe I should have taken Raiko to the nearest mall. Naglakad-lakad na lang sana kami roon at doon na nagpalipas ng oras.

Umiling si Nanay. "E, baka nasa munisipyo pa. Iyon ang huling balita ko e. I-text mo at sabihing hapunan na."

Sinunod ko ang utos ni Nanay. When I asked about what Tatay was doing there, she just shrugged. Baka nilubos-lubos na ni Tatay na may driver siya ngayon. Hindi na kasi siya puwedeng mag-drive kapag dumidilim na dahil medyo malabo na ang mata.

"'Labas lang kami ni Raiko, 'Nay," paalam ko. Usually, I like silence. Pero ngayon, hindi ko na kayang tagalan na wala akong ginagawa kundi tumitig sa pader.

"Hindi ka pa kakain? Saan ka pupunta?" tanong ni Nanay na nagsasandok na ng kanin para sa sarili.

I shook my head. "Diyan lang po sa labas. Hintayin ko na po si Ryo." I made sure that Raiko's head was fully covered before going out.

Sa may likod-bahay lang naman kami pupunta. It offered a view of the sunset. Ilang puno lang ang humaharang. I would rather watch the sunset with Raiko than have permanent wrinkles on my forehead while worrying about his father—na hanggang ngayon, hindi man lang nakaisip na mag-text.

I made sure that Raiko would see the colors. I watched the sunset behind his wide, curious eyes. I don't think he would be able to see the skies clearly. He moved his head for a second before settling on a position where his ears would rest just above my chest. He brought one of his small hands near his neck.

Before the skies could turn completely dark, we went back home. Wala pa rin ang owner sa tapat ng bahay at walang senyales na nakauwi na sina Ryo. Si Nanay lang ang naabutan kong nanonood ng TV.

"Wala pa po sila?" I asked. My hunger was starting to kick in, but I wanted to wait for Ryo. Pagagalitan ko pa siya.

"Wala pa e. Pauwi na 'yon, sigurado. Kumain ka na dahil baka kumain na 'yung dalawang 'yon sa labas."

Tumango ako pero hindi ako kumain. I brought Raiko upstairs to clean him up. I took a bath the moment he fell asleep. I just got out of the bathroom when I heard the sound of the engine downstairs. I checked on Raiko first, making sure he was warm and comfortable, before rushing downstairs.

Kasunod nga ni Tatay si Ryo. Nagpupunas si Ryo ng bimpo sa mukha niya habang si Tatay, nakita kong dumeretso sa dining.

Mabuti naman at narito na sila. I don't think I could sleep in peace if not.

"Sino ang nagluto?" rinig kong tanong ni Tatay.

"Si Ceskang," sagot ni Nanay. "Kumain na ba kayo?"

"Ay, sayang. Kumain na kami ni Ryo sa labas."

Napatigil si Ryo sa pagpupunas ng mukha nang pumunta ako sa harapan niya. I made sure that a frown was evident on my face, and the creases on my forehead were clear. "Bakit patay maghapon ang phone mo?" I whispered.

He scratched the back of his head before fishing out his phone from the pockets of his shorts. He pushed the power button and I watched his phone light up. Pagkatapos, nakita kong lowbatt na lowbatt siya.

He raised his apologetic gaze at me. "Sorry na. Lowbatt ako, hindi ako nakapag-charge bago umalis. Nagmamadali ang tatay mo e."

I narrowed my eyes at him, and there I noticed how tired he looked. Pumalatak ako bago tumango at alisin ang pagkakakunot ng noo ko. Imbes na magtampo, naawa pa ako. Sigurado naman akong hindi kaya ni Ryo na magreklamo kay Tatay na pagod na siya.

"Matulog na kayo, gabi na," rinig kong sabi ni Tatay sa may likuran namin. Napalingon ako sa kaniya. "Doon ka sa kuwarto mo, Ryo."

Mabilis ang sagot ni Ryo roon. "Opo."

"Hindi pa nakain 'yang anak mo," sabi ni Nanay. Naramdaman ko ulit ang gutom nang banggitin niya iyon. I pouted. Kumain na pala sina Tatay. Ibig sabihin, wala akong kasabay.

"Kakain na po ako tapos aakyat na rin. Mauna na po kayo," sabi ko. Tinanguan lang ako ni Tatay na mukhang pagod din. Buong araw ba naman silang wala. Sabay silang umakyat ni Nanay habang si Ryo, sumunod sa akin sa kusina.

"Bakit 'di ka pa nagdi-dinner? Nagluto ka?" tanong niya, humihila ng upuan sa tapat ko.

I nodded before settling on the chair across from him. He cupped his forehead with his palm before pushing his chair back and grabbing a plate. My brows furrowed.

"Kumain na kayo ni Tatay, 'di ba?" tanong ko. Wala naman akong sama ng loob doon. Mas okay nga iyong kumain na siya at hindi nalipasan ng gutom, lalo na't pagod na pagod yata siya.

"Oo nga. Kakain ulit ako," aniya, at sinandukan ang sarili niya ng kanin.

"Hindi ka pa ba busog?" I asked.

"Busog na." He went back near the sink to get himself a spoon and fork.

"Bakit ka pa kakain? You should take a bath and rest. Maghapon mo yatang pinagmaneho si Tatay."

Nagbuntonghininga lang siya ulit at umiling. Inulit ko ang sinabi ko pero parang wala siyang narinig at sumandok na ng ulam. Hinayaan ko na lang tuloy.

I was in the middle of eating my dinner when I noticed that he wasn't touching his food. He was just holding his spoon and fork, watching me eat. I looked at him questioningly. Sabi ko kasing umakyat na at magpahinga e. It's not like I would throw a fit just because he didn't join me for dinner.

My confusion turned to worry when I noticed how he looked at me. My eyes went down to his hands and saw how he was gripping the utensils so hard his knuckles almost turned white. Napabalik ang tingin ko sa mukha niya nang umangat ang isang kamao niya roon. He wiped away a tear that escaped so quickly, but my eyes were way quicker to notice.

"Bakit?" I asked and almost stood up from my seat. He shook his head at me and chuckled.

"Sige na, kumain ka lang diyan," he replied, dismissing my question.

"Bakit nga, Ryo? Nakita ko 'yon," tukoy ko sa luha niya. Imbes na sumagot ay pinuno niya ng kanin at ulam ang bibig. He shook his head at me once again before reaching for my hand and caressing it for a moment before going back to eating. Hindi ko maituloy ang pagkain ko dahil mahihirapan akong lumunok. Quota na siya para sa araw na ito. Buong araw na niya akong pinag-alala.

"Wala nga, Kie," aniya nang mapansing pinanonood ko lang siya. Obviously, he was having a hard time finishing what was on his plate. I know him. Malakas at mabilis siyang kumain. Pakiramdam ko, pinipilit lang niya akong sabayan ngayon.

"Ano nga?" I asked, frustrations and worries warping into one desperate tone. Huminga lang siya nang malalim at kumuha ng tubig na maiinom.

"Ryo," I called out to him worriedly. His smile was tight-lipped and clearly, forced.

"'Yung huling ipinagluto mo ako tapos late na akong dumating, hiniwalayan mo ako e." My heart dropped at that. Humugot ulit siya ng malalim na hininga at nginitian ako. "Naalala ko lang naman. Sige na, kumain na tayo."

I groaned upon seeing how he was suddenly emotional. How could I continue eating when he brought that up? Seeing him struggle to chew on his food while blinking back his tears was a pain, too. I pushed back my chair and went to his side, enveloping him in a tight hug from the back, hoping that it was warm enough to comfort him.

"That was a completely different situation," I whispered. He sank into my hold, his head beside mine. One of his large hands covered my arm.

I felt him nod. We stayed silent while I waited for him to calm down for a bit. His hand went down to mine.

"Pakakasalan mo ba talaga ako?" he asked, his thumb and index finger tracing a spot on my hand.

Lumayo ako nang kaunti para sipatin ang mukha niya. There was a gentle smile on his face. "Is that a proposal? Baka naman pinapaasa mo lang ulit ako."

He chuckled, which instantly sent away the dark clouds looming over the dining table. "E, paano 'yan, nasa taas 'yung singsing?"

"It's fine. I'll just wear it at the wedding proper."

Natawa siya ulit doon. I found myself smiling after hearing his laugh.

"Get down on one knee now, Ryo," I commanded jokingly. His chuckles got louder, which would probably call Tatay's attention, but I didn't care. He didn't let go of my hand as I settled on the seat beside him.

I swallowed and kept my giggles at the back of my throat when he did get on one knee. We stared at each for a while, both of us probably laughing inside our heads.

"Will you marry me, Frankie?"

Napanguso ako roon. He raised both of his brows when I stayed silent for a moment. Habang tumatagal ang pananahimik ko, gumagapang na ang pag-aalala sa mata niya.

Hah. That's for worrying me the whole day.

Because I was sure that he would end up wailing and waking the neighbors up if I would jokingly say no, and because I was eager to marry him that I wouldn't complain if we were to get married tomorrow, I nodded. "Of course."

He slipped an imaginary ring through my finger before bringing the back of my palm to his lips, damping a sweet kiss. I gently swatted away his hand to pull his chin and steal a kiss on his lips, not minding the sound of Tatay's footsteps against our creaking stairs.