Harold left around one in the morning while Kier chose to stay at my place. Hindi na lamang ako nakipagtalo pa sa gusto ni Kier at binigyan na lang siya ng kumot at unan para matulog sa sofa.

It was a good thing that Gael didn't wake up when we were fighting last night. Dahil kung nagising ang anak ko at makita niya kung paano kami mag-usap ng ama niya ay hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko.

Nagising na lamang ako nang may marinig akong ingay at tawanan mula sa labas ng kwarto ko. I could hear Gael's joyful laugh roaring around the place and Kier's deep laugh.

Bumangon ako at inayos ang damit ko. I walked towards the bathroom and washed my face first. I comb my hair when I was facing the mirror using my fingers before going out from my room.

The scene that welcomed my morning melted my heart. It was Kier running from Gael's back and acting like a beast who's after a boy.

My son's face is the real reflection of the words happiness and contentment. It was the view that I wouldn't tired looking on. Because never in the past years I've seen my son being happy like how he is right now. With Kier.

Gael was the first one who saw me. He waved his tiny hands on the air and smiled brightly at me.

"Mommy!" Masayang tawag niya sa akin.

My son stopped running and came to me. Doon ko naagaw ang atensiyon ni Kier na kanina ay na kay Gael lang.

Gael wrapped his arms around my neck and kiss my cheeks.

"Good morning, mommy!" Gael said after giving me a morning kiss.

"Morning..." Kier greeted me.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at hinalikan na lang din ang anak ko sa tungki ng ilong niya. What I did earned a giggle from him. Napangiti ako ng matamis.

"Good morning, baby..." I said. "Did you sleep well?" I asked.

Gael nodded his head quickly.

"Yes po, mommy! And guess what po?" hamon niya sa akin.

I arched my brow.

"Owww? What is it? Hmm?" Nakangiting ani ko.

Umalis si Gael mula sa akin at mabilis na pumunta kay Kier at humawak sa hita niya.

"I saw tito Kier cooking earlier, mommy! I was out from my room and them, boom! He was cooking sopas po!" Gael exaggeratedly exclaimed.

Napatawa ako sa reaksiyon ng anak ko. Well... He like sopas so much that he even cried for it.

I glanced at Kier who was smiling proudly while staring at me. I rolled my eyes and diverted my gaze away from him. I heard him tsked and grin.

"Paborito raw ng bata... Kaya nagluto ako. I... I hope you won't get mad?" Maingat na tanong niya.

I looked down at Gael. He was pouting as he stared at me.

You're really something, Kier...

I stood straight. Muli akong tumingin kay Kier.

"It's okay..." I answered. "You didn't even cooked for me before..."  I murmured.

Napangiwi na lamang ako sa lumabas sa bibig ko.

Enough, Haier. It's enough. Don't flatter yourself too much thinking that he'll do it this time, okay? I told myself.

It was only last night when we had a fight about telling it to Gael. But here I am right now, being jealous with my own son.

Huminga na lamang ako ng malalim bago magsalita ulit.

"Should we eat?" I tilted my head and asked him that.

Tumango siya sa akin.

"Sure," he said. "The table's ready." He pointed the kitchen using his lips.

Saglit akong lumingon sa kanan ko bago tumingin ulit sa kanya.

"Hmmm," I hummed. "Come on, anak, let's eat!" Yaya ko sa anak ko.

"I'll carry him 'til there," Kier suddenly said.

Nabaling ang tingin ko sa kanya. I caught him smiling a bit and nodding his head as if he's saying he really will.

I only shrugged my shoulder and turned my back before making my steps.

"There you go, buddy!" I heard Kier's voice.

Nakatalikod akong napangiti nang marinig ko iyon. He really wanted to get along with Gael. Even he didn't know yet that he's his son, he already wanted to get close with him.

Katabi ko si Gael sa kanan habang katabi ko naman si Kier sa kaliwa ko. He was the one who served us food and poured Gael's glass a milk and juice for me. Habang ang sa kanya naman ay kape.

We started having our breakfast quietly. But I felt Kier taking glances at me and passed to Gael. I continue eating as I bit my lip simply.

"Gael, anak..." I broke the silence.

Tumigil siya sa pagsubo at inosenting tumingin sa akin. Muli akong humugot nang malalim na hininga bago iyon pakawalan.

I felt my lips trembling slightly before I even uttered my words.

"Y-you want to know who's your d-daddy, right?" I asked my son.

Sa tanong kong iyon sa anak ko ay agad kong naramdamang nilingon ako ni Kier. Bigla kong naramdaman ang pamilyar na kaba sa loob ng dibdib ko nang maitanong ko na iyon ng harapan sa anak ko.

"Haier..." bulong ni Kier.

Gael put his spoon on the table and looked down. Napakagat labi ako.

"Gael, anak—"

I stopped when he looked up directly at me.

Anak...

Nakita ko kung paano mamasa ang gilid ng kanyang mga mata habang diretsong nakatingin sa akin. Pakiramdam ko ay tinutusok ang puso ko dahil sa hitsura ng anak ko.

"I want to hug and kiss him, mommy," a lone tear fell from the side of my eyes hearing my son saying it. "I want to ask him why he's not with us po," suminok siya. "I want to ask him if he don't like me so he's not with us, mommy..." Gael...

"Potangina." Dinig kong usal ni Kier.

Tumayo ako at nilapitan ang anak ko. I hugged him so tight as he started crying. Nakita kong tumayo si Kier at tumalikod mula sa amin. He was scratching the back of his head while walking back and forth. I felt the guilt again.

"Haier... My son, Haier. H-He's thinking that I-I don't like him, Haier," aniyang nakatingin na sa amin.

I saw the fear on his eyes because of Gael's questions. I could see clearly the fear and regrets that was on his eyes when he heard what did Gael said.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered.

Napakuyom siya ng mga palad niya at mariing nagpikit ng kanyang mga mata.

"I-I never dislike him, Haier," he stated in worries.

Tumango-tango ako bilang senyalis na alam ko kung ano ang sinasabi niya. Because it was actually my fault. Ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit nabuo ang mga tanong na iyon sa murang isipan ng anak ko.

It was all because of me...

Pumikit ako. Maybe... Maybe it is if I just tell my son the truth. That way, maybe that way, my son will be more happy. He will be the happiest.

I distant myself from Gael a bit. I wiped the tears on his face and forced my smile for him.

It's okay, Haier... Do it for your son...

"T-tito Kier is your d-daddy, baby..." I closed my eyes after saying it.

There. I already said it.

Bigla at pakiramdam ko nabunutan ako ng tinik sa aking lalamunan nang masabi ko iyon. My chest wasn't that heavy anymore but I still feel the shaking of my hands.

"M-mommy..."

"Haier..."

Nagmulat ako ng aking mga mata. Dahan-dahan kong nilingon si Kier na buka ang bibig na nakatingin sa akin. He was probably not expecting this to happen. But I want to tell my son the truth. I don't want to keep him from him anymore. Because I know that my son deserve to know. And Kier, he deserve to be acknowledge as his father.

Keeping it for too long, it will only give my son a heartbreak. It will only leave a scar on his heart thinking that his father didn't like him. And I don't want that.

As a mother, I always want my son the best. And I am sure that Gael being with his father, he will be the happiest.

"Tito Kier is your real daddy, anak..." I repeated.