Chapter Five

Inabot sa akin ni Jessie ang bowl ng mixed vegetables na ginawa ni Aly, nasa harap siya ni Eve na katabi ko sa hapag at maganang kumakain ng sausage na talagang ipinaluto pa niya sa mga kasambahay dahil ayaw niya ang mga ulam na nakahain.

It was dinner and my friends had decided to have dinner here since my house was nearer from the Eve's Seoul.

Si Aly ay medyo na-late ng dating dahil galing pa siya sa Incheon pero naka-abot naman. Isa pa, kung sa bahay nila sila mag-di-dinner ay kailangan pang magluto ni Evah, she just didn't let Weng ahjumma maneuver her kitchen to cook. She was very particular when it came to her kitchen seriously, kahit nga rito sa bahay ay madalas niyang paki-alaman ang gawain ng mga kasambahay sa kusina.

Really, I couldn't imagine her wearing a doctor's robe because chef uniform suited her more, though nakikita kong hindi niya kinakalimutan ang practices ng pagiging nurse, she was still a registered nurse after all.

Sinenyasan ko si Jessie na ako na ang bahalang magpakain kay Eve dahil balak ata niyang subuan ng gulay ang bata na alam naman naming hindi madaling gawin lalo na at may pinagmanahan talaga si Eve sa ugali at pagkatao. Tumango si Jesse para hayaan na ako at nagpatuloy na lang sa pagkain.

"Eve, mahal ko, you should eat vegetables," sabi ko sa anak ko bago magtangkang sumandok ng mga gulay para ilagay sa pinggan niya.

"No—mhm. Not like it," umiiling na sagot niya habang ngumunguya, ni hindi man lang ako nilingon, ang mga maliliit niyang kamay ay maingat na hawak ang pares ng kutsara't tinidor niya na pina-customize pa ni Bien para sa kaniya.

She had her own Finn and Jake silverware. Ulo ni Finn ang nasa tuktok ng kulay puti niyang kutsara at ulo naman ni Jake ang nasa tuktok ng kulay orange niyang tinidor. Marami siyang ganoong pares sa totoo lang, samantalang ang pares naman ng puting kiddie chopsticks niya ay nasa gilid ng plato niya at unused pa rin. Her plate was full of sliced sausages and a bit of white rice. Ang dino nuggets niya ay hindi pa dumarating dahil kakasalang pa lang yata.

I was happy that she was eating but I was not liking how she was not eating healthy foods, I was not happy how she did really take after me.

Bumuntong-hininga ako saka ibinaba ang bowl ng mixed vegetables sa tabi ng plato ko, may ilang mga vegetables na rin ang makikita sa akin dahil natutunan ko nang kumain ng gulay pero kakaunti lang. I now considered cucumbers and lettuces.

"She really did take after you. Though, nakakapagtaka lang kasi napaka-vegetarian mo noong pinagbubuntis mo siya. Akala ko nga ay lalabas na mahilig sa gulay iyang si Chan," ani Evah nang sumulyap ako sa kaniya para manghingi ng tulong. She gracefully lifted the napkin on her lap to wipe the sides of her lips after drinking water.

Napangiwi pa ako nang banggitin niya ang paglilihi ko sa gulay noon dahil hindi ko lubos-maisip kung paano kong nagawa iyon. I couldn't believe that I really did eat vegetables during my conceiving term. Matatanggap ko kung fried potatoes ang mga kinakain ko noon pero natatandaan kong madalas akong magpaluto kay Evah ng Zucchini noon, pinapapak ko pa!

Uh, I didn't want to remember!

"Chan," malambing na tawag ni Evah sa anak ko na hindi man lang naabala sa pagkain. "You know health comes first before everything, right?" Pagpapatuloy ni Evah sa malambing na tono nang mag-angat si Eve sa kaniya ng tingin.

Naiwang naka-ipit sa maninipis na labi ng bata ang tinidor niyang may isang hiwa ng sausage. Kumalat na sa bibig niya ang ketchup, mabuti na lang at nakatali sa leeg niya ang table napkin.

"Yes, Tita Evah. That's what you always tell me," Eve answered blinking, pulling the fork away from her mouth to pick another piece of sausage from her plate.

Ngumiti ng pagkatamis-tamis si Evah. "Right. We don't want our worms to grow bigger inside our stomach, right? So we need vegetables 'cause it helps us kill those worms."

Pinanood ko ang maingat na pagkain ni Eve habang nakikinig siya kay Evah, mahinhin talaga ang batang ito. Makulit siya dahil natural naman sa bata ang ganoon pero hindi siya iyong tipo ng batang kailangan palaging bantayan. Iyong nangyari sa kaniya sa school playground, ikinagulat at ikinatakot ko iyon dahil hindi naman iyon madalas mangyari sa kaniya.

Normally, she would just keep quiet, stay in one place and would only speak if she needed anything. Lumaki siyang ganoon, siguro dahil talagang nakuha niya ang ugali ko dahil ayaw ko namang isipin na baka maging outcast siya. I wanted her to enjoy her childhood, not how I had spent my childhood.

"But they don't taste good, Tita Evah," nakangusong sagot ni Eve kay Evah, ang mga labi ay unti-unti nang humahaba habang mabagal pa ring ngumunguya.

Nagpigil ako ng ngiti dahil ganyang-ganyan din kung i-describe ko ang gulay, parang hinahaplos ang puso ko na makita ang sarili ko sa kaniya at pakiramdam ko napupunan nito iyong pagkakalayo namin ng halos isang taon. If only I had the courage to bring her to the Philippines and break to my presence the very existence of my daughter but I knew, I would only literally break her if I did that.

Tumikhim si Em kaya natuon ang atensyon namin ni Evah sa kaniya, sinenyasan niya kami na susubukan niya kaya tinanguan ko siya habang sina Jessie at Aly ay nanonood lang.

"Try it first, baby," sabi ni Em sa parehong malambing na tinig. Siya ang kaharap ko samantalang katabi ni Eve si Aly sa kabilang gilid niya.

Eve slowly shook her head. "Don't wanna." At nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain.

Bigong binalingan ako nina Em at Evah, parehong malungkot ang mga mata at bagsak ang mga balikat. This was the bad side of Eve taking after me. Maging ang tigas ng ulo ko ay namana niya rin.

Hindi namin napilit si Eve na kumain ng gulay. She just ate her sausage and her beef broth, totally ignoring all the vegetables in the table.

"Puwedeng iwan ko na lang si Eve kay Jessie bukas, Em." I told Em when we finished eating.

Sinama ni Jessie si Eve sa kuwarto para paliguan dahil sa pawisan ito kanina pagkagaling sa school. Kami nina Evah, Em at Aly ay nagpunta sa sala para pag-usapan ang mangyayari bukas sa dadaluhan naming premiere night ng pelikula ni Em.

"What? Why? Bakit hindi mo isasama ang napaka-cute kong inaanak? Isasama natin siya! Para makita ng buong mundo ang isa sa mga inspirasyon ko!" Agad na kinontra ni Em ang sinabi ko na ikinabigla ko kasi inaasahan kong hindi siya papayag na magdala ng bata sa premiere.

"Are you serious? Baka isipin ng mga fans mo, may anak ka na!" natatawang sabi ni Evah.

Bukod doon, iniisip ko ring baka hindi makapagtrabaho ng maayos si Em kapag kasama si Eve dahil panigurado namang hindi niya pakakawalan ang bata, lalo na at napapansin kong malapit talaga sila sa isa't isa. Madalas silang magkasama at naglalaro ng kung ano sa tablet nitong nakaraang araw dahil wala masyadong scheduled work si Em, parati siyang dumadalaw rito sa bahay samantalang si Bien naman ang naging abala.

Umirap si Em. "Kung kasing cute ni Chan, okay lang!" aniya saka ngumisi ng malapad.

Sinasabi ko na nga ba.

"Wait… wait! I think you need to invite Bien too, Hanselle," sabi ni Aly saka baling sa akin at binigyan ako ng nakakalokong tingin.

Yeah right, she just wouldn't stop teasing me. Lahat sila actually. They all thought there was something going on between Bien and I. We were not dating but they all knew the status of our relationship.

"Of course! Siya pa ba ang makakalimutan ko? I already invited him to be Hanselle's date tomorrow night!" Si Em ang sumagot saka pumalakpak pa siya na tipong kailangan naming matuwa sa nagawa niya.

I face-palmed just showing them I was so done already. Binabalak ko naman talagang imbitahin siya pero naunahan na pala ako ni Em. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako habang pinag-uusapan na nila kung ano ang mga isusuot nila bukas.

Em actually just sounded like a love cupid, matching her favorite lovers. I knew very well that they wanted what was between Bien and I to get to the next level. Because they trusted him.

Madalas kong sinusulyapan si Eve na nananahimik sa backseat habang nasa kotse kami ni Bien patungo sa lugar kung saan magaganap ang premiere night ng pelikula ni Em. Narinig kong isang sikat at beteranong aktor ang kasama niya sa pelikula. Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit 'talk of the town' ang magaganap ngayong gabi.

"You look tensed." Puna sa akin ni Bien na siyang nasa driver's seat at prenteng nagmamaneho.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapanganga hanggang ngayon at sambahin siya sa isipan ko dahil napakaguwapo niya ngayon sa suot niyang puting tuxedo, sa loob ay light pink na long sleeves na ipinares niya rin sa light pink na bowtie. At kahit naka-upo siya ay napakaprominente ng mga hita niya dahil sa pagkakahapit ng puti niyang slacks. His hair was parted, showing his disrespectful forehead.

Just how many girls would helplessly get drowned with this goodness? He was like a Prince who stepped out of his palace to find his prospect wife to be his Queen.

I felt so little around him with my light pink cocktail dress. Ito na talaga ang balak kong isuot para sa gabing ito. Upon knowing it, he had chosen light pink color for his bowtie and long sleeves. Wala naman akong nadalang damit na mas bobongga pa sa suot ko. Because seriously, nanliit lang naman ako sa sarili ko at naisipang napaka-simple lang ng suot ko nang makita ko ang ayos niya.

He had this appeal that could make me feel so out of his style.

Nakalugay lang ang hindi lalagpas sa balikat kong buhok. I got it colored in red on its ends for a change. Ilang linggo na ito. Si Chelsea kasi, sa tuwing nababagot siya ay inaaya niya akong lumabas at isa ang pagpunta sa salon sa mga ginusto niyang gawin namin.

"At this rate, you might get the attention that the actor should get," naka-irap na sabi ko sa kaniya matapos kong bawiin kay Eve ang tingin ko para ibaling sa kaniya.

"What? Talk to yourself. I'm afraid, reporters will flock around my girl more than they flock around Em," aniyang ngumunguso habang pasulyap-sulyap lang sa akin dahil kailangan niyang mag-focus sa daan. Hindi na kasi niya inistrobo si Bok para ipagmaneho kami. He was just so considerate for a boss, seriously.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at itinoon na lang ang pansin sa labas dahil sa pag-iinit ng mga pisngi ko. We were now caught up in a traffic because of the stop light but we still had time. Talagang inagahan namin ang alis para naman hindi namin maabala si Em. If I knew, reporters would surely flock around me because I was with him. They would get curious as to who was the girl he was with. Lalo na at simula nang ma-disband sila ay wala pa siyang inihaharap na babae sa media.

Sina Evah at Aly ay papunta na rin daw pero hindi sila magkasama. Anila ay may mga sasakyan naman sila kaya't magmamaneho na lang sila.

"Tito Bien, will I get to see Tita Em's big boss?" Si Eve ang pumutol sa katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan. And this kid, for just a kid like her, she seemed to be knowing what was happening around her to ask something like that.

Nilingon ko siyang muli. I didn't know she had dresses like she was wearing now in her closet. Si Evah pala ang bumili sa kaniya nito.

She was wearing a hot pink princess ball gown that had sequins all over the top. Ang kulot niyang buhok ay naka-french bun while her bangs were neatly brushed down at may suot siyang puting maliit na korona sa tuktok ng ulo niya… that was courtesy of Aly's fashionable hands. Her hands were covered with white lacy gloves and she really did sport her princess style well.

"Of course, baby. You'll behave, right?" sagot ni Bien kay Eve na bahagyang sinulyapan lang sa rearview mirror.

"I'm a good girl, Tito Bien." Inosenteng tumango si Eve, naka-ekis ang seatbelt sa katawan niya dahil masyadong maingat si Bien.

Sa tuwing magkakasama kami sa loob ng sasakyan niya ay kung kinakailangan itali niya kami ni Eve ng seatbelt ay gagawin niya para lang sa kaligtasan namin. He sometimes tended to be so overprotective, oops, did I say sometimes? That was wrong, I meant, always.

This was actually the very first time we would be out together in public. Madalas kaming lumabas tatlo pero malayo sa mga mata ng media. Ngayon pa lang talaga kami lalabas na magkakasama sa harap ng maraming tao. I kind of felt uncomfortable thinking that the media might ask anything about my daughter and with that face…

Kaya't nang huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang engrandeng gusali na pinagkukumpulan ng maraming tao ay abot-abot ang kaba ng dibdib ko, at mas dumoble pa ito nang makita ko ang mga dalang camera ng mga taong iyon habang nasa gilid sila ng barricade na humaharang sa kanila mula sa red carpet na engrandeng nakalatag sa sahig.

When Bien finally opened the door of the passenger's seat for me, I felt my stomach constrict for an unknown stigma, and with my heart full of chaos, I willingly put my hand on top of Bien's palm when he offered a hand. I could hear noises, clicks and voices but beyond all that, the loudest my ear could adopt was the beating of my chaotic heart.

Paglabas ko ay mas umingay pa ang mga tao. Flashes of cameras started blinding me. Naramdaman kong humigpit ang hawak ni Bien sa kamay ko bago niya buksan ang pinto ng backseat. Siya na rin ang nagtanggal ng seatbelt ni Eve bago inalalayang lumabas.

Before, I was thinking, was there even a man who would be brave enough to accept me and my daughter? And Bien came. I then I had come to my next stigma, was there even a man who would make us feel like being loved the most? Once again, Bien proved to me that it was not impossible.

And now, this thought came to my mind in the middle of the judgemental eyes of the media, in the middle of the public critics, I thought of this… was there even a man who was brave enough to show us to the world, despite of how imperfect I had been? Because as I was walking along the red carpet while Bien was carefully yet very tightly holding my hand and my daughter's hand as if showing to the world that we were his, I wanted to curse at myself out loud for not knowing all along and for realizing just now that the most precious man was mine, was ours… and was now holding my hand and my daughter's hand.

He had been with us, and was still being with us. I would compromise, heaven might flip but I wouldn't let him go now, ever.

"Bien-ssi! Bien-ssi!" People started calling out to him, stretching their arms with microphones towards us for our attentions.

"Who's this girl with you, Bien?" A female reporter outside the barricade threw a question to him.

Ang akala ko ay magpapatuloy lang siya sa paglalakad kaya't nasurpresa ako nang huminto siya at hinarap ang reporter. Ang mga lalaking nagsisilbing harang ay agad na pinagtutulak ang reporter na siyang nagtanong. Seeing this as an opportunity, the reporter grinned just as the other reporters flocked around us, lending us their microphones and waiting for Bien's answer.

Sinenyasan ni Bien ang mga lalaki para sabihing itigil ang panunulak sa mga reporters. He then smiled to the reporters, killing them with his heart-hammering smile.

"She's my future wife," he proudly said, unaware of the emotions he just inflicted my system. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko para buhatin si Eve na halatang namamangha sa mga flash na tumatama sa amin.

With Eve's short height, it was almost hard to notice her so when Bien had taken the privilege to knock everyone by carrying the still awestruck little girl, people gasps resounded the venue but no other questions were thrown our way again.

They were awed and shocked to even utter a single word.

"Let's go, Seol-ah." Bien took the moment to have our graceful escape, holding my hand and smiling sweetly at me, he softy dragged me to the entrance of the building.

In fact, hindi lang ang mga reporters ang napasinghap sa sinabi niya kung hindi maging ako. Ni hindi siya nagbigay ng karagdatang sagot para bigyang linaw ang sinabi niya pero alam ko, sa ginawa niya ay iisa lang ang nasa isipan ng mga reporters. He told them that I was his future wife and before their very eyes, he carried Eve. It was fine with me. Dahil siya na rin naman ang tumayong ama ni Eve sa simula pa lang pero hindi ako mapapalagay sa mga maaaring lumabas na balita pagkatapos ng gabing ito.

My heart was drumming so loud, feeling so overwhelmed because I hadn't expected that he would stand up for me and show people of who I was in his life, who we were in his life. Hindi man iyon ang totoo ay alam kong iyon lang ang sagot na tatanggapin ng lahat.

Yes… yes, I didn't mind being in the showbiz news again because I had been there. Only this time, it was not just rumors anymore.

"Jimin-ssi! Sally-ssi!"

Just as we were about to get inside the building, I heard the reporters rush to the next invited people who were just behind us. Hindi ko sana gustong lumingon ngunit ginawa ko pa rin… ilang metro lang ang pagitan ng kasunod na mga dumating sa amin.

Ang bagong pinalilibutan ng mga reporters ay ang pinakamainit na real life love team ngayon sa K-Pop world. The famous pair who never got out of the hot issue in K-Pop world and was always giving heart attacks to all the hopeless romantic in the city.

Park Jimin, as his arm possessively snaked around Sally's slim waist but the pair of his small yet mesmerizing eyes were directed to me… too guarded for me to read what was in those orbs.

For the second time, fate put us again into a sudden meeting and I was too fed up to even put a meaning out of this.

Clearly, we already had our different paths, and probably not in the arms of each other.

Pumalakpak ang lahat matapos ang pelikula at tanging ang movie credits na lang ang nasa big screen, there was a lot of sponsors to be honest. Though I could hear groans from the public audience, loud claps were still overpowering.

Tumayo si Em kasabay ng lalaking katabi niya na siyang kapares niya sa nasabing palabas at sabay silang nag-bow sa harap ng mga tao. Sa likod nila ay ang stage at ang malaking screen. From somewhere, a man in perfect black coat appeared on the stage, holding a microphone. Humarap na sina Em sa stage dahil doon.

"I'm here in behalf of all the staffs and casts of the movie to say thank you. Thank you so much!" the man on the stage said that earned screams and claps from the audience.

Magkakaroon pa muna ng maikling program para sa acknowledgement ng mga sponsors at maging sa lahat ng staff ng production management bago ang after party. Sina Em at ang kapares niya ay nasa harap na rin, 'cause they still needed to do their speeches.

"Also, to the directors, to the production crews and staffs, to the actors and actresses I've worked with through this movie, and to the sponsors, thank you so much, this masterpiece wouldn't be possible without you."  It was Em who first had the privilege to talk before she bowed at the audience.

Mula sa panonood sa mga kaganapan sa stage ay napalingon ako sa kanan ko kung nasaan si Eve na mahinang hinihila ang dulo ng dress na suot ko.

She stared up at me, blinking with those small chinky eyes . "I wanna pee, Mommy," she said, her plump lips only moving so slightly. Nakahawak siya sa puson niya habang nagkukulit sa upuan niya. Si Bien na nasa tabi niya ay nakatitig na rin sa amin. His eyes were asking for what was happening.

"She needs to go to the restroom," sabi ko sa kay Bien.

Tumango siya. "Let's go then."

"Wait! You can just stay here. Let me go with her since you can't go inside the ladies restroom," pigil ko sa kaniya nang akmang tatayo na siya, kunot ang noo ko dahil sa ideyang sasama siya sa amin gayong kaya ko namang dalhin si Eve sa banyo ng mag-isa.

"Are you sure you two will be okay?" paninigurado niya na nagpahalakhak sa akin ng mahina.

Minsan—madalas talaga napaka-over acting niya. At bakit naman kami hindi magiging okay? As if naman kung may anong nilalang sa banyo na mananakit sa amin ni Eve. Just so he knew, I was an adult, a mother rather who could handle myself and my daughter.

Bahagya ko siyang tinapik sa balikat habang natatawa pa rin para sabihing magiging okay kami ni Eve, pagkatapos ay nilingon ko si Eve. Nginitian ko ang anak ko at hinawakan sa kamay para alalayan siyang tumayo bago ako tumayo.

"Baby, you'll behave, right?" pahabol pa ni Bien.

"Yes, Tito! I'll behave," sagot ni Eve, hawak pa rin ang puson.

Ilang minuto na kaya niya pinipigilan ang puntog niya? Hindi iyon healthy, puwede siyang magkasakit kaya kailangan na naming magmadali. Maybe she was too just caught up with the movie, lalo na at namamangha siya sa tuwing nakikita si Em sa screen at umaarte.

"Oh, saan ang punta niyo?" Napansin kami ni Aly na kanina lang ay nasa stage ang atensyon maging si Evah since kami ang magkakahilera sa VIP seats na reserved para sa mga inimbitahan ni Em.

"Banyo," simple kong sagot habang nakayuko para hindi maabala ang mga nasa likod. Tahimik naming tinahak ni Eve ang pasilyong palabas ng sinehan since nasa malapit sa entrance ang restrooms.

Paglabas namin ng pasilyo ay nagulat ako nang bumulaga sa amin ang flash ng mga camera at mga reporters na nasa entrance at hindi makapasok dahil sa dami ng mga guards na nakabantay at nakaharang mula sa kanila.

There were reporters inside the cinema but those who were invited only, those who were exclusively given the access to film and broadcast the premiere. Itong mga nasa labas na reporters malamang ay nagbabaka-sakaling maka-scoop since malaking pelikula ito at narito pa ang karamihan sa mga sikat na actresses at actors para suportahan ang pelikula.

They all instantly recognized me and immediately threw me questions regarding the status between Bien and I, they even asked about Eve, if she was Bien's daughter and many more about other stuff. Hindi ako sumagot at yumuko lang bago kami magpatuloy ni Eve sa kabilang pasilyo kung nasaan ang banyo.

Tinahak na naman namin ang isa pang pasilyo na tuluyang magdadala sa amin sa restroom. From here, we could still hear what was happening inside the cinema because the vibration and thuds of who was speaking on the microphone was still so clear.

Isang kanto na lang ay maabot na namin ang banyo.

"I told you, I'm going home."

"But the program isn't yet done."

"The movie's done. We came here for the movie, Sally."

Nakarinig kami ni Eve ng mga tinig, pamilyar na mga tinig at habang palapit kami nang palapit ay palakas nang palakas ang mga ito, pumapantay sa pabilis rin nang pabilis na tibok ng puso ko habang unti-unting bumabagal ang paghakbang ko. The voices were familiar! At hindi ko na kailangan pang isipin kung kaninong mga boses ang mga iyon dahil kahit naman ilang taon na ang lumipas, hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang tinig na iyon.

Kusang huminto ang paghakbang ko nang mula sa kanto ay lumitaw si Jimin. I had lost time to check his appearance awhile ago because of the short moment we had but now that he was in front of me, actually just a meter from me…

All was already very clear.

Kitang-kita ng mga mata ko kung gaano siya kaguwapo sa suot niyang simpleng itim na long sleeves na naka-tucked in sa kulay itim niyang maong pants, revealing his black belt that hugged gracefully his perfect waist. Umangat ang mga mata ko sa mukha niya, ang itim niyang buhok ay magulo na tipong sinadyang hindi suklayin at bahagyang natatabunan ang mga mata niya.

His small tender eyes stared at me, stunned. Naka-awang ang mga kulay rosas na labi at nasa hitsurang hindi niya inaasahang magkakaharap kami.

At lalo naman ako! Kung hindi ko lang hawak sa isa kong kamay ang kamay ng anak ko at ang pouch ko naman sa kabila ay baka nasapo ko na ang dibdib ko para patigilin ito sa pagwawala.

"Oppa!" Tumagos ang tingin ko sa likod niya nang lumitaw mula sa kanto si Sally na sobrang ganda sa suot na itim na halter-top dress at puting half coat fur. Makulay ang mukha niya na bumagay sa kaniya at maayos ring nakalugay ang straight niyang itim na buhok.

"Mommy, the restroom is right there." Eve softly tugged at my hand that woke me up from nearly getting idle because of the perfection in front of me, and saved me from living again in a dream that had once ruined my reality.

How stupid.

Nang nilingon ko siya ay nakaturo siya sa likod nina Jimin at Sally habang inosenteng nakatitig sa akin gamit ang mga matang kapareho ng mga matang pag-aari ng lalaking nasa harap namin.

Just how cruel everything, fate was. Puwede naman hindi na lang namana ni Eve ang hitsura ng tatay niya, o kahit sana mata lang o kaya ilong o labi pero bakit naman kasi halos lahat?

Bahagya akong yumuko sa mga taong nasa harap namin para magbigay ng pagbati, for formality's sake, saka ko napansin ang pagkunot ng noo ni Sally habang matamang tinititigan ako.

"Let's go, mahal ko," I softly said as I turned to my daughter again. We then left the lovers, I didn't even want to scratch that the other half of that lovers was my daughter's father.

Now, how pathetic.