JILL'S P.O.V

"Mom! Mom!" i look at my son who suddenly barge in the room while calling my name.

"What is it baby?" nakangiting tanong ko sa kanya.

"Mom!" mahina akong napatawa nang binambahan at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Do you miss me that much?" lumayo siya ng bahagya saakin at tumango.

"And I'm also excited mom. Tomorrow is our Family day and I can't wait to bring dad and introduce him to my friends." nanghina ang tuhod ko pagkarinig ko sa sinabi niya pero hindi ko ito pinakita at nanatiling nakangiti sakanya.

"You know, daddy is busy baby and I don't think he will make it there. Baka hindi makakaattend si Daddy mo." biglang napalitan ng lungkot ang kaninang masayang mukha niya.
Nakaramdam ako ng kunsensiya at biglang may kung anong tumusok sa puso ko.

"But, don't worry baby. Andito naman ak-" hindi ko na nagawang tapusin ang dapat kung sabihin nang may narinig akong nagsalita.

"I will make it there." napatingin kami ni CJ sakanya.

"Hello, son." He carried CJ at hinalikan ito sa pisngi.

"Really ,Daddy? Pupunta ka po?" I can see the glint of happiness in my sons eyes when Tyrone nodded at him.

"Mommy, see... Dad will be there and he won't be busy."  CJ turn to Tyrone and give him a tight hug.

"I love you dad!" mariin akong napapikit.

I let out a sigh. Tumayo ako at iniwan silang dalawa sa kwarto.

Sana lang ay hindi masaktan si CJ. Kasi natatakot ako kapag masaktan siya. Iniisip ko palang ay may kung anong pumipiga sa dibdib ko. Masyado na siyang napalapit kay Tyrone and I don't know if it is good or bad.

Naghanda nalang ako ng pagkain.
Buong gabi ay nagkukulitan lang silang dalawa ni Tyrone and as usual dito na naman siya natulog at hindi na umuwi. Dumadami na tuloy ang mga damit niya dito kasi palagi niyang iniiwan dahil kailangan ko pang labhan.

....

Ngayon na ang gaganapin ang Family Day event sa School ni CJ.
I stare myself at the mirror. Huminga ako ng malalim at lumabas na ng kuwarto.

"Ready?" Tyrone asked me as I got out of the room. I nod at him as an answer. We are wearing a family shirt.

"Son, your mom's finish so come here already and stop secretly eating those cookies!" nanlaki ang mata ko at napatingin sa kusina. Nakita ko si CJ  na pilit na ngumingiti saakin. There's a little smudge left on his face. I give him a death glare.

"D-dad!" binigyan niya ng masamang tingin si Tyrone.

"What?" natatawang tanong niya. Mas lalo namang napasimangot si CJ.

"You won't stop eating those cookies even if I stop you. That's why. Peace." CJ rolled his eyes at inangat ang kanyang mga kamay and Tyrone carried him. Lumapit ako sa kanila at pinunasan ang chocolate na nagkalat sa mukha ni CJ.

"I won't bake cookies for the rest of the month, that s your punishment."
I said in a serious tone. Aside  from the cake, home made cookies are also his favorite.

"Wait, I can't eat cookies too?" tila natatarantang tanong niya.

My forehead crease at his expression. But I remember something...

Oo nga pala...Naalis sa pagkakunot ang noo ko and answered him.

"Yes, you too." tumalikod ako at iniwan siyang nakanganga.

Pumasok ako sa kotse niya and minutes later ay sumunod siya habang karga si CJ. Kinandong ko lang si CJ sa buong byahe. Sa totoo lang, I felt comfortable being with Tyrone. Natatakot ako kasi unti-unti ay nasasanay kami ni CJ na palagi siyang kasama.

Lumabas ako ng kotse habang karga si CJ na nakatulog dahil sa byahe. Sinabihan ako ni Tyrone na hintayin siyang dumating kasi ipapark muna niya ang kotse.

"Oh, look who is here." narinig kong sabi ng isa sa mga parent ng mga bata. I know she's teasing me dahil akala niya wala na namang Daddy na dadating dito para kay CJ.

"Stop it Driana. We know it is to obvious that she is a single mom and no one claims to be her son's father so stop manifesting it. Tssss... You know, it's normal when you're a slut." the rest of them laugh at her sarcastic remark.

"Lets go to our husbands and kids na! We're just wasting our time on a slut."
I ignored them. I jently nudge CJ to wake him up.

"M-mommy? W-where's Daddy?" he looked around and noticed that Tyrone is not with us. Suddenly his eyes become teary.

"D-did he left?" I silently curse in my mind. Heck! What's taking him so long!

"O-of course not.Silly. He told me to wait him here, he just parked the car so you don't need to worry baby. Okay?" he nod and rest his head on my shoulder.

A minute later I feel someone behind me. I turn to look at Tyrone who's intently looking at CJ.

"Hey." he looked at me. His face turned expressionless.

"Give him to me." i hesitated for a moment but I handed CJ to him.

"Daddy you're here! I thought you left."
CJ cheerfully said.

"I won't leave you son." he give him an assuring smile then turns to me.

"Let's go?" I didn't respond immediately so he grabs me by my hands. I feel an electric from our interwine hands. Awkwardness was what I felt at that moment.

We head towards CJ' s room and I let him lead the way. Entering the room, I was taken aback. There's a decor every where and the room was filled with those cheerful laughter. Kids are playing everywhere. Some also have their yaya's with them.

Some of them notice us and mostly the kids mother and the yayas. Tyrone caught their attention. I feel gross because all of them are gaping at Tyrone. I felt annoyed and possesively tug Tyrone's arm. He was surprised by my action as I am. I don't know why I am acting like this. But I did not mind.

"Miss Villareal , I'm glad you came." CJ's teacher approached us with a welcoming smile. Napansin niya si Tyrone sa gilid ko at agad na namilog ang kanyang mga mata.

"Is he CJ's father?" there's a glint of excitement in her eyes. I worriedly looked at Tyrone but he only give me a slight smile.
Binigyan niya ng kiming ngiti ang guro.

"I know it! That's why! he got his looks from you. Kaya rin pala familliar siya saakin. Wait....Are you the only son of Mr. Tray Vene Frost , right?"

Bago pa man makasagot si Tyrone ay may biglang tumawag sa pangalan niya. Lumingon kami sa papalapit na babae.

"Teacher! Kailangan ka na doon sa hall. It's your turn na!"

"Ha?"

"Speech. Remember." she said in annoyance.

"Ay! oo nga pala!" Lumingon siya saamin.

"Mauna na muna ako. Mag enjoy kayo, okay?" I give her a nod and she's out from our sight.

Lumingon ako kay Tyrone na karga ang anak namin. Hinila na naman niya ako papalapit sa mesa at pinaupo ako habang siya naman ay kinandong si CJ. Naiinis parin ako dahil hindi matanggal ang mga matang nakasunod saamin. Huminga ako ng malalim at hindi nalang sila pinansin.

May lumapit saaming mga bata na mukhang mga kaibigan ni CJ. Nagpababa siya kay Tyrone at excited na sinalubong sila. He has a huge grin on his face.
They make this signature friend handshake that made me almost role my eyes. Mga kajejehan talaga ng mga bata.

"Hi Tita!" bati saakin ni Jake. I know him kasi palagi kong nakakasabay ang yaya niya sa paghihintay sa kanila tuwing uwian kapag wala ang school bus.

"Hellow... Sino kasama mo?" I ask him.

"Parents ko po at si Yaya." iginala ko ang paningin ko at nakita si Anne na kausap ang parents ata ni Jake.

"Guys! Meet my Dad! Dad! they are my friends. Jake and Grey."  magiliw na sabi ni CJ.

"Hello po! We're CJ's close freinds po! Can we play po ba?"

"Hello rin sainyo kids and yes,you can play."
tumingin ako kay CJ.

"But, please... Wag kayo masyadong malikot. Okay?" nasitanguan silang tatlo at nag-unahan sa pagtakbo.

"Ang kukulit..." natatawang bulong ko.

"You're right." napatingin ako kay Tyrone na seryoso na naman . Nakatingin lang siya sa mga bata na naglalaro. Nagtama ang mga mata namin at hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

"Do you know that I see myself on him? Nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa kanya. He was a carbon copy of me, right Miss Villareal?" lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko at napilitan akong tumango. Parang may nagtatambol sa loob ng dibdib ko.

He smirked.  I absent mindidly bite my lower lip. Parang may pinapahiwatig siya sa mga titig niya pero sana hindi katulad ng iniisip ko. Hindi pa ako handa sa maaaring mangyari. I am too weak.

"Good morning everyone! Im glad that everyone here attend this event. Naghanda kami ng mga games para sa event na'to and I hope na makakapagparticipate ang lahat. We all know how important the Family Day is for kids. So we put our very effort for all of us to enjoy and make this day memorable. So now! parents and kids! We'll start our games but of course, when it says games, there will be prices! Kung sino ang may pinakamaraming panalo yun rin ang may pinakamalaking prize. And our first game will be, Paper dance challenge!"
naging maingay ang room at pinaghihila na ng mga bata ang kanilang mga parents para sumali na siyang nagpatawa saakin.
Nahinto lang ang pagtawa ko ng biglang may humila saakin.

"Mom! Dad! let's join! come on please..." tatanggi na sana ako but he uses his puppy eyes that I can't resist. Iginawi ko ang tingin kay Tyrone.

"Let's join, son." kinarga niya si CJ. Bahagyang umawang ang bibig ko at nanatiling nakaupo.

"You'll come with us or what?" natatarantang tumayo ako at sumunod sa kanila. Pumwesto kami sa gitna at binigyan kami ng isang news paper.