ALZIEN'S work obligations is piled up so of course, he obviously can't go with us. Masama ang loob na hinatid niya kami ng anak niya sa airport. Those few weeks of stay is worthwhile.

"Susunod agad ako, wait for me there," he whispered.

"Alright. Hihintayin ka namin."

Sa anak naman siya bumaling. Niluhod ang isang tuhod para makausap ang anak ng mabuti.

"Jacob, bantayan ang Mommy, okay? Don't let any man near Mommy. Mommy is for Daddy, are we clear?" he pats Jacob's head.

I pouted a little. I've never entertained anyone. I have been loyal for years, too, since I admitted my feelings to myself a long time ago.

"Yes, Sir. I'll protect Mommy from other guys. Punta ka agad doon, Daddy, hindi ko kaya i-protect si Mommy mag-isa kasi po mags-school na ako," Jacob answered.

"Protect-protect, tumigil ka nga. Bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo, hintayin ka namin doon," natatawang ani ko.

"Sasama nalang kaya ako? Magpapahatid tayo sa private plane ni Chase," humaba ang nguso nito.

I punched his shoulders, in a soft way.

"Magtigil ka, Dela Rama. Go, we're leaving."

He sighed in defeat. Hinawakan niya ang baywang ko at binigyan ako ng halik sa gilid ng ulo.

"Wait for me, I'll be there in no time. I love you."

He leaned in to kiss Jacob's forehead. I have this rule of no kissing lips to lips in front of Jacob. Masyado pang bata si Jacob para makita ang bagay na 'yon. Baka gumaya, atakehin pa ako sa puso.

"Love you too, Daddy. Bye-bye!" Jacob waved.

I carried our luggage and carried Jacob in hand. I looked back to Alzien only to see his sad face. Nagpapaka-baby na naman. Napailing ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

My heart clenched at that sight. Miss ko na agad. Huminga ako ng malalim.

"Love you," he mouthed.

Pilit akong ngumiti para ipakita rito na ayos lang ako. Ang sakit naman sa puso kahit alam kong susunod siya sa amin. No exact date but at least he'll come.

We entered the plane when our flight was called.

"Are you comfortable, Jacob?" I asked.

I chose business class so Jacob is more comfortable.

"Yes, Mommy."

"Alright."

The flight lasted for almost eighteen hours with only one stop. Inaasahan na ang jetlag kaya pag-uwi sa bahay namin ay bagsak kaming mag-ina. Lana was already waiting for us to arrive. Hindi na kami kumain ng dinner dahil sa rami ng nakain sa eroplano.

I woke up late the next day. Nauna pang magising si Jacob dahil natagpuan ko itong naglalaro ng rubik's sa sala.

"Where did you get that?" I gently asked.

"Daddy po, Mommy. He bought this for me. Marami ako nito po," he politely answered.

"Oh, okay. Good morning, baby. Nag-breakfast ka na? I'll cook us lunch."

I sat down down on the furry carpet next to him and planted a kiss on his cheeks.

"Good morning, Mommy ko. I love you po. Ate Lana made me eat my breakfast."

"Okay, lunch then."

I cooked our lunch. Tinawag ko si Lana na nagwawalis sa porch para makakain na kami. Jacob was quick to finish his food because he's busy with the cubes. Napahinga na lang ako ng malalim dahil sa pagkahilig nito sa mga gano'n.

I tied my hair into a bun and started doing house chores. It's been so long since the last time I cleaned the whole house. Hindi ko naman hinahayaan si Lana na linisin ang buong bahay dahil masyadong malaki ang space at nag-iisa lang siya. She can clean a few spaces but when it comes to cleaning the whole house, dalawa kami.

"Jacob, Mommy and Ate Lana is cleaning. Doon ka muna sa bedroom mo," utos ko.

He ran to his room and I began cleaning the sala.

"Sa kitchen ako, Ma'am," paalam ni Lana na tinanguan ko naman agad.

I heard footsteps coming and stopped for a moment. Jacob ran to me and hugged my lap.

"What are you doing?" naniningkit ang mga matang tanong ko sa anak ko.

He's wearing a face mask and a large gloves that almost covered his arms. He also changed his clothes to a sweater and jogger.

"Clean, Mom. I want to help. I'm done playing so I'll help."

"You don't have to. Hindi naman masyadong marumi ang bahay natin, kaya na ni Mommy at Ate Lana."

"I know, Mommy. But I want to help. I promise I'll do good."

Pinanggigilan ko ang pisngi nito. I was about to say no but we heared a knock on the door. Nagkatinginan kami ng anak ko, parehong iniisip kung sino iyon.

"Stay here, titignan ko lang kung sino."

Hinubad ko muna ang gloves at face mask na suot bago lumapit sa pinto at buksan iyon.

"Hello—" napatigil ako sa aktong pagsasalita nang may tumambad na isang boquet ng bulaklak sa harap ko.

"Hello. Do you want to spend the next few years with me? Please choose between yes and agree." Alzien smiled widely.

"What the freak? Anong ginagawa mo rito? Akala ko ba matagal ka pa?" sorpresang tanong ko. "At... para sa 'kin?"

"I said I'll be with you but I never said when. And you honestly thought I'd let you live far from me?"

A wide smile escaped my lips as I hug him tightly. Ilang beses niyang hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ko.

"Paano iyong trabaho mo?"

"I was in the company before I came here. Nagpahatid ako kay Chase."

"Wow, ginawang probinsya ang ibang bansa. Halika, ano ba 'yang dala mo?"

"Flowers for my future wife. Five sacks of rice and unlimited groceries. I also bought a cat as per request of our amazing son, and lastly, clothes for my lifetime stay."

Umawang ang labi ko habang pinagmamasdan iyong mga dala niya. Sobrang daming nakatambak. Paano 'to? Dinala niya dito sa front door isa-isa? And oh, my God! Limang sako ng bigas. Napahawak ako sa aking noo. Paano at saan niya binili ang mga ito?

"Nababaliw ka na ba?!" singhal ko.

"What? Nanliligaw ako."

"Nanliligaw ka talaga sa lagay na 'yan?!" I screamed in shock.

"Mommy, what's happening?" Jacob peeked at the door. Nagliwanag agad ang mukha nito nang makita ang kasama ko. "Daddy!"

"Hello, baby. Did you get abgood sleep last night?"

Sinalubong agad ni Alzien ng yakap ang anak nang lumabas ito at lumapit. He planted small kisses in Jacob's cheeks and whispered sweet words to him.

"Dito ka na po, Daddy?" Jacob giggled.

Ang kulit-kulit kapag kasama ang ama.

"Yes. So Daddy can take good care of Mommy and you. You like that?"

"Yey!" Jacob exclaimed in happiness.

"Come on, let's get inside. Nga pala, paano mo kami nahanap dito? As far as I can remember hindi ko naman sinabi sa 'yo ang address namin," tanong ko.

Hindi ko alam kung sino ang magdadala ng mga dala niya sa loob ng bahay. We entered and his eyes wandered around the living room.

"Bella gave me your address. Akala ko nga walang tao. I was planning on entering through the window. Alam mo na, galawang magnanakaw. Na ang nanakawin lang ay ang puso mo," he winked.

"What are you doing, by the way?" he asked.

"Cleaning po, Daddy."

"Are you helping Mommy? Hm?" he whispered to his son.

I stared at them with an awe expression. Mahal na mahal ko talaga ang pamilyang 'to.

"Opo."

"That's great. Daddy will help too."

I watched as he roll his sleeves up to his elbow. Damn, fine as hell.

"Magpahinga ka muna. It's a long flight and I know you're tired."

Nagtatakbo si Jacob sa kusina. Seconds later, he's already dragging Lana.

"Ate Lana, this is my daddy. And he will help us clean the house later. Pero magpapahinga muna siya ngayon because he's tired. You say hello po, Ate Lana, you say hello."

"Hello po, Sir. Lana po, matagal na po akong naninilbihan dito."

Tumango si Alzien. Lana went back to cleaning the kitchen. Napatampal na lang ako sa aking noo dahil sinundan ito ni Jacob at kinulit. He's usually not like that but when his dad is around, he's energetic.

"Magpahinga ka muna."

He wrinkled his nose.

"I'm not tired-"

"My room is the one with the white door. Kulay blue ang kay Jacob."

"Sama ka? You know..." nagtaas baba ang kaniyang kilay.

"Rest, Alzien Xyder."