Chapter 44: Nephew

Margaret:

Birthday ni Rhiane tomorrow, what’s the plan?

Me:

I am not fond of surprises. Just greet her, dami mong alam.

Margaret:

I’ll tell her dad to throw a party. We deserve it!

I shook my head in amusement before typing in a reply.

Me:

Rhiane deserves it, siya ang may birthday at hindi tayo.

Margaret:

Okay, Your Highness. Let’s see each other there! Mahal kita, bestfriend!

"Oh my... this girl's so corny!" I murmured and decided not to reply.

Maya-maya ay tumunog na naman ang cellphone ko dahil sa isang message.

Rhiane:

Girl, punta kayo sa bahay bukas. Birthday namin ng pamangkin ko. No excuses o ikakalat ko ang baho mo.

What the hell?

Me:

Fine.

"Audrey, the food is ready. Let's eat," Daddy said after opening my room's door.

I nodded. "Will be there in a bit," I answered and got off from the bed.

I walked downstairs and headed to dining room. Nandoon si Kurt at Fiona, sa other side naman sina Mommy.

We started eating, just our utensils' noise would be heard until Daddy cleared his throat.

"How is your father, Fiona?"

I glanced at Fiona who stopped chewing her food to answer. "He's fine, Daddy."

Isn't it weird? Daddy's asking Fiona about his real father, tapos sasagot siya at tatawaging daddy si Daddy?

I shook my head. It's fine, though, medyo weird lang para sa 'kin.

"Pumunta kayo sa office ko bukas, I need to check you up if the baby's healthy. Are you even sleeping early?"

Daddy talking about Fiona's pregnancy made my face blush.

I don't know what's wrong with me, but talking about it with them look weird. O baka siguro sa akin nga lang, s'yempre hindi naman ako nasanay na lagi nila akong inaalagaan hindi gaya noon na si Fiona lang lagi. So, of course they're close and talking about things is fine, sa 'kin lang ang may mali. 

"Oo naman, Dad."

I sipped on my juice and spoke up. "Is Kurt treating you well?" I asked, raising a brow.

They all looked at me like I just said something ridiculous.

"What? I just wanna be sure if she's really doing fine."

Parang sa pagtatanong ko ay may nagawa na naman akong masama.

"He is, Audrey. Nakakainis ka, huwag ka ngang ganiyan sa hapag," si Fiona.

"Fiona," Mommy warned.

I rolled my eyes.

Napaka-attitude talaga ng buntis na 'to.

"So, when's the wedding?" I changed the subject and looked at Kurt who's still silent.

"Audrey, let's talk about it some other time, gusto mo na ba agad sila ipakasal?" Daddy asked me.

I shrugged. "Just wanna know when, malay natin hindi ako imbitahin, e, ako nga ang ginagalit ni Fiona ngayon."

"Shut up! I just asked you to buy me some carrots, ano'ng ginagalit ka r'yan!"

Pagak akong natawa at sinamaan siya ng tingin. "Simple lang para sa 'yo, 'no? Ginising mo ako nang madaling araw para utusan na bumili ng carrots, seryoso ka ba? E, hindi naman ako iyong nakabuntis sa 'yo para ako iyong gambalain mo!" inis na sabi ko.

That infuriated me so much. I was really pissed that day! Lumabas talaga ako at nagpasama kay Manang para bumili ng carrots, dapat nga si Manang iyong uutusan ko kaso ang buntis ay pinapanood iyong mga galaw ko!

Nakakainis kasi pinili niyang matulog dito dahil gusto niya raw ako makita.

I really wanted to slap her out of anger, but I can't do that.

WEARING a light blue mini dress and a pair of pumps, I slid myself inside the car headed to Rhiane's house.

Gosh, I don't even know if I'm allowed to enter their house! Baka mamaya galit pa iyong Daddy niya dahil sa incident noong nakaraan.

I breathed and took my phone out.

Me:

What if her parents are still mad of me?

Marga replied.

Margaret:

Tiwala lang, hindi iyan. Kinausap na namin iyon dati at sinabi iyong rason kaya ayos na. Nandito na pala ako kanina pa, ang tagal mo!

Me:

On the way. See me outside, okay?

Margaret:

sure!

I got out from the car and carried a small box that contained a gift for Rhiane. I couldn't think of any, so I just bought her a bracelet.

"Akala ko hihigitan mo si Rhiane ngayong gabi, e! Ang tagal mo kaya!"

"At least I attended," I answered to Marga.

We're greeted by some people until I saw Rhiane's father approaching us.

I swallowed hard and poked Marga. "Can I go home now? Just... just hand this to Rhiane." I then gave her the small box, but she didn't accept it, instead she grabbed my arm and brought me to Mr. Montessori.

"Good evening po!" Marga greeted.

I bowed a bit. "Good evening, Mr. Montessori."

He smiled. "Thank you for coming! Rhiane will be here in a minute. Let's go and find you guys a seat."

I was somehow relieved. While he's escorting us, he glanced at me. "How are you, hija?"

"I-I'm good... so far," I stuttered.

He smiled. "Buti na lang pala 'di natuloy iyong engagement, mahirap kapag ikakasal ka sa taong hindi mo gusto. Anyway, dito muna kayo, I'll call Rhiane to be here."

We nodded. "Thank you."

The venue was outside their house. Their house was quite big, there were just limited visitors. The place was full of lights, the table and such were in a uniform way.

Marga handed me a flute and I immediately accepted it and downed the liquor on it.

"Birthday ng pamangkin niya, taray 'no sabay pa sila."

I shrugged, not interested.

"Ayan na si Rhiane!"

I put a smile to greet her, but it faded when I saw her carrying a baby.

"Why is she even carrying a baby?" I murmured.

Rhiane was on her simple yet elegant mint blue dress, her hair is on a ponytail. Sabi niya, blue ang theme na gusto niya kaya naka-light blue ako ngayon. I was even forced to wear this kind of color. Talaga kasing naglalaro lang sa black, white, at red ang damit na isinusuot ko.

Ika niya, mint blue means tranquility. She wants to be free from agitation.

"Rhiane! Ilang araw lang tayong 'di nagkita biglang may anak ka na!" si Marga bago tumayo.

I put a smile again and stood. "Happy birthday."

"Salamat, Aud! Buti naman pumunta ka, itatakwil talaga kita bilang kaibigan kapag 'di ka nakapunta!"

We talked a little bit before Marga put up the subject again. "Iyan ba iyong pamangkin mo na may birthday? Anak ng kuya mo?"

"Hindi ito 'yon, pero anak pa rin ni Kuya."

"Ba't mo karga-karga?"

"Kawawa naman laging nasa yaya," she said in a low voice.

I bit my lower lip. "Is there something wrong?"

I looked at the baby, he's sleeping in her arms with a cute outfit, but something's weird. He looked... unhealthy.

"Bakit naman? Sino ba may birthday? Saan ba mama niyan?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Marga.

Rhiane sighed. "Si Chase iyong may birthday, three year-old na. Ito naman si Second, kaka-one year old lang, naaawa ako rito sa baby na 'to kasi 'di man lang hinandaan noong nakaraang buwan."

We stayed silent and just listened to Rhiane.

"Actually, half-siblings lang sila. Iba ang ina ni Chase atsaka ni Second, pero si Kuya iyong ama. Si Ate Marissa iyong mama ni Chase kaso wala siya rito sa Pilipinas, galit kay Kuya dahil nakabuntis ng iba kaya ayon nandito si Chase, minsan ngang taga-bantay no'n ay si Ate Trinity naman, kaibigan ni Ate Marissa..."

"Bakit niya naman ipapabantay sa kaibigan niya, e, anak naman niya iyong bata?" Marga asked.

"May utang na loob daw kasi si Ate Trinity roon sa isang Prama, ewan ano pangalan no'n naikuwento niya lang, e iyon nga si Ate Marissa atsaka iyong Prama ay magpinsan kaya bilang sukli paminsan-minsan niyang inaalagaan si Chase habang hindi pa umuuwi iyong mama."

"Sa Prama naman pala may utang na loob, e, bakit sa Marissa na iyan niya binibigay iyong sukli?"

Marga has a point.

"Kamag-anak nga kasi, atsaka nakakahiya naman 'no kahit papaano magkaibigan din sila kaya 'yon."

Rhiane then planted a kiss on the baby's forehead before smiling at us. "Iyong mama naman ni Second... nawala na, basta na lang iniwan ang bata."

"Does your father fine with it?"

She shook her head. "Iyon nga ang problema, e. Ayaw nila kay Second, ni pagkuha nga noong yaya ay labag pa sa loob, si Kuya naman... ayos lang naman siya kay Second, pero mas nakatutok siya kay Chase. Gusto nilang ibigay na lang sa orphanage, pero s'yempre masakit kaya iyong gano'n. Walang kamuwang-muwang iyong bata tapos tatratuhin nang ganoon? Kaya nga kapag free time ko lagi ko 'tong karga-karga, sakitin pa man din."

I couldn't help but to feel sad for the baby.

Totoo nga naman, wala namang kasalanan iyong bata para makaranas ng ganoon.

I am glad to have good friends like them. At least, kahit hindi responsibility ni Rhiane ang bata, inaalagaan niya pa rin. It's her nephew after all.

And I could say that Second's parents were both stupid.

I maybe don't know the other reasons, they still have no rights to do this with their child.

"Rhiane, why are you carrying him? It's your birthday, give him to her nanny."

We all looked to her brother. He's still look young, and good-looking but watching him for long make me want to vomit.

He's one of an asshole.

I really don't like guys who can't take their responsibilities after lust. 

Guys like that deserve to be imprisoned, hindi lang naman ang babae dapat ang magsuffer, ang lalaki rin dapat dahil silang dalawa naman ang gumawa.

I shook my head in disappointment.

Why am I even living in this cruel world? Full of idiocy, stupidity, and hypocrisy.

"Ayos lang, Kuya, ako na bahala. Si Chase?"

"Na kay Mommy."

Rhiane nodded.

I wasn't able to enjoy her birthday because of what she told us.

"Ganito na lang! Kapag may free time tayo dalhin mo si Second para naman makaramdam din iyan ng preskong hangin at mukhang laging nakakulong sa bahay!"

"That's a good idea," I agreed.

That was what happened when tomorrow came. I actually had a date with Zian, but something horrible happened and he needed to go.

We already planned to go in a park, we'll meet my friends there including Second, that's why he also brought Andy because I told him to do so.

"What did you just say?" he almost yelled while talking to someone on the phone.

My friends were just around, giving us a space for the mean time. Marga's guiding Andy and Rhiane did the same way to Second.

"What's wrong?" I mouthed while carressing his arm.

He breathed and shut his eyes closed. "Damn, papunta na ako."

After he hung up the call, he faced me. "Nasa hospital si Kent ngayon, nabaril daw."

My jaw dropped. "Oh my... uwi na tayo?"

He shook his head. "Your friends were here, sa hospital ako didiretso..."

I nodded. "What about your sister?"

He looked at the direction where his sister's playing with Second who's inside his stroller.

"I'll bring her—"

"I can have her, though," agap ko. "Sure, your parents would be busy too. Ako na lang muna ang magbabantay, I can manage, promise."

"Persian..."

I smiled. "Oo nga! Don't you trust me? Tatlo naman kami! Atsaka baka mamaya magka-oras ka, you can pick your sister over our house, besides... nandiyan sina Manang! Even Daddy, ang dami na namin at hindi naman ibig sabihin na iiyak lang lagi si Andy, she seemed having fun with Rhiane's nephew nga, e!"

A small smile crept on his lips, but his eyes were worried.

I hugged him. "Just leave, you have to be there, okay?"

"Thank you..."

"That was nothing," I answered and kissed him on his lips. "Call me later if you have the time to do so, okay?"

He nodded. "I will, please... take care of yourself and my little princess. I love you," he whispered.

"I love you," I answered.

After Zian left, I made my way to their spot.

"Ba't umalis iyon?" tanong ni Rhiane.

"Emergency," I shortly answered.

"E, itong kapatid? Ikaw muna nanay ng baby na 'to?" Pinanggigilan ni Marga ang pisngi ni Andy.

"Ano kaya feeling ng may anak, 'no?" she suddenly wondered.

Rhiane and I looked at her suspiciously.

"May boyfriend ka na naman?"

"New?"

"Hoy, grabe kayo! Luma na iyon!"

I arched a brow."Ah, so mayro'n nga?"

"Oo, kahapon lang din. Nakipagbalikan na ako, ang kulit kasi!"

"Nakipagbalikan ka dahil nakukulitan ka? Are you even serious? You can smash his face off!"

"S'yempre, gusto ko rin naman kaya 'yon na nga."

I gritted my teeth. "Iyong Dante na naman ba iyan?!"

"Iyong Acosta, Audrey," Rhiane answered instead.

I glanced at her. "Acosta?"

"Iyong Reymarc Acosta, ex niya. Pabalik-balik nga sa department namin parang bwisit!"

Marga glared at her. "Bwisit ka rin! At least sa 'kin may gustong bumalik, e, ikaw? Wala kang boyfriend na babalikan—"

"Ayos lang! Wala akong tiwala sa mga lalaki ngayon, kuntento na ako sa nobela. Pinapakilig din naman ako no'n."

I smirked and shook my head. I let them tease each other and just bend over to watch Andy.

"Your kuya left us for the mean time, because your another kuya got into something bad. Is it okay if Ate Audrey bring you to my house later?" I talked with her in my little and cute voice as possible.

She giggled and carressed my cheek.

I felt butterflies. 

This is too good.

I mean... she seemed like me. It was rare being treated with a baby like this. Iyong iba nga ay umiiyak, unlike Andy she even showed me some sweet gestures.

"Say ate."

"Ah... ch," she tried.

I chuckled and pinched her nose. "A... te."

"Ah..." She didn't finish and just poked my nose.

"Parang same lang sila ng age, 'no? Parang bagay silang dalawa!"

"Tigilan mo nga iyang mga bata, Marga! Wala ka nang mai-ship kaya pinagdidiskitahan mo 'tong nananahimik na bata."

Umiyak si Second kaya inasikaso na muna ni Rhiane.

But then, Andy held on to Rhiane's pants and looking up at her who was carrying Second.

Medyo nakakalakad na rin naman si Andy kaya nagagawa niya iyon, but she still needed guidance dahil baka matumba siya o madapa kaya naman hawak-hawak ko rin siya sa tiyan.

"15 years from now... pakiramdam ko may sari-sarili na tayong pamilya sa mga panahon na iyan."

I raised a brow while listening to Marga's thoughts.

"Nagaguwapuhan ako sa boyfriend ni Audrey... kaya naman..."

I glared at her.

She smiled. "Kapag babae ang anak ko, kailangang magkasundo sila ng anak mong lalaki para maganda iyong lahi!"

I chuckled. "You're crazy."

"Paano naman si Rhiane?" She then glanced at Rhiane who's busy babysitting her nephew.

"Huwag mo na ako isipin dahil sa mga panahon na iyan ala-alaga ko pa rin si Second. Ako ang tatayong magulang nito kaya hindi ko kailangan magkapamilya. Ayos na ako sa kaniya."

I smiled.

"Sige, sabi mo, e! Basta ship ko si Second at Andy!" She chuckled and carried Andy to level with Rhiane.

I sighed and looked at them.

I also wondered how it feels to have a family with Zian? That would surely be the happiest thing in my life.