Two days in the Philippines and nobody knew they arrived. They stayed at Vaughn's house. Sa isang araw pa naman ang birthday ni Lucien kaya may time pa sila para makahinga.

It took a lot of thoughts, actually.

Nasa sala si Laureen at nanonood ng TV. Hindi pa siya inaantok kaya naisipan niyang maghanap ng movie. Wala pa rin si Luana dahil usapan nila ay pupunta ito noong dinner, pero hindi nakaabot at sinabing on the way pa lang.

It was almost eleven in the evening.

"Are you okay?" Naramdaman ni Laureen ang paghalik ni Vaughn—ang kuya niya—sa tuktok ng ulo niya. "Wala pa pala si Luana. Tulog na ba si Ali?"

"Yeah. He's with Mom and Dad naman kaya he'll be okay." Ngumiti siya at sinundan ng tingin ang kuya niyang naupo sa sofa. "Hindi ka pa mag-sleep, Kuya?"

Umiling si Vaughn at ngumiti. "Not yet. I missed you. Ang tagal mo sa Hawaii, ha? You're not even replying to our messages sometimes. How are you now?"

"I'm okay. I'm happy. Very, actually." Mahinang natawa si Laureen. "Can you believe it? I became a mom? I never expected I'll be a mom, Kuya. For years, naisip ko noon na I might become a mom at forty na lang kasi and some people tell me na that's so late na."

Patagilid siyang nilingon ng kuya niya. "Why do you even care about what others might think? Until now . . . is that your personal dilemma?"

Tumaas ang dalawang balikat ni Laureen at bago pa man siya muling makasagot, narinig na nila ang paghinto ng sasakyan sa labas ng bahay ng kuya niya. Naghintay silang magkapatid at pagbukas ng pinto, kaagad na tumakbo si Luana kay Vaughn para halikan ito sa pisngi bago sa kaniya.

"Akala namin hindi ka na darating, e," aniya habang nayakap sa kapatid.

"Puwede ba 'yon? Bumili ako ng pizza and donut for midnight snack kaya 'wag kayong matutulog kasi marami akong gustong malaman mula kay Ate." Ibinaba ni Luana ang mga box sa coffee table at naupo sa sofang inuupuan din nila ni Vaughn. "So?"

"Sali ako," ani Julien na nasa hagdan. "Tulog na sina Luce and Asia. Ba't ngayon ka lang?" tanong nito kay Luana.

"Work," sagot ng bunso nila na natawa.

Nagsimulang magtanong ang mga kapatid niya tungkol sa Hawaii. Totoo naman na nakaka-miss na kumpleto silang nagpupunta roon tuwing bakasyon, pero hindi kasi nagtatagpo ang schedule nilang lahat sa ngayon. Kung tutuusin, naisip ni Laureen na sa magkakapatid, siya ang maraming time dahil literal na nakabakasyon talaga siya ngayon.

"We should go there soon," pag-aya ng kuya niya at tumingin sa kaniya. "When are you planning to go back to Hawaii?"

"Babalik ka pa?" tanong ni Luana sa mababang boses. "Akala k—"

"I-I'm not sure yet," pagputol niya sa sasabihin ng kapatid. "Hindi pa ako fully decided, but I am considering na bumalik na sa Baesa since I'm gonna need help with Alistair. I kinda want him to live here in the Philippines kasi the family's here."

Tahimik na nakatingin sa kaniya ang mga kapatid niya.

"Why didn't you tell us about him?" tanong ng Kuya Vaughn niya. "We could've been with you. We could've supported you. You were alone while . . . you were carrying him."

Napalunok si Laureen sa sinabi ng kuya niya. Nakatingin lang din sa kaniya sina Luana at Julien na naghihintay ng sagot.

Isa ito sa pinaghandaan niya at sa naging pakiusap niya sa parents niya na paninindigan niyang biological son niya si Alistair. No one asked about the father, but Laureen knew that her brothers were assuming it was Aston.

"Were you planning to tell the dad?" Ito ang naging tanong ni Vaughn. "Whoever the dad is, he deserves to know, but we'll also respect your decision."

"Basta kung saan ka comfortable, Ate," sabi ni Julien sa kaniya.

Laureen remembered her conversation with Julien before leaving for Hawaii. How her brother apologized about Aston and Asia's cousins, about him not speaking up, about him na hindi siya ipinagtanggol. Naalala niya kung paano siya umiyak sa nakababatang kapatid dahil doon, pero wala siyang sinabi. It was painful for her to hear that even her brother didn't say anything.

She wasn't mad, just heartbroken that no one stood up for her.

"For now siguro, I don't want you all to stress much about me and Alistair. Let's focus on Luce's birthday. Ang exciting ng theme na napili niya, ha? Ayaw na ba niyang maging surfer or swimmer? Ba't he chose being an astronaut this time?" pag-iiba niya sa usapan.

"He's into space lately. Amazed siya sa planets and rockets." Natawa si Julien. "He couldn't stop talking about how happy he was that you're here. By the way, are you going to attend the party, right?"

Laureen said nothing and stared at Julien, but she slowly nodded.

"We'll be there. Lucien told me earlier na I have to be there." Natawa si Laureen. "He's very much excited to show off Ali to everyone. Bigla akong kinabahan, but I promise to be there for your kid." Nakatingin siya kay Lucien. "I won't break his heart."

Nagbago ang topic ng usapan nila tungkol sa buhay ng isa't isa. Kinain nila ang dalang pizza at donuts ni Luana habang nagtatawanan. Bihirang magsalita si Laureen dahil inoobserbahan niya ang mga kapatid niyang panay ang kuwento sa kaniya tungkol sa mga nangyari noong wala siya sa Pilipinas.

Nahihirapan si Julien sa anak dahil pasaway na ito at maraming extra curricular activities. Gustong mag-swimming, mag-basketball, at mag-car racing. Lahat naman iyon, kaya nina Asia at Julien dahil pareho namang maganda ang trabaho.

"Kailan n'yo balak sundan?" tanong ni Vaughn.

"Wala pa. Ang bata naming nagkaanak ni Asia, mag-e-enjoy muna kami ngayon," sagot ni Julien. "Asia's planning to go back to competition. Isa 'yan sa pinag-uusapan namin dahil may possibility na lumipat kami kung mangyayari man."

Nagsalubong ang kilay nina Laureen at Luana habang nakikinig.

"Nasa plano, pero hindi pa sigurado. Depende kay Luce kasi ayaw namin siyang mabigla, but we're planning to stay in Baler or Ferme Laurentes. Again, depende kay Lucien," ani Julien.

Luana was talking about the last country she visited due to work and Vaughn was still busy with his own businesses and family life. Malaki rin kasi ang hinahawakang business ng kuya niya galing sa ama. Bukod pa roon, nag-invest din ito sa isang farm sa Baesa na siya ang humahawak.

Ilang oras pa ang lumipas, naiwan sina Laureen at Luana sa living room dahil umakyat na ang dalawang kapatid nila para matulog.

"Hindi ka pa mag-sleep, Ate?" tanong ni Luana.

"Hindi pa, e. Ikaw?" Kumagat si Laureen sa donut na hawak.

Ngumiti si Luana. "Ang ganda-ganda mo ngayon, Ate. Maganda ka naman before, but motherhood suits you. But isang napansin ko, ha? You're so fit and tanned. Ang layo sa dati na sobrang puti mo and ang putla-putla mo. Palagi ka pang serious noon! Ngayon, you're always laughing and smiling na."

Natawa si Laureen at umiling.

"And you're not holding your phone. Dati kahit na nagkukuwentuhan tayo, you're busy typing or reading something sa phone mo. 'Pag may bonding tayo. You always have your iPad or laptop with you. Now, you're really with us," pagpapatuloy ni Luana. "I'm liking this change, ha. Grabe your glow up!"

"I love this version of me, too," sagot naman niya. "I like that I can feel every emotion and let it all out. I love that I am focusing on myself now kaysa sa work and businesses."

"That's good, Ate. It's never too late naman." Ngumiti si Luana.

Malalim na huminga si Laureen at muling hinarap ang kapatid niya. "Matagal na rin akong walang balita kay Aston. How's he? Ikaw ba, meron kang balita sa kaniya?"

"To be honest, wala, e. After n'yong mag-break, halos walang nakakakita sa kaniya. Never na siyang sumama sa weekly bonding nila and Kuya Julien said na kahit sa family lunch, wala," sabi ni Luana sa mababang boses. "Last I heard, travelling. That's it."

Laureen nodded, and she couldn't help but tear up. "I messed up so bad, right? I messed him up?"

"He messed you up, too, Ate," Luana said sadly. "You were pretty messed up after the breakup, too. 'Wag namang masyadong siya lang iniisip mo. You weren't fine, too."

—

Aston arrived, and the party was already starting. Galing siyang airport at dumeretso lang sa party dahil nag-promise siya kay Lucien na pupunta siya bitbit ang rocket toy figure na ipinasadya pa niya sa US noong nakaraang buwan.

"Aston!" Lumapit sa kaniya si Asia at niyakap siya. Yayakapin dapat siya, pero tumigil ito at tiningnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa. "Wow. What the heck happened?"

Walang naging sagot si Aston at basta na lang hinila si Asia para yakapin at halikan sa pisngi. "Where's the birthday boy? I got the toy." Ipinakita niya ang paper bag.

Itinuro ni Asia si Lucien na nakaupo sa children's table. Katabi nito ang anak ng mga Karev. Kasama rin sa paikot na lamesa ang ilang pamangkin ng mga Laurent. Napakaraming batang invited, pero puno rin ng mga may-edad na.

His family were here. Kulang lang ang mga pinsan niyang mayroong mission, pero nabanggit sa kaniya nina Kalev at Yeza na posibleng dumaan sa party bago umuwi. Sabay-sabay silang dumating, pero dumiretso muna ang mga ito sa opisina.

Lucien hugged him and thanked him for the gift. Excited nitong inilagay ang paper bag sa lamesa ng mga regalo at nagpaalam sa kaniya na pupunta muna sa mga kalarong bata.

Pinuntahan naman niya ang mga magulang niyang nakaupo sa table kasama ang parents nina Yeza at Kalev. Pare-parehong salubong ang kilay habang nakatingin sa katawan niya. He was aware. He bulked a little while training with Kalev, Hyram, and DeMarco.

"And let's talk about that biceps!" Lumapit si Nyla sa kaniya. "Grabe naman ang six months na hindi pagpapakita. Grabe ang glow up!"

Natawa siya sa sinabi nito. Hinalikan din niya ang pisngi ng pinsan.

True enough, everyone was staring at Aston who was saying hi to each family member. Halos anim na buwan nila itong hindi nakita dahil palaging nasa ibang bansa. It was the same Aston everyone knew—bubbly while saying hello to everyone—but physically better.

Aston was wearing khaki pants and tucked in a white long-sleeved polo shirt folded to his elbow. Medyo hapit pa nga kaya halata ang pagganda ng katawan nito. Hindi masyadong malaki, hindi naman sobrang bulky, pero nagkalaman. Maganda rin ang pagkakagupit sa buhok dahil malinis sa magkabila, pero messy ang sa ibabaw na may kahabaan.

"What the heck?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Yuan nang makita siya. "May braso at dede. Grabe. How?"

Mahinang natawa si Aston at umiling. Itinaas niya ang hawak na camera. "Smile. Juana Belinda."

Isa-isa niyang kinuhanan ng pictures ang mga madadaanan niya, pero mas madalas ang mga bata. Pumuwesto pa siya sa children's area para lang panoorin ang mga batang magtawanan, maglaro, at magsigawan. Imbes na mairita, natawa siya lalo nang makitang nagkakapikunan na naman sina Lucien at Keeva—ang anak nina Keanna at Cale.

"Kumain ka na muna," sabi ni Asia na lumapit sa kaniya. "You're really into photography now?"

"Yup." Tumayo si Aston at itinapat ang lens kay Asia na kaagad ngumiti.

Asia observed Aston who kept wandering his eyes around. Alam niyang mayroon itong hinahanap, pero hindi nagtatanong sa kaniya. She was waiting for him to ask but didn't, so she started taking photos of the kids instead.

"Mamaya na 'ko kakain," ani Aston habang nagtitingin ng pictures. "Hindi pa naman ako nagugutom."

Aston started taking photos. Minsan siyang nakikipag-usap sa mga pinsan niya o sa ibang bisita na lalapit sa kaniya. Halos kilala naman niya lahat dahil same subdivision at circle lang naman ang imbitado. Ang iba ay kaibigan at kapamilya sa side ni Julien.

The former champion surfer and the actress were here. Kasama ng mga ito sa iisang table ang parents nina Julien at mga kapatid. Nakita rin niya sina Hannah at Gabriel at ilang tao galing sa Baesa.

Malalim na huminga si Aston at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkuha ng picture.

"Kuya." Lumapit sa kaniya si Audi. "Nice to see you." Katabi nito si Madeline, ang isa sa mga best friend ni Laureen.

Aston hugged his brother and shook Madeline's hand. "Long time no see."

"I know right." Madeline laughed. "Busy sa runway. Ang laki ng ginuwapo mo, ha. Kanina ka pa namin pinag-uusapan ni Audi."

She took Audi and Madeline's photo and even requested to have it printed right away. Palagi rin kasi niyang dala ang printer niya just in case mayroon siyang makuhanang tao o couple para maibigay kaagad ang pictures.

At iyon ang ginawa niya sa ilang bisita. He was like a hired photographer, but he didn't mind. He loved seeing how people genuinely smile upon receiving a photo he printed.

Sandali silang nagkuwentuhan bago ito tinawag ni Madeline para daw magpunta sa dessert table na kaagad namang sumunod.

Ibinaling na lang ni Aston ang tingin sa mga bisita at nagpatuloy sa pagkuha ng picture. Inilapit niya kanang mata sa viewfinder at naghanap ng puwedeng makuhanan nang madaanan niya ang area malapit sa stage at lumabas ang huling taong inaasahan niyang makita.

Aston took a deep breath and focused on his camera's viewfinder. His grip tightened, his heart racing, and he exhaled the moment Laureen looked his way. Hindi niya pinindot ang shutter, hindi niya rin ibinaba ang camera. Nakatingin siya kay Laureen mula sa viewfinder na nakatingin pa rin sa kaniya.

Laureen looked different, and it was one thing he noticed. Her hair was in a tight ponytail but curly, unlike before. She was wearing a loose dark blue shirt with prints. They were stars and planets, and it made him smile.

To his shock, Laureen looked directly at the camera and smiled. He immediately pressed the shutter. It wasn't just one. It was a burst shut. It was a lot. He could hear every shutter. He didn't stop until Laureen looked away and talked to someone.

Nang mawala si Laureen sa paningin niya sa viewfinder, ibinaba niya ang camera at saka isa-isang tiningnan ang pictures.

And he took a shot of every movement and smile. He chose one of the best and stared at it for a second. No second thought, he printed the photo. At habang naghihintay, nilingon niya si Laureen na nakapila sa booth na mayroong gumagawa ng cotton candy.

"Dad," kuha niya sa atensyon ng daddy niyang nakaupo mga apat na lamesa ang layo sa kaniya. "Do you have a pen?"

His dad nodded and threw a pen at him. The photo was finished printing, and he gave it to Laureen. He would try to see if she would accept it or not.

Meanwhile, Laureen's hands were shaking, but she masked it by talking to the woman making her cotton candy. She went out to talk to someone but saw Aston instead. She panicked but tried so hard to act normal. She didn't want anyone to notice.

"Hi." Aston was standing beside her. "Just wanna give you this."

Laureen smelled Aston's familiar perfume and accepted whatever he gave her. It was a printed photo, like a small Polaroid. Before she could even say thank you, Aston left.

She stared at her photo, smiling . . . and read the note below.

'I love you. - A'

—
T H E X W H Y S
www.thexwhys.com