Nang makuha ni Laureen ang cotton candy, sandali siyang nakipag-usap sa parents niya na kinumusta si Alistair bago bumalik sa guest room ng events place. Nandoon si Luana para tingnan ang anak niya.

"Cotton candy?" Nagtatakang nakatingin sa kaniya ang nakababatang kapatid. "Can I have?"

Laureen sat down and happily shared the candy. She was quiet, trying to replay that exact moment. Hindi niya nakita nang buo ang mukha ni Aston dahil sa camera. Wala ring chance na magkaroon ng interaction dahil kaagad siyang iniwan pagkatapos ibigay sa kaniya ang polaroid.

"Are you okay?" her sister worriedly asked.

She nodded and gave the Polaroid to Luana. "Saw him. He gave me this."

Luana smiled and started teasing her. It was no secret to her family that she still loved Aston. It had been months, but she wasn't denying anything. In fact, she was done pretending and letting her mind take over.

"So, ano'ng naramdaman mo, Ate?" tanong ni Luana. "When you saw him."

Laureen looked down, trying to replay that moment, and smiled. "I didn't know slow motion's true. I thought movies and stories were just exaggerated, but no. I never felt that before. Is that a thing ba talaga?"

"Ate, you're so cute." Natawa si Luana. "Seriously."

"I am serious, too. First time kong makita and ma-experience that slowmo sa movies." Natawa rin siya. "He still uses the same perfume."

Luana laughed and played with Alistair who was stretching. Suot nito ang onesie na space theme galing kina Asia at Julien. Ipinasuot na rin nila ang sapatos na galing naman kay Vaughn. It was a Vans for newborn babies.

Sabay na nilingon nina Luana at Laureen ang pinto ng kuwarto dahil pumasok doon si Julien. Diretso itong nakatingin sa kaniya.

"Kalev and Yeza's here," sabi nito. "Nagtanong kung nasaan kayo."

Laureen nodded and gazed at Alistair again. Aware siyang darating si Yeza sa party. Nagsabi ito sa kaniya dahil magkausap sila kagabi at excited na rin daw kasi itong makita ang anak niya. Simula kasi nang dalhin si Alistair sa kaniya, iyon na ang huling kita ni Yeza sa sanggol.

Sumunod namang pumasok sa kuwarto si Lucien. Nakatingin ito sa kaniya at sinilip si Alistair.

"Tita, is he awake na? I want my friends to meet him. I want to show them my baby cousin!" ani Lucien na itinuturo si Alistair. "Please, Tita LJ?"

Nakatingin sa kaniya si Julien na lumuhod at kinausap ang anak na lalabas na sila mayamaya kaya makipaglaro na muna. Sinabihan din nito ang anak na mag-enjoy muna sa party while the grown ups would talk. Lucien understood and left the room.

"Are you comfortable na ipakilala si Ali sa lahat?" tanong ni Luana na nakahawak sa kamay ng anak niya. "Kung hindi naman, we won't have to—"

"I'm good. I won't hide my son from everyone." Ngumiti siya. "Wala namang masama kung makikilala nila ang baby ko. Besides, if plano ko namang tumira dito sa Pilipinas, they would still know. Nag-request naman si Luce, we'll do this. He's my baby. He's part of this family."

Laureen was nervous, but she already made up her mind. She wouldn't hide Alistair from people. She knew what it felt like to be hidden; she wouldn't let her son feel the same.

—

ASTON was talking to his mom who asked about his travels. Palagi naman siyang tumatawag at nag-a-update sa mommy niya. Isa iyon sa naging usapan nila nang magpaalam siya sa mga magulang niya tungkol sa pag-alis.

"Sa bahay ka ba tutuloy mamaya?" tanong ng mommy niya. "Malinis naman palagi ang room mo."

"Yes, Mom. I missed having breakfast with you and Dad." Ngumiti siya. "Also, wala pa rin naman akong balak bumalik sa office. I'm not sure. Baka sasama ulit ako kay Kalev next week sa pag-alis nila. Bahala na."

Tumango ang mommy niya at nagtanong naman sa bago niyang hobby. Isang rason kung bakit madalas silang nagkakausap ay para magpaturo tungkol sa photography. Para saan pang photography instructor ng Eastern U ang mommy niya kung hindi siya hihingi ng tips.

Nakita niya sina Suri at Heather na bumati sa kaniya. Isang tango ang naging sagot niya, pero hindi pa niya totally nakakausap ang mga pinsan.

Lumapit sa kaniya si Kalev na dumating kanina. Hinanap niya si Yeza na kausap naman si Lucien at nagbigay ng regalo bago naupo sa lamesa kung saan nakaupo ang mga magulang.

His mom excused herself, too. Naiwan sila ni Kalev na nakatayo sa gilid, malapit sa glass windows, habang pinanonood ang mga batang naghahabulan. Aston even took some photos.

"Nagkita na ba kayo ni Laureen?" tanong ni Kalev na uminom ng juice. "I know she's here."

"Saw her earlier," matipid na sagot ni Aston.

Nakapamulsa si Aston habang inoobserbahan ang mga bisita. Halos lahat ay masayang nagkukuwentuhan. Malaking bagay na magkakakilala ang halos lahat ng bisita. Nasa tabi lang niya si Kalev at pinag-uusapan nila sina Hyram at Helsey na hindi na makapupunta dahil naiwan sa Singapore.

The host got everyone's attention. Sabay na tumingin sa stage sina Kalev at Aston na naghihintay.

"Per the birthday celebrant's request, before we all say goodbye . . . he wants to say something!" the host joyfully said. "Lucien, can you come up here?"

Nakangiti si Aston habang pinanonood ang batang dati lang niyang madalas na inaasar kapag nakatambay siya sa bahay nina Asia at Julien. Lumalaki na ito at matatas nang magsalita. Minsan nga, sumasagot na rin sa kaniya.

"Hello po, everyone."

Nagtawanan lahat nang kumaway si Lucien sa kanilang lahat. Katabi nito sina Julien at Asia.

"Thank you po for coming to my space party and all the gifts. Thank you po for your time." Nag-thumbs up pa si Lucien na ikinatawa nila lalo. "Ang ganda po ng cake ko, right? Gift po 'yan kasi ng grandparents ko po 'tapos po the other cake naman po is from my Tito Vaughn."

Isa-isang binanggit ni Lucien ang mga display na planets at kung ano-ano pa.

"Last po, share ko po si Ali!" excited na sabi ni Lucien.

"Who's Ali?" magiliw na tanong ng host.

Lahat sila ay naghintay. Kinuha ni Julie ang microphone mula kay Lucien na bumaba sa stage at tumakbo papunta sa backstage. Lumabas doon si Luana bitbit ang isang sanggol na mayroong kaparehong print ng damit ni Laureen. Hindi siya puwedeng magkamali.

Sunod na lumabas sa backstage si Laureen, hawak ang kamay ni Lucien. Nakatayo ito sa tabi ni Asia. Si Luana at ang sanggol naman ay nakatayo sa harapan, sa tabi ni Julien na nakahawak sa kamay ng baby.

"Before this party ends, we want you all to meet Alistair Emilio Legaspi. He's the newest member of the Legaspi family." Ngumiti si Julien at tumingin kay Laureen.

"He's my baby cousin! Ali's my Tita Laureen's baby!" biglang sigaw ni Lucien na nakatingala kay Laureen. Ngumiti lang si Laureen bilang sagot sa pamangkin.

The room was unexpectedly filled with gasps from the guests because no one knew.

"Alistair is the son of our Ate Laureen. He was born almost two months ago and came home a few days ago from Hawaii, where they stayed." Julien smiled and thanked everyone for coming. "The event place is still open for us to bond."

Aston, on the other hand, was staring at Laureen. He was shocked. He didn't know how to react. His heart was racing, and he fisted, trying to calm himself. He couldn't look away. His mind was counting.

The loud music startled the baby, and Laureen immediately took him from Luana. Aston quietly observed but saw people looking at him and then Laureen.

Malakas na umiyak ang baby kaya sandaling hininaan ang tugtog. Nag-apologize si Laureen at isinuot ang ear muffs sa sanggol bago nagpaalam sa kanilang lahat. Ikinaway pa nito ang maliit na kamay ng baby bago sila tinalikuran.

He composed himself and felt his body weaken when Laureen was already out of sight. His mind was in chaos; people were staring at him with a confused reaction, and he felt suffocated.

Sandali siyang nagpaalam kay Kalev na lalabas muna ng events place para huminga. All the noises from the sounds, kids running, and people talking suffocated him. He didn't want to make a scene and confront Laureen in front of other people.

Nagpunta siya sa parking lot na nasa ilalim ng malalaking puno at sumandal sa sasakyan ng daddy niya. Nakayuko siya, nakapamulsa, at malalim na humihinga dahil napakaraming tumatakbo sa isip niya.

"Something wrong?" Kalev asked and stayed beside him.

Aston didn't respond.

"Iniisip mong anak mo?" diretsong tanong ng pinsan niya. "Kaysa malalim kang nag-iisip diyan, ba't hindi mo siya tanungin? She's the only person who could answer all the questions inside your head."

"I'm scared," Aston admitted. "What if the baby's mine? What if he's not? I don't know what to feel. Both answers will hurt me."

Walang naging sagot si Kalev sa sinabi niya. Pareho silang nakasandal sa sasakyan. Gustong magtanong ni Aston, pero may takot sa posibleng sagot. Malaki ang posibilidad na anak niya base sa bilang niya, pero kahit paulit-ulit niyang balikan ang mga buwan, si Laureen pa rin ang makasasagot sa tanong niya.

Imbes na magmukmok, bumalik silang dalawa sa party. Panay ang lingon ni Aston sa pinto sa likod ng stage at hindi na rin niya napigilan ang sarili. Nilapitan niya si Julien na kausap ang isa sa mga bisita.

"Can I talk to her?" Aston asked. "Please."

Julien said yes and told him to go inside the room. Laureen would be there. But instead of going inside, Aston looked for Laureen's parents and asked for permission. They agreed, too, as if everyone expected him to ask for it.

Pagbukas ng pinto, naabutan niya si Laureen na nakatayo sa mini kitchen ng kuwarto. Patagilid itong tumingin sa kaniya bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa ginagawa. Mukhang nagtitimpla ng gatas.

Nilingon naman niya ang sanggol na nasa kama. Gising ito, pero tahimik lang na nakahiga.

"Laureen?"

Tumingin sa kaniya si Laureen, pero walang sinabi.

"W-Were you pregnant when . . ." Aston paused and inhaled. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Laureen didn't say anything, but was looking at him. Hawak nito ang baby bottle habang nakatitig sa kaniya. Dahil doon, hindi alam ni Aston kung muli siyang magtatanong.

"Were you that mad that you decided to keep this? I know what I said that night hurt you, too . . . but—" Aston shook his head and looked Laureen in the eyes. "Please, talk to me. Laureen, I beg you to tell me something I need to hear."

Yumuko si Laureen at umiwas sa kaniya, pero hindi nakatakas ang pagtulo ng luha nito sa T-shirt na suot. Nakita niya kung paano nito sinubukang pigilan ang luha na mas lalong nagpabigat sa nararamdaman niya.

Nanatiling nakatayo si Aston na inoobserbahan kung ano ang gagawin ni Laureen. Kinuha nito ang maliit na unan, towel, at saka pinadede ang baby gamit ang baby bottle.

"Is he mine?" Aston asked in a low voice. "I counted. If . . . if he's your son and you gave birth almost two months ago. . . you were already pregnant when we broke up. You were already two to three months pregnant if I wasn't wrong. D-Did you know about it?"

Laureen shook her head. "H-He's not yours."

Because of Laureen's response, Aston felt his knees wobble. He sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at Laureen and the baby.

"Please, don't lie to me," Aston begged. "Please, Laureen, not this one. We were together. We—I was there. It's impossible. Please. He's mine, right?"

Laureen shook her head.

"Please." Aston exhaled and stared at Laureen. "Please, don't hurt me like that. I know you won't cheat on me. Kung galit ka pa rin dahil sa sinabi ko sa 'yo, sa nangyari sa 'ting dalawa . . . I am still paying for it. I am sorry."

Samantalang gusto mang pigilan ni Laureen ang sarili sa pagluha, hindi niya magawa. Nakatitig siya kay Aston na nakayuko at nakaupo sa gilid ng kama habang nakikiusap sa kaniyang sabihin ang totoo.

Isa ito sa pinag-isipan niya kung sakali mang magkita sila. Ilang scenario na rin ang ginawa niya sa isip kung sakali mang magkita na sila, pero ngayong nasa sitwasyon na, bigla siyang naging blangko.

"Whatever the answer will be, it would hurt." Pilit na ngumiti si Aston nang magtama ang tingin nila. "It would hurt if you kept him from me. It would hurt, too, if . . . if he's not mine."

Naramdaman ni Laureen ang muling pagbagsak ng luha niya.

"I know you didn't c-cheat on me," Aston said painfully. "Please, Laureen, I beg you to tell me the truth. Tayo ang magkasama and . . ."

Bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto at pumasok doon ang Kuya Vaughn niya. Nakatingin ito sa kaniya kaya kaagad niyang pinunasan ang luha.

"Are you uncomfortable talking to him?" Vaughn asked. "If yes, can Aston lea—"

"We're okay, Kuya. Thank you." Laureen smiled, and Vaughn looked unconvinced. "Really, we're cool."

They weren't, of course. Vaughn left when Laureen assured him they were okay.

"Were you alone?" Aston asked and stood up. "Regardless if he's mine, I hope you were okay. I-I won't pressure you now. I hope you're doing okay." His voice cracked.

Laureen felt her chin vibrate when Aston was about to leave the room. She was rooted in place, her tears were uncontrollable, and her heart was about to explode. She wanted him to stay. She wanted to say something about Alistair but couldn't open her mouth.

Nakatingin na lang siya hanggang sa buksan ni Aston ang pinto at nagtama ang tingin nila ni Yeza na nakatayo roon, nakatingin sa kaniya bago hinarap si Aston.

"Not now, Ate Yeza," Aston said in a low voice. "Excuse me."

Yeza saw Laureen's eyes soften while staring at her, and her eyes pooled with tears.

"Ate, let me through," Aston muttered.

To Yeza's shock, Laureen mouthed, "Please. H-Help me. I don't wanna hurt him more."

Yeza nodded and looked at Aston. "Go with Kalev. Don't drive."

—
T H E X W H Y S
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