Dumating sila sa isang restaurant at malapit lang naman iyon sa ospital. Naka-convoy ang mga sasakyan nila. Hindi na rin sila nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na magkausap pa kanina habang naglalakad dahil ramdam ang ilangan.

They were in an Italian restaurant. There were a few people, and it had a quiet ambiance. Laureen ordered a simple Caesar salad and risotto. Aston got himself a classic carbonara and a porterhouse steak for them.

While Laureen was talking to the server, Aston subtly observed his ex-girlfriend dahil napansin niya ang malaking pagbabago nito.

"Is that all, ma'am?" the server asked Laureen and gazed at him. "Sir?"

Both nodded and thanked the server before looking at each other.

Aston noticed that Laureen had a brighter and more joyful expression in her eyes. It was as if she had slept well the past few months. Hindi niya alam kung paano i-explain sa sarili niya dahil mayroong kakaiba. It was the same face, but different.

"You were in Hawaii?" Aston opened the topic. "A little tan looked good on you."

"I run every day kasi kaya medyo naging tanned ako. I like it, too. Hindi na 'ko mukhang low blood palagi." Laureen chuckled and sipped some wine. "How about you? Y-You bulked a little."

Aston nodded and liked his lower lip. He smiled and inhaled. "Kalev's been bugging me to go to the gym with him. Ginawa kong busy ang sarili ko by working out. Mostly jogging, pero minsan sa gym with my cousins."

Laureen just nodded and stared at Aston. For seven months, she longed to see him. Wala siyang gustong itanong, gusto lang niyang tingnan si Aston. Inobserbahan niya ang mga pagbabago dahil medyo marami.

He looked better, Laureen thought. Bigla niyang naisip na siguro nga naging pahirap siya sa relationship nila para mas may iganda pa ang katawan, iguwapo ang mukha, at ikalakas ng appeal. Mas naging pansinin ito dahil kahit mga server na babae, nakikita niyang tumitingin kay Aston na parang nagkukuwentuhan pa.

"Laureen, I have a question," Aston said in a low voice and didn't wait for her to respond. "What made you decide to have Alistair?"

Aston observed Laureen who looked down, smiled, and started talking about Alistair. Aside from the physical changes, Aston also saw Laureen's happiness while talking about her son. She would tuck her hair behind her ear and smile whenever she mentioned Alistair's name. Her voice was high-pitched, and her eyes twinkled while talking.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, making Laureen stop. He later realized he had said it loudly. It was supposed to be just inside his head.

Aston looked down and bit his lower lip when Laureen smiled. Bigla siyang nahiya sa sarili kahit na palagi naman niya iyong sinasabi kay Laureen noong magkasama sila. Only seven months, but both felt that something was different. It was as if they hadn't known each other.

Mannerisms and actions were different from when they were together. What breaking up and months apart could make.

When their food arrived, they started talking about Aston's travels, Laureen's businesses, and how they had both lived the past seven months. Paminsan-minsan silang nababalot ng katahimikan lalo na sa tuwing masasagot ang isang tanong. Matagal bago masundan dahil parehong nagpapakiramdaman at hindi alam kung ano na ang susunod.

"It was hard at first because I had no idea how to care for a baby, but video tutorials helped." Laureen chuckled. "I am enjo—" Her phone rang. "Excuse me."

Sinundan ng tingin ni Aston si Laureen na nagpunta sa harapan ng glass walls ng restaurant habang mayroong kausap sa phone. Sandali itong lumingon sa kaniya bago yumuko at nagpatuloy sa pakikipag-usap.

Laureen wore simple ripped blue jeans and a white polo shirt. She was so simple and looked clean, too.

Bumalik sa lamesa si Laureen at ibinaba ang phone sa gilid ng lamesa. "Aston, are you done eating na ba? Mom called and Ali's a little fussy raw and asking if I can go home kasi baka hinahanap na niya ako."

"It's fine. Babalik na rin ako sa condo mamaya. You can go now if you want para makauwi ka rin kaagad. I'll pay for this, bukas ka na lang bumawi," ani Aston na sumenyas na sa server for bill out. "Sure sa breakfast tomorrow?"

Laureen nodded. "Yup. Sure." She smiled. "We're staying sa house nina Julien. You know my number. I know yours . . . we can communicate there."

They both agreed to meet again tomorrow for breakfast. Even if it was an awkward lunch, both wanted to see each other tomorrow. They even walked together to the parking lot without talking.

Their cars were beside each other.

"Ingat ka sa pag-drive," sabi ni Aston habang nakasandal sa sariling sasakyan at nakatingin kay Laureen. "See you tomorrow."

Tumango si Laureen. "You, too. Drive safely. See you tomorrow. Bye, Aston.

Hindi umalis Aston sa pagkakasandal sa sasakyan niya hanggang sa mawala sa paningin niya ang sasakyan ni Laureen. He looked down and smiled. Iba ang inasahan niyang tagpo kapag nagkita sila.

Aston already assumed that Laureen would push him away or wouldn't even talk to him, so the lunch was so random and unexpected, but he wasn't complaining. He wanted more.

—

ASTON arrived in the village at around eight in the morning but decided to go to his parent's house first before meeting Laureen. Wala pa rin naman kasi itong message sa kaniya kahit na sinabi niyang on the way na siya.

Sandali siyang nakipagkuwentuhan sa parents niya at kay Audi na alam niyang gustong magtanong tungkol sa nangyari noong birthday ni Lucien. Alam niyang maraming nagtatanong kung anak ba niya si Alistair, pero walang sumusubok.

Nang hindi pa rin siya makatanggap ng message mula kay Laureen, nagpaalam na siya sa parents niya at nagpunta sa bahay ni Julien na kaagad namang tinawag si Laureen dahil natutulog pa raw ito.

Aston was talking to Asia when Laureen went outside, panicking. Mukhang kagigising nga lang.

"I'm sorry." Laureen brushed her hair using her fingertips. "I have to cancel, pero babawi ako. Alistair's fussy all night and medyo mainit siya kaya we're going to the doctor muna. Babawi ako. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay," Aston assured. "Sino'ng kasama mong pupunta sa hospital? I can drive you, wala naman akong gagawin."

Julien and Asia looked at each other but remained quiet.

"Baka Dad wou—"

"Ate, pupunta sila ng embassy ni Mom, 'di ba?" sabi ni Julien na ipinaalala ang tungkol sa inaayos na visa. "May exam si Luce, Ate."

"I can drive naman." Pinilit ni Laureen ang ngumiti at ibinalik ang tingin kay Aston. "Next time na lang, ha? Una—"

Pinutol na kaagad ni Aston ang sasabihin ni Laureen dahil nakita niya ang pamumuo ng luha sa mga mata nito. "I'll drive you and Alistair. Maghihintay na lang muna ako rito sa baba. It's okay."

Tumango si Laureen at hindi na ito tumanggi. Inaya naman siya ni Asia na pumasok muna sa loob ng bahay para magkape. Naabutan niya si Lucien na nakaupo sa living room, nanonood ng TV. Nakasuot na ito ng uniform.

"Hi, Luce."

"Hi, Tito Aston." Kumaway ito at ibinaling muli ang tingin sa TV.

Dumiretso sila sa kusina. Kaagad siyang inabutan ni Asia ng kape habang pinag-uusapan nila ang tungkol sa family lunch na matagal na niyang hindi napupuntahan.

"Aston." Tinawag siya ni Julien papunta sa pool area na nasa likod ng bahay. "Sure ka bang ikaw na muna kay Ate? Nagkausap na ba kayo?"

Napaisip si Aston kung tungkol saan ang sinasabi ni Julien. Kung kay Alistair ba o tungkol sa kanila ni Laureen. He wanted to play it safe lalo na at sinabi sa kaniya ni Yeza na walang alam sina Julien sa totoo kaya naman imbes na sumagot, sumimsim lang siya ng kape. Good thing Julien didn't push it.

Naputol ang kuwentuhan nila nang makita si Laureen pababa ng hagdan. Hawak nito ang baby bag habang nakasuot ng baby carrier. Maingat itong bumababa sa hagdan habang nakatingin sa kanila.

"Julien, kindly let Mom know na lang na dinala ko muna si Alistair sa clinic. I don't wanna risk anything." Laureen forced a smile and gazed at Aston. "Are you sure you're free? Hindi na ako tatanggi 'cos I also know I won't be able to drive properly."

Aston nodded and said his goodbyes to Asia and Julien. Nagpaalam na rin si Laureen sa kapatid at sinabing uuwi kaagad pagkatapos ng checkup ni Alistair.

Kaagad silang umalis dahil nagsisimula ulit umiyak si Alistair. Pasimpleng tumingin si Aston sa rearview mirror dahil nasa likod niya si Laureen na inaalo ang anak. Naririnig niya na panay ang mahinang shush nito kasabay ng pagtapik sa likod.

Based on Aston's observation, Alistair sounded restless, and to his shock, he saw Laureen start crying. The muffled sniff, continuous blinking, and biting of the lower lip—he knew Laureen was trying not to cry but failed.

It took them thirty minutes. Dumiretso si Aston sa VIP area ng Laurent Medical Center at kaagad silang sinalubong ng tatlong nurse para dalhin sa isang VIP para sa kanila.

Laureen was aware about the VIP area. Noong ipinanganak si Lucien, sa left wing ng Laurent Medical Center sila pinapunta kung saan kini-confine ang mga Laurent. It was a different area from other patients. The place was private and only family members were allowed.

Pumasok sila sa isang private room kung saan mayroong maliit na sala at kusina, maliit na kuwarto para sa kasama, at hospital bed na malapit sa glass wall.

"Upo ka muna," sabi ni Aston na ibinaba ang bag sa kama. "They already called the pedia and she's on her way here. Puwede mo muna siyang ibaba sa bed."

At ganoon ang ginawa ni Laureen. Maingat na tinanggal nito ang mga strap ng body carrier at inilapag si Alistair sa malambot na kama ngunit kaagad na umiyak. Aston observed and saw Laureen panic.

"Can I carry him for now?" Aston asked. "I know how to." He chuckled.

Laureen was hesitant but nodded. Naupo na lang ito sa gilid ng kama at saka yumuko para itago ang paghikab. Nahalata rin ni Aston na wala pa itong tulog dahil medyo namamaga ang mga mata. Simpleng oversized shirt and pants ang suot at naka-messy bun ang buhok.

Dumating ang doctor at sinabihan si Aston na ibaba si Alistair sa kama para ma-check. Nagsimula itong magtanong kay Laureen.

"Yesterday afternoon, he was a little fussy, but last night, he was just crying," salaysay ni Laureen. "Tinanong ko si Asia about the possible reason, but wala naman siyang fever. Is he okay?"

"Let me check him." Ngumiti ang doktora.

Sumandal si Aston sa pader habang pinakikinggan ang pinag-uusapan ni Laureen at ng doktora. Tinimbang muna si Alistair. Inilabas din ni Laureen ang baby book at saka pinakinggan ang paghinga, ang tibok ng puso, pati ang tiyan.

"Oh, there. May colic siya," sabi ng doktora habang nakatingin kay Laureen. "Uncomfortable siya kasi gassy siya." Hinaplos nito ang tiyan ni Alistair na biglang umutot.

"Did I do something wrong for him to have colic? What did I do?" Humikbi si Laureen. "He was so fussy last night and I didn't know what to do. He burped naman and he was feeding. Nag-sleep s—" Sunod-sunod ang padaloy ng luha nito sa magkabilang mga mata.

Aston stared at Laureen who started crying while asking the doctor if Alistair was okay and if she had done wrong. Her voice quivered and sounded scared, too.

Nagulat siya, pero hindi siya nagpahalata dahil kung hindi niya kilala ang Laureen na naging ex-girlfriend niya, iisipin niyang soft-hearted and very emotional ang babaeng kasama. Ibang-iba sa Laureen na naging girlfriend niya kung saan parang halos wala itong emosyon kapag nagsasalita. Voice was flat, no tears, with questioning–yes, but very bland.

But the Laureen in front of him now, who was asking a lot of questions to the doctor, was different.

"Don't worry, colic is common naman sa babies and he'll be fine. We'll observe him until tomorrow or the next day. Kapag hindi pa rin okay, we'll change his milk," sabi ng doktora na isinuot na ulit ang damit ni Alistair.

Tumango si Laureen. "Okay. Let's confine him na lang para mas ma-observe siya. Is that what you're suggesting ba?"

"Oh, no. No need for confinement naman kasi there are no rea—"

"No, let's confine him na lang para you guys can further observe him. I won't mind. We can stay here," sabi ni Laureen. "Please. I don't wanna go home na hindi ako sure na he's okay. We'll stay here na lang, maybe get a different room."

Nagprisinta si Laureen na siyang magbibihis sa anak. Nagtama naman ang tingin nina Aston at ng doktora. Tinanguan niya ito.

"Dito na lang tayo sa room na 'to. This one's our family room. You can stay here," ani Aston na hinarap ang doktora. "Let's observe Alistair overnight or until Laureen's at ease that he's okay. What do you think?"

The doctor nodded and assigned a nurse to look after Alistair.

Nang maiwan silang dalawa sa kuwarto, isinara ni Aston ang blinds at pinatay ang ilaw. Umaga pa naman, pero pinadilim niya ang kuwarto para makatulog si Alistair, ganoon na rin si Laureen.

"I can call my parents to go here," sabi Laureen habang inaayos ang baby bottle. "I'm sorry. Babawi na lang ako ng breakfast 'pag sure akong he's okay na."

Before Aston could say anything, Alistair started crying and Laureen panicked. He didn't think twice and carried the baby who calmed while he swayed.

"Matulog ka na rin muna. Ako na muna ang bahala sa kaniya. I know you haven't slept yet." Aston stared at Laureen. "Marami pang time para bumawi. Just . . . rest for now. I'll take care of him."

Narinig niya ang malalim na paghinga ni Laureen. "Am I OA for staying here sa hospital kahit na sinabi ng doctor na he's okay naman?"

"Valid naman na want mo ng peace of mind before going home," sagot ni Aston. "You're not OA for wanting what's best for him. It's okay. Are you hungry? Bibili ako ng food. Hindi ka pa yata kumakain."

"I am very, very hungry," pag-amin ni Laureen at ngumiti.

Ngumiti si Aston at tumango. "I'll get us some food. Okay lang na iwanan ko kayo sandali? I'll go to the cafeteria to see what's available."

Lumapit si Laureen sa kaniya at akmang kukunin nito si Alistair, pero nakatitigan sila.

"You both have that same soft, doe, hypnotic eyes. He really is yours," Aston said and carefully gave Alistair to Laureen. "I'll be back as soon as possible. 'Pag may kailangan ka, push the rest button."

Laureen nodded and gazed at Aston, who was about to leave the room.

"Aston." She got his attention. "I have a question."

"What?"

"Are you seeing someone?" Laureen asked without buckling.

Aston chuckled. "I wouldn't be here if I was seeing someone."

Laureen exhaled and hesitated, but it was now or never. "I want you back," she murmured.

"Come again?" Aston asked, even though he heard it.

"I want you back," Laureen said firmly.

Aston couldn't contain his smile. He was in awe.

"Me, too," he replied.

—
T H E X W H Y S
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