Romancing The Ice Prince

Chapter 4.

A/N: It's pronounced as "Mee-lo"

Chapter 4.
Alexander Milo Gardencias

"Alex.."

Nasa dining area na sila at kumakain. She was seated beside Alex who was talking non-stop about all his adventures for the past few weeks. First time kasi nito sa Pilipinas at nagbabakasyon doon dahil matagal na nitong hiling iyon. Hindi siya sumama dito dahil ayaw nya bumalik sa Pilipinas at dahil nagtatrabaho siya at hindi basta basta pwede magleave. Well jokes on her dahil dadalhin din pala siya ng trabaho niya rito. Isa rin sa mga rason kung bakit tinanggap na lamang niya ang project na iyon dahil makakasama niya ang anak niya sa bakasyon nito sa Pilipinas.

Bumingisngis ito. "Yes, mommy. Alexander Milo Gardencias. Your only love!" He exclaimed. His blue eyes shining.

Napangiti na lamang ako habang umiiling. "Manners. Don't talk when your mouth is full, love"

"Sorry, mommy. It's just that, kahit few weeks pa lang po tayo hindi nagkikita, I miss you na agad po. Super. As big as a Jupiter!" Nagmuwestra ito kung gaano kalaki. His cute little hands waving in the air. May accent pa rin ang Tagalog nito but her son wanted to learn how to speak Filipino so as much as possible ay nagtatagalog ito. Kaya nagiging conyo ang kinalalabasan. It was very adorable. He loves his roots. For him, Philippines is a special place. "You know what, mommy? I planned to build my own airplane. Para anytime pwede tayo magfly. Do you wanna see it? It's not yet finished but i'll finish it soon. But since, you're already here.. I wouldn't mind taking a break so I could be with you." tuloy tuloy niyang sabi.

I gave him a soft look. Alexander was the spitting image of his father. Well, batang bersyon ngunit hindi magkakaila na mag-ama ito. It was hard looking at his handsome face sometimes dahil nakikita lang niya ang ama nito dito. He was the bittersweet reminder of the past. But she was glad she had him in his life. Alex is the only thing that is keeping her alive.

"I'd like that, love" she replied, almost a whisper. Her heart constricted because his son started to be fond of airplanes. Just like his Dad.

Haban nakatingin siya kay Alex ay naramdaman niyang pinagmamasdan siya ng kanyang ina who was seating across from her. She knew what she was thinking. She didn't want to look. Her mother always gives her "that" look na parang nasasaktan para sa kanya at may gustong sabihin, kumokonsensya sa kanya.

Nagpatuloy na lang siya sa pagkain at hindi tinignan ang ina. Alex also resumed his stories.

After a few minutes her mother cleared her throat. "Hija, nagtext ang Papa mo at pauwi na raw siya."

Rein tensed. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face her father. Buti na lamang at patapos na siya sa pagkain niya. "Uhm, Ma, medyo nakaramdam na ako ng hilo. I think it's the jet-lag. If you don't mind, magpapahinga lang muna ako saglit." Kinuha nya ang napkin at ipinunas sa bibig niya.

Her mom replied in a sad and a bit desperate voice, "Anak--"

"I'll just go upstairs" pigil niya sa sasabihin nito

Thankfully, her son didn't seem to notice the tension that was palpable in the air. "Can I sleep with you, mommy?" Tumingin siya dito. He was pouting. "I'm a big boy na but you know big boys can still sleep with their moms, right?"

She smiled. As if naman na tatanggihan niya ito. He used to sleep with her but at five, he has decided na big boy na ito and he requested his own room. Mukhang namiss nga siya ng sobra nito. Hinawakan niya ito sa pisngi. "Sure, baby. Go finish your food first"

He beamed. Lumitaw ang dimples nito. "Yay!" mabilis na tinapos nito ang pagkain nito. "Magkiclean lang ako ng room and toys ko. You know, I'm a good boy, Mommy. Diba ba po Mamu?" tanong nito sa lola.

"Oo very good nga yan eh," her mom replied with a sad voice.

Hindi na niya tinignan ang kanyang ina na napabuntong hininga na lamang.

*********

"After the war, the German---"

"Mommy?" Alex's sleepy voice interrupted her. Napatingin siya dito mula sa binabasang aklat about sa World War II. Her son doesn't like children's book. Or fairytales. He'd rather read encyclopedias, thesaurus, history books, newspapers etc. He was very smart. Like really smart. She thinks her son has a photographic memory or just very advanced for his age.

Just like his Dad.

"Yes, baby?" she asked in a soft voice.

Bago pa man ito makasagot ay nakatulog na ito, hindi na nalabanan ang antok. She smiled. Sinarado na niya ang libro at inilagay iyon sa bedside table. Inayos niya ng higa si Alex and tucked him in.

Ilang sandaling pinagmasdan niya lang ito. She stroked his hair. Her son is the most precious thing in her life. Hindi niya alam kung pano siya mabubuhay kung wala ito. Lahat ay ibibigay niya dito. Even her life. Isa lang ang di niya kayang ibigay dito.

Iyon ang ang ipakilala dito ang ama nito.

Miguel will never know his son. He should not now.

If she did, she knew. He will take him away from her.

She was sure of it.

Pero di niya hahayaan iyon.