Maghapong nakipaglaro si JC sa mga anak ni Coline. He has no idea that being surrounded with these children is this tiring yet feels so great, and even great is an understatement. Lauren is sweet, Emma is charming while Ezze is mischievous. He read them stories, colored Lauren's nails and braided her shiny black hair. Kahit hindi siya marunong non ay ilang ulit niyang pinanood AF inaral sa YouTube.
"Dada..." Lauren sat in his lap saka nito isinubsob ang mukha sa dibdib ng lalaki. "Don't go Dada." Nagkatinginan sila ni Coline na hinehele ang kambal sa crib.
"Don't worry, Lauren. Dada isn't going anywhere." He assured and kissed the child's forehead saka into kinumutan.
"Promise?"
"Promise. So take a rest princess." Soon he adjusted the light of the lampshade and headed out of the nursery.
It's already 8pm when the twins fell asleep too. Si Nanay Ester din nakapagligpit na at nakapaghugas ng pinggang nagamit noong hapunan.
"Malakas pa ang ulan. Mukhang matatagalan bago tumigil yan." Sabi ni Coline nang sumilip si JC sa bintana.
"Yeah." Sagot naman ng lalaki na napakamot sa ulo saka bumalik sa pagkakaupo sa sofa.
"Gusto mo bang magkape? Magtitimpla ako." Coline went to the kitchen and he followed.
"Bittersweet." He said out of the blue while sitting on the high chair.
"What is?" She asked clueless.
"My coffee."
"Ah. Pareho pala tayo." She casually said and prepared the cups. Matagal na rin niyang di nagagawa ang ganito. Na may kausap pagkatapos kumain habang nagkakape. It's just too nostalgic.
"Coline?"
"M?"
"Can I sleep here tonight? Just for tonight."
Coline stared at her for a couple of seconds and answered. "Ok." Saka na nito ibinalik ang ang atensyon sa kape.
"Thanks." He happily said and took a sip from his coffee. "Mm. The best I've had in ages!" He exclaimed took another sip. "Is a na lang ang problema ko."
"Ano nanaman?"
"I need to change and I don't have any clothes with me."
"Mag side B kana lang."
"Side B?"
"Balihtarin mo saka mo suotin ulit." She smirked, teasing him. "Kasya mo ba yung damit ko? Pahihiramin kita ng panty." And she laughed while he was mesmerized.
God. Her laugh is contagious. I wish she could smile more often. She's more beautiful when smiling. Aaaarrggh. D*mn coffee. Nakintal kasi ang dila niya.
"Hoy, binibiro lang kita. Natulala kana. Wag kang mag-alala may damit along kakasya sayo."
Soon, she led him upstairs and went to her closet. Wala siyang malaking T-shirt na kakasya sa lalaki. But then she remembered her maternity dresses. Tinignan muna niya si JC bago hablutin ang isang pantulog na Hello Kitty na huli niyang sinuot noong buntis siya sa kambal and handed him.
"No way." JC said while unfolding the pink dress. Sinukat pa niya iyon at iyon at umabot lang 5 pulgada bago ang tuhod niya.
"No choice ka. Iyan lang ang kakasya sayo."
"Seriously? Hello Kitty ipapasuot mo sa kin?"
"Kung nag-iinarte ka, edi wag. Bahala kang maburo sa sarili mong baho."
"Oo na. Siege na, susuotin ko na."
"Ang arte arte. Choosy ka pa isusuot mo rin pala." Coline smiled triumphantly at hinatid niya ito sa guest room.
