Parallel

Fourth Parallel: 2017

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The guests started arriving with Xandra's parents, Eddie and Annie being the first to come.

Thiago loves everything about marine life so Xandra decided to have his first birthday theme as "under the sea". Jackie and the rest of the 52 crew did a wonderful job in turning the house into one big ocean! It's fun to see it being decorated for a children's party again.

Bonget and Liza and the kids arrived with Mommy in tow. I am thankful that she's able to see how each one of her children are building a life of their own. I just wish that Daddy was able to witness this as well.

Manang Imee will not be able to make it because she is still in Ilocos. We will get to see her again in time for Michael and Cara's wedding next month.

Patty and Elvie came with Yael and her two sons. Yael is particularly close to me because Greggy is one of her Ninong. Even when we were still dating, Yael would call me "Ninang Irene" already.

And aside from Xandra and Luis' friends, the last to arrive is Alfie and Joy.

'Mommy!'
"Kuya.. bakit ang late nyo? Kanina pa sila dito."
'Hi Mommy. Sorry, emergency kasi sa bahay. We have to leave Mom and Jess behind nga ehh.'

"Are they okay? I mean.."
'Yeah, don't worry. Matters of the heart lang. But Dad's with us naman. Ayan sa likod, kasama si Andy.'
"Come inside na and eat. Andy?"

'Babbaaaaa!!!!'
"Pa kiss naman sa baby ko."

I'm showering Andy with kisses all over his face sending him into fits of laughter.

'Hi Irene.'
"Oh, Jake, hi. Sorry. I got caught in the moment with Andy. Pasok ka na. I'm sorry about Leni and Jess ha. Is Jess okay?"

Jake is Joy's father. He used to play golf and he is into cars. That's what broke the ice between him and Greggy as I remember the first time our families met.

'Yeah. Just.. you know. Heartbreak.'
"Ohhh." I never really knew heartbreak. Greggy was my first boyfriend. I never have to learn how to move on.

'Si Greggy?'
"Ayy naku. Emergency rin. Pero pabalik na yun. Sa office lang naman. Maybe ten? Fifteen minutes, nandito na ulit yun. Come inside and eat na."

When we get to the part of the house where we set up the table for our guests, I have to stop and to let the moment soak in for a while.

It is on a very rare occasion that I would get to see my family and Greggy's family getting along so well. Pat is even seated in between Bonget and Mommy.

'Irene? You okay?'
"Yeah.. just-"

My tears started falling and in no time, Jake take me in between his arms, stroking my back for comfort.

'Shhh. Okay lang yan. Ganyan talaga ang pamilya.'
"I know. It's just.. parang..-"
'Alfie is right. Iyakin nga yung nanay nya.'
"Loko yang bata na yan ahh."

We are in the middle of sharing giggles when a visibly upset Greggy walks in.

'Jake.'
'Oh, Greggy. Nako balae, iyakin pala si Irene.'
'Yeah. Si Leni?'
'May emergency sila ni Jess ehh. Kami lang nila Joy.'

Greggy is looking at how Jake still has his hand behind my back.

'Pwede ko na ba makuha yung asawa ko?'
'Ohh. Sorry, sorry. Yeah, of course. I'll just make my way to Andy. Irene..'

"Sure. Thank you."

When Jake is nowhere out of our sight, Greggy pulls me into a corner, seething.

'What do you think you're doing?'
"Greggy.. I don't understand. Why are you so mad?"
'Why? I just walked in on my wife inside my own house, na hawak ng ibang lalaki! Why am I so mad?'
"Daddy.. ano ka ba? Jake is Joy's father! Are you not hearing yourself?"