Progeny #2: Crashing Into You

Chapter 27

Hide and Seek

“M-m-mam…ma…”

I chuckled as she chattered.Her eyes fluttered uncontrollably, her hands making an open-and-close motion, and her shoulders almost dancing.

“M-mam…ah!” she tried once more.

This time, I erupted into hearty laughter, thoroughly enjoying the moment with her. I leaned down to gently kiss her nose and playfully pinch her cheeks.

“Very good naman ang baby ni Mama,” naiiyak sa tuwang sambit ko.

She made a victorious sound through her wailing. Pumalakpak ako habang pinagmamasdan siyang tuwang-tuwa. Ngunit kahit na ganoon ang nararamdaman ko, hindi maiwasan ang pagguhit ng pait sa aking dibdib.

To witness my daughter in her happy times is also my happiness that no money can ever offer. Pero hindi maaalis sa isip ko na higit pa rito ang kung sino siya kung hindi ako nagpabaya noon. Kung hindi ako uminom ng mga gamot.

Nagbabadya ang luha sa aking mga mata kaya mabilis akong tumagilid. I know she won’t know if I cry but I don’t want to shed tears in front of my daughter. Wala akong dapat ikaiyak dahil nararamdaman ko ito dahil kung nasasaktan ako, ano pa siya? Ano pa ang anak kong ipinanganak kong hindi buo? Hindi normal?

I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

“Yaw…rish…” she blabbered again, trying to say her name.

I took her favorite cereals. Tapos na siyang kumain at ganang-gana sa pagsubok na makapagsalita ulit.

“Yoris, baby…” pagtatama ko.

“Ngyah!” she spat angrily.

I closed my eyes, attempting to dispel my fatigue with a forced smile. When I turned back to her, the happiness that had adorned her face before had disappeared. Instead, she now wore her typical frown.I closed my eyes, attempting to dispel my fatigue with a forced smile. When I turned back to her, the happiness that had adorned her face before had disappeared. Instead, she now wore her typical frown.

“Sorry, baby. Gusto lang ni Mama na mas gumaling si Yoris sa pagsasalita ng name niya,” may halong kalambutan at pang-uuto ang boses ko.

She grimaced, yet I observed her lips beginning to pout. Despite her current hesitation about whether to trust me, I was confident that she would eventually believe me. While my daughter may be grappling with certain issues, she is undeniably more unique and extraordinary than many other children we have encountered here. Kahit mabilis siyang magtampo o ‘di kaya ay magalit, mabilis din naman iyong magbago kapag humihingi na ako ng tawad. She’s a soft hearted person and I am so thankful for that.

“M-mam…nya…yu…” she uttered, stuttering.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang marinig iyon.

“I love you too, baby,” usal ko, sapat lang para marinig niya.

Iniligpit ko na ang ilan sa mga ginamit ko para sa paghahanda ng agahan. Nanatili ang anak ko sa may upuan, naglalaro at may sariling mundo.

I started cooking food for later. Mamaya kasi ay narito na sila Tanya, Dad at ang asawa nito. They will stay here for a week. Dalawang buwan din silang hindi pa nakadalaw dahil naging busy sa kasal at sa pagpapatakbo ng hacienda.

Anong oras na ako natapos sa pagluluto. Matapos iyon, kinuha ko na si Yoris para patulugin. What I appreciate about my daughter is her willingness to comply with my requests or follow through on things she understands are beneficial for her without resorting to tantrums. Hindi katulad ng ibang bata. Perhaps my daughter isn't typical, but that doesn't diminish her love and affection.