Under His Hoodie

Epilogue

I roamed my eyes around the room. Nothing has changed. And his walking closet seemed to wave at me kaya naman ay binuksan ko ito.

Nazareth's clothes were properly organized. Naghanap ako ng pwedeng suotin. Agad akong nag-panic nang makitang puno ng underwear at boxers ang pangalawang drawer. Dahil sa pagmamadali kong maisarado ito ay naglaglagan ang iba. I gulped. Pinulot ko ito isa-isa.

I tried to stretch one.

I giggled.

Ang boxer niya ang ginamit kong pangibaba at isang large white shirt na below the knee. I kept smelling his shirt 'cause it smells exactly like him. I could smell this heroine scent throughout the day.

Bumaba na ako at tumungo sa dining room.

Sa huling hakbang ko sa hagdan, bumungad agad sa 'kin ang dalawa. Nakaupo na sila sa dining table. Nazareth was holding a morning newspaper while Kye's just sitting quietly. Nang makita ako ay umayos ito ng upo.

"Mommy's here, daddy!"

Binaba ni Nazareth ang hawak. His lips twisted into a lopsided grin. Naglakbay ang mata sa 'kin habang nakataas ang isang kilay.

"Damn..."

"Kumain na tayo," sambit ko.

Tumayo siya. "Let's go."

I looked at him, puzzled. "Huh?"

"Sa kwarto."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. I immediately went to Kye and covered his ears.

"Nazareth!"

He chuckled. Lumapit siya at dinapuan ng halik ang noo ko. Muli kong naamoy ang kaniyang pabango. The shirt has the same scent as him. "You look good with my shirt on, love. You should wear my clothes often."

"Sige."

He pursed his lips. His keen eyes were still taunting. Mabuti na lang at nanahimik siya dahil nasa harapan niya ang anak niya. More naughty words from him, I'll really break his neck for real!

May breakfast na sa hapag. Slices of bacon, artisan bread and yeast bread, sunny-side-up eggs, hotdogs, and fried rice. Before we started eating, nag-lead si Kye ng prayer, I taught him that while growing up. So he wouldn't forget to thank Him and remember Him for everything, always.

Pagtapos ay ako ang nagsandok kay Kye ng pagkain. Nazareth's penetrating grey eyes were watching, but I chose to ignore him. Tahimik din itong naghain ng pagkain. We started eating silently.

Tumikhim si Nazareth.

"I want to change his surname."

Naubo ako sa kaniyang sinabi. I immediately grabbed the water.

"We are still—"

"Kapag kinasal na tayo, mahal," sambit niya. He took a bite on his hotdog. "Pero liligawan pa muna kita. Araw-araw. Walang mintis."

Tumango na lamang ako kahit pakiramdam ko ay namumula na ang aking mukha. Si Kye ay hindi nakikinig samin, patuloy lamang ito sa pagkain.

After eating, dumiretso ako sa maid's headquarters para magpalit ng damit, but I ended up sleeping again. Nagising ako ng tanghali na kaya naligo na ako. This time, suot ko ang sariling damit. Tawanan at hagikgikan agad ang bumungad sa 'kin sa living room paglabas ko. Nanonood ang mag-ama ng cartoons na naman na nakakatawa. Hindi ko alam kung natatawa ba talaga si Nazareth doon o sinasakyan niya lang si Kye. Nevertheless, I'm happy with how he treated our child. Iniisip niya ang mararamdaman nito.

Agad akong nilingon ni Nazareth nang mapansin. Sumimangot ito habang papalapit ako.

"Why did you change your clothes, love?" he asked.