note: in my susubukan ko na hindi i-unpublish era. :)
It was a well-known fact in the Robredo household that Leni is and will never be clingy. The girls know that their Mama is not big on affection but they also know that it doesn't mean that she loves them any less. Despite Jillian being the favorite, minsan Leni would shy away from her hugs. Not that she doesn't want to minsan lang talaga may mga importante pa siyang ginagawa and the girls understand that.
Another thing is, they know she's not big into showing emotions. Hindi naman sa manhid pero sobrang hindi lang talaga madaling maapektuhan ang Mama nila.
So, it came as a surprise to them when their Mama is actually very clingy, and very emotional when it comes to their Tita Sen.
AIKA
It was a long day for her, daming inasikaso sa trabaho, so when she got home and was welcomed with a delicious scent, she couldn't help but be giddy at the prospect of food.
She rounded the small kitchen where she knew her Mama would be but was stopped by the sight in front of her. It wasn't her Mama that was cooking but it was her Tita Risa. They're both out of their work clothes, instead clad in their usual pambahay. She couldn't help but find them cute seeing as they are both wearing their respective university shirts. The amount of bardagulan they get into whenever they watch the games. Ang lakas pa man din mang alaska ng Mama nila. Buti nalang they found a kakampi in their Tita Sen.
Aika couldn't help but smile as she watched her Tita feed a spoonful of whatever it is she was cooking to her Mama. Parang mga teenagers, she thought to herself. She watched as her Tita continued with her stirring and cooking, her Mama watching as well with a fond and very smitten smile on her face. Her dimples are on full display as she listens to whatever her Tita is saying.
Aika watched as her mother impulsively yet lovingly hugged her Tita Sen from behind. Resting her head on the taller woman's back. She couldn't help but be in shock, seeing her Mama so soft and so open with her affection. She watches as her Tita lovingly laced her free hand with her Mama's, having it rest firmly against her stomach. And as if it couldn't get any better, Aika watches as her mother plants a few soft kisses on her Tita's shoulder.
Aika felt like she was watching something out of a movie. Never in her life had she seen her Mama so affectionate. Even before. As creepy as she looks from her spot, she couldn't help but watch. Watch as her Tita kisses the back of her Mama's hand, their fingers still laced together. Watch as her Mama hugs her Tita tighter.
She was too busy watching that she didn't notice she was the one being watched na. Risa saw her from the door and ushered her in. Greeting her with a ready smile on her face.
Her mama let go of her Tita, seeing as her Tita is already approaching her to give her a hug.
"Nandito ka na pala, nak. Did you eat dinner na?" Risa asked her in her usual malambing voice.
"Ay hindi pa po. Gutom na nga po ako."
Risa nodded, "Don't worry it's almost done na. Pasta lang 'to, nak. Is that okay for you? Do you want to order pa? Pizza? Chicken? Something na kaulam nito." Her Tita really be god sent. She shook her head no, "Wag na po Tita. Okay na po 'yan. Baka nga lang po mag second or third serving ako. Parang ang sarap sarap po kasi talaga."
Risa smiled at that, "No problem, nak." Risa went back to her cooking.
She was surprised, however, when someone touched her arm, it was her Mama. She was too busy watching her Tita that she forgot about her Mama.
"Sige na, nak. Magshower ka na para we can have dinner after." Aika was too surprised with the gesture na napatango nalang siya.
As she turned towards the door, she couldn't help but look back. Her Mama has an arm slung around her Tita's waist. Wala naman talaga siyang ginagawa, in fact medyo sagabal pa nga siya sa pagluluto pero it seems like her Tita doesn't mind naman. Seeing as they're both smiling and conversing pa. Aika couldn't help but smile at what she's seeing, remembering her earlier interaction with her mama, she guesses she has her Tita Sen to thank for that. Nahahawa na ata sa pagiging malambing ang Mama niya.
TRICIA
It was already 2AM when she got home. Katatapos lang ng shift niya sa hospital and her bed is already calling for her. However, she was surprised to see her Mama in the living room.
Hindi naman talaga surprising considering na workaholic ang Mama niya but what surprised her was the tears streaming down her face. She immediately dropped her overnight bag.
"Mama what happened po? Nasaan sina Ate and Jill?" Still, her Mama wouldn't talk. Tricia pulled her in a hug, letting her Mama rest her head on her shoulder as she tries to console her by rubbing her back.
"Mama, tinatakot mo naman ako. What's wrong? If it's not Ate and Jill.. sa work po ba?" Still no answer.
"Is it Tita Sen?" At that, her mother only cried harder. Wala namang tunog pero her sobs were much stronger.
"Ano pong nangyari, Ma? Okay lang po ba si Tita Sen?" Truth be told naiiyak na rin si Tricia. Iyakin pa naman siya and seeing her pillar of strength crying.. paanong hindi ka maiiyak? She's scared din since the last time she saw her mom crying this hard was when they lost their Papa. Hindi niya ata kakayanin if another loved one would leave them. She tried to remember if her Tita Sen mentioned any out of town trips or meetings pero wala siyang maalala besides, it would already be on the news if meron man. Wag naman sana, she thought.
But she remembered this isn't about her. It's about her Mama and what's making her cry this much. So, Tricia held herself together. Trying her hardest not to cry instead she let her Mama be. Let her cry it out for a while. Like she once did with her when she went through her first breakup. She sat there as her Mama continued to cry. When her Mama was a lot calmer, Tricia tried again, "Mama... ano po bang nangyari?"
Her Mama hiccups as she tries to answer her question, "Nag-away... *hiccup* kasi kami *hiccup* ng Tita mo. *hiccup*"
Tricia was stunned. To say she was shocked is an understatement. Her mama is bawling her eyes out because she and her Tita Sen fought? Parang sa tanan ng buhay niya she never saw her mother cry. Well with one exception but still. When her parents fought it was always silent. Quiet. Away from them. But this, she never thought she'd see this side of her Mama.
"Ano po bang nangyari, Ma?"
Her Mama lets out a deep breath, trying her hardest to compose herself, "Nag-away kasi kami... we said some things. Hurtful words were thrown and I... I may have pushed her away completely. Sabi niya huwag na raw muna kami magkita. To give her some time and space." Seeing her Mama fidgeting, vulnerable, and so unsure of herself, Tricia couldn't help but reach out. She held her Mama's hand which prompted her Mama to look at her, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Ayoko naman ng time at space away from her. Ayoko siyang mawala, nak. Hindi ko ata kakayanin." That's when the tears started again. Tricia pulled her Mama in a hug again. This is the longest time her Mama allowed her or anyone in the family to hold her.
"Hindi ko naman sinasadya." Her mom said in between sobs. Tricia couldn't speak, hindi niya rin naman alam ang buong kwento. She instead held her mom tighter and hoped and prayed that her Mama and her Tita Sen would get through this.
Tricia couldn't reconcile this version of her Mama to the stoic almost unmovable Mama she knows. God let them get through this. She prayed. For Mama, for Tita Sen, and for their whole family.
Tricia just held her mom the whole time she was crying. Sleep be damned she thought. Hindi niya na maalala when or if her mom stopped crying or when she fell asleep but she woke up with her and her mom cuddling on the sofa. Her mom is hugging her and Tricia couldn't help but relish in it. Sobrang bihira nga kasi magpayakap nito. They get to pero usually very brief lang. The longest that could get away with it is si Jillian but even then, very brief lang. Not like this. Never like this.
Tricia was about to fall asleep again when she heard the plates. She opened her eyes to see her Tita Sen arranging the table. She watches as her Tita Sen tries to set it up as quietly as possible. The table is brimming with all of her Mama's favorite breakfast food.
She also couldn't help but notice her Tita Sen's tired eyes. Mugto rin ang mata nito. Hay nako talaga kayong mga Tanders, she thought to herself. Mga nangangain ng tao sa hearings and sa meetings but when it comes to the two of them mga tiklop naman pala.
Tricia, as much as she's enjoying her mother's embrace, disentangled herself from her Mama's hold. She slowly stood up and went to her Tita Sen.
She hugged her Tita Sen, she could tell her Tita was surprised but she felt her hug her back nonetheless, "Tita, don't leave Mama. Don't leave us. Just like Mama said, hindi po ata namin kakayanin." That's when her tears started flowing. May hangganan din naman yung pagpipigil niya 'no.
"Hindi naman ako aalis. I was the one who asked for time and space but look where I am now. Ako rin yung hindi kayang lumayo. Isa pa, hindi ko rin naman kakayanin na mawala kayo." She only cried harder after that.
When her Mama woke up, she didn't miss the smile that bloomed on her face when she saw her Tita Sen. She watches as they converse on their own, hugging and reconciling. Her Mama let out a few tears but her Tita was quick to wipe them away. She was too busy watching hindi niya namalayan umiiyak na rin pala siya.
Her sniff caught her Mama's attention. She expected her usual remark na "dami mong emosyon", but instead her Mama smiled at her and thanked her — which only made her cry harder. Oo na, siya na talaga ang pinaka iyakin sa pamilya.
JILLIAN
Jillian loves cuddling with her Mama. Between the three of them, siya lang talaga ang nacu-cuddle sa Mama. But when her Mama got home that night, she could feel that she was a bit stressed out at mukhang marami pang kailangang gawin. What with the huge stack of files she just dropped on their coffee table.
They all gave their Mama a quick kiss, they ate dinner which was full of kwento. Their Mama asked them about their day, usual kwentuhan, but still, Jillian wanted to hug her Mama. Wala lang as the malambing of the bunch, gusto niya lang talaga i-hug ang kanyang Mama.
After dinner, her mama got settled on the couch. She started reading her files na, her ates went to their room since they really can't make a noise with their Mama working. But she stayed, busying herself with her phone and laptop. Jillian couldn't help but look at her Mama every once in a while. Humahanap ng timing as to when she can make lambing.
They were both busy doing their thing when someone buzzed. Jillian stood up to check who it was. She got excited when she saw it was her Tita Sen.
"Tita, pasok po kayo!" Her Tita Sen immediately pulled her in a tight hug. Kissing her forehead before handing her the pangata she brought. Another reason why she's excited to see her Tita Sen, laging may pasalubong na snacks.
She placed the box of pasalubong on their coffee table. She watches as her Tita Sen greeted her Mama with a kiss. It was a quick kiss which they are all used to by now. She finds it sweet, minsan they — the Hontibredo Kids, would tease their moms.
"Dito ka matulog?" Her Mama asked, it surprised her when her Tita Sen looked at her as if asking for permission.
"Uhm, tinatanong niyo po ba ako kung okay lang?" She asked.
Her Tita Sen nodded, "Oo nak kasi diba roommates kayo ni Mama."
Jillian couldn't help but laugh at that, "Okay lang po, Tita. Kila Ate nalang po ako tatabi. Kung sino man pong mabait na magpapatabi sakin. Feel ko si Ate Aiks 'yon." They all laughed at that. Aso't pusa kasi talaga sila ng Ate Tricia niya.
"Thank you, nak. Pag di ka itinabi sa amin ka nalang tumabi." Her Tita Sen said before turning to look at her Mama, "Ligo lang ako, Mahal." Her Mama nodded watching her Tita Sen walk away before returning to her papers.
When her Tita Sen returned, already showered and dressed in her Mama's clothes, she sat with them on the couch. Unlike her Mama, walang work na dala si Tita Sen.
Seeing as she's not busy, Jillian couldn't help it anymore, being the malambing that she is, she cuddled with her Tita Sen, and being malambing as well, her Tita Sen welcomed her hug and started stroking her hair.
"How was your day, love?"
"Okay lang po. Daming school works but this is giving me the recharge I need. Iba talaga ang power ng free hugs." Her Tita Sen let out a soft laugh at that.
They stayed cuddled like that for a while. Her Tita started using her phone. Showing her memes and what not. They were both busy laughing at something when she felt another pair of arms wrapped around her. To her surprise, it was her Mama. She felt her Tita Sen open her arms wider. Accommodating her Mama who now has her head resting on her Tita Sen's other shoulder.
She watches as her Mama basks in her Tita Sen's embrace.
"Pagod ka na, Mahal?"
"Medyo pero just like Jill said, iba talaga ang power ng free hugs. Lalo na your free hugs." Her Tita Sen giggled at that. Jillian moved away, pretending to reach out for the box of pasalubong her Tita Sen brought.
She watches as her Tita Sen wraps both of her arms around her Mama. The latter, burying her face further in her Tita's neck. She watches as they converse in hush tones, almost whispering at each other. Jillian could see her Mama relaxing, the tension leaving her body. She also noticed her smile and how her dimples are now on full display. She only knew one well now two people who could do that. Her Papa and lately, her Tita Sen.
She watches as the two comforts each other, basking in each other's love and embrace. Who would have thought her Mama would readily leave her papers strewn over their coffee table just to cuddle? Jillian was too busy watching and pondering she didn't notice that both her Mama and her Tita Sen are now looking at her.
"Love, okay ka lang?" Her Tita Sen asked, concern evident on her face. Her Mama is looking at her as well.
"Ah, opo. May iniisip lang sa school." Her Tita Sen nodded and to her surprise, extended an arm out.
"Lika dito, late naman na. Bukas mo na isipin 'yon. Free hugs muna." Seeing her Mama extending an arm as well, who is she to say no to that?
They were all busy watching something from her Tita Sen's phone when they heard a snicker, they all looked up to see her Ate Tricia and Ate Aika looking at them from the stairs, "Iba na talaga pag favorite." Her Ate Tricia said.
Her Ate Aiks nodded, "Maypa cuddle with both Mamas. Sana all nalang talaga."
"Hay nako, tigilan niyo nga 'yan." Their Mama reprimanded which made them all laugh.
"Tigil niyo na raw kasi sumama na kayo dito. Free hugs!" Her Tita Sen said inviting her two Ates. Her Ate Tricia immediately went for it. She sat beside their Mama wrapping both arms around her. Her Ate Aiks followed suit, sitting beside her and joining the hug-fest as well.
Jillian couldn't help but think that this is how a home should feel like. The last time she felt this at peace was when she was really young. When her Papa is still around. She looked up only to see her Mama and Tita Sen looking at each other. They're both smiling, the love between them evident. She couldn't help but smile at that. Her Mama is happy. Not that she wasn't after their Papa, but she's different now. She's softer, more loving, and more open with her affection. As she feels her Tita Sen drop a kiss on her forehead, she couldn't help but think she has her to thank for all of this.
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📸: ctto
kasalanan 'to ng podcast guesting ng robredo sisters + the robredo sizzums pic with their tita sen last night. 💜💖
p.s sorry napahaba ata. hehe.