Anthony's POV
It's weekend and today I'm having business trip. Isasama ko na din si Ava dahil didiretso kami sa Italy for some sort of bonding nang kaming dalawa lang. We always do this kasi at least once a year while my only princess will stay at Lizzy's house. Actually pinahatid ko na siya kay Manong coz I don't have time para ihatid pa siya.
While fixing my polo someone hug me from the back. I can see her reflection towards the mirror so I faced her and kissed her forehead.
Ava: Hon?
Anthony: Hmm?
Ava: What if isama nalang natin si Bella papuntang Italy?
Anthony: Why? (Confuse)
Ava: Eh nakaka-guilty kasi (sigh) Mag-eenjoy tayo tapos yung anak natin hindi?
Anthony: Our princess will enjoy at Lizzy's place, hon. Don't worry about her, okay? Besides as if naman ngayon lang natin siya iiwan.
Ava: Well, you have a point but still—
Anthony: Ava, wag mo munang isipin ang anak natin, okay? Tayong dalawa muna, hon (then raised his left brow playfully)
Ava smirked as response so I smile and hug her tight. To be honest, I can't wait to spend time with her again. Kung pwede nga lang hindi ko na daluhan yung business trip, gagawin ko eh so that I could spend more time with my wife. Turo kasi 'to sa akin ni Dad bago palang ako magpropose kay Ava. Sinabihan na niya akong "Always find time to be with your wife kahit gaano ka pa ka-busy, Anthony. Wag mo siyang babalewalain, alagaan mo siya. Treat her the way a woman should be treated, son."
We're fully prepared. Nasa sasakyan na din ang mga suitcase namin and now the only thing to do is magpaalam. I knocked at Mom and Dad's room pero walang sumasagot so we immediately head to the study room.
As I open the door, I saw mom looking from the window while si Dad naman nakaupo sa swivel chair niya. I don't know but I suddenly felt something is going on. Something isn't right so I speak up which made them shock.
Anthony: Mom? Dad?
Edward: Y-you guys are still here pala (then remove his reading glass)
Ava: Mom, are you okay?
Maddison: Y-yah. Of course I am (then faced Anthony and Ava)
Anthony: Umiyak ka ba mommy?
Maddison: No, son (then shook her head)
Edward: Actually yes (then laugh)
Mom gave Dad a confuse look and that made me laugh. Hay, Dad talaga palagi nalang binubuking si Mom eh so I let go of my wife's hand and walk towards my mom.
Anthony: Bakit mom?
Edward: Eh paano masyadong affected sa mga issue ng client niya kaya ayan, nagda-drama na naman (then laugh)
Anthony: Ganon? Mommy naman!
Ava: Mom wag ka ng malungkot. Don't worry bibilhan ka namin ng fav champagne mo (then wink)
Maddison: Di na kailangan, ang mahalaga you guys should enjoy, okay? Tsaka umuwi kayo dito ng ligtas at maayos, undertood?
Ava and I simply nodded as response. After a second, Dad change the topic. Sa totoo lang nakakapagtaka coz he keep on smiling eh hindi naman siya palangiti HAHAHA Baka nga good mood talaga. Siguro may napanalo na naman siyang kaso kaya masaya.
Edward: Gusto niyo bang mag-out of the country tayo next month?
Anthony: Bakit Dad? Anong occasion?
Edward: Wala naman, gusto ko lang kayong makasama because last year hindi tayo natuloy diba? So I guess next month is the perfect time.
Anthony: Sa akin po walang problema pero ewan ko lang kay Liz.
Maddison: Next month talaga hon? Eh diba magpapaga—
Edward: Pwede naman next next month nalang yun, hon.
Maddison: Noooo! Hindi pwede. It can't wait, Edward.
Anthony: Bakit ano po ba yun?
Edward: Nothing, son. It's just about work.
Anthony: Oh okay.
Edward: So pa'no? Tuloy tayo ha?
Anthony: Of course!
Edward: Ava?
Anthony: Oo naman po, Dad.
Edward: Good, so tomorrow kapag susunduin namin si Bella, I'll ask her nalang kung saan niya gustong pumunta at ako nalang din ang kakausap kay Lizzy.
Ava: Bella will decide po?
Maddison: Nothing new, Ava.
When mom tell those words, natawa nalang kami then nagpaalam na. Jusko! Nakakapanibago din si mom. Dati whenever aalis kami ni Ava palagi nalang champagne ang pinapabili, ngayon hindi? Pero okay na din yun at least makakatipid ako kahit papa'no.
Rod's POV
Lizzy and I don't have work today kaya nandoon siya sa bahay niya. She's having zoom meeting lang habang ako naman walang magawa kaya tinatapos ko nalang itong bungalow house na pinapagawa ng isang client. To be honest, pagod na ako at the same time gutom na din kaya I've decided to make some Nachos nalang muna dahil 9:30am palang naman. Hindi pa lunch kaya meryenda muna.
Before making some meryenda, I get my phone and called Lizzy but sadly, hindi siya sumasagot. Gusto ko din siyang puntahan pero she locked the doors. Hayst! Ayaw akong papasukin eh baka daw kasi manggulo lang ako.
I started sautéing the onions until it becomes soft. Then I toss the ground beef until it turns brownish and cooked through for like 10-15 minutes. When it's done, I simply drained the oil and transfer it in a bowl with paper towels coz I'm pretty sure it has oil in it pa. And lastly, I grab a plate and layered some chips then top with some lettuce, plenty of grated cheese, ground beef and green peppers. I also drizzle sour cream and cheese spread para mas masarap. For my drinks naman, I simply made some orange juice coz if I drink soda baka mapapagalitan na naman ako ng aking Doctor.
While having meryenda, I get my phone and called Lizzy again but still hindi pa din siya sumasagot so I've decided to send her a message nalang.
To Love:
Love, are you hungry? Come over, I made some meryenda 😅
✅ Message Sent.
After sending that message, nagpunta na ako agad sa living room and sit on the couch. I grab the remote and watch some movies muna coz I wanna rest besides patapos na din naman yung plano.
While watching I was shock coz Lizzy entered without knocking the door. She immediately sit beside me at agad din niyang kinuha ang ginawa kong meryenda. Sa totoo lang, napailing nalang talaga ako at uminom na lamang.
Imee: Pupunta si Bella dito.
Rod: Really? Kelan? Susunduin ba natin, love?
Imee: Yes. Ngayon and No because she's on her way na.
Rod: Oh okay.
Imee: Yeah, siguro in less than an hour nandito na yun so you better order fried chicken na dahil sigurado akong pagdating nun, yun ang gusto niya for her lunch and meryenda.
When Lizzy tell those words, I immediately faced her and smile which made her confuse.
Imee: Oh anong klaseng titig naman yan? Mamaya matunaw ako ha.
Rod: Love, could you please stop doing that!
Imee: Ang alin?! (Frown)
Rod: Making me fall in love with you all over again (then smile)
Imee: Tsk! Ang dami mong alam. Kumain kana nga lang!
She immediately get some lettuce at agad nitong isinubo sa bunganga ko. Hindi man lang nilagyan ng beef eh, talagang lettuce lang. Yung totoo, kalabaw ba ako? Hayst! Kahit kelan talaga ang hirap pakiligin nito.
Imee: Lettuce nalang ang kainin mo, sakin na 'tong chips.
Rod: Love naman hindi pa nga ako nakaka—
Imee: Tumataba ka na, love. Umiwas ka na muna sa mga unhealthy foods, okay? Tsaka we're going to attend Dr. Francisco's birthday next week and you're coming with me so dapat you look fit.
It took me a couple of seconds to speak. Jusko! Hindi ako nakailag doon ah. Di man lang nagdahan-dahan sa pagsabi eh. Direkta talagang sinabi yung "Tumataba ka na". Our conversation goes on until we heard a loud horn so we immediately went out of my house and as I open the gate agad na bumungad sa amin si Bella na nakapamewang na. I look at Lizzy and she simply shook her head at agad na nilapitan ni Bella.
Isabella: Guys! What took you so long naman po? So init pa naman here (frown and crossed her arms)
Lizzy just sigh at halatang nagpipigil HAHAHA. Okay, only Bella can talk and ask Lizzy those things. Talo pa nga ako eh dahil sigurado ako na kapag tinanong ko siya ng ganon? Sapak ang aabutin ko.
I ask their driver to stay muna just to have some meryenda or perhaps lunch na before going back but he refuse dahil sinabihan daw siyang umuwi agad pagkahatid kay Bella.
As the driver left, Bella ask me to carry her coz she's tired na daw kaya ginawa ko naman agad and guess what, sinabihan niya din si Lizzy na ipasok lahat ng gamit niya sa bahay niya. Jusko! Ganto pala 'tong batang 'to ka-bossy? Pahirapan ba naman ang mahal ko.
We stay in my house coz she told me na boring daw sa bahay ni Lizzy. She always ask her daw kasi to read some books habang walang ginagawa HAHAHA.
As we enter my house, napakadami niyang tanong about my artworks na nakadisplay dito sa living room. Muntik na nga din niyang pakialaman ang ginagawa kong plano eh buti nalang nakita ko agad. Jusko! So this is what it feels like kapag may anak ka na pala and I admit, I'm so excited na.
While Bella and I busy watching Frozen (Disney), si Lizzy naman nasa bahay niya coz she's preparing some food for our lunch. To be honest, muntik ko na ngang nakalimutan mag-order ng chicken eh buti nalang naghanap si Bella kanina.
It's already 11:30am and I excuse myself muna coz the food delivery is waiting for me outside na. As I handed my payment I close the gate muna and I've decided to check Lizzy. As I enter her house, agad akong nagtungo sa dining room coz I can smell delicious food coming from the kitchen.
I placed Bella's food on the dining table and immediately hug Lizzy from the back. As usual nagulat siya pero hindi naman ako nasigawan. In fact, ngumiti pa nga eh.
Imee: Where's Bella?
Rod: Nasa bahay, love.
Imee: Sunduin mo na, love. Kakain na tayo.
Rod: Love?
Imee: Hmm? (Put down the spatula and faced Rod)
Rod: Ilang araw si Bella dito?
Imee: Hanggang bukas lang.
Rod: Eh sinong susundo sa kanya?
Imee: Sila Dad.
Rod: Eh paano yan? Akala ko ba next week pa uuwi sila Kuya Anthony? So is that mean sila Tita Maddison muna ang magbabantay sa kanya?
Imee: Yes, love. Susunduin siya dito after lunch coz I have surgery on the day after tomorrow kaya hindi ko siya mababantayan.
Rod: Oh okay.
Lizzy just smile so I gave her a cheek kiss at agad ko siyang niyakap. To be honest, hindi na ako nagulat pa nung yumakap din siya pabalik coz I know she love hugs. After a second, she excuse herself muna coz her phone ring kaya ako nalang ang nag-transfer sa bowl nung niluto niya.
Ako na din ang nag-ayos sa dining table then immediately go to my house para sunduin si Bella. As I open the door, I saw this cute girl laying on the couch while facing na ceiling kaya agad ko siyang pinuntahan at tinabihan.
Rod: Baby, let's go to your Tita Pretty's house na. Kakain na po tayo (then smile)
Isabella: Meron na po ba yung chicken, Tito Pogi?
Rod: Yes po.
Isabella: Yiieehhh, Thank you po (giggled)
Rod: Welcome, so let's go na po. I'll carry you nalang, you want?
Isabella: Ahm Tito?
Rod: Yes po?
Isabella: Kindly tell Tita Pretty na dito nalang po tayo kumain. Ayoko pong lumabas eh, mainit!
Rod: H-huh? Eh kasi baby nakahanda na yung food natin doon.
Isabella: Ilipat mo nalang po dito, please?
Rod: O-okay. Sige, baby. Ahm, dito ka lang ha? Sasabihan ko lang ang tita mo.
Isabella: Okay (then smile)
When I went out of my house, napabuntong hininga nalang ako at agad na bumilik sa bahay ni Lizzy. As I open the door, sakto namang pababa na siya galing sa kwarto niya so I immediately walk towards her.
Imee: Oh where's Bella? Akala ko ba tinawag mo na?
Rod: I did pero ayaw niyang sumama, love. Sabi niya doon nalang daw tayo sa bahay kumain.
Imee: Huh? No! Dito na.
Rod: Ayaw talaga, love. Sabi niya mainit daw.
Imee: Tsk! Napaka-arte naman talaga oh (frown)
Rod: So ano na, love? Sa bahay na tayo?
Imee: May magagawa pa ba ako? Syempre wala na! (Then rolled her eyes) Sige na, dalhin mo na yang mga pagkain. May kukunin lang ako sa taas. Susunod nalang ako.
Rod: Okay, love.
Lizzy immediately turn back at agad na bumalik sa kwarto niya. I know medyo nainis siya kaya hindi ko muna kinulit. I only get the viand na niluto niya coz we'll gonna use the plates and utensils at my place nalang.
As I enter my house again, Bella told me na sa living room nalang daw kami kakain coz she's lazy to walk papunta sa dining room tsaka hindi pa daw kasi tapos yung pinapanood niya. Jusko! Kay hirap namang alagaan 'tong batang 'to. Sana kapag nagkaroon kami ng anak ni Lizzy, sana naman hindi ganto ka-bossy.
After a couple of minutes Lizzy entered at agad na kinausap si Bella. Hindi ko naririnig kung anong sinasabi niya sa bata but I can see Bella na agad napayuko. I guess pinagsabihan niya.
When I saw Lizzy walking towards me I immediately smile and by the time she stop infront of me, I hold her hand.
Rod: Mukhang napagsabihan yung bata ah.
Imee: Hindi naman, kinausap ko lang.
Rod: Weh? Eh bakit napayuko?
Imee: Eh basta!
I just laugh at agad na niyakap siya mula sa likod.
Rod: Love?
Imee: Ano?! Tsaka teka nga, wag ka ngang yakap ng yakap jan, alam mong may bata eh
While Lizzy tell those words, pilit siyang kumakawala sa yakap ko but I didn't let her. Hence, mas lalo ko pang hinigpitan ito and rest my head on her shoulder.
Rod: Malayo, hindi tayo kita dito.
Imee: Eh kahit na!
I was about to speak but we heard Bella. She shouted "Tita! Tito! I'm hungry na po! Come na, let's eat na po!". That made us laugh but by the time na haharap na sakin si Lizzy, hinigpitan ko ulit ang pagkakayakap ko sa kanya and shouted "May plate na jan, baby. Kain kana!"
Isabella: Saan po Tito?!
Rod: Nandyan sa side table, baby.
Isabella: Tito there's no plate in here!
Rod: Meron po!
Isabella: Nothing po!
Rod: The white one, baby!
Isabella: Oh this one beside your pens po?!
Rod: Yes po!
Isabella: But this is not a—Hmpft! Okay, Tita I don't want to eat rice! I'll eat chicken and veggies lang po.
Rod: Just eat whatever you want, baby! Hayaan mo muna kami dito.
After telling those words, Lizzy immediately pinch my arm kaya agad ko siyang pinaharap sa akin.
Rod: Alam mo love sabi ko kanina I'm excited na magkaroon na ng anak but I suddenly narealize na ayoko pa pala muna.
Imee: Bakit?
Rod: Eh magkakaroon na ng istorbo eh (then laugh)
Imee: Baliw! Tara na nga, kain na din tayo. Gutom na ako.
Rod: Ako nalang kainin mo, love (then smile seductively)
Imee: Sinabi ko na dati diba? Hindi ako kumakain ng exotic food kaya tumabi ka jan!
Lizzy pushed me at agad na pinuntahan si Bella kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi sumunod nalang. While walking Lizzy stop and faced me. Agad din namula ang pisngi niya and did a peace sign. To be honest, I got confuse so I walk towards her and ask her why. By the time she was about to speak, lumingon ako kay Bella which made me closed my eyes and muntik na talaga akong maiyak coz she's using different plate para kumain! She's using my ongoing plate to eat! Jusko naman!
Imee: Sorry, love (walk towards Rod and hug him)
Rod: Love, mag-uulit na naman ako (teary eyes)
Imee: Sorry. Sorry, love.
Isabella: Oh hi there, guys! Tito you have a unique plate here po. I love it (then smile). Ahm, Tita it's like we're having boodle fight here pala.
Lizzy and I sit beside her. Sa totoo lang, nawalan ako ng gana kumain dahil mag-uulit na naman ako HUHUH Di naman masakit. Masakit-masakit lang.
While eating Bella keep on talking samantalang ako naman tahimik lang dahil iniisip ko yung dalawang araw na ginugol ko para gawin yung plano. Well, I can't blame Bella naman kasi nagtanong siya kanina pero kasi! Sayang yung effort ko.
It took us an hour and a half to finish our food then after that ako na ang naghugas ng pinagkainan namin while si Lizzy and Bella naman bumalik na sa bahay para matulog. When I finish washing the dishes, napalingon ako ulit sa plano na ginagawa ko kanina. Hindi ko maiwasang malungkot pero wala na akong magagawa. I'll just talk to my client nalang at bukas ko nalang ulit uumpisahan pag-uwi ni Bella.
I am now infront of Lizzy's house and I was about to knock but she open it right away.
*At the living room
Imee: Ahm, Rod about earlier...I'm really sorry.
Rod: Okay lang, love. It's not your fault naman eh, kasalanan ko din naman so it's okay (held Imee's face then smile)
Lizzy sigh and rest her head on my chest. Silence hit us until someone speak up which made me rolled my eyes dahil nagiging panira na ng moment ang batang 'to.
Isabella: Tita Pretty inaantok na po ako. Let's sleep na po.
Imee: Oh okay, baby (stood up)
Isabella: Tito matutulog ka din po?
Rod: Ahm y-yah but I'll just —
Isabella: Tabi na po tayong tatlo, Tito.
When Bella tell those words, agad akong napangiti while si Lizzy naman bigla atang kinabahan. Actually, good idea yun so I walk towards Bella.
Rod: Saan tayo matutulog, baby?
Imee: Sa room po ni Tita.
I look at Lizzy who's currently standing behind us.
Rod: Love, Tara na. Let's sleep na.
Isabella: Tita?! Let's go na po. I'm sleepy na talaga.
Imee: Baby una kana, kakausapin ko lang ang Tito mo ha?
Isabella: Nooooo! Sabay na po tayong tatlo, Tita.
Imee: Baby hin—
Rod: Let's go na, baby. Inaantok na din si Tito eh. Saan ba ang room ni Tita?
After asking this cute little girl, I immediately carry her and face Lizzy who's now giving me a death stare. Alam ko na ibig sabihin non. Ayaw niya akong tumabi sa kanila pero wala siyang magagawa ngayon dahil si Bella na ang nagsabi.
We're now in her room. Pinahiga ko lang muna si Bella saglit then immediately closed the door while si Lizzy naman pumunta agad sa closet room. After a second, she called kaya agad ko siyang pinuntahan.
Imee: Sabihin mo sa bata aalisin ka na!
Rod: Huh? Bakit naman, love? Inaantok din naman ako eh.
Imee: Inaantok? Edi doon ka sa bahay mo matulog, wag dito.
Rod: Love dito na, please? Tsaka sinabi ni Bella kanina ta—
Imee: Tsk! K fine, basta sa couch ka.
Rod: Huh?! Love naman—
Imee: Ayaw mo?
Rod: Ayoko, love.
Imee: Ah ganon, edi sa lapag ka!
She rolled her eyes bago umalis. Jusko! Kahit may bata na pala hindi pa din ako pagbibigyan. As I went out of her closet room, I immediately grab one pillow at humiga na sa lapag. After a second, sinilip ako ni Bella and she made a naaawa face.
Isabella: Tito, why are you laying on the floor?
I was about to speak but Lizzy speak up first kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi tumahimik nalang.
Imee: Mas malamig kasi jan love, right?
When she ask me, I immediately get up and did a fake smile.
Rod: A-ah eh, yeah. Y-yes baby, mas malamig kasi dito (referring to Bella)
Isabella: No, tito. You sleep beside tita po coz if you choose to lay on the floor, sasakit po ang back mo coz it's so matigas and then you'll sneeze tapos cough—Omg! Omg! Or worst you'll suffer fever!
Imee: So OA mo naman Bella. Hayaan mo nalang ang Tito mo jan, okay? Let's sleep na.
Isabella: No, tita. Tito dito ka na po sa bed!
When Bella tell those words, napatingin ako kay Lizzy who sigh deeply and rolled her eyes again.
Rod: Love, please?
Isabella: Tita please let Tito sleep na dito sa bed mo kasi po—
Imee: K fine! Pero sa gitna ka baby ha?
Isabella: Okay po (weak smile)
We're now lying on the bed and as Lizzy said earlier, si Bella ang nasa gitna. Magkayakap nga sila ngayon eh while me? I'm facing the ceiling. Kapag kami talaga kinasal at nagkaroon na ng anak, kukuha ako ng babysitter para walang hadlang at istorbo HAHAHAH.
Minutes has pass but still hindi pa ako makatulog so I keep on facing the ceiling or the other side. By the time I was about to move again, Lizzy speak up that is loud enough para marinig ko.
Imee: Wag ka ngang magulo jan, Rod. Alam mong natutulog na 'tong bata eh.
Rod: Love nawala nga kasi yung antok ko.
Imee: So?
Rod: Let's go downstairs muna kaya? Let's watch some movie.
Imee: Ayoko.
I was about to speak but I saw her hand reaching for my hand kaya agad akong humawak sa kamay niya.
Rod: Tatabi na ba ako, love?
Imee: Che! Manahimik ka nga jan. Just hold my hand para alam kong nandyan ka.
When I faced Bella's back, she immediately move so we close our eyes and pretended na tulog na din. That was cute anyway. After a couple of minutes, maingat kong tinignan kung mahimbing na ulit ang tulog ng bata and good thing, she is.
Imee: What are you doing? Matulog ka na nga din.
Rod: Opo, ito na.
She was about to close her eyes but I speak up again kaya tinignan na naman niya ako ng masama.
Rod: Love?
Imee: Ano?
Rod: Wavyou!
Imee: Eww! Ayusin mo nga yang pananalita mo, Rod. Nagmumukha ka tuloy abnoy jan!
That made me laugh kaya humiga na ako ulit. I guess pati din siya coz I heard her laugh silently. "Kelan ka kaya malalasing ulit? Sana bukas or sa birthday ni Gab para sabihan mo ako ulit nun HAHAHA (in his mind)".
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