VIDA
It's my mom's birthday week pero hindi kami makapag celebrate dahil bumabagyo ngayon sa Ilocos. Good thing my Kuyas got home before the storm hit so we're all complete to celebrate Mom's birthday.
Nasa dining kami ni Kuya at ni Mia habang kumakain ng tirang cake na ginawa ni Ate Cara for Mommy. Malakas parin ang ulan at napakalamig ng hangin kaya lahat sila naka jacket at ako lang ang naka longsleeve. Paano ba naman, ang lamig ng bagyo dito ay natural na araw lang sa America.
" Ang lamig!! " sigaw ni Mommy paglabas niya ng kwarto niya
Binulungan ko naman si Mia
" You just miss Lolo Tommy eh. " Mia loudly said kaya nanlaki ang mata ni Mommy at kami ni Kuya ay nagpipigil ng tawa
" You know apo, don't ever listen to your Tito Matthew and Tita Vida ha? They're siraulo, crazy people. " sakit mo naman Josefa
" Like you Lolita? " Mia said kaya napahagalpak kami ng tawa ni Kuya
" Wala na kaming sinabi ha! " sabi ni Kuya Matt sabay taas ng kamay
" Actually Mia, you're right. " I chuckled
" FERDINAND RICHARD MICHAEL!! Get your daughter away from Matthew and Imogen please! Sumasakit ang ulo ko. " galit na sigaw ni Mommy kaya agad na kinuha ni Kuya Mike si Mia
" Ang lamig sobra, parang gusto kong papuntahin si Axiel para mayakap. Gusto mo tawagan ko si Tito para yakapin ka din Mommy? " tanong ko na agad namang kinainis ni Mommy
" Yieee ToSefa " biro ni Kuya Matt
" Shet, Yuck!!!! " tawa ni Mama
" Kanina, bwisit na bwisit eh. Kilig na kilig naman ngayon. Arte. " Irap ko
Mas natawa naman si Mommy at lumapit sa akin tsaka pinanggigilan ang pisngi ko.
" MAMA!!! IT HURTS!! " sigaw ko
" Ang cute cute talaga ng bunso ko! Selos ka? Ikaw parin naman ang forever baby ko eh. " Mommy said tsaka hinalikan ang pisngi ko pagkatapos niyang lapirutin
" So, gusto mong maging baby si Tommy Manotoc? " ngisi ko
" Gaga, hindi! Baka magkaroon pa ng Word War 3. " Mommy said and umupo sa tabi ko at kinain yung cake ko
" Eh! Cake ko yan eh. " reklamo ko
" Word War 3, baka kamo Magnitude 7.5 na Earthquake. " banat na naman ni Kuya Matt na ikinahalakhak ko
" Tarantado ka Matthew! " batok ni Mommy
" Bakit? Totoo naman ha! Dati nga nahuli ko kayo eh, nagaway pa kayo nung una tapos biglang away na pala sa kama. "
" Alam mo ikaw Matthew, hindi ko alam kung saan galing yang kapasmahan ng bibig mo. Hindi naman kami ganyan ng tatay mo. "
" Anong kayo ni Dad? Pasmad— " sasagot na sana si Kuya ng lumipad sa kaniya yung place mat
" Kung ayaw mong sa labas matulog at maging basang kapre, eh tumahimik ka. " pananakot ni Mommy
" Ma, nga pala I need to go back sa Cali next week. I have a scheduled consultation and hindi ko pwedeng ipagawa sa iba dahil I need to know everything myself. " I said while eating my cake
" How long will you stay there? " Ma asked
" A week or so? It depends kung ano magiging resulta. " I looked at Mom dahil medyo tumahimik siya
" Is it o— " I was about to ask Mommy if okay lang sa kaniya na umalis ako ng tumawag naman si Axiel
" Imo! I have a very big news! " Axiel said, I think he's still on duty because the walls are very familliar
" Hey, What is it? I'm with Mom and Kuya Matt by the way. " I turned my phone to Mommy and Kuya so they can say Hi to Axiel
" Hello Tita Imee and Kuya Matt! " natawa ako sa pag bati ni Ax dahil medyo conyo
" I am now part of LA Football team! " he announced. He really wanted to be part of that team kaya super siya mag training
" Omg! Congrats Ax! I'm so proud of you. I promise, I will watch your first game. " I said
" Thank you Imo! I got to go, see you next week. " then I said goodbye and finished my cake
Hindi ko namalayan na umalis na pala sa dining si Kuya Matthew. Matutulog ata ulit kasi super lamig talaga. Si Mommy naman, nagtitimpla ng kape kaya lumapit ako sa likod niya at niyakap siya.
" Mama ang lamig. I want your hugs. " I said as I rested my chin on her shoulder
" Akala ko ba kay Axiel ka magpapayakap? " sus ang Josefa ko nagtatampo
" Ma, wanna come with me sa Cali? " I smiled
" Nandoon naman na si Axiel hindi ba? " natawa naman ako kasi halatang nagseselos ang Mommy
" Bakit ka ba nagseselos? Hindi naman kami. Inaaya nga kita na sumama pauwi sa Cali eh. " umupo ako sa countertop at tinitigan ako ni Mommy
" If you just want to. If not, It's okay with me naman. " I bowed my head down
" Do you really want me to come with you? " Mommy asked me while sipping her coffee
" I mean.. I-i— " I stuttered
" You mean what Imogen? " ang impatient talaga nito ni Mommy
" Going without you makes me anxious. After all that happened over the past few months, I don't want to leave without you, or my Kuyas, or even Tati and Papa Bong. " I said as i bowed my head down
" Hindi rin naman ako mapapalagay kung hahayaan kitang umalis magisa eh. I made you a promise anak. That if you still want to go back there or whenever you want to go, I'll come with you. Hindi na kita iiwan, okay? " she went to me and cupped my face
" Promise yan ha? Don't worry I have a lots of books there and You can also come with me sa Hospital. " I said
" Promise, anak. " then I kiss her lips like how I used to
We continue to eat while nagchichika, 2pm palang naman ng hapon so walang lumalabas ng mga kwarto nila. Mga bata palang daw kasi sila Kuya, nakaugalian na nilang natutulog sa hapon kaya siguro ang tatangkad din. Kahit ako noon lalo na nung kanila Lola pa kami nakatira ni Mommy.
Lola Imelda was also my personal teacher when I was a todddler because Mom was still a congresswoman that time kaya kay Lola ako madalas naiiwan before. My Lola was also the reason why I am an accelarated student. Actually, dalawa sila ni Mommy. Ikaw ba naman magkaroon ng pamilyang sobrang tatalino eh, nakakahawa talaga hahaha.
Mom and I we're interrupted when Kuya Matthew came to us to tell Mommy that President Duterte just arrived at the capitol that made Mom confused.
" Huh? Anong ginagawa ni Rod dito? " Mommy asked
" My assistant told me that the President wanted to see if the province is doing okay daw. " Kuya Matt replied
" Pwede naman niyang gawin yun ng hindi nagpupunta dito. " Kuya just shrugged his shoulder at Mom's statement
" Puntahan nalang natin Mom at kausapin mo ng personal. " I said at tumayo
" Saan ka pupunta aber? At anong 'natin'? Dito ka lang sa bahay at kami ni Kuya mo ang pupunta sa capitol. Ano ka? Governor? " nakapamewang na sita sa akin ni Mommy kaya nanlaki ang mata ko at eto namang si Kuya nagpipigil ng tawa
" Ma, I am a doctor remember? I can help in some way and what if magkaroon ng aksidente doon tapos nandito lang ako? Hin— "
" Oo na bunso, sumama ka na at paniguradong magiging mahabang diskusyon ito kasi no one will stop sa inyo ni Mommy. " Kuya Matt said after akong akbayan
Then, we went straight to the Capitol and there is President Duterte at the Lobby talking to Tita Cecille. Mom went to them and I was just waiting at the front desk. I remember Tati Irene
told me na Mom and President Duterte had a thing before noong parehas silang Congressman, hindi lang daw nila alam if naging sila ba or hindi.
Speaking of that time, I was born on 1999 and I knew that Mom was already a congresswoman before she even got pregnant with me. So, I think they met way before I was even born.
" Kuya Mattchu! " I called Kuya who's just using his phone while smiling like a fool
" Hmm? " I rolled my eyes on him before I sat beside him
" I have a question so stop ka muna sa pagse-cellphone. " I said and he did stop using his phone and kept it on his pocket
" Do you know what year Mom did first ran as a Congresswoman? " I asked
" Year 1998. Why? "
" So, kung 1998 tumakbo si Mommy ibig sabihin that's the same year kung kelan niya nakilala si President Duterte? " I curiously asked
" Huh? Wait. June 1998 naiproclaim si Mommy as congresswoman, So I think she started to campaign on late 1997 kaya magkakilala na siguro sila non. Early 1998 naman naghiwalay sila Mom and Dad. " Kuya Matt explained kaya mas naguluhan ako
" W-what? " I do think that there's something off. Im getting more curious about the past because it does concern my existence
" Confirm mo nalang si Mommy if tama ako. Why do you asked pala? " Kuya asked but I just told him na nacurious lang ako kasi parang matagal ng magkakilala sila Mommy.
If nagkakilala si Mama at President ng 1997-1998 tapos naghiwalay na sila ni Tito Tommy, how Mommy met my dad?
" Kuya, last question na dali. " I said tapos niyugyog si kuya
" Ano ba!! " Kuya annoyingly said
" Do you met my dad ba? " I asked
" I saw him once, pero hindi ko alam na siya pala yung daddy mo kasi ang sabi ni Mommy, kaibigan niya lang daw si Tito Vince. " Kuya said
" What year? " I ask again
" Gaga ka ba? Muka ba akong time keeper? " napairap nalang ako sa kapilosopohan ni Kuya
" Bakit ba anong problema mo? " he asked
" I don't know. Bigla lang akong naguluhan kasi if Mom met Mr. President on '97-'98, and then Tito Tommy and her broke up on the early 1998, and I was born on February 1999. So, how and when Mommy met my dad? " I said and I lean on the chair
" You know what? Sa sobrang talino mo, lahat nalang ng bagay napapansin mo. " lakas mangirap neto ni kapre kaloka
" Kuya, It doesn't make sense kasi eh. What if hindi si Daddy Vince ang totoong dad ko? You guys don't even know him. No one knows him and so do I. I'm just thinking the what if's. " I said before looking away.
" Therese, stop thinking like that. It makes me praning din and do you think Mom would lie to you? Especially about your father and your whole human-being? " napatingin naman ako kay Kuya. May point naman siya pero I really feel something different.
" Ofcourse not. But— " Kuya Matt cutted me off
" No buts, Therese. Tito Vince is your dad, that's it. " Kuya
" And stop watching Mamma Mia Movie na nga! Feeling mo tuloy may three possible father kang gaga ka. " after he said that I just kept quiet and just waited for them.
After Kuya and I's conversation, hindi nawala sa isip ko yung mga what if's ko. Hanggang sa natawa ako sa sarili ko kasi naisip ko na 'What if ampon lang ako ni Mommy' Hahahaha like paano ako magiging ampon eh carbon copy ako ng nanay ko at may mga video si Tati Irene na buntis si Mommy sa akin.
" Anong itinatawa tawa mo diyan, Miss? " I heard someone asked me kaya napalingon ako. It's Mom, carrying some juice and empanada
" Nothing. May naisip lang po. " Mommy sat beside me
" Ano naman aber? Here oh, I got hungry kaya nagpabili ako. " Ma handed me the empanada
" Na what if ampon mo lang ako. " I chuckled while started to eat
" Gaga ka. " Mom just hit me hahaha pero mahina lang
" How come can you be adopted? Eh, you came right out of my vagina and I labored for about 18hours noh. Irene and Bonget was also there when I am pushing you out of me. " nagtataka pa 'tong si Mommy kung kanino nagmana si Kuya Matt eh siya din itong pasmado ang bibig
" Joke lang naman Ma. " I giggled
" Imee, yan na ba yung bunso mo? " It's Mr. President kaya tumayo ako at nakipag kamay
" Ay, yes po. Si Vida po. " Mommy introduced me
" Hulaan ko, mahaba din ang pangalan mo noh? " naka ngising tanong ni Mr. President
" Yes po, just like Mom and her sisters. I'm Maria Imogen Vida Therese Marcos, Mr. President. " I smiled
" Naku mas mahaba pa ata sa pangalan ni Imee! Pero kasing ganda mo ang Mama mo. "
" Ay hehehe mana lang po kami kay Lola. " sagot ko
" You're all grown up! Jusko dati palagi ka lang bitbit ni Imee sa congreso noon dahil ayaw mong kumawala sa kaniya. " Mr. President started to make kwento
" Talaga po? "
" Ay oo. Naalala ko nga dati, ikaw ang matinding bakod ni Imee noong nanliligaw ako sa kaniya. Ayaw na ayaw mong may lalapit sa kaniya na lalaki " nagulat naman ako dahil kanina lang eh iniisip ko yung kung paano sila nagkakilala
" You courted my Mom po Mr. President?" I asked
" Ang pormal mo naman masyado, Tito Rod nalang. Tsaka oo, crush na crush ko kaya noon yang Mommy mo. " he chuckled
" Hay naku Rodrigo, stop it. " singit ni Mommy
" Alam mo ba Vida, sobrang ligawin niyang Mommy mo noon kaso nga lang mas matapang pa kesa kay Bonget kaya wala halos makalapit. Sobrang swerte nga ni Manotoc at pinakasalan siya nito ni Imee eh." Tito Rod said and wow. Imee atapang-atao, ayaw palapit sa tao Hahahaha emz
" Did you and Mommy had a thing po ba before? Like boyfriend-girlfriend? " I curiously asked and I saw how Mom's eyes go round
" Hey, you two stop talking about the past. Ang chismoso't chismosa niyo. Let's go Imogen, your brother is waiting. Mr. President, thank you and goodbye. " Mommy said tsaka ako hinatak paalis pero nilingon ko si Tito Rod and he nodded
" Two Thousand. " he mouthed
Huh? Two Thousand? Shetness ano yun 2000 pesos?
" Kamo Mom, Vida thought that Tito Vince isn't her father. " Kuya Matthew blurted out while driving kaya nagulat ako.
" Joseph!! " I whined
" W-who do you think your father is? Eh he is the only one I-i s-sex with before you we're conceived. And anak please, let your dad rest in peace. " Mommy said
" MA! STOP IT! " I whined again
" Iwww! We don't asked about your sex life before Mom. " Kuya Matt added
" So, both of you shut up. And Imogen, please stop thinking that you're adopted or Vincent is not your father. Because first, you are my daughter, I bare you for 42weeks and I labored for 18hours just to give birth to you when I was 44. " Mom said kaya napayuko ako
" It's just feel so weird Ma. I feel something different about my existence. I feel something is wrong with me. " I said before looking out of the window
" But maybe I feel this way because I've never been with my Dad and I was away from you for a long time. " I added and I felt Mom held my right hand
" I'm really sorry if you feel this way anak. But, nothing is wrong with you. You we're conceived by love so don't worry na ha? I love you so much. " Mommy side hugged me so I'm a little calm now but I'm still bothered.
—————————————————————————————————————
Thank you for reading!
Don't forget to leave a comment for your insights!