Happy birthday, Andreau Francis Valerio Cortez <3
*****
Big deal para kay Andreau Cortez ang birthdays. Isa siya sa mga naniniwala na dapat palaging masaya at bongga ang birthday celebrations lalo na kapag bata pa. Ganoon kasi siya pinalaki ng parents niya noong nasa California pa sila almost 30 years ago: laging may birthday party, presents.. the whole nine yards. Kaya nang nagkaroon siya ng anak, pinangako niya na magkakaroon din ito ng childhood na kagaya sa kanya, at hihigitan pa niya.
But that's easier said than done. Being a single dad and an actor-director, nahihirapan din siyang magbalanse ng oras niya, lalo na ngayon na nasa kalagitnaan siya ng shooting ng kanyang latest indie film project (he's starring and directing, not a new thing for him). Sumabay kasi sa hectic filming schedule ang 7th birthday ng kanyang only boy na si Tristan. Ayaw niyang madisappoint ang anak niya sa birthday nito.
Since last year pa kasi nila pinlano ang 7th birthday bash nito (namana rin ni Tristan ang pagiging choleric niya) at hindi na matahimik si Tristan sa sobrang excitement. Sa school niya gusting icelebrate ang birthday niya, which surprised Andreau. Unlike him na gusto ang engrandeng birthday parties, his son wanted a small and intimate one, basta meron lang burgers at malaking choco-hazelnut cake. Ilang beses din niyang pinilit na sa ibang venue na lang sila magcelebrate, kaso pinagpilitan ni Tristan na gusto niyang kasama ang teachers and classmates niya sa mismong birthday niya. (Apparently Tristan inherited his stubbornness, too.)
Kahit busy siya sa filming, hindi siya nagkulang ng atensyon sa pag-oorganize ng birthday party ng anak niya. He got all the help he needed. Sumobra pa nga sa hinihingi niya eh. Bukod sa staff niya, sa best friend niyang si Roldan at road manager na si Mars, maraming single moms ang nagprisinta na tumulong sa pag-oorganize ng party. Kesh, the owner of the school and Roldan's fiancée, laughed at this predicament. Ever since kasi pumasok si Tristan sa school niya, dumoble ang bilang ng mga nag-enroll sa kanila. Karamihan kasi sa parents (specifically moms) ng mga bata ay kaedad lang nila, at napanood ang teen TV series na pinagbidahan ni Andreau almost 12 years ago.
Yumayaman kami ni Kesh sa fangirls mo, Dreau, laging pang-asar sa kanya ni Roldan kapag pumupunta si Andreau sa PTA meetings. Wala na lang siyang sinasabi tungkol doon. Almost half of his life ay artista siya, at sanay na siya sa fangirls. Kahit nga na hindi na siya ganoon ka-active on screen (three years na siya behind the scenes as a director), ang dami pa rin niyang fangirls. Naiinis lang siya minsan na ginagawang grand fans day ng ilang nanay ang monthly PTA meetings.
Muntikan na siyang tumigil sa pagpunta until one fateful PTA meeting a year ago nang makilala niya ang teacher ni Tristan na si Zade Pascual.
**
He was surprised and amused when he met her. Kakagaling lang niya sa isang all nighter shoot sa Batangas at dumiretso siya sa school para sa PTA meeting. Si Kesh sana ang kakausapin niya kaso busy ito sa ibang parents kaya nirefer siya sa bagong adviser ni Tristan. His son mentioned before na medyo weird ang adviser nila, na hindi raw nito kilala si Spongebob Square Pants at never pa raw nitong napanood ang Toy Story franchise (The father and son rolled their eyes at this one. Seriously? Never niyang napanood? Oo nga, Dad. I couldn't believe it either. Ang weird talaga ni Teacher!)
In his head, he pictured Tristan's adviser as an old lady who lived under a rock for years (Andreau Cortez could be a snark sometimes). Baka manang manamit at sobrang taray. Pinagdasal pa nga niya na sana saglit lang ang meeting nila para makauwi na siya at makatulog. Ayaw din niyang matarayan ang adviser ni Tristan, baka magkaroon pa ng issue.
Kinain niya lahat ng sinabi niya nang makarating siya sa classroom nina Tristan. Ang ineexpect niyang matandang babae na..
Tristan's adviser was way far from what he expected. She's.. young, more or less kaedad din niya. Hindi rin ito manang manamit; she was wearing a frilly pink dress and brown flats.
And the finale? She's beautiful.
He was so quiet throughout the meeting. Pinabayaan lang niyang magkwento ang adviser tungkol sa activities ni Tristan sa klase, to the point na minsan off tangent siya at unconsciously nagrarant sa kung anu-anong bagay. Ilang beses ding nagsorry sa kanya ang teacher, na sobrang daldal niya lang talaga.. and all those things.
Medyo off si Andreau sa mga babaeng sobrang daldal (tama na si Mars sa buhay niya) pero may something sa teacher ni Tristan na natutuwa siya. Before he knew it, he found himself enjoying talking to her. Ni hindi na nga niya pinakinggan ang ibang sinabi nito eh. Pinanood na lang niya ang animated facial expressions nito, which really amused him. And a thing happened: she actually made him laugh.
Halos isang oras din silang nag-usapan, mostly about Tristan. Andreau found out na Literature graduate ang teacher, at kumuha ng pre-school education for her second degree dahil gusto niyang magturo sa mga bata. He also saw how she adored Tristan so much, at puro papuri ang sinabi nito tungkol sa anak niya. Mas okay 'tong bagong adviser ni Tristan kesa doon sa dati, na walang ginawa kundi titigan lang siya kapag may PTA meeting. This teacher didn't mind him at all, may ilang moments lang na parang namumula na ang pisngi nito sa hiya at napapangiti na lang. Ni hindi nga ito nastatstruck sa kanya, na ikinatuwa niya. Finally, may isang tao na rin sa school na 'to ang hindi bothered sa celebrity status niya.
A phone call from Mars interrupted their chat, signaling him to go home and rest. Iniabot sa kanya ng teacher ang report card ni Tristan at hinatid siya sa may pintuan.
"Sorry, I didn't catch your name," sabi niya bago siya tuluyang lumabas ng classroom.
Nagblush lalo ang teacher. "Oh shit, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. Minsan nakakalimutan ko na bagong teacher ako rito. This brain of mine.. medyo weird ang wiring. I'm Scheherazade Pascual, by the way," she extended her hand gracefully. "But people call me Zade or Teacher Zade. Hassle naman sa mga bata i-pronounce ang buong pangalan ko." She grimaced for a moment. "Oh God, sorry for my weird name. Pwede mo naman akong tawaging Zade na lang. No need t-"
"Scheherazade," Andreau said slowly with a smile. He liked the way her name rolled out of his mouth. Weird.. but pleasing to his ears. "Fine, I'll settle for Zade. I'm Andreau Cortez, by the way." He took her hand and shook it lightly. "Thank you for your time, Ms. Pascual. And thank you for taking care of my son."
"Wala po 'yun, Mr. Cortez. I'm just doing my job. Paki-hi na lang po ako kay Tristan, okay?"
Nasa kotse na siya nang marealize niya kung bakit may ibang pakiramdam siya kay Zade Pascual.
Hindi aware ang teacher na artista siya.
**
Nagkakagulo na sina Kesh at ang mga assistant ni Andreau sa pag-aayos ng classroom para sa birthday party ni Tristan pero si Zade? Chill lang siya habang binabantayan sina Tristan at ang classmates niya sa school playground.
Until now napapaisip pa rin si Zade kung paano siya umabot sa pagiging pre-school teacher. Looking back, ayaw niya talagang maging teacher. Pasaway nga siya sa school nung pre-school at elementary eh. Alam niya sa sarili niyang maigsi ang pasensya niya at hindi niya kayang magturo. That's the ironic part, considering na galing siya sa pamilya ng mga teacher. Mas gugustuhin pa niyang magbasa ng mga libro kesa magturo sa mga batang hindi naman makikinig sa kanya.
But her point of view changed one summer, five years ago. Sa sobrang boredom niya after her college graduation, nagdecide siyang magtutor sa mga kapitbahay niya. At first nangapa siya kahit basics lang ang tinuturo niya. Tatlo lang naman ang tutees niya pero sobrang nahirapan siya. Ang bilis kasi ng attention span ng mga bata, dagdagan pa ng pagiging hyperactive. It was tiring, yet she loved it. Ibang klaseng fulfillment ang naramdaman niya nang may natutunan sa kanya ang mga bata.
An epiphany suddenly hit her right after a tutoring session. Gusto niyang magturo ng mga bata.
Bumalik siya kaagad sa school at nag-aral ulit ng pre-school education. Gulat na gulat ang buong pamilya niya sa desisyon niya, pero suportado naman siya nito. She finished her second degree in three years, cum laude. Inalok nga siya ng pinsan niya na magturo sa London, na muntikan na niyang tanggapin dahil sa pagmamahal niya sa Doctor Who. She couldn't leave her parents and the country, though. Kaya nung nilapitan siya ng former classmate niyang si Kesh at inalok ng trabaho sa pre-school nito, agad niyang tinanggap.
Hindi naging madali sa kanya ang unang taon niya sa pagtuturo. Tolerable lang sa kanya ang mga bata.. pero ibang usapan na ang mga magulang. Karamihan kasi ng mga magulang doon ay mayayaman at single moms. Medyo awkward kasi siya kapag mayayaman na ang kausap, feeling niya jina-judge siya ng mga ito. May ilang nanay kasi na... indifferent sa kanya, na pinaparamdam sa kanya na hindi siya capable na turuan ang mga anak niya. Naapektuhan siya nung una, pero bumawi na lang siya sa pagtuturo. Ginalingan na lang niya and eventually, she proved all of them wrong. Six months into the job and she became one of the well loved teachers in that school.
One meeting changed her teaching life, though.
That's when she met Andreau Cortez.
Si Andreau ang pinakahuling parent na nakausap niya that day. Akala niya kapatid lang ito ni Tristan dahil, honestly, wala sa itsura nito ang pagiging tatay. Heck, akala nga niya bisita lang nina Kesh at Roldan ito na naligaw lang sa school grounds. Siya na ata ang pinakagwapong lalaking nakita niya sa buong buhay niya and.. boy, she embarrassed herself in front of him. Big time. Kung anu-ano pa ang pinagsasabi niya rito! Kinabahan siya for a second sa takot na baka i-pull out ni Andreau ang favorite student niyang si Tristan dahil sa pagiging weirdo niya. Hindi rin niya mapigilang titigan si Andreau throughout that meeting. Really, he's the older version of his son at parehas pa sila ng (cute) facial expressions. Napangiti na lang si Andreau sa rambles niya, at lalo na nung sinabi niya ang weird niyang pangalan. Si Andreau lang ata ang naamuse sa pangalan niyang Scheherazade eh. The goodbye smile he gave her unsettled her for the rest of the afternoon. First time niyang makakita ng smile na ganun, na parang para lang sa kanya. She immediately erased that thought, though. hindi naman sa bawal pero ang weird lang na magkacrush siya sa parent ng estudyante niya.
It took her three days to find out the real score with Andreau Cortez.
Halos hikain sa kakatawa si Kesh nang malaman nito na hindi niya alam na artista si Andreau Cortez. Naoverhear lang niya sa ibang teacher ang tungkol kay Andreau dahil sa bagong movie nito, at hindi pa siya naniwala nung una. Tinanong pa niya si Tristan at ang reply sa kanya ng bata?
Opo, teacher. My dad's an actor. Hindi niyo po ba alam?
She wanted the earth to swallow her right then and there.
"Okay lang yan, Zades," Kesh assured her over lunch, still laughing. Nakailang ikot na siya sa pantry pero hindi pa rin siya makalma. "Andreau found it cute, really. Ngayon lang siya nakakilala ng taong.. hindi siya kilala."
"Oh my god I'm so mortified! Seriously, Kesh. Wala pa akong napanood na movie or teleserye niya! Anong klaseng tao ako!?"
"Can I tell you a little secret?" natigilan siya doon. Bigla kasing nagseryoso si Kesh. "That's the thing Andreau liked the most about you. He really enjoyed talking to you. Wala ka raw biase and all. He found you cute, too."
Her eyes widened at that. "Of all adjectives, cute?"
"Yes, Zades. Cute. Wag ka na mag-alala dyan. Okay ka naman kay Andreau. Swear."
After that, pinagdasal ni Zade n asana hindi na sila magkita pa ni Andreau. O kung magkikita man sila, kahit once a year lang. Hindi niya kakayanin na maka-face to face si Andreau at baka kung ano pa masabi niya. That one hour of embarrassment was enough for her lifetime.
Kaso.. parang hindi effective ang pagtatago niya. Two weeks after their meeting, halos araw-araw na silang nagkikita ni Andreau dahil sa paghatid-sundo niya kay Tristan. It irked her for a while, feeling niya kasi pinagtitripan siya ni Andreau. On the second week of that routine, muntikan na niyang kausapin si Andreau at lecturan ito about boundaries at professionalism, pero nakalimutan niya lahat ng pinractice niya nang dalhan siya ni Andreau ng paborito niyan kape: venti caramel macchiato with six shots of espresso and extra extra caramel.
Nagpabili kasi sa'kin si Kesh kanina ng coffee.. tapos sabi niya isabay na raw kita, he reasoned after giving her the cup. Seriously, six shots of espresso? Hindi ka pa ba nerbyosa niyan?
Nope. I cannot function without caffeine. Eerr... thanks.. for the coffee. You didn't have to buy me one.
Inutusan lang ako ni Kesh. It's nothing.
But that wasn't the last\ of it.
Every week na siyang binibilhan ni Andreau ng kape. At first tinanggihan niya ito, pero nasanay na rin siya at eventually naging routine na nilang dalawa 'yon. Before she (they) knew it, nadevelop na ang friendship nila over coffee. Minsan nagkikita pa silang dalawa sa Café Feliz, isang coffee shop na malapit sa school, para lang mag-usap. Nagpapaconsult kasi si Andreau ng scripts sa kanya for the reason na raw at unbiased ang point of view mo, Zades. Your weird ideas are refreshing. Kasama rin nila minsan si Tristan, at dito sila nagkukwentuhan ng kung anu-ano. Dahil sa meetings na 'yon, mas na-in love si Zade sa mag-ama.
She never asked about Tristan's mom, but she heard stories from Kesh. Nasa Canada na raw ito, may ibang pamilya. Hindi sila in good terms ni Andreau since pinanganak si Tristan. The mother only saw Tristan once and never tried to communicate again. It was a bad break up, but that didn't stop Andreau for being a great dad to Tristan. Isang tingin pa lang niya kay Andreau at kita na niya na kay Tristan ang umiikot ang mundo nito. He loves his son more than anything in this world, na uunahin nito ang lahat para kay Tristan kaysa sa sarili niya.
Dahil sa madalas nilang pagsasama, inaasar tuloy sila nina Kesh at Roldan. Pati rin ang co-teachers at ibang parents, napansin ang closeness nilang dalawa. She didn't mind it at first, pero nung inasar sila ni Tristan na bakit daw hindi sila magdate.. it kinda scared her. Zade likes Andreau very much, but the situation's too complicated and.. hindi niya makitang magkakagusto sa kanya si Andreau. Seriously, a guy like him? Hanggang sa panaginip na lang 'yon.
They never talked about the rumors about them. Mas okay na iignore na lang nila ang usap-usapan. There's attraction, alright. But when real life kicks in.. things might go down the drain.
Ayaw niyang mangyari 'yon sa kanilang dalawa ni Andreau. Mas okay na magkaibigan lang silang dalawa. Hanggang doon lang.
**
Tristan's 7th birthday party was a blast.
Andreau couldn't erase the smile off his face throughout the party. Worth it ang pagod at pagpaplano niya para sa party ni Tristan. First time niyang makitang ganung kasaya ang anak niya. Ngayon lang niya narinig na tumawa ng ganun si Tristan. He never made him laugh like that before. Going to school made Tristan more sociable and carefree, unlike nung nasa bahay pa siya na walang ginawa kung hindi manood ng cartoons.
Other than Tristan, may isang tao rin ang nakakuha ng atensyon niya. Si Zade.
Sa isang taon nilang pagkakakilala, ngayon lang din niya nakitang ganun kasaya si Zade. Ibang-iba talaga ang aura nito kapag kasama ang mga bata. She's more carefree and more.. Zade. Kahit ilang ulit siyang kulitin ng mga bata sa kakalaro at kakakanta, hindi nito pinakita na pagod na siya. Her love for her students was so strong, na gagawin niya ang lahat para mapasaya ang mga bata.
And.. he couldn't stop staring at her.
Ilang beses na siyang sinabihan nina Roldan at Kesh na ayain sa isang date si Zade pero hindi niya ito pinakinggan. Kuntento na siya sa kung anong meron sila ni Zade ngayon. Dragging her into his complicated life would only make her go away. His relationship history wasn't that great at all. Sure, he likes her very much.. but if having a more serious relationship with her would result to a bad thing.. mas okay nang magkaibigan na lang sila.
But.. damn it. He couldn't stop staring at her.
A light tap on his shoulder brought him back to reality. It was the party photographer, asking for a moment para sa isang family picture. He immediately called Tristan, na nasa kalagitnaan ng paglalaro ng Trip to Jerusalem.
"Teacher Zade! Teacher Zade! Tara sama kayo sa picture namin dali!"
Natigilan pareho sina Andreau at Zade sa sinabi ni Tristan. Zade was about to decline nang higitin siya ni Tristan palapit kay Andreau. She was smiling, alright. But deep inside? Nagwawala na si Zade. Lahat ng tao sa classroom: co-teachers, parents and even her students, nakatingin sa kanilang tatlo. Tinignan niya rin si Andreau kaso hindi niya mabasa ang facial expression nito, kung offended ba o nahihiya.
Pinwesto sila ng photographer sa ilalim ng Happy 7th Birthday, Tristan! banner. Nakatayo sila ni Andreau sa likuran ni Tristan na nakaupo sa isang stool. Kaunti na lang lulundag na ang puso niya palabas ng dibdib niya. Zade couldn't understand kung bakit sobrang kabado siya.
It's just a picture, Pascual! Walang meaning 'to! Wag kang kabahan kundi papanget ka sa picture!
"Mommy, usog pa kayo kay Daddy," sabi sa kanila ng photographer. "Hindi naman po kayo magkagalit ano? Closer po!"
She swore she heard Kesh laugh at the back of the room. Seriously, mommy? Hindi ba narinig ng photographer na 'to na teacher siya ng mga bata? "Uhmm... I'm not his m-" she was about to correct him when she felt an arm over her shoulder. Si Andreau pala 'yon, na inakbayan siya.
"Zades, please just humor the photographer," he whispered unto her ear. "It's just a picture."
Tristan looked up to him and smiled. "Teacher Zade please please isang picture lang po?"
The child's smile tugged her heart. Never pa palang nagkaroon ng complete family picture si Tristan.. and she wanted to make that possible on his birthday. Maliit na bagay lang naman 'yon. Ipagkakait ba pa niya kay Tristan?
But Andreau's arm on her shoulder.. god. Picture lang naman pero kailangan pa bang nakaakbay sa kanya? Naconscious tuloy siya bigla. Naririnig na ba ni Andreau ang tibok ng puso niya? He's already invading her personal space.. bakit hindi pa siya hinihimatay?
The photo taking was over within seconds. Imbis na makahinga siya nang maluwag, bumigat pa lalo ang pakiramdam niya nang tanggalin ni Andreau ang kamay sa balikat niya. God, she's not 15 years old anymore. Hindi na dapat siya nagtatampo sa mga ganung bagay.
"So guys," she suddenly announced, voice shaking a bit. "May nakakalimutan pa ata tayong part ng celebration ni Tristan, 'di ba? Wala pa tayong birthday cake! Kids, sinong gusto ng cake sa inyo?"
Napalitan ang weird atmosphere ng excitement ng mga bata sa cake. Zade took that as a cue and immediately excused herself para kunin ang cake sa pantry. The panty was just few rooms away pero tinakbo na niya papunta doon. For a moment there hindi niya kinayang magstay sa iisang kwarto kasama si Andreau. It was too much. Something happened there and she's not ready for it. Maybe he's not ready for it, too.
Kakasarado pa lang niya ng pintuan ng pantry nang marinig niya itong bumukas. She didn't even have to look who's that person was. Amoy na amoy niya ang aftershave nito even a few feet away. It's Andreau.
"Zades? Okay ka lang?" he asked as he closed the door behind him. Honestly, nagulat siya sa biglang pag-alis ni Zade after ng picture taking. Sure, he felt something, too. And he got scared. Pero.. bakit ganon ang reaksyon ni Zade? May nagawa ba siyang mali?
"Ha? Oo naman," Zade replied. She turned around to him, smiling. "Yeah, I'm good. Gusto ko lang talagang kumain ng cake. The kids will definitely love this cake, too. Choco hazelnut, right? I love chocolates with nuts. Ikaw ba? Ay right, hindi ka pala kuma-"
"Zades."
Within seconds he was invading her space again, but this time.. she didn't step back. Andreau stood in front of her, taking a step forward. He began to lean forward. She shifted in her place , her breaths shallow and quick.
His mouth was warm against her skin as he pressed it to her cheek, and finally, she allowed herself to breathe. "Zades.. about the photo.. I.."
"W-what?"
He was about to press his lips unto hers when...
"Guys! Ano ba, yung cake?" Kesh asked, from the door. The two of them immediately stepped away from each other, with blushes on their cheeks.
Grabbing the cake, Zade walked faster towards the door. "Eto na! Dala ko na! I love the cake! Swear to god I could eat this all! By myself!!!" she said, rather quicker and louder than necessary. She stopped by Kesh's side, and gave her a look that says don't say anything stupid, Manzano please.
Kesh looked between them both with utter bemusement. Hinintay niya munang makaalis si Zade bago niya kausapin si Andreau. "Were you about to kiss her?" she grinned.
Andreau rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Keisha. Don't act so stupid. Nahawa ka na kay Roldan."
Kesh smacked him on the shoulder, annoyed, but her eyes seemed to suggest otherwise. "That was a nice photo, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I think so, too."
**
Si Zade ang naiwan sa school para magligpit ng mga kalat ng birthday party. May continuation pa ang party ni Tristan sa Café Feliz, a for adults coffee party, pero nagdecide siyang magpalate para mapaghandaan niya ang gagawin niya sa presence ni Andreau.
Hindi niya alam kung maiinis o matutuwa siya sa interruption ni Kesh kanina. They were about to kiss. He did the first move, and the ball's now in her court.
Well, it was never too harmful to try, was it?
Palabas na siya ng classroom nang makita niya si Andreau na naghihintay sa may hallway, hands shoved deep into his jeans' pockets, staring at the ground.
"Hey," she called out, causing him to jerk his head up quickly. "Ba't andito ka pa?"
"Uhh.. nag-CR lang si Tristan. You know him, ayaw niya ng CR sa Feliz," Andreau muttered, touching his neck.
Zade smiled and walked towards him. She stood beside Andreau, leaving an ample space between them. Hindi siya sanay na tahimik si Andreau so siya na ang nag-initiate ng conversation. "Don't worry, things won't be weird between us."
"What?" Andreau gasped in shock.
"I mean.. earlier. I know you were going to kiss me," she felt the blush on her neck crept up to her cheeks. "It's okay. I completely understand. Talaga namang masikip dun sa pantry kanina. God, ba't ba kasi ang laki mong tao?" she stopped, slapping her forehead. Wala 'yon sa script na pinractice niya kanina. "Not that I'm complaining ha? I suggest bawasan mo na ang pagwoworkout or whey protein. You look so fine now. I mean.. dati ka pa namang-" tuluyan na niyang sinampal ang mukha niya sa sobrang hiya. "Oh shit. Feel free to shut me up anytime now, please."
"Zades?" She looks up at him, and saw that smile on his lips again. "You think so, huh? That I'm going to kiss you earlier?"
"Well yeah," she said confidently, her smile widening as she stared at his eyes with challenge. "It was pretty obvious, really. You were staring at my lips for God knows how long and.. you practically robbed me my personal space. So yeah. You were going to kiss me earlier."
A playful smirk appeared on his lips. "Jumping to conclusions, are we?"
"Nope," she replied, popping the 'p'. "Not jumping into anything. I'm 200% sure I'm right."
"What if you're wrong?"
Zade finally faced him, stepping further, and invaded the remaining space between them. "Well that depends on you, Andreau. Do you want me to be wrong or right?"
Before she could speak, he pressed her mouth to hers. Her response was immediate. Curling his arm around her shoulders, he drew her closer and deepened their kiss. Warmth coursed throughout her body as she reached up, sinking her fingers into his hair, tilting her back a little.
"So.. girlfriend niyo na po ba si Teacher Zade?"
They jumped apart with a gasp to see Tristan looking up at them with a big grin. Andreau bursted into laughter, while Zade covered her blushing face.
"Well, yes."
"Not yet," Zade answered quickly, not missing the brief, confused side eye glance Andreau gave her. She left Andreau's side and went to Tristan's. "We're still gonna figure things out, okay?"
A tiny pout appeared at Andreau's bottom lip. "What? You kissed me back. So that's a yes. I'm definitely taking that as a yes, Zades."
"Pero Teacher Zade... you like my Dad naman, 'di ba?" Tristan asked, tilting his head. Zade nodded, and her answer was greeted with a tight hug from the little boy. She crouched down to hug him back.
"Ayaw po aminin ni Dad na may gusto po siya sa inyo," bulong ni Tristan sa kanya. "Pero po kanina pumayag po siyang magpafamily picture. Sabi niya po kasi 'di kami magfafamily picture ka kaming dalawa lang. Kaya po sinama ko po kayo kanina.. para po complete na ang family picture namin."
Zade gently drew away from the little boy, and drew her thumb over his cheek before she held his hands. "Well.. thank you very much for that, Tristan."
**
Two years later, a huge framed picture of the trio was hanged on the walls of their living room. In that photo, Zade wore her beautiful wedding dress and a silver wedding band on her finger, while the Cortez men wore big and triumphant smiles on their faces.
That family picture was absolutely worth the wait.
V:p%