Visitor
We are currently in their backyard, overlooking the city. Mathew is grilling some meat and sausages while Atlas is trying to help him.
The late afternoon sun bathed the backyard in a soft amber glow. The view of the city stretched out. This is so nice and calming.
The kids were with Ana at the playground, just within sight from where we stood. Their laughter floated over, light and carefree, mixing with the distant hum of the city. We are having a major deep cleaning in the house, so Ria had to stay there to supervise until the cleaners were done with the work.
Atlas stood in front of the grill, a figure of absolute confidence. His left hand rested firmly on his waist, his right gripping the tongs. The glow of the flames lit up his face, a soft sheen of sweat catching the light, making him look like he'd just walked out of a summer ad campaign. The definition of effortless cool.
He glanced over his shoulder, catching me looking. His grin was slow, cocky, and just a little too aware of himself. "Like what you see?" he teased, flipping a sausage.
Mathew is putting some marinated sauce on every meat Atlas flip.
Napa singhap ako. Ang yabang!
Hmp! Naka dalawang anak ka lang naging breezy ka na.
Napairap ako nang makita ang napakalapad niyang ngiti.
"He's hot." agresibo akong napabaling kay Sharmaine. Kumunot ang noo ko.
She smiled guiltily like she'd been caught red-handed. Well, she is!
"Oh, I know that look." she laughed. "I just blurted out what's in your mind."
"What?"
"With the way you look at him, you looked like you're about to eat him alive." tukso niya. She grinned.
Napailing ako.
"It's just my pregnancy hormones."
"Yeah right."
"Here's your orders beautiful ladies." Mathew put down a plate full of sausages on the table.
"Thanks, darling." Sharmaine kissed his lips.
Napailing ako. Sa harapan ko talaga?
Oh my gosh, why am I so irritated?
"Thanks, Mathew," I said with a smile. He grinned back but his gaze shifted past me, eyes locked on something behind me. Instinctively, I turned to look.
Atlas was approaching, a pitcher of citrus lemonade in his left hand and a tray of highball glasses balanced perfectly in his right.
"Here's the drink," he announced, setting down the glasses and pitcher in front of me with practiced ease. His eyes met mine, a mischievous glint in them. "No wine for you, mi lady. We're expecting."
Before I could react, he leaned down and pressed a quick, soft kiss to my right cheek. Right in front of them.
My eyes darted to Mathew and Sharmaine. Heat rushed to my face.
Sa harapan pa talaga nila! I pressed my lips together, fighting back a grin that was threatening to break free. Nag tagal ang init ng kanyang halik sa aking pisngi.
Mathew returned carrying another plate, it was stacked with cuts of red meat fresh off the grill. My dietitian had given me the green light to eat more meat today. The seasoning had to be lighter than usual. So, of course, Atlas made sure I had my plate.
Umupo siya sa aking tabi at agad na lumakbay ang kanyang kamay sa aking hita. He reached for the lemonade, pouring it into a glass. He placed it in front of me, his eyes soft but steady.
"Are you hungry now?" tanong niya.
"Yeah, should we call the kids?" baling ko kay Sharmaine. Busy silang dalawa ng kanyang asawa pero natigilan sa aking tanong.
"Yes." si Sharmaine.
"I'll call them." agad na tumayo si Atlas sa tinungo ang mini playground sa backyard nila Sharmaine.
Well, they have slides, a seesaw, and some swings. The kids love it. I am also planning on putting one in my backyard back in the house. That's the only thing I don't have for Atreus.
Malakas na nagtatawanan ang mga bata habang nagsisistakbuhan papunta sa amin.
"Careful." medyo pasigaw kong saad.
Umupo si Atlas muli sa aking tabi at si Atreus naman ay pareho naming hinantay na matapos makipag usap kay Paul at Paula.
"Mommy, I wanna eat with them."
"I'll get the kids' table and chairs." Mathew.
Atlas stood up to follow him, he helped Mathew carry the small table and chairs made for children aged like Paul and Paula. Then they set it up just beside ours. Napatayo ako at nilapitan si Atreus.
"Ana." tawag ko.
"Yes?"
"Can you please get the towel for Atreus?" naupo si Atreus sa gusto niyang upuan at agad siyang tinabihan ni Paul at Paula.
The small table is square-shaped and is made out of wood. There's a running cloth on the middle and the chairs are perfect for the table's height and the kids' size.
"Here." inabot sa akin ni Ana ang towel at agad ko iyong ikinabit sa leeg ni Atreus para kapag kumain na siya ay hindi madumihan ang kanyang damit. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Sharmaine sa dalawang bata.
"There you go, you can now eat beside each other." I smiled at Atreus. "Are you happy?"
He smiled widely.
"I am super happy!"
"Ana," nilingon niya ako. "Sit with us." I sait it para hindi na siya umayaw.
Pero bago siya maupo ay binigyan niya ng pagkain ang mga bata. Nahiya si Sharmaine kaya tinulungan niyang maglagay ng pagkain at inumin sa mesa ng mga bata.
Sharmaine's maids are off duty. It's Sunday today so I guess it's family time for them but here we are, barging in their house.
Ana sat on my left side while Atlas was on my right side.
The kids happily ate, their laughter filling the air as they chattered excitedly about the toys and games they wanted to buy and play.
"Here." napalingon ako sa plato ko nang hiwa-hiwain ni Atlas ang grilled beef.
"Thanks."
"So, what is your plan for Atreus this school year?" Sharmaine asked.
"I already enrolled him," I replied, taking a sip of my lemonade. "We're just waiting for the school year to start."
Sharmaine nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Good. He's gonna love it there."
"Yeah, I hope so," I said, glancing over at Atreus, who was now eating while laughing with the two. "He's been so excited about it. He's thrilled that he'll get to be in the same school as Paul and Paula." I smiled.
Sharmaine laughed, raising an eyebrow at me. "Well, at least you made the right decision by following my suggestion," she said with a playful grin.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me. "Yeah, yeah, don't let it get to your head."
Atlas refilled my glass of juice. I sipped on it.
"Too late," she teased, flipping her hair over her shoulder with mock pride. "I'm claiming full credit for this one."
Pareho kaming nagtinginan at natawa.
"You crazy woman," Mathew murmured to Sharmaine that everybody heard.
"But you love this crazy woman right here." Sharmaine teased.
We all laughed.
We all ended that bonding feeling so happy and fulfilled. Nakatulog sa byahe si Atreus sa sobrang pagod. Agad na binuhat ni Atlas si Atreus mula sa sasakyan paakyat ng kwarto niya. Ana followed them.
Dumiretso ako sa kusina para uminom ng tubig.
Ria entered the kitchen, together with Ryleigh. The new cook and my dietician.
"How's the bond?" agad na tanong niya. "Did you follow my suggestion?"
"Yeah," inilapag ko ang baso sa island counter. "I ate so much, the food was so yummy even though they seasoned it less."
"That's great."
"The house was deep cleaned properly, Nat." I smiled at Ria.
"Thank you for supervising Ria." she nodded. Napahikab ako. I covered my mouth while the two were busy looking at me. " I'm so tired, I want to sleep but I'm so full."
"Oh, I'll make you some tea then." Ryleigh let the Island counter and did what she said. When she came back, she had a mug with tea in it. She handed it to me.
"Thank you."
"Welcome."
The next day, we did some grocery shopping and when we came back from the mall, I was shocked to see Cindy in our receiving area.
"What are you doing here?" napakurapkurap ako sa matigas na boses ni Atlas.
"I-I just want to visit you, I miss you so bad Atlas." she neared Atlas and hugged him.
Nanigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan. What the actual fuck?
I blinked my eyes thrice when Atlas pushed Cindy.
"Atlas please, I love you so much!" naiiyak niyang sambit.
"Stop it Cindy, we were never in a relationship," Atlas said coldly.
Bumaling siya sa akin, nanlilisik ang kanyang mga mata.
"Siya ba!?" itinuro niya ako. Agad na lumapit sa akin si Atlas at hinawakan ang braso ko. "Siya ba ang ipinalit mo sa'kin!?"
"Let's go upstairs, baby." maingat niyang saad. I looked at him, umiwas siya ng tingin.
Bumilis ang paghinga ko. Everything that I read in that article is slowly eating up my brain.
Iginiya ako ni Atlas pero iwinaksi ko ang kanyang kamay.
"Baby please, this is not good for you."
"What's good for me then!?" tumaas na ang boses ko. Hindi ko mapigilang magalit.
Nilapitan niya pa ako at muling hinawakan ang aking braso.
"Baby please, calm down," mabigat ang paghinga niya. "This is not good for the baby, please?"
Natauhan ako sa narinig. I slightly touched my tummy when I realized what he said.
I am pregnant.
Pero bakit siya nandito? Nandito ang anak ko! Mage-eskandalo siya sa pamamahay ko?
This is my house!
"Atlas please." muli akong napabaling kay Cindy.
"Get out." I firmly said.
I almost forgot that she was my girlfriend back then, I was guilty, but now that I realize what kind of a woman she is. I don't think I can just sit back and relax when I know that Atreus is just around the corner.
"Who are you!? You don't have the right to command me!" galit na galit niyang saad.
"Cindy!" napaigtad ako sa kulog ng boses ni Atlas. Kahit si Cindy ay natigilan. "Get out while I'm still being kind." mas kalmadong saad niya na ngayon.
"But, Atlas, who is she?" umaiiyak niyang saad. "You told me you'll marry me then, then I waited for you to come back but you did not." she sobbed. Lumapit siya kay Atlas at hinawakan niya ito sa braso. "Nathe left me already, pati ba naman ikaw?"
Napapikit ako sa pag banggit niya ng aking ginagamit na pangalan noon.
"Just go home Cindy, I did not promise you anything." malamig na saad ni Atlas.
She walked slowly towards the entrance of the house. Hindi niya maalis alis ang kanyang titig sa kamay ni Atlas na pirmeng naka hawak sa akin.
"We're not done." mahinang saad niya bago siya nawala sa aming tingin.
Agad akong kumawala kay Atlas at tinungo ang aming kwarto sa taas.
"Baby..." agad ang kanyang pagsunod sa akin.
I removed my bra before I lay down on my side of the bed.
"Get away, Atlas," inis kong saad. In my house? Really?
"Baby please..." ang pagsumamo sa kanyang tono ay hindi nakawala sa aking pandinig.
He lay down too and hugged from my back. Agad na nahanap ng kanyang baba ang aking balikat. I felt him kiss my shoulder softly. Ani mo ay takot na masaktan niya ako.
"I'll be here," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.
I closed my eyes, biting back words I wasn't ready to say. Not tonight. I stayed silent, choosing peace over confrontation. He stayed too, his hold steady, his touch unwavering.
Eventually, sleep pulled me under, but not before I felt his hand still on my belly, still holding me close.
The soft hum of crickets outside the window filled the quiet room. Shadows danced along the walls, moving with the slow flicker of light from the streetlamp outside. The world felt still like it was holding its breath for us.
I woke up sometime in the middle of the night, eyes blinking slowly as I adjusted to the dim light. Nakayakap pa rin sa akin si Atlas, tila takot na mawala ako. His arm draped protectively around me, his breathing steady and calm. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest, his heart thudding gently against my back.
For a moment, I just lay there. I closed my eyes again, letting his warmth seep into me.
Slowly, I shifted, turning to face him. He stirred, his brows twitching like he could sense my movement even in his sleep. Unti unting bumukas ang kanyang mga mata, tuluyang nagising siyang nang makitang nakatitig ako sa kanya.
"Hey," he rasped, voice thick with drowsiness. His eyes scanned my face, lingering a little too long on my eyes, and my lips. "You okay?"
HIndi ako sumagot at tumitig lang sa kanya. Malambot ang kanyang mga tingin sa akin.
He reached out then, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, his gentle touch making me feel at peace.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Let's go back to sleep," I whispered.