"Cryd, you can sit on the front if you want t—"
"Hey, you're the wife, sit beside me." Untag ni Ryder na sinang-ayunan naman ni Cryd, "Daddy's right, mommy. I'm fine at the backseat."
Matapos noon ay pumasok na nga siya sa loob ng sasakyan at naupo sa backseat. Si Ryder naman ay pinagbuksan ako ng pinto, pumasok na lamang ako ng walang angal.
We were all moving out from Stasia's condo unit to Ryder's house. We're on our way there at hindi ko alam kung bakit I feel thrilled and nervous at the same time.
"Hinahanap ka ni Direk Jobert." Ryder started a conversation, busy kasi si Cryd sa kanyang PSP kaya no choice ako kundi kausapin si Ryder.
"I'll come and visit tomorrow kapag may time at may magbabantay kay Cryd. Ayoko naman kasing ipaubaya uli siya kay Stasia. Sobrang baba ng pasensya noon sa bata."
"You can bring him there."
"To what? To just worsen the issue thrown at us?" I said with sarcasm. Kumalat kasi kagabi ang litrato na kuha doon sa Fuentabella Fashionline. Mabuti nga at binlurred nung nag-post ang mukha ko at ni Cryd.
But the rumors said, that I was impregnated by Ryder during a one night stand in a bar and now I came back to ask for Ryder's financial support dahil wala na daw akong mahuthot na pera sa 'mga' lalaki ko. That's just a great insult!
"Hindi pa naman nila alam na ikaw." Mahinahon niyang sambit.
"But soon, they'll know, Ryder." Saad ko, "I don't want to get involved with your showbiz life."
"But you are my wife, you are involved in my life. Besides, my life revolves on you and Cryd now."
"So, its okay for you if I'll tell you to just drop of your career?" Sarkastiko kong tanong sa kanya.
"Will you love me in return?" He said cockily kaya napaismid ako. Wow. This jerk. Humalakhak lang siya nang irapan ko siya.
"But seriously, Cassidy, my dad's fixing the issue already. If you want me to just finish off this movie and drop my career after, I will gladly do it for you." Seryoso niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa daan.
Hindi ko na pinansin yung sinabi niya, natuon kasi ang pansin ko doon sa first sentence, "Your dad?"
"Yes, my dad. Just a few weeks ago, he started being Ryker and I's manager."
"So, he already knew that we're back together?" Nagtaka lang ako kung bakit siya pa mismo ang nagaayos, of course, I will never forget yung naging confrontation namin before. He cares for his son's fame and career. Pupusta ako ng isang daan, siya din yung nagpadala ng note na iyon that fuckin' night. He's the only one I know that was against Ryder and I's relationship anyway.
"We're back together?" Ryder asked amused, I scowled at him, "Nevermind that."
"Yes, he knew. I told him."
"And did he tell you about the thing he said to me before?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. And I punched him for that."
"What?!" Gulat kong tanong, making Cryd look at me, "Mommy, why?"
"Nothing, baby. Don't mind me." I told him, tumango siya at itinuon muli ang pansin sa nilalaro niya. Binalingan ko si Ryder ng may kunot na noo, "What do you mean you punched him, are you crazy?"
"Isang beses lang iyon. He deserves that anyway. No one should mess with my girl, not even my father." He said straightly, he even emphasized the words my girl. Damn him.
"Kahit na, he's your father, tsaka ang tagal na nun."
"I don't care if he's my dad. I never took a grudge on him even when he cheated on my mom. But messing with my relationship with you, that's out of the line."
"How sweet." I mouthed, sarcastically.
"You should be flattered, woman."
"You did not do the right thing, how can I be flattered?" I deadpanned. Ngumisi lang siya at umiling.
"And by the way, he denied the fact that he ordered someone to leave that motherfucking note that precious night. Hindi daw niya gagawin yun dahil alam niyang lalayo ka sa akin ng kusa."
"Languange, Constantine." I said glancing at Cryd, mabuti nalang at hindi nasasanay magmura itong si Cryd, "Is he telling the truth then?"
"I think so."
Tumango na lamang ako, kung hindi niya tatay ang may pakana noon, sino?
I can't think of anyone that might have a grudge on our relationship. Wala talaga, except his dad.
After a few more minutes, we finally reached the house he's talking about. It was huge, alright. Sa labas palang, malaki ng tignan.
"Wow!" Cryd beamed, immediately coming out of the car. Natatawang sumunod sa kanya si Ryder. Sumunod na din ako, "Isn't it too big for the three of us?"
"Madadagdagan pa naman tayo diba?" He wriggled his eyebrows, sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, "Stop it."
Humalakhak naman siya saka ako inakbayan at hinila papasok ng gate. Ibinigay ni Ryder ang susi ng kotse doon sa guard saka kami dumiretso papasok sa bahay.
And guess what, I was amazed by the finely designed interior of the house. I can't explain each features but all in all it was perfect and beautiful.
"Ikaw lang ang nandito?"
"No, may kasama akong katulong. She's been with me for the past few years na naitayo itong bahay na ito."
"Isa lang ang katulong mo?" Tanong ko, she must be really experienced dahil napapanatili niyang malinis ang buong bahay.
Tumango siya saka ako itinour sa buong bahay. Cryd was running in front of us, "Where's my room?"
"There, little boy." He pointed at the room with a blue colored door, next to the pink one, "It was prepared for our children, really."
Tumango nalang ako, ganito ba siya kapatay na patay sa akin kaya nagpagawa na siya ng bahay namin? Lol, I'm feeding my ego here.
"You can stay at our room or the guest room." He said, "But I prefer you to stay at our's."
"No thanks." Ngumiti ako ng peke saka sinundan si Cryd, just to see him, swimming on his One Piece pirate ship themed bed.
"Adik ka talaga sa One Piece." Natatawa kong sambit kay Ryder habang nakatingin sa kama ni Cryd na kalahati ng katawan ng going merry/mary (i'm not sure lol) nina Luffy.
"Mas nakakadik ka." Saad niya na siyang nagpatindig ng balahibo ko, "Shut up."
Humalakhak siya kaya nagmartsa na ako patungo kay Cryd na ngayo'y manghang-mangha sa mga laruang nakaayos sa isang gilid, "What will you say to daddy?"
"Thank you!" Masaya niyang sigaw saka yumakap kay Cryd, "You're the best!"
Napangiti nalang ako nang makita ko silang parehong nakangiti din.
—
"What's with the huge blank white wall? Hindi ba lalagyan ng decorations yan or anything?" I asked him when I noticed the side of the wall na napaka-empty tignan, nasa living room pa naman.
"That's our wall." Sambit niya, "The second version of our tree."
"You want yo preserve the memories again, then?"
"Yes. I don't want to forget any details involving us. At least, kung makakalimutan ko man, with the help of that wall, I can remember some."
Tumango-tango ako, "May paint ka?"
"For what?"
"Babahiran ko lang ng kaunting dumi itong pader. Masyadong malinis." I said with sarcasm. Tumawa siya at iniabot sa akin ang paint at paint brush galing sa maliit na cabinet.
"What should I write?" I asked him, as I think of something wonderful to apply on the wall.
"Write whatever you're feeling right now." He suggested, tumango ako at isinulat ang I love Vod. Hanggang I love Vod lang talaga dahil mabilis niyang kinuha sa akin ang paintbrush, "You're ruining our wall!"
"You said to write whatever I'm feeling right now!" I said, but actually, I was just teasing him. Minsan masaya talagang makita siyang napipikon.
"Don't write names aside from me, you, Cryd and Genieva." He stated with finalty. I tried to surpressed my laugh and luckily, I succeed.
Nakabantay sa akin si Ryder kaya naman wala akong ibang nagawa kundi magdrawing nalang ng tatlong bilog na may nakasulat sa taas na pangalan naming tatlo nina Ryder at Cryd. Tapos sa ibaba noon, nagsulat akong #familygoals t ang date ngayon.
"Ayan, okay na?"
"Better." He grinned before calling Cryd from upstairs. Mabilis na bumaba si Cryd nang makitang may hawak-hawak akong paint brush, "Can I draw too?"
"Of course." I mumbled but in the end, hindi lang si Cryd ang nag-paint. Me and Ryder joined him. At dahil magkasundo silang dalawa, lagi nilang pinagtatawanan ang drawing ko.
"Edi kayo na magaling sa ganyan." Kunyari'y naiinis kong sambit, sabay naman nila akong pinagtawanan.
"Don't worry, mommy. I still love you even though you're not good with this whole painting thing."
"Likewise." Ryder added.
Tumayo na lamang ako, "I'll prepare merienda. Diyan lang kayo." They both nodded and continued what they're doing.
Pagkarating ko sa kitchen, naabutan ko si Britney, yung nag-iisang katulong ni Ryder. Halos kasing age lang namin siya kaya madali naman daw pakisamahan.
"Hello po, Ma'am." Bati niya ng nakangiti, tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya, "Paghahanda ko lang ng merienda."
"Ay, ako na po."
"No, I can manage. But thanks." I said, saka kumuha ng bread pan, at cheese spread dahil paborito naman nila pareho yun. Now that I think of it, madaming pagkakapareho si Ryder at Cryd pagdating sa favorites and dislikes nila.
"Grabe, Ma'am no?" Pumunta sa harap ko si Britney saka pumangalumbaba habang tinitignan ako, "Hindi ko akalaing may anak na pala si Sir."
I didn't try to respond since I don't like to share personal information to her.
"Ikaw po pala yung asawa na tinutukoy niya dati." Sabi nito, "Akala ko nga po joke joke lang na may asawa siya eh. Hehehe."
Inayos ko ang mga tinapay na nalagyan ko na ng palaman, saka kumuha ng juice sa fridge. Matapos kong isalin iyon sa baso ay tinulungan ako ni Britney na ayusin iyon sa tray.
"Ako na po magbubuhat, Ma'am." Presenta niya, tumango na lamang ako dahil nagmamagandang loob naman siya, "Go ahead. I'll just fix this."
"Okay po." Nakangiti niyang tugon saka lumabas ng kitchen. I stared at her intently before cleaning the area I used.
Pagbalik ko sa living room ay kinakain na ng dalawa ang hinanda ko, habang si Britney ay nakaupo sa couch, kasalungat sina Ryder.
"You made this?" Tanong ni Ryder ng makalapit ako sa kanila, "Masarap."
Tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay saka umupo sa tabi niya. Ngumuso naman si Ryder habang nakatingin sa akin, "Sungit mo."
"Sir, Ma'am, pag kailangan niyo po ako, sa kitchen lang po ako." Masiglang sambit ni Britney saka tumayo at umalis na. Pinagmasdan ko siya ng mabuti, sa hindi malamang dahilan.
"What's bugging you?" Ryder asked nang tumayo si Cryd para mag-paint muli.
"I don't like her." Diretso kong sambit, ayoko ng magpaliguy-ligoy pa. I have a weird feeling with Britney.
"Who?" Nagtataka niyang tanong.
"Your maid."
"Britney?" He asked, looking amused.
"Who else?" I narrowed my eyes on him. He chuckled softly, "Why?"
"Hindi ko alam basta ayoko sa kanya." Pagsabi ko ng totoo. Maybe her mere presence irritates me for no reason.
"You have to like her though. She's been with me for years."
Mas lalo akong nairita sa sinabi niya pero hindi ko na pinalaki pa ang issue dahil baka naiirita lang ako dahil sa monthly period ko ngayon, "Okay."
—
"Hala, sir! Diba mag-asawa kayo? Bakit hindi kayo magtatabi sa kwarto?" Usisa ni Britney nang sabihin ni Ryder sa kanya na ayusin ang guestroom dahil doon ako matutulog.
"None of your business." I told her blankly, hinapit ako ni Ryder sa bewang, aalma sana ko kaso nakita ko ang mabilis na pagdako ng tingin ni Britney doon kaya naman hinayaan ko nalang.
"Pero dapat pag mag-asawa, magkata—"
"You know what?" I asked raising an eyebrow, geez, I'm being maldita again, curse shark days, "You're right. Wag mo na palang ayusin yung guestroom. I'll be sleeping with Ryder in our room."
Tumango si Britney, "Okay po." Saka umalis na sa harap namin. Siguro tinatamad lang talaga siyang maglinis ng guestroom, that's why she's pushing me and Ryder to share the same.
Tumingala ako just to see Ryder unbelievably looking at me, tinaasan ko siya ng kilay bago siya tinalikuran at hinila ang maleta papasok sa kwarto daw namin.
"Are you sur—"
"We're just sleeping."
"Yeah, bu—"
"What's the problem? Kasal na tayo diba?" Masungit kong tanong sa kanya, napakamot siya sa batok niya at napatango na lamang.
I marched towards the girlier side of the room so I can fix my things but Ryder caught my attention when he suddenly chuckled, "No wonder, you're being moody and all."
"What?"
"Red dots." Natatawa niyang sambit saka tinuro ang bandang likod ko. I bit my lower lip, it's the second time na nakita niya akong may tagos! Once, when we were in high school! Tinawanan niya din ako that time. Great.
"There's our bathroom. You can take a shower first." He said saka lumabas na ng kwarto.
—
Matapos kong mag-shower ay nadatnan ko ang mag-ama kong nag-ta-thumb wrestling sa taas ng kama. Nakapantulog na sila pareho. Ang tagal ko pala sa banyo.
"Mommy!" Cryd called before tapping the side of the bed, "Daddy said we're all sleeping together in one bed!"
"Don't you want to sleep on your new bed, baby?" Pinunasan ko ang buhok ko habang nakaupo sa tabi niya. Cryd sniffed and smiled, "You smell really good, mommy! And as much as I want to sleep on my bed tonight, I like to sleep with you two more."
"Iwas tukso na din." Ryder added, saka mahinang tumawa. Binalewala ko nalang ang sinabi niya.
Hinintay pa naming antukin sa Cryd bago tuluyang humiga sa kama para matulog. Nasa gitna naming dalawa si Cryd, na ngayo'y sobrang himbing na ng tulog.
Malalim ang paghinga ko habang nakatitig sa kawalan at pinakikinggan ang bawat paghinga ni Cryd at Ryder.
"Gising ka pa?" Ryder asked in a low tone.
"Oo, bakit?" Mahina ko ding sambit.
"Wala lang."
Bumuntong hininga siya saka umayos ng higa, patagilid, para siguro makita ako. Nakabukas pa kasi ang lamp shade sa gilid ko.
"Cassidy." Tawag niya, pinokus ko ang tingin ko sa itaas, "Bakit?"
"Namiss kita." Doon palang ay naramdaman ko na agad ang kakaibang pag pintig ng puso ko.
"Don't be ridiculous, magkasama kaya tayo buong araw."
"Pero namimiss talaga kita." He said warmly, ibinaling ko sa kanya ang tingin ko, "Nababaliw ka na ba?"
"Sa'yo? Oo." He chuckled, "Sobra."
Umiwas ako ng tingin, "Mga kalokohan mo, Constantine. Tumigil ka."
"Seryoso yun." Mahina siyang tumawa. Panandalian kaming binalot ng katahimikan, naramdaman ko ang pag-ayos niya ng higa bago siya magsalitang muli, "I missed you, Cassidy. Ang tagal kitang hindi na kasama, ang tagal kitang hindi nakita kaya sobrang miss na miss na miss kita. Nakakabaliw yung pagkamiss ko sa'yo. Gusto kitang yakapin ng mahigpit na mahigpit at hindi ka na pakawalan pa."
Malalim ang bawat paghingang inilalabas ko, ramdam na ramdam ko din amg mabilis na pagtalbog ng puso ko.
"Sorry, hindi ko mapigilan eh. Good night." Natatawa niyang sabi bago kami tuluyang balutin ng katahimikan. Ilang minuto ang nakalipas pero hindi na siya ulit nagsalita.
Tulog na siguro siya.
Huminga ako muli ng malalim bago naglakas loob na isatinig ang nararamdaman ko ngayon, "Namiss din kita....sobra."
—
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 🎅🎄