At dahil sa kahiya-hiyang pangyayari, on-hold ko muna 'yung Detached ha? Baka maalis ako sa pagiging guro. HAHAHA! Love you sibs 😘 Eto muna pambawi ko. Let's make another Klang 👧
"Oh my goossshhhhh! Finally makikita ko na 'yung long lost god-daughter kooo!" tili ni Anne who caught most of the hosts' attention. Kararating lang nito at hindi pa man din nailalapag ang bag ay hyper na agad itong sumigaw. "I'm soo-
"Anne, ang bunganga naman!" Billy stopped her from squealing at pinagpag kuno ang tenga. "Unang araw palang dito nung bata baka mas gustuhin pa non na bumalik nalang sa Canada,"
"Grabe naman 'to! Can't you see? Naeexcite lang naman ako na finally, makikita ko narin 'yung anak ni Vice. Aren't you guys excited?" kunot noong tanong ni Anne.
"Naeexcite din naman kami pero required ba talagang sumigaw?" turan ni Jugs.
"Hindi naman," ang kaninang kunot na noo ni Anne ay mabilis na nag-turn into smile. Umupo ito beside Karylle at nag-look up na para bang nag-iimagine. "I can't wait dressing her up. Ehhh! Pink will surely be suited to a lovely-
"Paniguradong spoiled na agad si Snow sa 'yo," naiiling na sabi ni Karylle na kanina lang ay tahimik at nakatuon ang atensyon sa cellphone.
"Naman no! Vice didn't let us na bisitahin sila sa Canada ever since ipinanganak si Snow, pagkakataon ko na 'to para bigyan ng gifts yung bata. Ninang duties, you know." kibit balikat na tugon ni Anne. "Are you guys coming on the party later?"
"I'm coming," Karylle.
"Hindi pwedeng wala kami don," Vhong.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Everyone gets alarmed nang marinig ang boses ng Direktor na kapapasok lang sa Lounge Area. Lahat naman sila ay napangiti but Anne seems really too excited kaya't siya na ang sumagot.
"We're just too excited about finally seeing Snow!"
"Ikaw lang naman 'tong pinaka-excited," pambubuska pa ni Billy who just gained death glares from Anne.
"Whateverrr!" Anne said, rolling her eyes.
"Sshh! You guys stop and listen." Direk Bobet cutted them off. "It's been 4 years since Vice left Showtime and now that he's back, I'm gonna tell you the biggest secret I, and the other bosses have."
Napakunot ang noo ng lahat. Yes, it's been 4 years since Vice left them. 4 years without the most pasaway member of the family they've built, 8 years ago. Apat na taon na ang nakalilipas simula nang mawala si Vice sa industriya where people used to love, support, and defend him in everything he's involved with. But despite of him, leaving the Showtime and the Showbiz Industry, people seemed to become more interested about his private life.
"What is it?" Anne, as always the excited one.
"I'm gonna tell you guys kapag wala si Anne," everyone laughed.
"WHAT? WHY?!" Anne stood up at halos magwala na.
"See you sa party mamaya," Direk waved goodbye then left the area.
"Sheesh! Anong problema nun?" tanong ni Anne sa mga kasama ngunit nagkibit balikat lang ang mga ito.
"Tito! Dito!" Camille, Vice's pamangkin shouted nang makita na ang tito niyang papalabas. He's carrying a three year old baby girl whose face was burried on his neck. Vice smiled at his nephew and tried his best to wave back kahit may buhat buhat siya.
When Vice and the kid were finally near them, hindi napigilan ni Camille ang yakapin ang tito without minding the kid, sleeping.
"Ken, dahan dahan baka magising si Niyebe." natatawang sabi ni Vice, still appreciating how much Camille missed him. "Miss na miss mo naman ako masiyado,"
"Siyempre no. Ang tagal kayang walang maingay sa bahay," Camille said.
"Ah talaga ba?" kunot noong turan ni Vice na agad namang tinawanan ng pamangkin. "Nay! I miss you,"
"As much as I wanted to hug you ng mahigpit, baka magising 'yung apo ko." nakangiting sabi ng ina.
Vice wanted to cry seeing how happy his mom is. Hindi maalis ang tingin ng ina sa natutulog na apo. He knows and he feels how thankful she is na finally, nasagot narin ang matagal na niyang hinihiling. Ang mabigyan siya ng apo. He remembered the time na halos masira na ang relasyon nilang mag-ina dahil lang sa kagustuhan nitong magka-anak siya. Bakla siya for crap's sake and why would he want to have a kid of his own when the only thing he wanted that time was to continue his career and focus with what makes him happy.
"Yung totoo? Saan ka ba galing? Sa Canada oh sa Korea?" natatawang tanong ni Babot sa kapatid, while looking at him from head to foot. He really looks like a Korean man.
"Sira." he answered.
"Sir," pagtawag ng isang staff from the airport na siyang may dala ng gamit ng mag-ama.
"Ay, thank you kuya." isang matamis na ngiti ang isinukli ng lalaki kay Vice bago magpaalam. "Tara na? Nangangawit na 'ko. Bigat bigat nitong hawak ko e,"
Binuksan ni Camille ang pintuan ng sasakyan for his tito, habang tinutulungan naman ni Babot ang dalawa nilang driver na iayos ang mga maleta ng kapatid.
Once nakasakay na si Vice sa sasakyan at inadjust niya ang pwesto ng anak upang mas maging komportable ang pagtulog nito. The kid moved a bit but Vice tapped her legs kaya mabilis din itong bumalik sa pagtulog.
"Ang ganda siguro ng nanay nito no?" Vice looked at his mom at bahagyang natawa.
"Parang nasaktan naman ako dun, nay."
"Nakuha naman ng bata 'yung labi at ilong mo, pero 'yung mata at hugis ng mukha? Tingin ko talaga ang ganda ng nanay nito eh," pag-uulit pa ng ina.
"A-adi," the kid groaned. Napa-smile naman si Vice while watching his daughter slowly opening her eyes. Maging sila Nanay Rosario, Babot at Camille ay pare-parehong nakatingin sa paggising ng bata.
"Hi nyebe." Vice greeted his kid.
"You stop calling me Niyebe, Adi." she then pouted her lips. Adi. She used to call him Adi. It simply means, Daddy.
"I'll call you Niyebe whenever I want to." ayaw paawat na sabi ni Vice saka inupo ang anak sa lap niya.
"Ow." sambit ng bata when she realized na nasa loob sila ng sasakyan and everyone's looking at her. Natakot ito ng bahagya for she thought na may nagawa siyang mali. "Did I do something wong?"
"You're so noisy when you're sleeping kasi. You kept on making sounds like pigs do that's why." kunot noo namang tinignan ng bata ang ama to confirm if he's telling the truth.
"You lying," she said when she noticed na natatawa ang ama. "Are we in the Philippines yet, Adi?"
"Yes, and we'll be having a party later so you should rest. You're gonna meet Adi's friends." he informed her. Inayos naman niya ang nagulong buhok ng anak.
"Will I get to see Ninang Anning later?" she gave him the sweetest smile. Tumango naman si Vice as an answer.
"She knows Anne. Everytime kasi na tumatawag ako sa kanila, inaagaw nitong bata na 'to 'yung cellphone ko so she could talk to her. Magkasundong magkasundo," naiiling na sabi ni Vice, remembering how Snow talk to Anne.
"Ninang Anning! I'll see you in two weeks okay? You wait for me okay?"
"Yes, baby! Ninang Anning has gifts for you! Geesh! I'm so excited!"
"You told me you'll teach me how to sing and dance and-- hey, Adi! I'm still talking to Ninang Anning!" Snow hissed nang hablutin ng ama ang cellphone.
"You better ask Tita Karylle to teach you how to sing."
"But, Adi-
"Niyebe!"
Napapailing na lamang si Vice nang maalala ang tagpong iyon. How could Snow be that close to Anne kung ni minsan ay hindi pa naman sila nagkikita? Yes, nakakausap ni Snow ang mga kaibigan through phone but he didn't allow them na maka-face time ang anak. He wants to keep his daughter's face as surprise.
"Babot? Kamusta nga pala 'yung mga bakla?" Vice asked.
"Infairness dun sa mga 'yun ha? Successful 'yung ipinagkatiwala mong cosmetic business sa kanila but aside from that, kinuha ni Angge sila Archie and Buern as her regular stylist."
4 years. Napakarami ng nagbago sa apat na taong wala siya sa Pilipinas. Malayo siya sa pamilya at mga kaibigan but he was still making sure na updated siya sa kung ano man ang mga nangyayari sa mga taong nakasanayan niyang makasama. Before he left, he made sure na maiiwanan niya ng magandang negosyo ang mga kaibigang bakla na hindi siya iniwan noon pa man and he's proud of what they had achieved.
"Adi, weewee." nahihiyang bulong ni Snow, trying to keep it out of other's hearing.
"We're near the house na. Kaya mo pa ba or you can pee on your pampam naman," Snow hurriedly covered her daddy's mouth. She really doesn't want anyone to know that she still wears pampam.
"Adi, I told you to keep it as a secret." tila nahihiyang sabi ni Snow.
"She still wears pampam?" natatawang sabi ni Nanay Rosario. Lalo namang nahiya si Snow kaya kinuha nito ang palad ng ama and used it to cover her face. "Aw. I'll tell you your Daddy's secret,"
"What is it, Lola?"
"He was 6 when he stopped making wee-wee in bed."
"Luh," Camille commented at natawa narin sa sinabi ng lola.
"Aha! If you don't keep my secret, I'm gonna tell everyone about your secret too." pamba-blackmail ng bata sa ama.
"Okay. Okay. I'm gonna keep your secret na,"
Nang makarating sa bahay, ipinaubaya na ni Vice sa mga driver at iba pang kasambahay ang paglabas ng mga gamit nila. Mabilis namang tumakbo si Snow papasok ng bahay at naaliw sa balloons na nasa bukana ng pintuan. These were actually made by their housemaids.
"Adi! Adi! There are wots of balloons! Look!" natutuwang sabi ng bata as she ran back to his Adi and held his hand. "They have blue balloons and pink and yellow and violet-
"What color do you want?" Vice asked na nag-bent ng kaunti upang ayusin ang umangat na damit ng anak.
"Can I have the pink one, and uhm- that blue too."
"Okay then. I'll ask Ate Ken to get those balloons for you." hinawakan ni Vice ang kamay ng anak at magkasabay silang lumakad papasok ng bahay. Everyone's waiting for them. Two of their angels were holding a cake as a present while the others were holding a banner.
"Why stwobewi?" nagtatakang tanong ni Snow. "Don't you have choc--
"Niyebe!" natatawang saway ni Vice sa anak. Iba rin ang attitude e.
"Naubusan kasi tayo ng chocolate eh. Sorry baby ha?" nagkakamot ulong sabi ni Jackie.
"Don't mind her. Kinakain naman nito kahit anong flavor. Thank you guys! I appreciate," pasasalamat ni Vice sa mga nag-effort. "I'll see you later okay? Pagpapahingahin ko lang si bagets,"
"But Adi, you said we'll get those balloons--
"Later na, anak. You have to take a rest, remember?"
"But I am not sleepy naman eh," Snow stamped her feet. Napailing nalang si Vice dahil once nag-stamp na ng feet ang bata, ibig sabihin ay malapit na itong magwala.
"Snow!" madiing tawag ni Vice. Napayuko naman ang bata dahil alam niyang kapag tinawag siya ng ama sa pangalan niya, ibig sabihin ay galit na ito. "One more but and you'll fly back to Canada,"
"But, Adi-
"Give me her things, Babot. I'll tell Manong Driver to accompany her back to the airport."
"No! Adi! I'll take a west! Those balloons can wait!" Snow pulled the hem of Vice's shirt to stopped him. "And I have to take my pampam off because it's puno na, Adi."
Sinubukan ni Vice na 'wag tumawa specially when Snow secretly touched the knoll of her pampam from behind.
"It's puno na Adi." bulong pa ni Adi nang mag-look up ito sa ama.
"Let's go. Let's take that off,"
Magkahawak kamay na umakyat ng hagdan ang mag-ama paakyat sa room nilang dalawa. Once they get there, ibinaba muna ni Vice ang personal bag bago samahan ang anak sa rest room to take Snow's pampam off.
"Panghi ha," Vice joked.
"It's your fault."
"Why me? Hindi naman ako 'yung nag-pee sa pampam mo,"
"But you told me to weewee in my pampam," katwiran pa nito. At oo nga naman, he told her na doon nalang umihi.
Nang matanggal na ang pampam ni Snow, Vice helped her wash. Sa tatlong taon na kasama niya ang bata, sobra na siyang nasanay sa mga simpleng bagay na kagaya nito. It is nothing compared to those things na akala niya ay hindi niya makakaya.
"Adi, when is Papa coming home?" biglang tanong ni Snow which made him get back to his senses.
"I don't know yet, anak. He has something to fix pa in Canada. Diba he told you naman to wait for him?" dahan dahan namang tumango ang bata as an answer. In time naman ay natapos na silang mag-wash. "Come on. Bihis ka na,"
"I want the dwess Papa bought me," Snow said while climbing up the bed.
"Which dress?"
"The pink one. He always said I look beautiful with that dwess." umikot ikot pa ito sa taas ng kama.
"You'll wear this later for the party okay?" Vice placed the dress sa place kung saan mabilis itong makita at kumuha ng simple clothes na pwedeng isuot muna ni Snow.
"Whose party are we gonna attend, Adi?"
"Dami namang tanong nitong bata na 'to," umiiling na sabi ni Vice while helping Snow wear her clothes.
"What, Adi?"
"Rest."
"But I am not sleepy,"
"Snow!" madiing sabi ni Vice dahilan upang magmadaling humiga ang bata at pumikit.
7pm.
Everyone's patiently waiting sa pagdating ng mag-amang Vice at Snow. Anne, Vhong, Billy, Direk Bobet, Jugs and Teddy with his kids were killing their time by chit-chatting about anything na bigla nalang nila maiisip.
Lahat ng ito ay plinano ng Direktor, at iba pang mga nakatrabaho ni Vice with the help of his family. 4 years isn't easy for them. Hindi naging madali para sa kanila na masanay na walang maingay, walang pasaway at walang nangungulit. Vice really brought them happiness and this simple celebration for his come back ay sobrang maliit kung ikukumpara sa lahat ng naibigay niyang kasiyahan.
"They're here," Direk Bobet said when he received a text message from Rylie.
Everyone stood up as they heard the signal of the Director. Anne almost cry nang finally, masilayan na niya from the entrance ang mukha ng inaanak na buhat buhat ni Vice. She couldn't see them clearly since medyo malayo pa sila but it's enough to say that the kid's really pretty.
"Why are they standing and clapping, Adi?" nagtatakang tanong ni Snow nang mapansin na nakatayo at pumapalakpak ang mga tao sa loob.
"It's their way of welcoming us. Wave your hand like this oh," Vice instructed sabay wave ng kamay kaliwa't kanan na mabilis namang sinunod ng anak.
Nang makarating sa harap ang mag-ama, Vice asked for a microphone. He was still carrying Snow who's still busy waving her hand left and right.
"Nakakaloka 'tong paganap niyo na 'to. I wasn't expecting this kind of party. Sinong may pakana nito?" natatawa and at the same time ay nahihiyang sabi ni Vice. "Seriously, this is too much, but still thank you for this. Sobra sobra niyo parin akong mahal. Thank you ng maraming marami."
"Thank you," pag-singit ni Snow na inilapit rin ang bibig sa mic to make them hear her.
"Enjoy!!" sabi ni Vice before waving his hand once again.
Muling nagsiupuan ang lahat aside from the Showtime Hosts na hinihintay ang paglapit ng kanilang kapatid na si Vice. Hindi naman sila nabigo dahil ilang segundo lang ay lumapit na ang binata habang akay-akay ang anak na hanggang ngayon ay kumakaway parin.
"Enough na, anak." natatawang sabi ni Vice na siya ng nagbaba sa kamay ng bata. "Say hello to them o. They're Adi's friends."
"Ow. Hi." Snow adorably smiled at the Showtime Hosts which made Anne squeal. "You might be Ninang Anning,"
"Yes, and you're Snow, the most adorable kid in the world." as expected, si Anne ang unang lumapit sa bata. Binuhat niya ito at niyakap ng pagkahigpit higpit.
"Uhm- Adi?" Snow called his Dad na para bang humihingi ng tulong.
"Ngangabu! Papatayin mo ba sa yakap 'yung anak ko?" natatawang turan ni Vice na inabot ang kamay ng anak.
"Sorry. Sorry. Haha! Omg, baklaaaa! Ang cute cute ng anak moooo!" Anne squealed for the nth time bago bitawan ang bata. Snow hurriedly ran papunta sa ama at yumakap sa waist nito. "Ninang Anning has to give you something,"
"What is it, Ninang Anning?" ang kaninang medyo natakot na mukha ng bata ay nag-light up nang marinig iyon.
"Here,"
"What's that, Anne?" tanong ni Vice nang makitang inabutan ni Anne ng three paper bags si Snow.
"Dresses lang naman 'yan and some kiddie accessories."
"Hay nako. Mukhang masspoiled 'tong bata na 'to sa inyo," naiiling na sabi ni Vice. "Snow!!"
Napadilat ang lahat ng bigla na lamang sumalampak ng upo si Snow sa sahig and started inspecting the inside of the paper bags.
"Uh-oh! Papa will get mad at me," problemadong sabi ni Snow while scratching her nape. Nakita kasi niya na madaming laman ang paper bags.
"No. I'll talk to Papa Vice so he won't get mad, okay?" Anne said. Nag-look up naman sa kaniya si Snow with confusions in her eyes. "Do you like it?"
"Papa-
"Can we now eat? Medyo nagutom ako nung nakita ko 'yung mga pagkain e," Vice suddenly became uneasy nang mabanggit ni Snow ang Papa. They don't know, and he isn't ready yet to let them know.
"You're gonna sit with us?" Direk Bobet said at mabilis namang tumango si Vice.
"Ayaw niyo po ba?" Vice joked.
"Hindi naman. I just thought you"ll sit with your family," the Director asked for two more chairs para may maupuan ang mag-ama. "Upo na kayo,"
"Snow, tayo na anak. Kakain na tayo," Vice commanded but Snow remained sitting on the floor. "Katniss Snow?"
"Wait, Adi. Fix pa Snow." sagot ng bata kahit hindi naman talaga nito inaayos ang paper bags na ginulo nito. She's still inspecting the things inside the bags.
"Jackie?" Vice called one of his angels para ipakuha ang paper bags dahil alam niyang hindi tatayo ang anak pag nakikita ito. "Pakikuha naman 'to saglit. Lagay mo nalang sa car para makakain na si Niyebe,"
Once mawala sa paningin ni Snow ang paper bags ay agad itong tumayo at nag-climb sa upuan niya. Hinawakan niya ang utensils at hinintay ang Daddy niya na lagyan ng food ang plate niya.
"I want tuwon," naeexcite na sabi ni Snow which made everyone chuckle.
"Dinner, turon?" sarcastic na sabi ni Vice habang nilalagyan ng rice ang plate ni Snow. "What dish do you want?"
"Tuwon, Adi."
"We don't have turon here, Snow."
"But I want tuwon,"
"Snow, wag mong pahirapan si Adi."
"Donut then," hirit pa nito.
"We'll eat dinner not nooning,"
Lahat ng mata ay nakatuon lang sa kung paano mag-usap ang mag-ama. Sa huli ay nagsalo nalang ang mag-ama sa iisang plate dahil alam ni Vice na hindi kakain ang anak kapag hindi siya ang nagsubo dito. She just eats what she wants, at dahil wala sa hapag ang gusto niyang pagkain, mahihirapan si Vice na kumbinsihin ang anak to eat.
"Wait? Ba't nga pala kayo lang? Yung iba?" tanong ni Vice ng mapansin niyang iilan lang ang hosts na naroon.
"Malapit na raw sila Jugs at Andee. Si Jhong daw hahabol dahil may biglaang meeting. Yung iba, may mga importanteng commitments kaya sorry daw pero babawi daw sila." Teddy explained.
"Si Karylle?" Vice asked. Nagkatinginan naman ang mga hosts, including Direk Bobet.
"Wait. Oo nga? Nasaan na nga pala 'yon? Siya 'tong kauna-unahang nagsabi na pupunta siya," Anne stated.
"Baka on the way na," singit ni Vhong.
"Naku ha! Allergic na 'ko sa ganiyan," he joked na sinundan naman ng tawa ng iba.
"Adi, weewee." sabi ni Snow while poking Vice's arms.
"Excuse us guys," paalam ni Vice before guiding Snow pababa ng upuan. "Weewee ka naman ng weewee,"9l
"I can't pigil it, Adi." Snow apologized.
Magkahawak kamay na hinanap ng mag-ama ang restroom. Nang makita ito ay nagmamadali ng pumasok sa loob si Snow. She can pee on her own naman na kaya hinayaan na siya ni Vice. While he was waiting outside, nagring ang phone niya kaya lumayo siya ng kaunti sa restroom to answer his phone.
"Babe?" Vice greeted.
"I told you to call me once nakarating kayo ng Pilipinas diba?" pag-aalala ang mababanaag sa boses ng kausap.
"Sorry, I forgot. I had to stay with Snow kanina until she fell asleep tapos tinulungan ko sila Nanay mag-ayos ng gamit namin. Sorry," paghingi nito ng paumanhin.
"It's okay. How are you there? Nakapagpahinga ba kayo kahit saglit?"
"Babe, wag ka ng mag-alala okay? Nakatulog si Snow ng two hours pagkarating namin sa bahay. Nakapag-take din naman ako ng nap. Don't worry, we're both okay." pag-aassure nito sa kausap.
"Namimiss ko na kayo agad,"
"Kami rin naman. Hindi pa nga nakakapagbihis si Snow kanina, tinatanong na niya agad kung kailan ang dating mo dito." he heard a deep sigh from the other line.
While Vice was busy talking to someone over the phone, hindi niya napansin na nakalabas na pala si Snow at dire-diretsong tumakbo sa way na dinaanan nila kanina. Unfortunately, nakatalikod si Vice kaya hindi nakita ang anak.
"Oh!" sambit ni Snow nang bigla siyang mapaupo. "Sowwy. Snow careless,"
"Snow?" the kid looked up when the person she had accidentaly bumped with called her name. "Are you Snow?"
"Me, Snow." she said and offered her hand for a hand shake.
"Hello, cutie! I am-
"Karylle?"
Both Snow and Karylle looked back sa taong nagsalita. Parang hindi naman niya alam kung paano magrereact nang makita si Vice with his new get up. He really looks like a Korean Man with his new hair style and the way he dresses. Hindi niya alam if it's fate dahil the past few weeks ay nakahihiligan niyang manood ng Korean Dramas.
"Tulala?" mabilis na bumalik sa sarili ang dalaga nang marinig magsalita si Vice.
"Oh my god, you're so gwapo." Karylle commented to his new get up.
"Yuck!" agad na tugon ni Vice. "Ba't ba ngayon ka lang?"
"Sorry, I had an emergency meeting with Tito Gary and Tito Martin. They were planning something for Mama's birthday kasi that's why," she explained. Bahagya namang natawa si Vice. Halatang hanggang ngayon ay traumatized parin si Karylle with what happened before.
"Okay na. Baka magpadala ka nanaman ng bulaklak eh," he joked.
"Sira," sagot na lamang nito before turning to Snow na nakatingala lang sa kanila and seems confused of what they were talking about. "So this is Snow?"
"Ah, oo. Snow, say hi to Tita Karylle."
"Hi! Sowwy, Snow careless." paghingi parin nito ng paumanhin for the second time.
"Aww. It's alright baby, you just have to be careful next time so you won't get hurt okay?" Snow then smiled widely and gave Karylle two thumbs up.
"Let's go? They're waiting," saad ni Vice. Hahawakan sana nito ang kamay ni Snow but the kid hurriedly ran. "Katniss Snow!"
"Dugo mo nga 'yan. Bilis din tumakbo eh,"
"Ah talaga ba?" Vice laughed bago i-poke ang tagiliran ni Karylle. "Huy, anak!"
Snow stopped running at lumingon sa ama.
"Adi, I know where our table is." she then pointed the way to their table.
"Kahit na. Don't run, baka makabunggo ka nanaman." sumunod naman ang bata at hinintay nalang ang ama na makalapit sa kaniya. "Ikaw ang ligalig mo. You want me to tell Papa about this? Diba he told you to behave?"
"Sowwy. Snow behave, Adi. Don't tell Papa." she looked up with her puppy eyes.
Tumango nalang si Vice before holding Snow's hand. Nakasunod lang naman sa kanila si Karylle.
"The Late Kurba is here," Billy mocked nang makita si Karylle with Vice and Snow. "Hi, Snow! You done making weewee?"
"Yes," nahihiya nitong sagot. She was about to climbed pabalik sa upuan niya nang pigilan siya ni Vice.
"Si Tita Karylle na ang uupo diyan. Kandong ka nalang ni Daddy," hindi naman na umalma ang bata at kumandong nalang sa ama.
"Can I just play with the other kids, Adi?" paalam ni Snow while looking at the kids na nakapalibot sa chocolate fountain.
"You aren't done eating yet," sabi ni Vice and tried to feed her nang sunod sunod ang naging pag-iling ng bata. "Snow, hindi ka pa nakakakain ng maayos."
"I don't want the food here!" she was definitely sulking over the food prepared for them. "They don't have tuwon and donut."
"Katniss Snow naman!" ibinulong nalang ni Vice dahil nahihiya na siya sa mga nagprepare ng party. "I'm gonna tell Papa about this. He'll surely give you fifty palo,"
"But I really want to play with them,"
"You have to eat first,"
"I'm full." sagot ng bata.
"Baka naman busog talaga, Vice? Let her play with the kids nalang," pagsabad ni Karylle.
"Sinasabi lang niyang busog siya para payagan siyang maglaro."
"Snow? Do you really want to play with them?" Karylle asked. Tumingin naman sa kaniya si Snow at mabilis na tumango. "Let's have a deal then."
"What is it?"
"If you finish atleast 8 spoon of your food, I'll talk to your Daddy so that he could allow you play with those kids. Are we okay with that?"
"But, I'm not hungry." malapit na sanang sumuko si Vice na piliting pakainin ang anak at hayaan nalang itong makipaglaro but Karylle didn't stop.
"Don't you know that aside from feeding yourself, you also have to feed those little creatures inside your tummy?" puno ng pagtatakang tinitigan ni Snow ang Tita Karylle niya.
"Little cweatures? What do they look like?"
"Those little creatures have long bodies. They don't have bones but they have bulky and sharp teeth. They eat what we eat so if there's no any food inside your tummy, wala silang makakain and they'll get mad." Karylle added.
"And what will happen if they get mad?" usisa pa ng bata.
"They'll eat your intestines or yung other organs mo," Karylle made it more convincing by eating her own food and looking at others. "You know, they're so scary. Do you guys want those little creatures eat your intestines?"
"Ofcourse not, kaya kakain na 'ko." Billy said sabay sumubo ng pagkalaki-laki, na sinundan naman nila Vhong, Teddy and Direk Bobet.
Isa-isang tinignan ng bata ang mga kaharap niya sa table. All of them were eating their foods and acting as if they were really scared of what Karylle had told them. Pati si Vice ay nagsimula ng kumain at kunyari'y hindi na pinansin ang anak.
"Adi, I don't want those little cweatures eat my intestines." tila natatakot na bulong ni Snow who held Vice's arms tightly. "I should feed them now,"
"But you said, you only want turon and donut." emotionless na sabi ni Vice.
"Adi! They will eat my intestines, oh my god!" everyone detained their laugh nang makita ang reaksyon ni Snow. She really looks scared.
Dahil ayaw kumilos ni Vice, inagaw ni Snow ang spoon ng ama to feed herself. Hindi naman na napigilan ng lahat ang matawa dahil sa ginawa ng bata.
"Why you waugh-waughing?" nagtatakang tanong ng bata with her mouth full.
"You're just so cute," Anne answered.
"Uhm-okay. But you should eat your food Ninang Anning so that those little cweatures won't eat your intestines,"
All smile namang tinignan ni Karylle si Snow. Her affection for the kids didn't change, nor was it any less diminished kaya hindi na nakapagtatakang nadagdagan pa ang mga batang tinutulungan niya. Vice on the other hand, looked at Karylle with full of gratitude.
"Thank you," he mouthed. Isang ngiti naman ang isinukli ni Karylle bago bumalik sa pagkain.
If I can't have my own, maybe I could just secretly treat yours as mine.