Home, I've found, is not a place. It is carried with me everywhere -
my suitcase full of hearts and moments and warmth.
Leeza Jayde
Putangina. I cursed.
"Daddy Thirds." The kid was jumping while still hugging my boyfriends knee. Excitement evident on kiddo's body language. Based on his feature, I guess he was just 4 years old.
Thirdy bended his knee and hugged the little boy. "Hi Miggy. What are you doing here? Who's with you?" Oh Miggy huh.
But before the little boy could speak, a woman grabbed his arm. "Miggy nandito ka lang pala. Ahhh hello po Sir Thirdy, nandito na po pala kayo." The woman said.
"Napaaga lang, kakain muna kami. Then I'll meet the family later, pupuntahan na lang namin kayo. Pakibantayan si Miggy ah." Oh Gosh, so Thirdy will introduce me to the mother or as I've heard, family of his child. Oh oh, this can't be. Mas lalong nanghina ang tuhod ko, dahil na din siguro sa gutom at mas lalo sa narinig ko.
"Opo, Sir. Alis na din kami." The woman said and gave me a small smile, acknowledging my presence. Why he didn't tell me ahead of time. Oh oh, Beatriz, this is also your fault. He might be single, but then, a single father as well.
"Bye Daddy." Miggy waved as he walk away from us.
Thirdy held my hand and we entered the restaurant. I was so lost, too tired to ask questions and argue with him. Gustong gusto ko magsalita pero naubos na ata lahat ng natitira kong lakas sa katawan.
I lazily sat on the couch beside me. He started grilling our food and prepared the side dishes. Why it seems like everything is okay with you huh? I am not good Thirdy. This is not good. Hindi madali para sa akin tanggapin iyon.
"Babe." He broke the silence between us. I just stared at him with blank face. "Kanina ka pa tahimik jan." He said while wrapping the samgyeopsal with lettuce. He offered the food to me, "Open your mouth Baby." I just shook my head, still emotionless. I saw him with a small smile on his face then said, "Baby, eat na please. Diba kanina ka pa gutom?" He was like talking to a baby. Sanay na sanay ah.
"Busog pa ko." I said firmly.
He puts down the food, came close to me and gave me a sidehug. "Baby, talk to me please. What are you thinking? You can tell me." He said and gave me a soft kiss on my temple. Shocks Thirdy, wag mo kong daanin sa paganyan mo. Naguguluhan pa din ako. "Okay Babe, if it's about Miggy, I am sorry. But please, trust me Baby. I won't do anything that would hurt you." I stared at him and he gave me an assuring smile. With his words, I became soft and unconsciously nodded. "Say ahhh Baby, I'll feed you na lang. Para makakain ka." I slowly opened my mouth and he carefully fed me the lettuce wrapped samgyeopsal.
We spent a couple of hours in the resto. All the time, sinusubuan nya lang ako ng food. Thirdy was really trying his best to be as casual as possible. He casually started a conversation but I just gave him a yes or no or maybe answers.
"Babe, are you good na? We're gonna go somewhere pa kasi. May ipapakilala sana ako sayo." I wanted to say no to him, pero hindi ko nagawa. I tried my very best to composed myself, so I slowly nodded and gave him a small smile.
Thirdy and I went out of the resto hand in hand. Walang nagsasalita sa aming dalawa, ni hindi ko tinanong kung saan kami pupunta. We were just walking across the street and stopped infront of the McDonalds.
"Babe, we are here. Excited na silang makilala ka." He said on his very sincere voice. This is it Beatriz. Prepare yourself for his revelation. I forced myself to smile while he pressed my hands lightly.
We entered McDonalds and directly go near the activity area. He opened the door for me and I was shocked when I heard little voices shouting for his name. "Daddy!" The baby girl shouted.
"Daddy Thirdy, Daddy Thirdy!" A group of little boys screaming.
"Yehey, nandito na si Daddy." I saw Miggy jumping.
I looked at him, still clueless on what was happening. He just smiled at me and pulled me to his side, his hand on my waist. "Good afternoon, Sir Thirdy and Ma'am Bea." Napatingin ako sa nagsasalita, sya yung babaing nakita namin kanina. "Kids, quiet muna. Batiin nyo muna ang ating mga bisita."
"Hello po Daddy Thirdy..." Sabay sabay nilang bati ngunit natigilan ang mga bata habang nakatingin sa akin, natatawa naman si Thirdy.
He even pulled me closer and said, "Call her Mommy Bea."
"Hello po Mommy Bea." The kids greeted in unison. My heartbeat skipped as I heard them calling me Mommy.
The woman went near us. "Sir Thirdy, Ma'am Bea upo po muna kayo. Pacensya na po kayo Ma'am hindi na po ako nakapagpakikala kanina, ako po si Ana." She offered her hand and I accepted it for a hand shake. "Isa po ako sa mga taga pangasiwa ng Concordia Children's Services Inc. Maraming maraming salamat po sa suporta at tulong nyo Sir at Ma'am. Nareceive na po namin yung groceries na ipinadala nyo." The paper that he gave to the supermarket staff last night, yun siguro yon.
I looked at Thirdy and he just smiled at me sweetly before he speak. "Not a problem Ana. Alam mo namang napamahal na sa akin ang mga bata. Hindi ako magsasawang tumulong sa inyo, kami ni Bea."
"Salamat po talaga. Tuwang tuwa po ang mga bata at nailabas po namin ulit sila. Excuse me lang po Sir at Ma'am, tutulong lang po ako magdistribute ng pagkain." Ana said and immediately left us.
I felt so guilty on how I acted earlier. Thirdy deserves my trust. "Babe." I looked into his eyes and held his hand. "I am sorry. I'm really sorry." He pressed my hand and showed me his smile. "I should not acted that way. I am sorry, Babe." I said shyly.
"Babe, don't feel sorry. I understand you." He said and kissed my hand. "Sino ba naman ang hindi magugulat at maguguluhan diba. A baby boy called your boyfriend as Daddy, hindi ba mag iinit ang ulo mo nun? Hindi ka ba magagalit? Babe, I'm sorry. May kasalanan din ako kasi dapat inexplain ko na agad sa iyo. Pero I waited for you kasi to ask me. Kaso hindi mo naman ako kinakausap. So hinayaan na lang kita." He pulled me closer to his side and kissed my temple. "I want to surprise you din kasi kaya di ko na sinabi agad sayo. I know you would love them." Thirdy pointed the kids that were busy on their food.
"I am sorry Babe. And you are right, I love them already. They are so cute." I said and showed him my sweetest smile.
"Yey. Finally, you are smiling na Babe." He said and pinched my cheek.
"Aray naman Babe." I said sabay hawak sa cheek ko.
"Baby, anong naramdaman mo when they called you Mommy earlier?" Thirdy asked and looked intently to my eyes.
"Ofcourse, a joyous feeling Babe. Their voices were like music to my ears." I said and smiled at him.
"You know what Babe, I treat them as my own kids. Nakita ko silang lumaki, kaya I let them call me Daddy." He said and I saw how his eyes shine.
Who would have thought that behind his masculinity lies a soft-hearted man? If he can love these angels so much, what more to his own child? That soft side of you made admire you the most. Damn. I am falling deeply in love with you, Thirdy.
"Daddy, Daddy." We broke our eye contact and looked for the small voices, it was Miggy and a baby girl.
"Oh hello twins, Miggy and Mia." Thirdy greeted them. Binuhat nya ang dalawang bata at iniupo sa kandungan nya.
"Daddy Thirdy, bakit ang tagal nyo na pong hindi nakadalaw sa amin?" Mia asked him, he laughed first before answering the question.
"Sorry Mia, naging busy kasi ako sa Baby ko eh." He looked at me then winked. Pacute talaga to.
"Mommy Bea, bakit ngayon lang po namin kayo nakita?" Miggy asked with his sad voice and bowed his head.
"Miggy." I held his chin to look at me. "I am sorry ngayon lang ako nakabisita sa inyo. But promise, magiging madalas na ang pagdalaw namin sa inyo."
"Promise yan Mommy Bea ah." They said in unison and I just nodded as a response.
Kinuha ko si Miggy at kinalong. "Babe." Napalingon naman ako kay Thirdy. "Thank you. It means so much to me. Pinasaya mo ako." He said and kissed my temple.
"Yieee, ang sweet ng Mommy at Daddy." The kids teased us.
"Twins, bagay ba kami ng Mommy Bea nyo?"
The kids were giggling and answered in unison. "Yes Daddy, bagay na bagay." Natawa naman ako sakanila.
"Babe, they are so cute noh? I want to spend more time with them." I said with smile on my face.
He leaned to my side and whispered on my ear, "Gawa na lang tayo ng sa atin Baby."
I automatically hit his arm. "Babe, marinig ka ng mga bata." I rolled my eyes while laughing.
Thirdy and I spent our afternoon playing with the kids. They were just singing and dancing the whole time and actively participating the games. It was indeed a bliss to be surrounded by these little angels. Seeing their smiles and hearing those little giggles made my heart so full. There was so much joy and happiness around these kiddos.
***
It was 7 in the evening when we arrived at my unit. I took the shower first and do my evening rituals afterwards.
While waiting for Thirdy, I decided to go to the balcony to breathe some fresh air and admire the city lights. The ambience made me recall my life before without him.
I was happy back then. I have my family with me, bestfriend and friends whom were always there for me. Sabi ko nga, I don't need special someone since I have them naman. I usually go on dates and entertain suitors, but then, no one ever captured my heart.
I even doubted myself, na baka iba yung preference ko. That was one of the reasons why I went to Coron for soul searching. I thought I was inlove with my bestfriend Jho but I was wrong, my love for her was plainly a sister love.
Because the very moment my eyes landed on Thirdy's, I already felt something strange inside me. It seems like there were butterflies in my stomach which I never felt to anyone else. I guess, they called it, love at first sight. And the rest is history. I was just so lucky that he feels the same why.
I was taken aback from reality when I felt his arms wrapping around my body, hugging me from behind. I slowly caressed his hands on my tummy and leaned my head on his chest. He buried his face on my shoulder, stealthily sniffing my scent. Hearing his heartbeat and his warm hug made me feel so calm and safe. Moments like this will always be my favorite.
"Babe." He whispered while planting soft kisses on my neck, I hummed as a response. "I love you." I secretly smiled as I heard those three words. He stopped on what he was doing when I didn't respond to him. He turned me around and we were facing each other.
"Babe, hindi mo na ba ako love." He said while looking intently to my eyes, worry evident on his face. I shook my head and bite my lower lip to supress my smile. "Bakit walang sagot?"
I cupped his cheeks and smiled sweetly. "Babe, I am just enjoying our moment. It's just that, I am overwhelmed hearing your heartbeat and your words at the same time. That made me so kilig, Babe." I pulled his face and our noses were lightly touching. "I love you, Thirdy. I love you so so much." I emphasized each words and I saw his wide smile.
"I am so lucky to have you Babe. Mahal kita, Beatriz." If those three words made me kilig, lalo na pala if you're hearing it in our own language, Mahal kita.