CHAPTER ONE
*the love you fail to see,
once unveiled, the heart is free,
you have it along, more than one blessing from Thee*
***
June 2022.
REEVE was like in a dream. No. This is exactly a dream. He's in the middle of nowhere. Kahit saan siya lumingon ay pulos luntiang damo at nagtataasang bundok ang nakikita niya sa paligid. He knew this is a dream because there's no way he'll end up in this kind of place. He's a city guy—never fond of what looks like a rural place...
Humipan ang napakalakas na hangin. Ipinikit niya ang mga mata at huminga nang malalim. If this is a dream, then he can just think of whatever he likes to see, and that thing will appear. He can do that, can't he?
May kung anong kumuyom ng puso niya. Agatha... He misses his wife so much.
"Reeve..."
Oh, what the power of dream can do. Napangiti siya sa tinig na ipagpapalit niya ang lahat, marinig lang muli.
Binuksan niya ang mga mata at unang bumungad sa kanya ang maamong mukha ng asawa. Agatha is smiling sweetly, like she always does.
"Too tired from work?" she asked.
Tumakbo siya at niyakap ito nang mahigpit. "Please, come home, sweetheart. Life's hard without you."
"But I'm home with you."
Damang dama niya ang haplos ng malalambot nitong kamay, na gustong isipin ni Reeve na hindi na lang sana ito panaginip.
"Please, please..." he begged. "Come home."
Lumayo ito mula sa mga yakap niya. Itinapat nito ang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib niya. "As long as I'm in your heart, I'm never gone, Reeve."
"I wanted to kiss you, touch you, make love with you. I promise I'll change. Hinding-hindi ko na uunahin ang kahit ano. Ikaw na lang... ikaw na lang, sweetheart. Ikaw lang..." he desperately said. Humigpit ang hapit niya sa baywang nito.
Tinignan lang siya nito ng may awa sa mga mata.
"K-Kung hindi ka makakauwi, then... just take me with you..." he whispered, voice broke of too much emotion. His heart can handle the pain no more. "Isama mo 'ko kung nasaan ka. I can't wake up every day without you anymore."
"How about the kids, Reeve?"
Natigilan siya. Suddenly, the green grass and tall mountains faded in the background. Agatha remained in front of him, but he can't touch her! Hindi niya ito mahawakan!
"Agatha!"
"Rainiel, Riana, Adam, and Rade... how about them, Reeve? Aren't they enough reason for you to stay?"
Hindi siya makasagot. Tila ngayon lang niya naalala ang mga anak. It was like it's his first time to realize that he's already a father to four children.
"Agatha!"
Unti-unting nawala ang imahe nito. Reeve screamed and tried to hold her back. But when his wife's image was gone, his children appeared one by one.
His youngest, Rade. Then, Adam.
His only girl, Riana, appeared behind the babies.
Then, his first born, Rainiel. Lahat ng mga ito ay malungkot ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanya.
Napakurap si Reeve.
"You want to go with Mommy?" Rainiel asked. Ang mga kilay nito ay magkasalubong na, galit. "Iiwan mo kami? Then, you don't love us enough! That's why mommy's gone! You don't love us enough to make time for us!"
"No!" That's not true! Reeve works hard for his children's future! Para sa kanila ang lahat ng ginagawa niya. He was securing a comfortable life for them until they grow old. Lumuhod si Reeve sa harap ng anak. "Listen to Daddy, Rainiel. I love you."
"I hate you, Daddy!" malakas na sigaw nito. "I hate you, I hate you!"
Reeve gasped for air the same time his eyes opened. Sumiwang ang liwanag ng araw sa bintana. Bumangon siya at napaupo sa gilid ng kama. Napahilot siya sa sariling sentido. Hindi niya alam kung paano pa siyang nakakatulog. But ever since Agatha went missing, he never had a decent sleep. O kung may matino man ay napupuno iyon ng mga panaginip. Ngunit katulad sa reyalidad, masakit din ang bawat panaginip.
Mapait siyang napangisi. Both the real and imaginary world conspired to make him feel the pain, every bit of it.
Napatingin siya sa picture frame ng asawa na nakapatong sa bedside table. Inabot niya iyon at tinitigan.
"Good morning, sweetheart," he whispered. Eight months had passed... Huminga siya nang malalim at ibinalik ang frame sa ibabaw ng bedside table.
Tumayo si Reeve at sinara ang makapal na kurtina. The whole room was devoured by darkness. But he was able to walk without tripping until he reached the door. Maybe it was a talent. Sa sobrang dilim na ng mundo niya magmula nang mawala si Agatha, kaya niya nang gumalaw doon. Kahit wala nang liwanag. Dahil wala na si Agatha.
"Daddy!"
He looked down and saw his daughter, walking with a bright smile in her small face. "Good morning, Daddy!" Ibinuka nito ang mga braso at tumakbo palapit sa kanya.
He smiled at his daughter. Sana'y may buhay iyon sa paningin nito. Lumuhod siya at sinalubong ang yakap ng anak. "Good morning, darling." Hinalikan niya ito sa pisngi. "Are your brothers awake?"
"Yes," tango nito. "Grandma is here already, Daddy. She's feedin' Adam and Rade because Grandma said babies need their special milk from mommies! Grandma has milk that came from Tita Saphi and Tita Haley."
His sons still need breastmilk. His female cousins had been generous to share their breastmilk for Adam who is just two and Rade who just turned one, three months ago. Minsan, kung bibisita si Crystal Jane at Lavender, they let his sons have some breastmilk, sucking straight from them.
Bumabawi rin ang Mama niya sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalaga nito sa mga anak niya sa tuwing nasa trabaho siya. Hindi kumuha si Reeve ng nanny dahil naaalala niyang ayaw ni Agatha niyon. Hindi dahil wala itong tiwala, ngunit gusto ng asawang sa kanila lumaki ang mga anak.
Agatha had been hands-on on everything. She knew every inch of their children. From the things they love most to the things they greatly disapproved of. Si Agatha ang laging kasama ng mga bata.
She even gave up her dream to be a professional pianist just to be the greatest wife and mother she can ever be.
"Daddy, hatid mo kami sa school ni Kuya Rainiel?"
Tumango siya at binuhat ito. "You have to get ready, then. Did you take your breakfast, already?"
"Yes! Paliliguan ako ni Grandma after Adam and Rade finish their milk."
"Ako na lang ang magpapaligo sa'yo."
Nanlaki ang mga mata nito at todo iling. "No, Daddy! I'm a girl. Mommy said, no boys can enter my bathroom with me."
Bahagya siyang natawa. Sana may buhay rin iyon sa pandinig ng anak. "You're just five. Puwede ka pang paliguan ni Daddy."
"No, no, no, no, no."
Fine, fine. "How about your Kuya Rainiel?"
Tinuro nito ang nakabukas na pinto ng kuwarto ni Rainiel. "Kuya finished his breakfast already. He's taking a bath by himself because he said he can take a shower alone. He promised not to swim in the bathtub. Para hindi magalit si Grandma."
Biglang nalito si Reeve kung anong uunahing gawin. Pupuntahan niya ba si Rainiel para mapaliguan ito ng maayos o bababa siya para mabati ang ina at makumusta ang dalawa pang anak?
"Daddy, punta ka kay Kuya Rainiel. Check him if he's ready to go to school, sabi ni Grandma."
Napatingin siya sa buhat na anak. Halata ba sa mukha niya ang iniisip?
"You know what I should do, darling," namamanghang puri niya rito. "You're like Mommy."
Ngumiti ito, her dimples showing. "I want to be like Mommy because she's pretty, and sweet, and very verynice. She knows what to do always."
Napahinto si Reeve saglit. He held his emotions. He can't cry during the morning, he usually does it at night—when nobody's watching, when everyone's asleep.
He kissed his little darling's temple. "I'll check on your Kuya Rainiel. You go to your room and prepare your uniform, can you do that, darling?"
"Mm-hmm," tango nito.
Ibinaba niya ito at agad itong tumakbo papasok sa loob ng sariling kuwarto. At five, Riana is already responsible enough to take care of herself, her siblings, and if Reeve would lose his sanity, her daughter might take care of him, too.
"Rainiel?" katok niya sa nakabukas nang pinto ng kuwarto nito. Pumasok siya at narinig ang lagaslas ng shower.
Tumungo siya sa bathroom at nakitang nakabukas ang shower. Nakatayo ang anak sa bathtub na puno na ng tubig. Pinaglalaruan nito iyon.
Napatingin ito sa kanya. His black eyes widened. "Daddy! I'm taking a bath! Bastos ka." His little hands even covered his little willy.
Natawa siya at nilapitan ito. Yumuko siya sa tabi ng bathtub at pinatay ang shower. "You're playing in the water. You'll be late for school." Inabot niya ang shampoo. He put a right amount on his palm and started to rub it over Rainiel's hair.
Biglang naalala ni Reeve ang panaginip. Napabuntong hininga siya at sinilip ang anak na tahimik lang habang pinapaliguan niya ito. "Rainiel."
"Hmm?"
"You... you love Daddy, right?" maingat niyang tanong rito.
Tumango ito. "But I love Mommy more."
He smirked. Hindi naman sumama ang loob niya roon. Who wouldn't love Agatha more? Reeve even loves Agatha more than himself.
"I'm sorry, son."
Tumingala ito sa kanya. Nakapikit ang mga mata upang hindi malagyan ng shampoo. "Why, Daddy?"
"Because I can't spend a lot of time with you, Riana, Adam, and Rade before. I'm always working. Daddy's sorry, anak. But I always work hard for y-you." Agad na naagapan ni Reeve ang pagkabasag ng boses.
"You work hard so you'll be able to buy me toys, Daddy?"
"Y-Yes." He reached for the hand-held shower and gently washed away the shampoo on Rainiel's hair.
Kinuha niya ang tuwalya nito pagkatapos.
"I can dry myself, Daddy. It's okay." Hinila nito ang tuwalya mula sa kanya. "I'm already a big boy."
Habang pinapanood niya ito ay saka lamang napagtanto ni Reeve na ang huling natatandaan niya ay noong sinusubuan niya pa palagi ng pagkain si Rainiel noong tatlong gulang lamang ito. What happened to the four years that passed? Paanong araw-araw siyang umuuwi sa bahay ngunit hindi napansin ang paglaki nito?
Rainiel's his first child. He's been very attentive and very careful with him. That's why he's a lot more spoiled than Riana.
Inalalayan niya ang anak palabas ng banyo para hindi ito madulas. Nakahanda na ang school uniform nito sa ibabaw ng kama.
Aabutin niya sana ang uniform para isuot dito nang tinulak nito ang kamay niya. "Daddy, I can do this alone." His little hands trying to push him out of the room.
Parang walang magawa si Reeve. He can't insist on helping his seven-year old son. "Rainiel..."
"Go away na, Daddy." Tumalikod ito at lumapit na ulit kung nasaan ang uniform nito.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya. "Call me if you need my help."
"Okay."
Lumabas na siya ng kuwarto nito. Eksaktong nakasalubong niya ang ina na kakaakyat pa lamang.
"Good morning, anak," bati nito sa kanya at saka siya hinalikan sa pisngi. "Kumusta? Handa na ba si Rainiel?"
"Mama..." Napalingon na lang siya sa kuwarto ng panganay. "Tapos nang maligo si Rainiel. Ayaw niya nang magpatulong sa pagsusuot ng uniform."
Ngumiti ito. "I see. Your boy's growing up fast, Reeve. Anyway, I'll go and bath Riana. Ikaw na munang bahala sa dalawa mo pang anak sa baba."
Napatango na lang siya at agad na bumaba ng hagdan. Reeve saw his two sons sitting on their high chair. Adam's munching on some fruits while Rade's playing with some mini animal toys.
Isang taon lang ang pagitan ng dalawa kaya't parehas pang mga sanggol kung tutuusin.
Lumapit siya sa dalawa at hinalikan sa pisngi ang mga ito.
"Daddy!"
Napatingin siya kay Adam.
"Fruits!" turo nito sa kinakain. "Apple. Banana..."
Napabuntong-hininga siya nang may mapagtanto na naman. Adam can clearly speak more than one syllable-word. But... what is his first word? When did he learn to speak? When did he learn to munch his own food? Kailan tumubo ang mga ngipin nito?
"Dy, dy, dy!"
Napukaw naman ni Rade ang atensyon niya. He mumbled something that he can't even understand. Reeve blinked twice. When did Rade learned to sit up straight in a high chair? When did he start to try to speak?
Nanghihina ang mga tuhod na napaupo si Reeve sa upuan. Lagi siyang umuuwi ng bahay. Araw-araw ay nakikita niya ang mga ito.
Pero bakit hindi niya nasaksihan ang mga pagbabago sa mga ito? Bakit hindi niya napanood ang paglaki ng mga anak?
When did he stop being a father to them?
"How about the kids, Reeve?" Agatha asked in his dream.
He's too focused on work that he lost Agatha. And now, if he keeps on thinking that he won't live without Agatha, he might... he might lose his children, too!
Terrified, Reeve caged his two little boys inside his arms. his shoulders started to shake. He can't wait for the night to come just to hide his tears. He's too crushed with the reality—a reality that resulted from his shortcomings, not just as a husband, but also as a father.
And he's been stumbling over Agatha's disappearance that he's in the verge of forgetting to take care of his children, as well.
Is this the reason for the tragedy to happen? Para lang mapagtanto niya ang pagkukulang bilang ama ay kailangan munang mawala ni Agatha?
"Daddy, we're ready for school!"
Agad na napatuwid ng upo si Reeve at mabilis na pinahid ang mga luha. Muli niyang binigyan ng tig-isang halik sa bumbunan ang dalawang maliit pang anak. Babawi siya sa mga ito.
"Daddy, why are you not in your office suit yet?" tanong ni Rainiel nang makita siya. Salubong ang mga kilay nito. "We're gonna be late."
"Nahirapan ka bang bantayan sina Adam at Rade, Reeve?" tanong ng Mama niya na buhat ang school bag nina Rainiel at Riana. "Hindi ka pa nakahanda at nakakain. Gusto mong ako muna ang maghatid sa mga bata?"
"No, Mama. I'll take care of the kids."
Concern shadowed her eyes. "Are you sure?"
Tumango siya. Tinitigan niya ang mga anak. He's been thinking of Agatha for the last eight months. He's physically present, wallowing in darkness—thinking that finding Agatha will bring back the light.
Ngunit hindi lang pala si Agatha ang may hawak ng liwanag sa buhay niya.
His children are holding it for him, too.
And without their mother, Reeve is the one his children are depending on. He should be the one holding the light for them, guiding them, taking good care of them in the real sense of the word while Agatha is still away.
Lumapit sa kanya si Riana at yumakap sa baywang niya. Her hair tied in two pigtails, and she's wearing his cute pink uniform. "Daddy, are you okay? If you're not feeling well, you can take a rest. Okay lang kung si Grandma ang magte-take sa'min sa school. Sasama namin si Adam and si Rade para maka-sleep ka pa ulit, Daddy."
"Daddy, sleep!" Ikiniling ni Adam ang ulo nito at pumikit. "Daddy sleep. Daddy, strong!"
Strong. How can he be strong enough for his children? Tila naubos na ang lakas niya sa walong buwang paghahanap kay Agatha. Hindi siya susuko. He refuses to give up. It was never an option.
Naramdaman niyang hinila siya patayo ng ina. "Magpahinga ka pa, anak. Huwag ka munang magtrabaho. Kahit ngayong araw lang."
Natagpuan na lang ni Reeve ang sariling nagpapahila sa ina hanggang sa kuwarto nila ni Agatha.
"I know it's been very hard for you, Reeve. Huwag ka munang magtrabaho ng ilang buwan."
"But the hotels..."
"Your father and your father-in-law decided to work on your behalf. They are willing to go back to work for a while." Humarap ito sa kanya at tinulak siya sa balikat, paupo sa gilid ng kama. "Anak, alam naming lahat kung gaano mo kamahal si Agatha. But you can't do it all at once—working, finding her, and taking care of your children."
Tila nawala sa sarili si Reeve. Napatulala na lang siya sa wedding portrait nila ni Agatha na nakakabit sa dingding ng ulunan ng kama.
Kinulong ng ina sa mga palad nito ang mukha niya. "Reeve... Ngayong wala pa si Agatha, ikaw ang kailangan ng mga anak mo. Ang buong atensyon at oras mo. Give it to them. Sila naman ang piliin mo sa panahong ito," mahinahon nitong wika. "Your father can handle the hotels. Leave it to him and Philip. Kumuha na rin ng private investigators ang mga Anderson. Let the investigators do their job without pressuring them too much. Leave it to them."
"Mama—"
She used her strict voice. "Focus on your children. You still have them, Reeve. Huwag mong hayaang pati sila ay mawala sa paraang lumayo ang loob nila sa'yo."
Hot tears flowed quickly from his eyes. Napayuko siya at humagulgol na ng iyak sa harap ng ina.
***
MAY napagtanto si Reeve. Wala talaga silang ibang kasama sa bahay dahil, maliban sa hindi kumuha ng nanny si Agatha para sa mga bata, wala rin silang kasambahay. Kung ganoon ay sinong naglilinis ng bahay? Naghuhugas ng mga pinggan? Naglalaba ng mga damit?
Napalingon siya kay Adam na tahimik na naglalaro sa children's mat na nakalatag sa sala. Habang tulog naman si Rade sa crib nito.
Nabilinan na siya ng ina kanina kung nasaan ang mga pagkain at gatas ng mga anak. Pati na rin kung anong oras pakakainin ang mga ito.
"I'm home—Daddy?" gulat na sambit ni Riana nang makita siya.
He squatted, to level her. "How's school, darling?"
"School's fine! I read two paragraphs without Teacher Maggie's help!"
"Great job, darling." He knew she's advanced for her age. "Where's Grandma, by the way?" Sinabihan siya ng ina kanina na ito na munang bahalang maghatid at sundo kay Rainiel at Riana hanggang sa maka-adjust siya sa mga gawain sa bahay.
"She just dropped me off kasi susunduin niya pa si Kuya Rainiel." Tumakbo ito at yumakap sa kanya. "Sabi ni Grandma, I'll be happy because someones waiting here. Akala ko si Mommy. Pero happy din po ako na ikaw. You're home early, Daddy? Wala kang many works?"
Hinalikan niya ito sa pisngi. "For now, Daddy will stay in the house until Mommy comes back." Hindi niya alam kung kailan iyon pero tama ang Mama niya. Habang hindi pa nahahanap si Agatha ay kailangan siya ng mga anak niya.
At kahit pa may mga taong handang tumulong para alagaan ang mga ito, his presence is still needed so that he can't lose his children's affection and attention.
Giving up his job for a while is the hardest thing because ever since, work has been a big part of Reeve's system. Ngunit iyon din ang naging rason ng mga pagkukulang niya sa asawa, lalo na sa mga bata.
"It's okay for you to stay in the house, Daddy? Sabi ni Mommy before, kaya ka daw laging nagwo-work para lagi tayong may food."
"We have enough money, darling, don't you worry."
He checked his and Agatha's family savings in the bank. Nagulat si Reeve dahil ngayon niya lang din nalaman na napakarami na pala nilang naipon sa nakalipas na mga taon. Hindi pa kasama doon ang personal niyang pera at ari-arian na binigay sa kanya ng ama. Puwede na siyang hindi magtrabaho kung tutuusin at maibibigay niya pa rin lahat ng kailangan, kahit luho pa, ng mga anak niya.
"How about the people in the hotel, Daddy? Mommy also said that you work hard so you can give people jobs. Magkaka-work sila Daddy kasi binibigyan mo sila ng work and they'll be able to buy food for their family."
Napakurap si Reeve. Agatha had been giving good reasons to his children kung bakit siya laging nasa trabaho. His wife's protecting his image to their children, kahit na sa katotohanan ay isa lang siyang over-achiever. A workaholic monster. He just wanted his hotels to be on the top.
"They will still have their jobs, darling. Your Grandpa and your Lolo Philip will be the one managing the hotels. While Daddy stays at home to make sure you are all okay."
Nasaksihan niya ang pagningning ng mga mata nito. She smiled, dimples showing. "You will be like Mommy muna while she's still in vacation?"
Tila nahirapan siyang lumunok ngunit pinilit na tumango. He can never fill in Agatha's shoes. Napakahirap niyon dahil sa tingin ni Reeve, wala nang hihigit pa kay Agatha sa pagiging magulang. But he'll do everything he can.
"I'm happy, Daddy! We can be with you now."
"But I'm always with you, darling." Lagi siyang umuuwi ng bahay. Unless he needs to go for a business trip.
"But we don't have loooooong time together, Daddy. It's always short. But it's okay." Nginitian pa ulit siya nito para siguraduhin sa kanyang hindi ito nagtatampo. "Now, you will always be here in the house! We can play longer. Kuya Rainiel will be glad, too!"
Mamayang tanghali pa ang uwian ni Rainiel. He's in his second grade while Riana is still in Prep. Tatlong oras lang ang pasok nito araw araw. Habang si Rainiel naman ay hanggang kalahati ng araw.
"Let's change your clothes," aya niya sa anak.
"I can change my own clothes, Daddy." Lumayo na ito sa kanya.
Napakurap siya. "You sure?"
"Mm-hmm," tango nito at saka mabilis na umakyat ng hagdan.
Tinignan niya ito hanggang sa makaakyat ito ng maayos. Umupo si Reeve sa tabi ni Adam na naglalarong mag-isa. "Are you okay? You like playing alone, little boy."
"Vroom... vroom!" Lumayo ito sa kanya habang tinutulak ang laruang motor. Pagkatapos ay bumalik din ito sa tabi niya at tinulak pa ang ibang laruang motor at kotse nito.
Hinaplos niya ang buhok nito. Reeve sighed. Wala siyang gaanong alam tungkol kay Adam. Suddenly, he felt like a stranger. Pilit niyang hinalungkat sa isip kung ano bang gusto nito at ayaw. But... but Reeve was not there while Adam's growing.
Habang tahimik niya lang itong pinapanood ay narinig niya ang pag-iyak ni Rade. Agad siyang tumayo at binuhat ang anak mula sa crib. Good thing he can still remember how to carry and woo a crying baby. Nagawa niya ito kina Rainiel at Riana noon.
Napatingin na naman siya kay Adam at pagkatapos ay kay Rade. Damn it! He can't remember a time he was able to woo them.
Rade rested his head on his shoulders, still crying. Reeve gently rubbed his back. May pilit itong sinasabi, pero wala siyang maintindihan
"What do you want, baby?" masuyo niyang tanong rito. "Do you want to eat? To play?" Kinapa niya ang diapers nito. Hindi naman basa o mabigat.
"Daddy, he wants to hear a song!"
Lumitaw na si Riana sa harap niya nang hindi niya namamalayan. Napayuko siya rito. Maayos na nakapagpalit ito ng pambahay. "A song?" nagtatakang tanong niya rito.
"Yes. Mommy will play baby songs in her phone. Or sometimes, she will sing and play the piano! Then Rade will stop crying."
Huminga siya nang malalim nang maramdamang nag-init ang sulok ng mga mata niya. Imagining Agatha doing anything for their children makes him emotional.
Umiiyak pa rin si Rade. Reeve can play the piano... sort of. But he can't sing well, unless he practiced. Hinugot niya ang phone sa bulsa, he opened an app where songs can be played. Natagalan bago siya nakahanap ng nursery songs. Looks like, he should start collecting children songs in his phone like Agatha did.
When a song started playing, bigla na lang huminto sa pag-iyak si Rade at tinignan ang phone niya. Pinalis niya ang mga luha nito. Suddenly, he's all quiet and smiling.
"See, Daddy?" Riana said, and she went to Adam. "Hi, baby Adam! Nice cars!"
"Ate!" Tumayo si Adam at niyakap and ate nito. "Play cars!"
Hmm. So, Adam loves to play anything with wheels. He likes to play, not alone, but with Riana only.
Nakatulog na ulit si Rade, eksaktong oras na ng tanghalian. Reeve was not able to cook yet. Wala pa rin ang Mama niya na nagsundo kay Rainiel. Inihiga niya si Rade sa crib.
"Riana, what do you want for lunch?" he asked his reliable daughter.
"I want rice and soup! Are you going to cook? Can I help you, Daddy?"
"Just play with Adam, darling."
"He's hungry already, Daddy. He wants to eat and not play."
"Oh. Ahm, should I give him milk first?" Reeve started to panic. Ayaw niyang nagugutom ang anak pero wala pa siyang naluluto.
"Milk will make Adam busog po agad. Dapat, crackers lang muna po."
Agad siyang kumuha ng crackers sa kusina. Inabutan niya si Adam niyon. His little boy's black eyes twinkled in glee. "Ganito ba ang ginagawa ni Mommy?"
Tumango si Riana at hinila ang kamay niya. "Let's cook, Daddy!"
Bago pa sila makapasok ng kusina ay dumating na ang Mama niya kasama si Rainiel.
"Daddy? You're home early?" nagtatakang tanong din ng panganay niya. Hindi talaga sanay ang mga itong makita siya sa bahay ng ganitong oras.
"Your Daddy's having a vacation from work," paliwanag ng Mama niya na may mga dalang pagkain. Kinuha niya muna iyon. Looks like he does not need to cook for now. "Sa ngayon, makakasama niyo ang Daddy niyo dito sa bahay habang wala pa ang Mommy niyo."
"How about you, Grandma?" tanong pa ni Rainiel. Unlike Riana who's very pleased with the news, iba ang reaksyon nito.
"Well, Grandma will still visit you every morning and take you to school. But also, Grandma needs to go to work. Your Tita Czarina needs my help," tukoy nito sa step-sister niya.
Tumango si Rainiel. Hindi na ito nagsalita. Umakyat na lang ito ng hagdan. "I'm gonna change my clothes."
"You want me to help?" prisinta ni Reeve.
"I'm okay, Daddy." Tumakbo ito paakyat.
"Wow, food!" Riana squealed. "Daddy, let's put this on the plates."
"Thank you, Mama," Reeve told his mother.
Tumango ito. "But you have to learn to prepare the kid's breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time. Hindi puwedeng laging take-out foods ang kainin ng mga bata. Or you can hire a maid to do the house chores.
Umiling siya. "Ayaw ni Agatha niyon, Mama. My wife wanted everything with her personal touch. At sa tingin kong gusto niya ring ganoon ang gawin ko."
He'll be a full-time father now. He'll find out how to balance his time on how to take care of his children and maintaining the house.
"Kapag hindi mo na kaya, just call me."
Tumango siya. First day pa lang naman. What can go wrong?
Ngunit pagkatapos ng mapayapang tanghalian at pagkaalis ng Mama niya ay nagsimula niya nang maranasan ang mga bagay na si Agatha lang ang nakakaayos.
"Daddy, I can't understand my homework!" Rainiel was pissed. "Help me, please."
"But, Kuya, it's still my time," angal ni Riana. "Daddy needs to finish tutoring me first."
"Well, I can teach you both at the same time."
"No, Daddy!" apela ni Rainiel. "Bawal may kasabay. Dapat focus ka lang sa isa, sabi ni Mommy sa'kin, para mas sure na I'm learning well."
"Ako muna, Kuya," sabi ni Riana at saka yumakap sa binti niya. "I asked Daddy first!"
"I should go first because I'm older!" sigaw na ni Rainiel sa kapatid.
Napalabi si Riana at nangilid ang luha sa mga mata. Bago pa masaway ni Reeve ang anak ay malakas na pumalahaw ng iyak si Rade. Tinutulak ito palayo ni Adam sa mga laruan nito.
"No! No! Toys mine! Mine! Mine!" matinis na sigaw ni Adam at patuloy na tinutulak ang kapatid. Rade cried louder.
"Adam!" saway ni Reeve at hindi sinasadyang napalakas ang boses. Tila nagulat niya si Adam, dahilan upang humagulgol ito ng iyak.
Naghalo ang iyak ng dalawang anak. Akmang lalapitan niya ang mga ito para aluin. "I'm sorry—Riana?"
Humihikbi-hikbi ito sa tabi niya. Pagbaling niya kay Rainiel ay napakatalim ng tingin nito sa kapatid.
"Rainiel, don't scare your sister," kulang sa awtoridad ang tono ni Reeve. Natakot siyang magtaas ng boses muli dahil baka mas umiyak si Adam at Rade.
"She should know I always come first!" Rainiel shouted. Dahil sa sigaw nito ay mas pumalahaw ng iyak sina Adam at Rade.
They're still toddlers, sensitive to screams and shouts. Nalito si Reeve sa kung sinong uunahing aluin. Naramdaman niya ang pagyakap ng mahigpit sa kanya ni Riana. Adam is still crying while pushing his toys away from Rade—who is still wailing, while trying to reach the toys.
Napapikit si Reeve. It's hard to admit but he does not know what to do to calm his children. Ito ang mga pagkakataong si Agatha lang ang nakakaalam kung paano reresolbahin.
Reeve doesn't have Agatha's patience, soft voice, positive solutions, and optimistic attitude towards this kind of situation.
He thought he can go through the first day without much problem. He is the boss in a large company. He can order every employee and they all obey. One snap of a finger, and everybody will do whatever he says.
Reeve can use his authority over his children, but he's too scared that he might overdo it. He's afraid that his children will misunderstand.
Naging maingay ang buong bahay dahil sa papalakas na mga iyak. Padabog na tumalikod si Rainiel. Mabibigat ang mga pang umakyat ito sa sariling kuwarto.
Napahilot si Reeve sa sentido. Tila nais niya na lang din umiyak kasabay ng mga anak.
***
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