Hi ate Jhoi. xD *special mention* hahahahaha.
Thanks, everyone, for everything. Please do take care. Pray always. :)
PM me if anything. Phone lang po kasi gamit ko kaya di ko kayo masyado masagot. Sira parin PC ko. :< anyway, Godbless!
Uhh. Few more chapters to go plus the epilogue. XD
I'll post the 3 missing years as a special chapter. Is that ok? :) Iloveyouall! XD
Gian on the side. xD
**
*Nathan's POV*
Gian is Gianna's son. Gian is Gianna's son. Gian is Gianna's son.
While we're here at the terrace, I can't help but gap at Gian and Gianna as they chat with lolo. I mean, Gian is obviously from Gianna. But, it's so obvious that I became oblivious about it.
I heard lolo Martin laugh as Gian climbs on his lap. I can't help but smile, too. Matagal ko na rin di nakikitang ganyan kasaya si lolo.
Then, I made a mistake by glancing at Gianna. And, great. She looks stunning as ever. Parang mas maganda pa nga sya ngayon eh. She looks so happy while watching Gian. So happy that it made my heart clench sadly. I wonder if she's married. Maybe she is.
"Nathan?" called lolo. I glanced at him questioningly. "Aren't you a bit quiet there? Come here."
I smiled and shook my head. Di pa ako prepared lumapit kay Gi. Baka sunggaban ko eh.
At that moment, Gian climbed down lolo's lap and ran to me. I chuckled when he laid his head on my lap. "Meeester piggy-baaack. What is yow neym?" he asked.
I smiled at him and messed up his hair. "Me? Call me 'Tito Handsome', ok?'"
"Idiot." I heard Gianna say. I glanced up and saw her chuckling.
I don't know why but it feels like my world stop at that moment. Like everything else didn't matter anymore. Like she's the only person that I'm seeing. Then, I realized, she's still the only woman who I can see with my eyes.
"Tito 'andsam?" called a voice that sounded far away.
"H-ha?" napatingin ako kay Gian. Oh, hell. What am I thinking? I shouldn't be like that. May anak na si Gianna. Tapos di ko pa alam sinong tatay nya. Malay ba natin baka mahal talaga nila isa't isa.
The thought broke my heart. I guess I've never really moved on. Gianna still owns my heart. How ridiculous is that? It's been years but here I am. Loving her like it matters.
"Come, baby." called Gianna. Gian happily ran to her. Paglapit ni Gian, inayos ni Gianna yung damit nya at ngumiti. "That's tito Nathaniel. Just call him tito Nathan."
"Na-thaniel? Me?" asked Gian.
'Me' daw o. Ako nga ho di ba? Gian o, maka-assume.
"Yup." nodded Gianna.
"Handsome name, eh?" singit naman ni lolo Martin.
Gian nodded enthusiastically that it made me smile. "'andsam me!"
Natawa naman kami. This kid is really entertaining. As long as I don't meet his father, I'd love him.
"Knock, knock." I heard someone said behind me.
But as I turn around, Gian ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Daddy Sam!"
Uhm... Daddy who?
"Hello, handsome!" halos mapa-nganga ako nung nakita kong buhat ni Sam si Gian.
"Hi, Sam." greeted Gianna. "Tagal mo."
"Sorry, Hersheys. Dumaan ako sa bahay eh." sagot naman ni Sam.
What the-- they're living together?!!
"Lolo Martin," bati ni Sam kay lolo tapos lumapit sya at nag-mano. "Kumusta ho?"
"Ayos lang." masayang tugon ni lolo. "Batang ire. Lalong gumwapo."
"Syempre po." ngiti naman ni Sam tapos marahang ginulo yung buhok ni Gian. "I can't lose to this handsome kid."
"Meeee?" smiled Gian. Tapos tinuro pa yung sarili.
No matter how I find him entertaining, I still couldn't quite accept the fact that his father is Sam.
"Mama," Gian called. Gianna smiled at him. "I want tubig."
"Tawagin mo nalang si Beth." sabi naman ni lolo.
Umiling si Gianna at ngumiti. "Ako nalang, 'lo. Para naman makapagkwentuhan kayo."
"Sigurado ka?"
"Oo naman, 'lo." sabi ni Gi tapos inabot si Gian. "Tara, baby?"
Sumama naman si Gian tapos, buhat-buhat na lumabas ni Gi si Gian. I stared at their backs. Why do I feel so sad?
Glancing at lolo and Sam who was busy chatting, I stood up and headed upstairs. Let me just compose myself.
Pag-akyat ko, nadatnan ko si lola Marian na naglalakad at mukhang kakadating lang. Nag-mall kanina eh.
"I heard Gianna's he--" napatigil sya nung nakita yung mukha ko. "What's wrong, dear?"
I smiled at her. "Ba't ang sakit, tita? Akala ko pag nakita ko syang masaya, masaya na rin ako."
Lola Marian sighed and pulled me into a hug. "Oh, dear."
I bit my lip and rested my forehead on her shoulder. "I thought I'll be ok as long as she's happy. I thought everything will be alright even though she's in love with somebody else."
Lola Marian patted my head. I gritted my teeth as I ignore the pain that was on my both cheeks and nose. They feel so heavy. But, no matter how I try, I can't fight the tears back that now started to come out of my eyes. "Why is it like that, tita?"
Hinarap ako ni lola Marian tapos pinunasan yung mga luhang bumasa ng mukha ko. "That's because no matter how much you tell yourself that you'll be happy as long as she's happy even though it's because of someone else, deep inside, you're hoping that you'll be the one who will make her happy."
I made a watery sniff then wiped my face and grinned. "Sorry, tita. I acted like a kid."
Lola Marian messed my hair a bit. "Ok lang yun, Nathan. Everyone can act like a kid when they get hurt."
Nginitian ko nalang si lola Marian. Wala eh. Masyado ko kasing inisip yung kasiyahan ni Gianna. Di ko inisip na subukang pasayahin yung sarili ko dahil sa ibang tao.
Pero, siguro kahit naisip ko yun, hindi ko magagawa.
**
Tumayo na ako galing sa pagkakahiga sa kama at nag-unat. Sleeping had refreshed my mind. Mas matino na ako mag-isip. Di tulad kanina, madrama ako mag-isip. Parang ewan lang na halatang broken hearted.
Bago lumabas, nag-ayos muna ako ng buhok at nagsuot ng matinong damit. Aba. Dapat itayo ang bandera ni Nathaniel Marty Miguel. Kung pa-gwapuhan lang naman ang laban, hindi ako matatalo dyan.
Ang kaso nga lang, hindi pa-gwapuhan ang laban.
Hay nako! Relax lang. Wag papahalatang depress. Kumustahin mo si Gianna. Parang yung dati lang. Rebuild the old relationship. Kahit yung before maging kayo lang.
So, I gave myself an assuring nod. Then, with a deep breath, lumabas na ako ng kwarto at bumaba. Pagbaba ko, nadatnan kong naglalaro si Sam and Gian. Psh. Daddy Sam. Mas gwapo si tito Nathan.
"Hey." bati ni Sam pagkakita sa akin. I nodded as an answer. "How's the business going?"
I shrugged. "Fine. Yours?"
"Dunno. I'm not handling the Lopez Group."
"Why?"
"Gi and I went to Paris."
Paris? Psh. Pagdikdikan sakin?
I ignored him and faced Gian. "What's up, kid?"
"I'm owkay." grinned Gian. Then, I offered a high-five which he gladly accepted.
"You want to eat ice cream?" tanong ko.
Gian's eyes lit up. I dunno why but they look strangely familiar. "Yes!" then, he faced Sam. "Daddy Sam, can I? Pwease?"
Sam chuckled. "Magpaalam ka sa mama mo."
"Sure!" he nodded. Then, he stood up then took my hand and pulled me towards the dining room. "Mama in 'chen, tito Na-than."
Frowning at his baby talk, I followed. Sa kakahila nya sa akin, sa kusina kami nakarating. Ah. Baka 'kitchen' ang ''chen'. Sorry naman. Hirap intindihin ang bata.
"Ma! Mama!" Gian called.
"Gi? Gian's here with me." tumulong narin ako at tinawag ang mama nya. "Gi!"
"Will you stop screaming my name, Nathan?" sita naman ni Gianna nung sumilip sya sa may dirty kitchen. "What is it, baby?" ngiti naman nya kay Gian.
"Ma, Gian eat ice cweam with tito 'Athan."
Pinaningkitan nya muna ako ng mata bago sumagot. "Sure. But, don't you dare ride that motorbike of yours, Nathan." she warned with a venomous glare. "Or I'll break that along with your face." then, she suddenly gave Gian a sweet smile. "Take care, sweetie."
Napangiwi naman ako sa sinabi. Brutal parin tong babaeng to. Di ko alam anong nasa isip. Nakakatakot lang mood swings nya.
"Tara?" tanong ko nalang kay Gian na tumatalon-talon.
"Yes!" he cheered. Napangiti nalang ako at binuhat sya. Kahit di ko type si Sam, ang gaan ng loob ko kay Gian. Siguro kasi di mo magawang magalit sa kanya dahil sa sobrang katuwaan.
Paglabas namin ng bahay (sa may side nalang kami dumaan dahil ayoko ng daanan si Sam) agad kaming sumakay sa kotse ko. Di na ako nagdalawang isip na suwayin si Gi kasi baka di ko na abutan ang bukas pag ginawa ko yun.
At habang nagbibiyahe kami ni Gian papunta sa SM, tawa sya ng tawa pag nakakakita ng kalesa, jeep at mga pedicab. Siguro kasi walang ganon kung saan sya lumaki.
"Ooh! Horse!" sabi ni Gian ulit at pumalakpak pa. "Tito, can we pwease ride the horsey? Puhwease?" he asked me with pleading eyes.
How could I say no to that?!
Natawa nalang ako. "Sure. Let's just park the car, ok?"
"'kay!" he nodded happily then gave me a two-teethed smile.
Nung nakakita ako ng parking lot, agad akong nag-park para naman agad kong masakay sa kalesa si Gian. It didn't fail me. Pagka-park at pagkababa nga namin sa kotse ko, may dumaan namang agad na kalesang walang sakay. Kaya dali-daling kong pinara yun at sinakay si Gian.
Habang nakasakay kami, tawa naman ng tawa si Gian at palakpak ng palakpak kaya natawa narin ako. Ewan eh. I love hearing his laugh.
"Masayang-masaya ho anak nyo ha." natatawang sabi nung kutsero. Nahawa narin sa tawa ni Gian. "Ngayon palang po ba sya nakasakay ng kalesa?"
Di ko na pinansin yung pag-aakala ni mamang kutsero na anak ko si Gian. "Oho eh. Galing ho kasi sa ibang bansa."
"Ganoon ba?" nginitian ako ni mamang kutsero. "Aba, nakakasaya naman na kalesa ko pa ang unang nasakyang kalesa ng gwapong batang iyan. Kamukhang-kamukha mo, ano?"
Tumawa naman ako at inayos ng konti yung buhok ni Gian. "Mas kamukha po nya nanay nya."
"Kuhh. Eh di ang gandang bata non."
I smiled. "Sobra po."
Ngumiti na rin lang si mamang kutsero at kinindatan si Gian.
"Wow! Kalesa is more fun than riding daddy Sam!" Gian exclaimed.
I smiled but frowned. Daddy Sam? Why does he call his dad with his name? "Gian, why are you calling your dad with his name?"
"Daddy Sam?" he repeated. I nodded. "Daddy Sam isn't my daddy."
I frowned deeper from what I heard. Sam is not his dad? Then, who is it? Is Gianna married to someone else? "Who is your dad? Where is he?"
"My daddy? Weal daddy?" he asked. Tumango naman ako. "I dunno."
"Your mom isn't married!?"
"M-me-mewid? What's that?" Gian frowned at me.
I took a deep breath. "Tell me, Gian. Are you living with your daddy?"
Gian slowly shook his head. "Nooo."
"Do you know who he is?"
Again, he shook his head. "Nooo. But, mama said we hab the seym name."
Same name? Gian? Ugh. Who is Gian's dad?