Tristan Pangilinan.
“Ano? Anong mahal na pinagsasabi mo?” She asked him with eyes wide open. Ang cute talaga ng babaeng ito.
“Mahal, love kung sa english. Bakit may iba ka ba pang alam na meaning ng mahal?” Nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya.
“Totoo ba?” Confusion was on her face.
“Hindi, joke lang.” Hindi pa kasi tama ang timing. “Gusto ko lang malaman ang reaksyon mo. You look like you had seen a ghost.” Pinisil ko ulit yong ilong nya.
“Walang hiya ka.” Sambit niya at binalikan ang niluluto.
“Bakit..Gusto mo bang totohanin ko?”
“Gago!” Sigaw nito na nakayuko.
My grin grew wider as I notice that she was hiding her face that was blushing from me. Ang cute talaga niyang tignan.
“Uy, nagbublush..may feelings.” I tease her and her face grew even redder. Parang gusto ko siyang yakap at halikan sa reaction niya but I refrain myself. Baka sampalin kasi ako bigla.
Hindi siya sumagot at hindi din ako pinansin dahil mas tinuonan nito ng pansin ang nilulutong ulam. While I on the other hand, sat on one of the stools and watch her as she put some salt and pepper on the pot and stir it a little.
“Para ka na talagang house wife, magpakasal ka na nga sa akin para totoong housewife ka na.” Tukso ko pa din sa kanya.
“Sino ka!” She point out her finger at me. “Saan mo tinago si Tristan?! Ilabas mo si Tristan! Demonyo ka!” Sigaw niya and I can’t help but laugh so hard out loud because of what she just said.
Nababaliw na ata ako, nababaliw ng dahil sa kanya. Damn! Did I just say that? I’m turning into a corny wuss because of this woman.
“Hoy!” Lumapit siya sa akin na nakasimangot ang mukha. “Anong akala mo sa akin? Clown? Ba’t tawa ka ng tawa dyan?”
“Sorry about that.” I stop laughing but the smile on my lips is something that I cannot hide. “I can’t help myself, nakakatawa kasi ang sinabi mo.”
“Ikaw naman kasi!” Hinampas niya ako sa may braso.
“What did I do this time?” I asked curiously.
“Bigla ka naging normal, from a freaking business robot to a normal guy.” She said bluntly and my smile grew wider. What she said was true, I don’t usually joke around like that. Even I find it really weird that I had openly teased her like that. Kahit siguro si Mico ay magugulat din sa pinagsasabi ko if narinig niya yon.
“So…you think of me as a robot huh?” Again, I tease her and she suddenly blush because of it. Ito siguro ang rason kung bakit gusto ko siyang tuksuhin ngayon. I really like seeing her blush. It’s a way of knowing that I had an effect on her which mean may pag-asa ako.
“Ano..hindi naman sa ganun. Masyado ka kasing stiff kung minsan, kaya para kang robot.” She answered shyly.
“So you want me to be always like this?” I asked her amusedly.
“Oo..” Tapos bigla niyang narealize yong sagot niya. “I mean..hindi! Ano..bahala ka nga.” She stutters her words which made her adorable.
“Do you know how cute you look right now?” I can’t help but to say those words to her. This again made her blush instantly.
“Che! Umayos ka nga Tristan.” Singhal nito.
“Maayos naman ako ah.” I then grab her hand and pulled her to me and whisper to her ear. “Nagiging ganito lang ako ng dahil sayo.”
She suddenly tense up and I moved my head to her face. She looks shock and confuse. And I took it as an opportunity for me to do the one thing that I want to do to her. I bend down and and slowly descend my lips to her. But things sometimes don’t go the way I want them to be.
“Daddy! Mommy!”
Biglang pumasok si Mia na nakahawak sa kamay ni Manang Susan na may ngiti sa labi na kumindat sa akin. Lumayo naman agad si Kate sa akin at kinuha si Mia kay Manang Susan.
“Napasagot mo na ba?” Bulong ni Manang Susan sa akin na may pilyong ngiti. Manang Susan is more of a mother to me than my own. Masyadong busy kasi si Mama noon kahit nga naman ngayon. Kaya naman kahit na bumukod ako sa bahay ay sumama pa din si Manang Susan.
“Hindi ko pa nga naligawan Manang.” Bulong ko din sa kanya habang pinapanood yong mag ina ko na tumitikim ng ulam.
“Ay, anu ba iho. Bilisan mo na baka maunahan ka pa.”
“Naghahanap lang po ng tamang timing.” I smiled as the idea of how to woo her cross my mind.
“Hindi ko alam na ang bagal mo pala sa panliligaw, iho.” Natatawang tukso nito at napakamot na lang ako sa batok dahil sa sinabi niya. Si Manang Susan talaga. Ang hirap naman kasing ligawan ng babaeng ayaw magpaligaw. Kahit na sabihin pa na may anak na kaming dalawa.
“Hindi lahat ng bagay ay nadadala sa madalian Manang.” Sabi ko sabay pisil ng ilong nito. “May mga bagay na kailangan ng proseso para mas maganda ang kalalabasan.”
“Sus! Puro ka daldal. Puntahan mo na nga yong mag-ina mo at aayosin ko na ang mesa.” Sabi nito sabay tapik sa braso ko.
Kate Torres
I look over from the side of my shoulder and see Tristan and Manang Susan talking hushly with smile on their faces. Mas mag-ina pa sila tignan kaysa kay Tristan at Miss Eva.
“Mommy! I think it needs a little bit of salt.”
Ano kaya ang pinag-uusapan nilang dalawa? Baka yong almost paghalikan namin ni Tristan?
I feel blood rush to my cheeks as I thought of what had almost happen awhile ago. Nakakainis kasi siya. Bipolar talaga ang damohung yon. The next minute he would be this ever serious boss then this weird pervert that would stole kisses at yong kanina…yong carefree na Tristan. Hindi ko ineexpect na may ganun siya na side.
“Mommy!”
Bigla akong napatingin kay Mia who is pouting her lips at me.
“Yes baby?” Tanong ko sa kanya.
“Mommy, lutang ka.” She told me as she giggles.
“Lutang? What do you mean by lutang?”
“Lutang yong isip ninyo.” She point out. “Kanina ko pa po kayo tinatawag at sinasabihan that the food needs a bit of salt. Pero parang hindi mo ako naririnig.” She explains.
“Aba…Bakit alam mo yan? Saan mo nakuha yan ha.” Sabi ko sa kanya tapos sabay tikim noong afritada. Medyo kailangan nga nito ng asin.
“Kay Tita Kelly.” Sagot nito. “Lagi ka daw kasing lutang.” She then giggles and I can’t help but to shake my head. Si Kelly talaga, kahit ano ang tinuturo sa anak ko.
“Ano pa ba ang pinasasabi ni Tita mo Kelly sayo?” Tanong ko sa kanya habang nilalagyan ng asin yong afritada.
“Madami po!” Bibong sagot nito. Parang nacurious tuloy ako sa pinagsasabi ng walang hiyang kapatid ko sa very innocent na baby ko.
“Hindi pa ba tapos yan?” Biglang sumulpot si Tristan.
“Daddy!” Sigaw naman ni Mia extending her arms to him. At binuhat naman siya ni Tristan.
“Tapos na.” Sabi ko tapos sabay patay ng apoy.
“Good. Gutom na kasi ako.” Sabi nito habang palabas ng kusina na buhat buhat si Mia.
“Patay gutom.” I mumbled as I took one of the bowls on the counter.
“Ano sabi mo?” Bigla ako na patigil at tumingin sa may pintuan. Nandun pa pala sila ni Mia.
“Sabi ko…eh seserve ko na po ang ulam kamahalan.” I sarcastically said to him. Ngumiti lang yong bruho at umalis na nag kusina pagkasabi ko.
“Baliw talaga.” Nilagay ko na yong ulam sa bowl. Sinabay ko na din yong kanin sa isa pangbowl na niluto na ni Manang Susan sa rice cooker.
“Tulongan na kita iha.” Sabi ni Manang Susan na papasok sa kusina.
“Salamat po Manang.”
“Mali naman yan Daddy ei!” I heard Mia whines as she was hunch forward in her father lap. They were sitting on the head chair at the dining table. Ito ang nadatnan namin ni Manang Susan ng lumabas kami ng kusina.
“Pano ba?” Nakasimangot na tanong ni Tristan sa kanya.
“You have to analyze all 4 pictures.” Mia explained. “And submit a word that the 4 pictures have in common. Kaya nga 4 pic 1 word eh.”
“Ganun ba yon?” Napakamot ng ulo si Tristan.
“Yes po!” Bibong sagot naman ni Mia. Ang cute nilang mag ama tignan. A warm feeling filled my heart with the sight of them.
“I think the two of you should continue the game after our dinner.” Sabi ko habang nilapag ang ulam sa mesa.
“Mommy!”
Kinuha ko si Mia and I transfered her to the seat at the right side of Tristan. At umupo na din ako sa tabi nya.
“Let’s pray first Mommy.” Biglang sabi ni Mia bago ko pa maabot ang kanin.
“Okay, do you want to lead the prayer baby?” I asked her which she instantly nodded. I look over the table and Tristan was looking at Mia encouragely and Manang Susan just smile at her.
“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Nagsign of the cross ito. “Thank you Lord God for this food that we are about to eat and thank you that I have now a complete family.” My heart suddenly stops by what she said. “And I hope that my family will be complete forever.” In haste she added in mumble but it was clear for me to hear. “Amen!”
I really don’t know what to say. My baby girl really wants to have a complete family.
Ai, Katey dear..Ilang beses na ba naming nasabi sayo yan? Ikaw lang naman kasi tong ang sarili lang ang iniisip. Sabat ng konsensya kong nagpapakonsensya sa akin. At last ginawa talaga ng tama ang trabaho niya.
I kept a blank face after the prayer but deep inside I want to hug Mia and apologize to her. I want to say sorry for being a selfish mother. I know that it is what she wanted but this is all I could give her.
I maybe attracted to Tristan but it is not a concrete foundation for a relationship for the family that I want for Mia to have. Plus I don’t know what Tristan feels. Ang hirap din kasing intindihin ng lalaki ito, mas mahirap pa kaysa isang chemical and mathematical equation. Hindi pa naman ako magaling sa Math, kaya nga writer ako eh.
Paano ko kaya ma.eexplain ito kay Mia? Maiintindihan kaya nya ang gusto ko?
*****
“Kate!” Biglang tawag sa akin ni Jane pagkalabas ko ng CR. It was Monday noon. Kakatapos lang naming maglunch.
“Huh? Bakit? Parang nakakita ka ata ng artista?” Tanong ko sa kanya. Parang excited na excited kasi ito na parang kinikilig na ewan.
“Hindi naman.” Sagot nito na may ngiti sa mga labi. “Mas maganda pa sa artista at para sayo. Sayong sayo. Pinagkakagulohan nga sa baba eh.”
Naconfuse tuloy ako sa sinabi nya. Ano kaya ang minemean nitong si Jane. “Diretsuhin mo nga ako Jane, ano ba yan?” Tanong ko dito.
“You have to wait and see.” She then grabs my hand and drags me into the elevator.
“Ano na naman ba na kalokohan to Jane?” Medyo naiiritang tanong ko sa kanya. Ang dami ko kasing iniisip ngayon at ayokong madadagdagan pa ito ng kung ano mang kalokohan ni Jane. Kagabe kasi after ng dinner namin ay hindi na ako mapakali dahil sa prayer ni Mia.
I just acted as if wala lang akong narinig, as if hindi ako affected. And as I tuck her to bed last night, I tried to tell her about Tristan and me. Na hindi ko masisigurado ang kompletong pamilya na gusto niya. But guilt took over me before I could even utter a word. Ang hirap pala, lalo na na parang ayaw bumitaw ni Mia kay Tristan.
“Hoy! Kate!” Jane shout snap me out of my thoughts.
“Ano?!’” Sigaw ko din sa kanya na nakasandal sa elevator.
“Hindi ka pa ba lalabas dyan?” She asked and that was the only time that I notice na nakahinto na pala yong elevator at nasa ground floor na pala kami. I step out of the elevator and a frown form on my face on what is happening on the main lobby. A crowd of ladies was on the reception, crowding something or someone.
“Kate!” Mico suddenly emerge from the crowd. He was wearing a fitting gray shirt and a faded ripped jean with spatter of different color of paint here and there.
“Uh! Mico..Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Tanong ko sa kanya.
“May pinuntahan lang ako sa kabilang building and I decided to stop over here to see you and Kuya Tristan.” Sagot nito.
“Pero wala si Tristan, may lunch meeting.” Sabi ko dito.
“Yeah..I know.” He answered shyly. And almost all the eyes of all the women on the lobby was on me because of his answer. Mga malisyosa.
“Ah..may kailangan ka ba sa amin ni Sir Tristan?” tanong ko.
“Sayo lang.” And I feel myself blush because of it. “May ibibigay pala ako sayo.” And he then turn around and went to the reception table, excusing his way to the women that was still crowding the lobby. And when he emerges back, he had in his hand a bouquet of pink roses and a white teddy bear. “For you.”
“Thank you.” Pagpapasalamat ko sa kanya sabay kuha ng roses at ng stuff toy. “Pero bakit?”
“I was ask to..” Sagot na nakangiti pero naputol ng biglang…
“What the hell is the meaning of this?! Why are you all crowding the lobby?! Get back for your work this instant!” The roaring voice of Tristan made the crowd disappear in less than 15 seconds.
“And you! Miss Torres? What are you still doing here?” Tanong niya as I was the only one left standing there at the lobby.
“Kuya!” Sabat ni Mico bago pa ako makasagot. “Binibigay ko lang ang gift ng admirer ni Kate.” sabi nito sabay kindat sa akin.
I was confuse by what Mico said. Admirer? Ako? May ganun pa ba sa panahon na to?
“Anyway, I have to go.” Bumaling sa akin si Mico. “Bye Kate, pero FYI lang pinaghirapan yan ni ku..este ng admirer mo ang gift na yan.”
“Bye Kuya.” Tinapik ni Mico ang balikat nito at umalis na.
“Ah..Sige sir, mauna na ako” I awkwardly said to him and make my way to the elevator.
“Wait.”
“Yes Sir?” Napahinto ako bigla.
“Do you like it?” tanong niya sabay turo sa roses at sa stuff toy.
“Ah…” Ano ba ang isaasagot ko? First time ko kayang makatanggap ng ganito. And I find it chessy and corny. Hopeless romantic man ako noon at kahit ngayon, pero ayoko ng ganitong gift. “Hindi po.”
Biglang napasimangot si Tristan dahil sa sagot ko. “Next time Miss Torres, wag kang magpaligaw sa trabaho.” Galit na sabi nito.
Ano daw? Sinabi ko ba sa admirer na to na dito ako bigyan ng mga ito? Hindi naman ah. Tapos ako pa ang pinagalitan. Bipolar talaga.
“Miss Torres!”
“Sir! Yes Sir?” Gulat kong sagot sabay lingon sa kanya.
“Are you coming or not?” He asked as he push the button of the elevator. Pano? Lumigon ako sa may gitna ng lobby kung saan siya nakatayo kanina at balik sa may elevator. “Miss Torres!”
With that, I quickly went inside of the elevator. I will surely be having a migraine for the next one month. I think to myself as the elevator door shut.