46.
I made Xavier take a bath first when morning came. He already knows how to clean himself, tinatawag niya lamang ako kapag tapos na siyang magsabon at magshampoo para ako ang magbanlaw sa kanya.
He actually wants to do it on his own, but I didn't allow. Hindi kasi niya nababanlawan ang sarili ng ayos, there's still shampoo on his hair sometimes. Tsaka para na rin makita ko kung inayos niya ba ang pagsasabon sa sarili bago siya tuluyang makalabas ng banyo.
Every time I'm helping him with his bath, we always have fun like splashing water to each other or blowing bubbles using our hands, making us end up laughing like there's no tomorrow.
But now, he didn't utter anything. He's not talking to me, tinawag niya lang talaga ako para banlawan siya. I know he's still upset, but I know we'll be okay again eventually. I'll just give him time to cool down first. I don't want to open up about Elijah again because it might make him burst in tears again and I don't want that.
Last night, he fell asleep crying and murmuring he wants a different father, my only response to calm him is to hug him tight until we both get to sleep. I couldn't do anything because I don't know what to do. I can't give him what he wants because it's really Elijah whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. I cannot just find a man and directly tell him to be my son's father. It's not that easy.
"Get yourself dressed, Xavier," I told him after drying him up with the towel. He didn't reply and he just walked outside of the bathroom.
I just breathed heavily before closing the bathroom door and going under the shower. It's now my turn to take a bath. I closed my eyes as I feel the water run down to the very bottom of my body. And as I endure the water's coldness, memories from the past entered my mind and it started giving me goosebumps.
Today's going to be our flight, and tomorrow will be our arrival in Manila. After eight years, I will see again the place that gave me so much memories.
After taking a bath and wrapping myself with the hotel's bathrobe, I went out of the bathroom only to see Xavier outside holding a paper flower.
"Mommy, are you still mad at me?" he asked softly.
I took the paper flower from him and bent down. "Mommy's never mad at you. I'm just lecturing you because being mean is not a good attitude, okay?"
He nodded. "May I have a hug?"
I opened my arms for him and he leaned closer to give me a warm embrace.
"Where did you get the paper that you used for this?" I asked him while pertaining to the paper flower.
He pulled away from the hug and pointed the direction of the bedside table. "There."
Mahina akong natawa nang makita roon ang nakapatong na malaking notebook doon. Iyon ay pagmamay-ari ng hotel na kung saan ay isusulat doon ang komento o rekomendasyon ng sinumang nananatili. Tinignan ko ang bawat parte ng bulaklak na papel at buti na lang ay wala akong nakitang sulot doon. Malamang ay sa likod pumunit si Xavier.
"Don't you like it?" Xavier asked, looking a bit nervous because of my silence. "I'll ask Teacher Jemi to teach me a nicer one when I get back to school so you will like it.."
"I love it, baby," I told him and smiled.
He sighed in relief. "Mommy can you teach me Tavalog words?" he asked. "I want to impress tito Aeign and tito Arlszent when we get there!"
"Tagalog, baby," I corrected, chuckling. "Okay, later. Mommy will get dressed first, alright?"
"Also…" he paused and pouted his lips. "I'm already a big boy, mommy. Stop calling me 'baby.'"
"Why not? You're a baby," I teased. "You blabber a lot—"
"I don't!" he defended. "I will not cry anymore too because I'm seven years old already. I'm no longer a baby."
I let out a soft laugh. "Okay, you're a big boy." But you're still my baby.
I readied myself and also our stuffs before we headed out of the hotel. Medyo late na kaming nagising kaya napagdesisyunan ko na lamang na sa airport na lang kami kakain para kung sakaling may matira si Xavier ay pupwede niyang dalhin na lang papasok ng eroplano nang hindi masyadong nagmamadali.
"Mommy, I want that!" he pointed at one object from one of the small stores inside the airport. I gazed at it and saw that he's pertaining to the stethoscope.
"You already have tons of toy stethoscopes in Atlanta, Xav," I told him.
"I don't want toys, I want that doctor headphones!" he said. "It's real!"
Doctor headphones is how he calls the stethoscope because he still finds it hard to pronounce 'stethoscope.' And he's addicted to those things because he said he wants to be a doctor.
Every career day in their school, he always wear a doctor's uniform. I just don't know yet what kind of doctor he wants to be since he has no idea of those things yet. Maybe in the far future, he'd like to be a pediatrician, a surgeon, medical technologist, or…
… a cardiologist.
Or other types. Madami namang klase ng doktor.
"I'll buy you a real one when you grow up, Xav," I promised him.
I taught Xavier some greetings in Filipino language while waiting for our boarding. I even wrote it down on a small paper for him to memorize along with the flight since I won't be able to fully check on him because I'm the pilot or aviatrix. He looked so eager to learn Tagalog.
I asked Qendra, one of the flight attendants, to look after Xavier during the flight. Like the other crews that I'm with, one month lang rin ang magiging stay namin sa Pilipinas bago ang flight pabalik ng Estados Unidos.
I don't want to visit the Philippines in the first place, but yeah, I did realized that I want to go there one last time. Tsaka ang dahilan naman ng pagpunta ko doon ay para lang imbitahin sila Arlszent sa kasal ko sa Pilipinas. That's three weeks from now.
"…It's 23:07 or 11:07 PM as how we address the time here in the Philippines, and it's 5:07 back in Madrid, Spain…" I continued making my announcement after we landed in NAIA and afterwards, I made sure that the plane is well-conditioned and there's nothing left turned on before going out of the cockpit.
"Captain Dela Gente," Qendra called and she gave me Xavier who's still awake. "By the way, there's two passengers who would like to speak with you."
"Did he or she give their names?" I asked.
"No, they didn't," she shook her head. "Looks like you're getting complimented again for having a smooth flight. Congrats!"
I let out a small laugh before walking to the place where Qendra said that the passengers are waiting for me. Magpapalit dapat ako ng damit dahil bawal kaming magsikalat sa publiko ng nakauniporme pero mamaya na lang siguro.
I usually recieve this talks from the passengers and it's either they'll compliment me or give me a tip or state some problems. Pero kahit kailan naman ay wala pa akpng natatanggap na reklamo kaya naman nasisiguro kong hindi masama ang makukuha kong komento.
"Hi, good evening, I apologize if I kept you waiting. I was still talking to some of my crews and—" I stopped talking when the said passengers turned their backs to face me. "Lance…"
It's Lance together with Jacqueline. When the two of them faced my direction, their eyes immediately landed on Xavier who's holding my hand and just looking around.
"Sabi ko sa'yo, kuya! Si Arleigne ang piloto kanina, I can still remember her voice!" Jacqueline told Lance after a while. Jacqueline looks mature, she's a grown woman now!
Lance is still looking at Xavier and then he shifted his gaze to me. "Anak niyo?" diretsahan niyang tanong.
My heart was pounding out of nervousness and before I could answer, Xavier barged in.
"Hi! Are you married?" Xavier asked.
Lance's mouth hung open like he didn't expect Xavier to ask him that. He showed him his left hand with a ring. "Yes, I am."
"Oh, you're not allowed to be my daddy," Xavier articulated. He then faced me. "Mommy, who are they?"
"They're…" I gulped before looking at the two Montemayors who are looking at Xavier and me. "Xav, that's your tito Lance and tita Jacqueline."
"Tito and tita?" naguguluhan niyang tanong. "They're also your siblings, mommy? Or cousins?"
"Xavier, not because you're calling them tito and tita, it doesn't automatically mean that they're mommy's family relatives. Some of them are friends," paliwanag ko.
"The father's cousins," Lance whispered and Jacqueline nudged at him for him to shut his mouth.
"What, sis?" gatong ni Lance at tumingin sa akin. "X doesn't know about this, does he?"
"I'm sure he doesn't because I told everyone not to tell him," I said. "Kaya ikaw, sana hindi mo rin sabihin."
"I won't, I'm not included in your issues. I'm busy with my wife and own kid," ngisi niya. "Itong kapatid ko ang sabihan mo, maingay," tukoy niya kay Jacqueline.
"What are you saying?" Xavier asked and pulled out a small paper from his pocket. "Your words are not here in my Ta-galog lines."
"Oh, he doesn't know our language," tumango tango si Jacqueline at yumukod para magpantay sila ni Xavier. "Hi, I'm tita Jacqueline. And you are?"
"Xavier Azaleigh Dela Gente!"
"Unique second name, huh?" Lance remarked. Magkaharap pa rin kami ngayon habang sila Jacqueline at Xavier ay nag-uusap. "Galing ang unang pangalan kay X, diba?"
"Bakit niyo ako pinatawag?" I asked instead of answering him.
"Kinulit lang ako ng isang iyan kanina sa flight, sabi ikaw daw panigurado ang Captain Dela Gente na piloto kanina, nakipagpustahan pa ng isang libo," paliwanag niya.
Tumango tango ako. "Hindi ka na tipid sumagot ah," I joked.
He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I changed."
"Ano nga palang ginagawa niyo sa Madrid?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Alam mo namang sa Madrid naka-base ang angkan ng mga Legazpi. May dinalaw lang kami doon ni Jacqueline," he said. "Is there someone who'll fetch you here? Susunduin kami ng asawa ko, baka gusto mong sumabay? I'm sure she brought the van again so there's plenty of space for you two."
"No, it's okay," I gave him a smile. "Sila Arlszent at Aleezah ang susundo sa amin."
"Aleezah also knows about him?" Lance asked, a bit surprised. "God, I didn't even notice that she's keeping a secret for eight years."
"Isa lang naman ang hindi talaga nakakaalam, e," I fainted a smile. "Ayun, pati rin pala iba niyong kamag-anak at pinsan. Mauve and Aleezah are the only ones who know, well, you and Jacqueline too now."
"Mommy, she's nice!" Xavier commented, pointing at Jacqueline. He walked to Lance direction and smiled at him. "Ma-gan-dang ga-bi, tito!"
"Magandang gabi," pag-gaya ni Lance sa paraan ng pagt-Tagalog ni Xavier at ngumiti. "Ayos ang buhok mo, ah," komento niya at akmang hahawakan ang buhok ni Xavier.
"Lance, I don't think you should—" Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin dahil nagulo na ni Lance ang buhok nito.
Xavier frowned as what I already expected. "Stop touching my hair!" he yelled.
Napaawang ang bibig ni Lance at Jacqueline. "Anak nga talaga ni X, kuya," bulalas ni Jacqueline.
"English, please…" Xavier bluntly said with furrowed brows.
"Sorry, Xavier," Lance apologized.
Xavier didn't reply and he gazed at me. "Mommy, it's night time but why is it hot?"
"The Philippines is different from the States, Xav," I explained. "Remove your thick jacket."
He tried removing his scarf and unzipping his jacket. Sa halip na tulungan siya ay kay Lance ko iyon ipinagawa para hindi magkaroon ng sama ng loob si Xavier dito dahil sa paghawak sa buhok niya.
"Do you have other friends, tito?" Xavier asked him. "Can you get me someone who can be my daddy? So mommy doesn't need to marry ninong Elijah!"
"You're getting married?" Jacqueline asked in shock. "Oh God, when?"
"Mommy will not marry!" giit ni Xavier.
"December pa ang kasal ko sa Atlanta, iyon ay kung saan naroroon ang pamilya ng mapapakasalan ko at ibang relatives ni mom, sila ang magiging witnesses doon," I articulated. "Tapos three weeks from now, may simple akong kasal dito kung saan naman sila Arlszent ang makakatuklas. Madami naman kasi sa kanila may trabaho kaya kahit bilhan ko sila ng ticket papuntang Atlanta, meron at meron pa ring hindi makakapunta. Kaya dinalwa na namin ng fiancé ko."
"Congratulations," Lance blankly worded. I couldn't tell if he's happy, angry, or what. "Anyway, we both need to get going. It's nice seeing you," paalam niya. "You too, Xavier Azaleigh," baling niya kay Xavier.
"It's nice seeing you again, Leigne." Bumeso si Jacqueline sa akin at kumaway naman kay Xavier. "Bye, Xav!"
"Paalam!" Xavier smiled.
Ilang sandali lang ay lumabas na rin kami ng airport pagkabihis ko. Nilibot ko ang aking paningin hanggang sa marinig ko na ang tinig ni Arlszent.
"Welcome back, twin." Arlszent walked towards me and gave me a hug. He crouched afterwards to face Xavier. "Do you know me?"
"Mommy's boy version! Tito Arlszent!"
Arlszent chuckled before raising his fist up. Naintindihan naman kaagad ni Xavier iyon at ginaya si Zent. They fist bumped.
"Si Aleezah?" tanong ko nang mapansing wala siya.
"Kung isasama ko siya, sinong magbabantay kila Leezent at Leezein sa bahay?" pabalang niyang tanong. "Nagkaroon ng biglaang emergency 'yong helper namin, kinailangan niyang umalis."
"I'm going to meet Leezent and Leezein, tito?" Xavier asked with twinkling eyes.
"Yes, Xav. You're meeting your twin cousins," Arlszent grinned at him. "But you'll get to talk to them tomorrow. They're already asleep now. It's midnight."
We both went to where Zent's car is parked and I was about to open the door of the shotgun seat when he stopped me. I raised a brow as if I'm asking him why.
"Take the backseat. My nephew is seating beside me," nakangisi nitong sambit at binuksan ang pintuan ng shotgun seat. "Get in, Xavier."
During the drive, Arlszent and I were only talking about each others lives, even the simplest details were told just so we wouldn't get bored while driving to Sampaloc. I didn't open up about the wedding yet since Aleezah is not here inside the car. Doom na lang siguro sa bahay nila.
As for the hotel that Elijah booked for me, siguro kinabukasan ng gabi na lang kami pupunta ni Xavier doon. Ngayong gabi ay kila Arlszent na bahay muna kami dahil alam ko rin namang gustong gusto ni Xavier makabisita sa bahay ng mga pinsan niya dito sa Pilipinas.
"What's that?" Arlszent asked Xavier who's reading the small crumpled paper where the Filipino greetings are written.
"Nothing, it's a secret," humagikhik si Xavier at tumingin sa'kin. "Mommy, hush," he placed his index finger on his lips, gesturing me to say silent.
"Hoy, ano iyon?" Tinignan ako ni Arlszent mula sa rearview mirror. "Tagalugin mo na, para hindi alam ni Xavier na sinabi mo sa akin."
"Nag-aaral siyang magsalita gamit ang lenggwahe dito sa Pilipinas para daw pahangain kayong dalawa ni kuya Aeign," natatawa kong sagot. "Sinulat ko ang mga simpleng bati doon sa papel."
"Xavier, your mommy just told me what's in that paper," sumbong ni Arlszent. "She's bad, right?"
Xavier looked at me with a frown on his face. "Mommy!" suway niya.
"What?" natatawa ko itong tinignan pero pinagkrus lang nito ang dalawang braso at hindi ako pinansin. Pareho na lamang kaming natawa ni Zent doon at itinuloy ang pagkukwentuhan buong byahe.
When we got out of Arlszent's car, I looked at the outer image of their house and it's so modern-looking! Well, Arlszent designed this house by himself. He's already a successful architect.
"Hey, welcome back!" Aleezah greeted me. "Oooh, rose gold, I like your hair. Gosh, alam mong ikaw talaga ang pinakahina-hangaan kong babae pagdating sa pagporma noong una pa lang na nakilala kita."
She gave me a hug before giving Xavier one too. "Hi nephew! I finally met you in person!"
"Tita, magandang gabi!" bati ni Xavier.
"He practiced greeting in Filipino," I told Aleezah.
Masama akong tinitigan ni Xavier. He whined and threw the paper to me. "I'll just speak English again! I hate mommy now!"
"Husay ka namang babae ka," natatawang pangungutya ni Aleezah sa akin.
"Xavier, you hate mommy?" pigil-ngisi kong tanong at nagpanggap na malungkot. Xavier turned soft and pouted his lips before shaking his head and hugging me.
"Ay hala, marupok din pala parang si ku—" natigilan si Aleezah nang mapagtanto ang sinabi. She gave me an apologizing look. "Sorry."
I only replied with a smile. Xavier removed his hug away from me and he started walking around inside Arlszent and Aleezah's house. It's huge and wide here and it has a very calming ambiance. The interiors where a mixture of white and gray theme with a floor made out of marble.
"Wow!" Xavier ran to the direction where a small wooden table is and he reached for one picture frame that's placed there.
I froze when I saw who were in the picture frame.
"Tita, this is you, right?" tanong ni Xavier habang nakaturo sa pigura ng babae.
"Uh, yes. That's tita," Aleezah replied.
"Who's this?" he pointed next to the guy beside Aleezah.
Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo nila Aleezah at Arlszent at kung alam lang nila ay nagsisimula na akong balutin ng kaba.
"That's my brother, Xav," Aleezah answered, a bit shaking.
"Is he married?"
I saw how Aleezah swallowed hard and even glanced at me before answering Xavier. "No, he isn't."
He's not yet married? I mentally asked, feeling surprised and I don't know why but there's something in me that also felt glad.
All of our jaws dropped when Xavier suddenly hugged the picture frame like he's hugging a real person.
"Tita…" he called out.
"Y-yes, Xavier?" kinakabahang tugon ni Aleezah.
"Can your brother be my daddy?"
🌞