AUGUST JOKE:
agosto kita kaso ghinost mo naman ako. sabagay, aughost nga kasi.
WALEY SIGE MAGBASA KA NA
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47.
"W-what?"
"Your brother, tita! Can he be my daddy?" Xavier repeated. "Tell him to date mommy so her wedding with ninong Elijah will be cancelled!"
"Teka, ano? Kasal?" Naguguluhan akong tinignan ni Arlszent. "Ikakasal na kayo ni Eli? Kailan at bakit hindi ka na naman nagsasabi sa akin?"
Aleezah faked a cough. "Uh, Xavier, do you want to see Leezent and Leezein? You can play with them."
"Tito said that they are already sleeping," ani Xavier.
"They woke up when they knew that their kuya Xavier is coming," Aleezah said in a jolly tone. "They're excited to meet you."
"Wow, let's go! Where, tita?" Xavier excitingly blurted.
"Come." Aleezah took his hand and they headed towards the stairs. "Your cousins are just three years old, you should act like an older brother, okay?"
My arm was held by Arlszent so I faced him back again. It's clear on his facial expression that he has a lot of questions for me.
"Tara, dining. Doon tayo mag-usap," sambit nito at dinala ako sa dining room.
"So?" panimula niya pagkaupo namin.
I took a deep breath. "Iyon nga ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagpunta dito sa Pilipinas. Personal ko sanang sasabihin sa inyo kesa VC..." I started giving him the details about my upcoming marriage here in the Philippines and when will it be held. Aleezah is also back downstairs with us and listening.
"Kailan ang dating ni Eli dito sa Pilipinas?" Zent asked. "Jesus, he already proposed to you four months ago tapos hindi mo man lang talaga ako sinasabihan."
"A week before the wedding," I answered, ignoring the last thing that he said.
"Itutuloy mo, e mukhang hindi naman pabor si Xavier sa mapapangasawa mo," banggit ni Aleezah.
"Matututunan naman ni Xavier na mahalin rin si Elijah kalaunan," nangangamba kong sagot kahit na tingin ko ay walang pag-asa na mangyari iyon sa ngayon.
"E, kung hindi?" she raised a brow and crossed her arms. "He might rebel when he grows up," nag-aalala niyang dagdag.
"I won't let that happen," I said.
I told them more about the wedding and who will be invited. Iikot lang iyon sa mga kaibigan ko at sa pamilya ko sa father's side. As for dad's relatives, I think I should leave it with Arlszent and kuya Aeign, they'll be the one to invite them since I haven't meet anyone of them.
Kinaumagahan, tinanghali na kami ng gising ni Xavier. Malamang ay dahil sa hanggang madaling araw kaming gising. Alas-dos pa nang dapuan ng antok si Xavier dahil hindi pa ito nakakapag-adjust sa oras na kabaliktaran ng Atlanta.
I let him hangout with Leezent and Leezein, Arlszent and Aleezah's three year-old twins, before we leave their house and transfer to the hotel. I still have my car, sila Arlszent na ang nagbantay noon dito mula nang umalis ako. It's good to know that it's still working that's why I don't need Arlszent to drive us to the hotel. May trabaho pa kasi sila, at ihahatid pa nila ang mga anak sa eskwelahan.
I almost forgot na June nga pala ang pasukan ng ibang paaralan sa Pilipinas at August naman sa iba pa, unlike in the US, school starts at early September. Ngayong katapusan ng June ay kasisimula pa lang ng bakasyon ni Xavier.
Along our way, my phone suddenly rang and I found out that it was the wedding coordinator that's calling me. When I answered the call, she told me that she, together with the other crews, wants to have a meeting with me as in right now. Kung ngayon kaagad iyon, paniguradong mal-late ako ng sobra kasi malayo-layo pa ang hotel na tutuluyan namin ni Xavier tapos mapapaikot pa ako ng iba pang daan bago makarating sa binigay nilang venue.
Since there's no one left at Arlszent's house, I decided to bring Xavier to a friend's house. Ang pinakamalapit ko na ritong malilikuan ay ang patungo sa bahay nila Rave at Garri. Good thing I had all of my friends' addresses saved on my phone.
"Mommy…" Xavier called.
"Hmm, yes?" I glanced at him while driving.
"I don't feel well.." he puckered his lips.
"Maybe it's just because you're not yet used to the warm climate here," I told him. "You'll get used to it."
"Okay…" he answered and gave me a small smile. I just returned with a wider one to assure him that he'll be fine in this country.
We arrived at Rave and Garri's house after a while and I pressed their doorbell to see if they're home. It took a short minute before Garri opened the gate.
"Oh my God, Arleigne! Ang ganda mo!" Garri shrieked and gave me a tight hug. Nagsimula na kaming maglakad papunta naman sa loob ng bahay nila. "Kailan ka pa dumating?"
"Last night," I answered, smiling. Xavier on my side greeted her godmother and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Hey!" bungad ni Rave na nasa living room. "Big boy, how are you?"
"Ma-a-yos lang po," Xavier answered in Filipino without changing his accent and it makes him sound cute. "Where is Raviele, ninong? What does she looks like?"
"She's in school, Xavier. Why are you looking for her? Is she your crush?" Rave teased. "Sorry, Xav. I don't allow my little girl to have a boyfriend yet."
Xavier whined. "I just want to meet her so I'll have someone to play with! Why are all kids here going to school already?!"
"Hindi ako magtatagal dito, ah? Iiwan ko lang si Xavier sa inyo," I told them. "Wala ba kayong trabaho? Flight, Garri?"
"Mamayang gabi pa flight ko sa Taiwan, mababantayan namin si Xavier para sa'yo," she assured.
"You're leaving me, mommy?" Xavier asked sadly.
"Mommy will just do something important, okay? I'll fetch you at night."
"You're good here with us, Xav. We'll take care of you," Rave barged in. "You can go with me later when we fetch Raviele from school. Don't you like that? You'll see your crush in her grade 1 uniform."
"I don't have crush. I don't even know yet what Raviele looks like! Maybe she's ugly!"
"Leigne, masusuntok ko 'to. Nilalait ang anak ko," banta sa akin ni Rave.
"What?" ani Xavier.
"I said you are…" Rave trailed off and he suddenly grinned. "Cute."
"I'm not a dog!" Xavier became pissed off.
"Kamukha na nga ng ama, kaugali pa ng ama…" pagbibiro ni Rave at nang mapatingin sa akin ay tumahimik ito. "Peace out."
"Mauuna na ako," I told them and turned my back to walk away.
I even heard Garri arguing with her husband. "Matuto kang pumreno ng bibig, Rave ha! Huwag mo parating banggitin si X sa harapan ni Leigne lalo na kapag narito si Xavier. Kahit hindi iyan nakakaintindi ng Tagalog, magtataka iyan kung maya't-maya mong sasabihin ang salitang ama."
Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ay si Xavier naman ang narinig ko. "Ninong, ninang, do you have unmarried male friends?"
"Why, Xav?" Garri curiously asked.
"Give mommy a boyfriend so I could have a daddy and she will no longer marry ninong Elijah after three weeks!"
"Marry after three weeks? What the— Arleigne!" Garri yelled.
I faced her. "I'll explain later, I need to go!"
I drove out of Sampaloc and went to the restaurant where I will be meeting the wedding coordinators. I was ten minutes late so I apologized when I arrived. Good thing that they considered my reason of finding a place to leave my son for the mean time.
They discussed about the details that are of course, related to the wedding to be held at San Agustin Church. I video-called Elijah for him to hear every single detail and to tell the coordinators his comments.
["I think we should leave the decision to my fiancée."] he phrased from the other line when the wedding coordinator asked for the motif.
"Uh, I like it to be… apple green," I told the coordinator.
I actually want it royal blue but Xavier's favorite color is apple green that's why I chose it instead. Para kahit man lang sa kulay na makikita ni Xavier sa kasal ko ay magustuhan niya.
Our wedding is only going to be a small and simple one so there's no need to make gowns for the guests. They will only be required to wear any decent clothing with a touch of green. If none, then any classic color would do, except black because that's tradition.
"Okay, apple green it is." The coordinator jotted it down on her notepad. "Now choose the bridal gown that you want, Ms. Dela Gente."
["You could start calling her Mrs. Valentin now."] Elijah joked from the other line before letting out a low laugh.
The coordinators laughed too but I didn't. I don't know why but I just couldn't find the mood to laugh with them. Being called Mrs. Valentin feels uncomfortable for my side. I want them to stop saying it but I don't want to ruin their vibe so I just focused on choosing a nice gown.
I'll be having a wedding ceremony twice, one here and one at the States. And at the States, that's where the grand wedding will be held but even though there's only a small wedding here, I still want to give myself a good-looking gown. Minsan lang rin naman ako magpapakasal, e.
"How about this, Eli?" I showed him the one that I chose.
He nodded and smiled. ["Choose whatever you want. You're beautiful in any clothes that you wear."]
I felt my cheeks burn after hearing his compliment. Mas lalo pa yata akong namula nang masilayan ko sa mukha ng mga coordinators ang nangingiti nitong mga ekspresyon at mukhang nagpipigil ng kilig.
The meeting lasted for an hour more and when the coordinators already left, it was me and Elijah who are left having a conversation.
I was currently walking all the way heading to the parking lot where my car is while Elijah's eating his breakfast. It's already 17:15 or 5:15 PM here so back there, it's 5:15 also but morning.
["I never thought we'll reach this point…"] he said with a warm smile on his lips.
"What point?" I heaved a short laugh.
["This. Us. Getting married. Being together for the rest of our lives…"] His smile fainted after he deeply exhaled. ["I sure wish I'll get your son's acceptance, love, and approval on our marriage. I wish he'll be happy for us."]
"You'll get him there…" I assured and smiled. "Give Xavier time and… always give him attention. Don't leave him behind." I bit my lip after remembering how Xavier cried so hard while sharing his point of view.
"I'll hung up, Eli. I still need to pick up Xavier from my friend's house.." dagdag ko. "Let's call again soon."
["Okay, I love you."] he sweetly worded. [I'm happy we're getting married."]
"I… I'm happy too," I said in response to the last line he dropped and then ended the call.
I started the engine of my car to drive back to Sampaloc nang maalala kong narito na sa sasakyan ang gamit namin ni Xavier. I'll just fix our things first in our hotel room tapos tsaka ko na siya susunduin. Para na rin mas makapag-enjoy siya kila Garri.
"Any reservations ma'am?" the hotel personel asked me.
"For Arleigne Dela Gente," I gave her a small smile.
She opened the record book and searched for the said name. "Ma'am, wala pong Arleigne Dela Gente."
"Huh? Check it again, please?" I told her. "My fiancé made a reservation here."
"I'm sorry ma'am but there's really no Arleigne Dela Gente here," paumanhin ng personel. "However, there's Arleigne Valentin."
"Okay, that's me," I said even though it made me uneasy.
"Ma'am, you just said that you are Arleigne Dela Gente—"
"Elijah Valentin made the reservation, right?" I cut her off.
"Yes, ma'am," she nodded her head.
"He's the fiancé that I'm talking about. I swear, that's me, you can even contact him if you want," I frankly sentenced.
"No need, ma'am. I'm sorry. I was just doing my job." She bowed her head a bit and handed me a key. "Here's your room key. Room 87 po kayo."
"Thank you," I smiled at her.
The bell boy helped me with my luggages as I walked through the elevator and went to the hotel room designated for me.
I opened the cabinet there and started placing Xavier's things then mine afterwards. I didn't pack a lot of clothes for since since we're only staying here for a month and the hotel offers a laundry service so it will be fine.
I was in the middle of placing my dresses when my phone suddenly rang. It was Garri who's calling.
"Gars?" I answered her call.
["Leigne, si Xavier!"] I could hear her voice shaking. ["Isinugod namin ni Rave sa ospital!"]
"What?!" I reacted in shock and worry. "Why? What happened to him?!"
["Kanina kasi, sabi niya sa'min masakit lang ang ulo niya. Akala ko dahil lang iyon sa nahihirapan siyang pakisamahan ang pabago-bagong weather dito kaya nilagyan ko lang ng ointment. Kaso, bigla naman daw siyang nagsuka noong pinag-meryenda ni Rave nang sunduin nila si Raviele kanina. Pero wala namang problema doon sa pagkain, it's healthy! Nagulat na lang kami na matapos ang kaunting minuto nagka-rashes naman tapos sobrang init niya."]
I suddenly remembered that Xavier already told me a while ago that he's not feeling well. Akala ko rin dahil lang iyon sa hindi siya sanay sa klima ng bansa kaya isinantabi ko lang iyon. Now, I felt really bad and I feel like I'm not a good parent towards my son!
"Anong sinabi ng doktor?" nag-aalala kong tanong.
["Tinitignan pa siya doon, kukuhanan pa ng dugo."] she said.
"I'll go there, sabihan mo kaagad ako kung ano nang lagay niya—"
["'Yon na nga, Leigne. I can't stay longer here, malapit na ang flight ko. Si Rave naman bumalik na sa bahay dahil walang magbabantay sa anak namin."]
"Okay, okay. Text me the address! I'm already going!" I ended the call and stopped arranging the clothes.
Patakbo akong lumabas ng hotel at pati sa pagmamaneho ay pinatakbo ko ito nang mas mabilis pa sa makakaya ko. Garri has already sent me the hospital address there in Sampaloc and she even apologized because she really needs to go. I completely understand because she's a pilot like me and she shouldn't be late.
"Oh, God! Bakit ang bagal mong lintek ka?!" Inis akong bumusina dahil sa tagal magparking ng sasakyang nasa harapan. He's blocking the way!
Dagdag tagal pa ang idinulot dahil wala akong makitang bakanteng parking. A guard was passing by kaya kinapalan ko na ang mukha ko at lumabas ng kotse.
"Guard! Ikaw na magmaneho nito! Maghanap ka ng mapa-parkingan!"
"Ma'am hindi ko po iyan trabaho—"
"Babayaran kita! Basta gawin mo ang pinapagawa ko at pupuntahan ko muna ang anak ko sa loob!" bulyaw ko at mukha itong natakot kaya tumango na lamang ito at nagpunta sa sasakyan ko.
I ran going to the information desk of the hospital and I didn't even care if I already looked haggard.
"Xavier Dela Gente!?"
"He's already transferred to the private room, ma'am. Room 011," the nurse told me. "Sa kabilang building po siya since bata po."
I just nodded my head in answer and ran again going to the building beside the main one. Room eleven is said to be in the first floor so I got to go there immediately.
May nakapaskil na whiteboard sa pader na katabi ng pintuan at doon nakasulat ang pangalan ng pasyenteng nasa loob. Tinignan ko iyon para masigurong iyon nga ang sa anak ko at nang mabasang Xavier Dela Gente nga ay agad kong binuksan ang pintuan.
May nakaupo doong doktor at nakatalikod ito sa gawi ko. Hawak-hawak nito ang kamay ni Xavier na ngayon ay natutulog.
"Doc, how is he?" I asked worriedly.
"According to the doctor who checked him up, he has a dengue fever." The doctor faked a cough before facing my direction. I froze when I heard his voice and I feel like I'm about to fall on the ground. "But one thing is for sure…" He looked at me intently.
"...My son is going to be okay."
🌞