"At bakit naman ako makikipag date sayo?" Pinagkrus ko ang kamay ko sa dibdib ko at pinagtaasan siya ng kilay
"You and that guy used to date before" he answered and looked at different direction but I can still see how irritated he is.
"Why are you comparing yourself to him? He's not you" sermon ko. Parang bata naman
"Yes,he's not me because I'm your husband and he's just your friend" he answered proudly. Ang yabang ng approach!
"Are you sure he's just a friend?" I asked in a teasing tone. Kaagad kong pinigilan ang tawa ko nang humarap siya sa'kin at pinagsamaan ako ng tingin
"What do you mean by that? Do...y-you love him?" He's like hesitating to ask. I gave him a smirk
"Paano kung sabihin kong oo?" Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko. Napaatras ako nang ilapit niya ang mukha niya sa mukha ko
"Hindi pwede,I won't let that happen. Kung may babalak man na umagaw sa 'yo,ask them if they are ready to face death" he said in a serious tone and looking at me intently.
I gulped when he clenched his jaw. I can't stand his stare so I looked at different direction
"Drive already" seryosong sabi ko.
"So we're going for a date tomorrow?" he asked. I glared at him because of that
"Kailan ko sinabi 'yon?" Nagsalubong ang kilay ko.
"So is it a yes?" Tanong niya ulit
"No,I'm tired" sagot ko
"Family date nalang" he tried again
"I'll think about it so drive already" iritang sabi ko. Lumayo na siya sa 'kin at pinaandar na ang sasakyan.
Bakit ba gusto niya akong makadate? Kung gusto niya ng kadate,iba nalang.
"Nasaan na tayo?" Matamlay na tanong ni Alexi pagkagising niya. Inayos niya ang upo niya at ang buhok niya
"Malapit na tayo sa condo mo" sagot ko.
"What do you think if your ate Shalian will date me?" Tanong ni Ian.
"Really?! I will set up something for you guys! Ate may susuotin kana ba?" Mukhang excited si Alexi sa idea na magde-date kami ni Ian
"Unfortunately,hindi pa siya pumapayag" sabi ni Ian at nagpanggap na malungkot sa tono ng pananalita niya.
"Kung ako siya hindi rin ako papayag. Huwag ka ngang makipag date kay kuya,ate" pagpanig sa 'kin ni Alexi
"I'm your brother,I thought you will help me" inis na sabi ni Ian. Well,sa 'kin pumapanig e
"Sinasabi ko lang opinyon ko" pagdedepensa ni Alexi pero mukhang nang-aasar lang.
Hininto na ni Ian ang sasakyan sa harap ng building kung saan nakatira si Alexi.
"Kuya tulungan mo 'kong iakyat mga gamit ko" sabi ni Alexi dahil marami ang mga gamit niya
"Iakyat mo mag-isa" nginisian siya ni Ian.
"Ate ayaw niya akong tulungan!" Pagsusumbong sa 'kin. Tinignan ko nang masama si Ian kaya lumabas siya ng van para tulungan si Alexi. Nagpaalam muna siya sa 'kin bago umakyat.
Pagkapasok niya sa van,kaagad niya ng pinaandar. Nag suggest siya na magdrive thru nalang dahil pagod kami sa byahe at malapit na rin maglunch.
Habang hinihintay namin ang kaharap naming nag oorder ay nagising si Lia
"Mommy,where is tita Exi?" She asked
"She already went home baby" I answered "What do you want to eat?" I asked her. Gusto niya lang daw ng hamburger at sundae pero sinabi ko kay Ian na iorder siya ng rice.
"Let me pay this time Adrian" I said in a serious tone. Lagi nalang siya ang nagbabayad
"If that Rave making you pay for your date,don't expect me to do the same thing" sagot niya na may bahid ng inis
"Actually,most of the time he's cooking for our date" Depensa ko. Napakurap ako nang matalim niya 'kong tignan. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay at hinintay ang sasabihin niya pero umiwas siya ng tingin at umiling.
"Ako sabing magbabayad" inis na sabi ko nang ilabas niya ang wallet niya.
"Sige,ikaw magbayad ngayon" sarkastikong sabi niya. Inabot ko ang pera para makapagbayad. Dapat lang na hayaan niya ako! Pagkatapos ng mga ginawa niya magpapaka-asawa siya ngayon?
Lumapit si Lia sa 'kin para kunin ang pagkain niya. Kinain ko na din ang burger ko. Napahinto ako sa pagkain nang magsalita siya ulit
"Basta hayaan mong ako ang magbayad para sa date natin bukas" he said,smirking. Date pa rin ang nasa utak niya?
"Magdate ka mag-isa mo" I rolled my eyes.
Bumaba ako sa van para buksan ang gate at lumapit sa ulit sa van nung nakapark na 'yon. Inakyat muna namin ang gamit sa kwarto at hindi muna namin inayos. Tamad pa 'kong mag-ayos ng mga gamit.
"Daddy,mommy! Let's watch The Little Mermaid please" Lia pleaded and captivate us by her beautiful eyes. Pumayag kami na manood kasama siya
Sinet-up ni Ian ang Disney movie na gusto ni Lia bago lumapit sa 'min para umupo. Nasa kwarto kami ni Ian at nakaupo sa kama.
"Mommy!" Yinakap ako ni Lia nang magpakita si Ursula (villain) sa pinapanood namin.
"Prince Eric no! She's not the right girl!" Lia shouted when prince Eric is about to marry the villain.
"Mommy! He's with the wrong person!" Sumbong sa 'kin ni Lia.
"Let's cheer for Ariel" I said to her that's why she started shouting 'Go Ariel!'
I glanced at Ian when I noticed that he's looking at me intently. He just shook his head and returned his gaze at the television.
"Ariel really loves him daddy" kay Ian naman siya nagkwento ngayon.
"He really loves Ariel too" Ian replied and glanced at me. Well,he is like Eric. He fell for someone that has the wrong identity.
"What do you want to do next?" He asked Lia. Buti pa sila hindi pagod.
"Bake cake!" Lia answered cheerfully "Mommy,let's bake!" Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinihila patayo.
"Let's teach daddy how to bake!" Lia said cheerfully
Napilit na naman ako ni Lia na bumaba sa kusina para magbake.
"Do you have flour?" Tanong ko habang nagtitingin sa mga cabinet.
"Yes,right there" tinuro niya ang pinakamataas na cabinet. Mukhang hindi ko abot. Lumapit ako doon at sinubukang abutin 'yon kaso hindi ko talaga abot. Kaunti nalang maaabot kona
Napasigaw ako nang may humawak sa bewang ko at iniangat ako ng kaunti.
"Get it already" utos niya kaya kinuha ko na ang harina,binaba niya ako kaagad pagkakuha ko.
"Let's wash our hands first" pag papaalala ko kay Lia.
Linapit ni Ian ang mataas na upuan para makaupo si Lia sa tabi ko.
"Stir it sweetie" inabot ko kay Lia ang spatula para haluin niya ang mga dry ingredients. Hinalo niya habang hinihiwalay ko ang egg yolk sa egg white.
"Let me see" tinignan ko ang ginawa niya nang matapos ako sa ginagawa ko. "That's nice baby!" I gave her a thumbs up that's why she giggled.
Although may mga kaunting natapon sa hinalo ni Lia, I know she's improving. She's still a kid so no pressure.
Hinalo ko pa ang ginawa ni Lia para siguradong maayos ang pagkakahalo.
Pinahawak ko kay Lia ang wire whisk at hinawakan ang kamay niya para tulungan maghalo ng liquid ingredients. Pagkatapos non,pinaghalo na namin ang dalawang mixture at gumamit na ng electric mixer para mahalo ng maayos.
"Taste it" I dipped my finger on the mixture and made Lia taste the mixture.
"Yummy!" Pumalakpak si Lia. Ian moved closer to me and held my hand
"Let me taste it too" he dipped my finger. I startled when he moved my fingers in front of his mouth and licked it.
"It's delicious" he commented while nodding. Kaagad kong hinila ang kamay ko mula sakanya at kinuha na ang container na paglalagyan namin.
Habang hinihintay naming mabake ang cake,yung icing naman ang ginawa ko.
"Do you want to go out tomorrow with mommy, Lia?" I glanced at them when Ian asked my daughter that question
"Yes daddy!" My little angel answered cheerfully
"Let's try to ask mommy about it?" Ian said and glanced at me. Lia nodded and looked at me with her pleaded eyes.
"Mommy can we go out tomorrow?" She asked. I glanced at Ian again,he arched an eyebrow and smirked. This guy is using my daughter!
"Mommy's tired baby" I answered. Well,if he's using my daughter then I won't let him use her. Lia nodded,she understands when I refuse to give her what she wants. Not same with Ian,his smile faded,maybe he didn't expect me to say that.
"Icing!" Lia clapped her hands when I placed the cake in front of her because we will put the icing now.
She is the one putting the icing on the cake and I'm the one spreading it. Ian gave the sprinkles to Lia when we're done covering the cake with icing. She had fun sprinkling the sprinkles
Linagay ko na sa ref yung cake bago pinuntahan sina Lia na nakaupo sa sahig ng living room. Nadatnan ko silang binubuo ang puzzles doon. Umupo nalang ako sa sofa at pinanood sila.
Nang mabuo na nila ang puzzles,niyaya nila akong sumamang maglaro ng snakes and ladders.
"Let's have a deal" Ian said that made me glanced at him. I arched a brow and wait for him to continue on what he's saying
"When Lia and I won,let's go out tomorrow. When you won,we will stay here and rest for tomorrow" he smirked. Ang daya naman!
"Isn't that unfair? Dalawa kayo" reklamo ko
"Ikaw lang naman yung ayaw sumama,right Lia?" Ian asked Lia. She nodded and whisper something to her dad.
"Please mommy" Lia pleaded. I don't want him to use my daughter but let's deal with this stuff.
"Okay okay,fine" pagsang-ayon ko. Unang player si Lia at mukhang siniswerte siya.
Natawa ako nang sumimangot si Ian dahil nasakto siya doon sa pinakamahabang ahas.
"Hoy Adrian! Baba!" Pagpapaalala ko dahil linagpasan niya yung snake.
"Mukhang malabo. I trust you Lia" he said. Mukhang suko na siya.
"Yay!" Lia stood up and jump several times because she won.
"So ano? Family date?" Ian asked,smiling like he won the lottery.
"12pm" I answered shortly
"8am" he argued but I shook my head. 8am is too early!
"9am?" He tried again but failed because I answered 'no'
"Last,10am" he tried again. I breathed deeply before nodding
"Nice one baby! High five!" They gave each other 'high five'. Mukhang pinagkakaisahan ako.
"Let's play one more game" Ian said. I didn't give him a glance because I'm busy playing with the dice
"Wife,let's play another game" he repeated but now I know that he's talking to me so I looked at him.
"Let's play chess" he bit his lower lip. I think he's planning something. Well,huwag niya akong maliitin pagdating sa chess.
"If you won hahalikan kita and if I won,hahalikan mo 'ko" nakangising sabi niya. Aba adik!
"Nasisiraan kana ata?"
"Okay fine. Kapag nanalo ka ikaw bahala kung anong ipapagawa mo sa 'kin but If I won,kiss me on my lips. Gusto ko malalim" nagsalubong ang kilay ko. What is he talking about? May bata!
"Kiss! Kiss!" Lia cheered for Ian. What?!
"No" I refused.
"Why? Are you afraid to lose?" He asked,smirking. Minamaliit ata ako
"Okay let's play. Just make sure you won't cry after you lose" I answered him.
"Atleast you don't want me to cry" he took it positively. I rolled my eyes and set up the chess instead of focusing to him
He's so serious while we're playing. Gustong gusto atang manalo.
"Checkmate" I said and smirked at him. He looks so sad and disappointed. Not only Ian,also Lia. She looks sad. Well,it's a game
(Walang tiwala kay Sha yung nag-isip na si Ian ang mananalo HAHAHA charot)
"I didn't know you are this smart" He commented. I just gave him a wink before standing to get the cake.
"Anong ipapagawa mo sa 'kin?" Sinundan ako ni Ian sa kusina.
"Pag iisipan ko muna" sagot ko at kinuha yung cake. Kailangan matindi ang ipapagawa ko sakanya.
Pinaghiwa ko ng cake si Lia at dinala sakanya sa living room. Sumunod naman kaagad si Ian sa 'kin at may dalang dalawang plato na may cake.
"Serve for yourself too not only for others" Ian said and offered me the plate that has a cake on it.
"Mommy's cake is the best!" Lia giggled that makes my heart melt.
"Yeah,it's the best but the last time I ate your mom's cake, I cried" Ian chuckled. Lia tilted his head probably confused why her dad cried after eating tye cake that I made back then. I decided not to talk because I know what cake is he talking about.
Naligo na si Lia ganon din si Ian. Nasa kwarto ako ni Ian ngayon dahil inaayos kona ang mga gamit na dinala namin galing resort habang hinihintay ko si Lia na matapos maligo.
"Aren't my wife tired?" Narinig ko ang boses ni Ian mula sa banyo ng kwarto niya. Nararamdaman ko din ang presensya niya na lumalapit sa 'kin
Nabitawan ko ang hawak kong damit nang maramdamdaman ko ang kamay ni Ian sa bewang ko. Nabasa din ang likod ko dahil kakatapos niya lang maligo at sa madaling salita,twalya lang ang saplot niya.
"Magbihis kana" seryosong sabi ko kaya bumitaw din siya kaagad. Iniwan ko siyang mag isa sa kwarto para makapagbihis at pinuntahan si Lia para tignan kung nakapagbihis na siya.
Nadatnan ko si Lia na nagsusuklay ng buhok niya. Nakabihis na rin siya at mukhang masigla na naman.
Pumasok si Ian sa kwarto ni Lia pagkatapos niyang magbihis. Napagdesisyonan ko na rin na maligo na kaya iniwan ko muna sila doon.
Pagkatapos kong magbihis,pinuntahan kona sila. Inaantok na din ako kaya magpapaalam nalang ako kay Lia na matutulog na.
Napatigil ako nang buksan ko ang pinto nang makita ko kung gaano sila kasaya. Nasa balikat ni Ian si Lia habang inaabot ni Lia ang mga stars at moon na nakasabit sa ceiling.
Iba pa rin talaga kapag may ama.
Biglang pumasok sa isip ko si Dad. Ibang iba siya kay Ian.
Noon,hindi ako naniwala na ituturing na anak ni Ian si Lia dahil sa mga sinabi niya noon idagdag mo pa na hindi niya mahal ang ina ng anak niya. Mukhang nagbabago naman siya ngayon dahil nakikita ko kung gaano niya kamahal si Lia. Sana naramdaman ko din ang pagmamahal ng isang ama.
"Kanina kapa dyan,love?" Tanong ni Ian
"Hindi" umiwas ako ng tingin. Sa tingin ko naiiyak na 'ko. Lumapit ako kay Lia at hinalikan ang noo niya
"Mommy's tired baby, I'm going to sleep" Pagpapaalam ko
"Sleep on our-"
"Oo na,huwag ka ng makulit" I cut Ian off dahil alam ko naman na pipilitin niya akong matulog sa tabi niya.
Lumabas na 'ko at pumunta sa kwarto niya. After I closed the door,I leaned on it and sat on the floor. I started to cry for no reason or maybe I do have a reason but I just don't want to point it out.
After minutes of crying,I heard footsteps. I'm sure it's Ian footsteps!
Kaagad akong tumayo at pumunta sa banyo para basain ang mukha ko. Ilang minuto ba 'kong umiiyak? Bakit maga pa din ang mga mata ko?
Hinugasan ko pa ulit para hindi na mahalata na umiyak ako. I don't want others to see how painful I'm feeling.
I think my face is good now. I'm sure he won't notice.
Pagkabukas ko ng pinto,kaagad tumambad sa 'kin si Ian kaya yumuko ako kaagad. Mukhang hinihintay niya akong lumabas ng banyo.
Dinaanan ko lang siya habang nakayuko pa rin dahil baka gagamitin niya lang yung banyo kaya niya aki hinihintay.
Napapikit ako ng mariin ng hilain niya ang kamay ko at dinala ako sa harapan niya. Hinawakan niya ang pisngi ko at iniangat ang mukha ko
"Did you cry?" He asked in a worried tone
"No" I denied. He sighed deeply like he knew that I'm lying
"What's the problem?" He said looking directly into my eyes
"Nothing" I lied.
"Mrs. Villafuente why did you cry?" He asked again but in a serious tone now.
"Why are you asking?!" Napalakas na ang boses ko
"Whatever your problem is,it's also my problem" he said in a more serious tone.
"It's none of your business" I replied
"It's my business because you fvcking cried and I hate that. I hate seeing my wife cr-"
"You made me cry several times already and now you're saying that you hate seeing me cry?!" I shouted. He was taken aback of what I said. I startled when he pulled my hand and hugged me.
"I'm sorry for all the things I did before. I know this won't change the thing that I did nor the pain that you felt but I'm trying to make it up to you and show you how much I love you" he whispered softly while his hands are caressing my hair,making me calm a bit.
"I never received love from him" I started. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit ko sinasabi sakanya but all I need now is comfort.
"Who? Rave?" He became serious and stopped caressing my hair. Hinampas ko tuloy ang braso niya. Dibdib sana ang hahampasin ko kaso yakap niya ako
"Dumb" I rolled my eyes
"Sino ba?" Tanong niya ulit
"My dad. I don't know,I just want to know how it feels like to be loved by a father." I stated.
"You're right,I'm lucky to have my parents" he sighed before continuing "You showed your father that you can live without him and become a nice person without him guiding you. You're independent and that's priceless" he said meaningfully. Wow, I didn't know he has this kind of personality.
He held my chin and made me looked at him.
"I need to sleep" I said while covering my mouth because he leaned closer to my face. I know he's attempting to kiss me.
Tinapik ko ang balikat niya para humiwalay siya dahil nakayakap pa rin siya sa 'kin.
"Akala ko pwede na" bulong niya na parang nabigo. Napailing lang ako at naglakad papunta sa kama para matulog.
Tulad ng inaasahan ko,sinundan niya ako at humiga din sa kama. Andyan na naman ang mga kamay niya na kaagad nakayakap sa 'kin. Hinayaan ko nalang siya at pinikit ang mga mata ko para makatulog.
Ilang minuto na ang nakakalipas at hindi pa rin ako makatulog.
"Natutulog kana ba?" Rinig kong tanong ni Ian. Kahit na hindi pa 'ko tulog ay hindi ako sumagot at nanatiling nakapikit.
"Mas gusto kong sabihin sa 'yo 'to kung tulog ka kasi baka sungitan mo na naman ako" pagpapatuloy niya. Muntikan pa 'kong natawa. Ako pa masungit ah?
"I'm mad at myself" pagsisimula niya. Naramdaman ko siyang nag iba ng posisyon at hinalikan niya ng paulit ulit ang pisngi ko. Mukhang iniangat niya ang ulo niya sa pamamagitan ng pagtukod ng siko niya sa kama.
"I'm so dumb for letting you go and let other man hold you" he said and kissed my cheek repeatedly again.
"If I didn't let you go,that Rave won't have a chance to date you" he said in a serious tone like he remembered something.
"It makes me overthink by that idea that you actually dated" mas lalo niya pang hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa 'kin ng isa niyang kamay at hinalikan na naman ako ng paulit ulit but this time sa leeg na.
"But I won't give them a chance again because I will hold you tightly this time so no one can ever get you away from me"
----------------------------------------------------
Sanaol nakagawa na ng peta so gagawa nako ngayon HAHAHA. I love you guys that's why tinapos ko ngayon.
Feel ko maraming mali kasi 11pm ako nagsimulang magsulat so sabog ako non. Please bear with me if ever may wrong grammar man kasi wala nakong time mag proof read
I love you all,stay safe!