Chapter 4.2

THE HOTEL WAS EXTRAVAGANTLY decorated for the Halloween party. Sa pagpasok pa lang nila sa lobby, it was as if the Disney parade was transferred to the hotel. This is the second week of the event but the most anticipated kasi nga Halloween. Tonight's event was also a fundraiser. Kinausap nya ulit ang mga anak na h’wag hihiwalay sa kanya. She was holding one in each hand and carefully checking where they were going. Ang mga anak nya naman were busy looking around. 

Napasigaw si Mango when she turned and found another kid in a scary costume. Takot na takot ito and quickly hugged Gabby’s leg. 

“Baby, Baby, it’s just a costume.” Napilitan syang kargahin ito as Mango was scared and spooked already. 

Nag-alala tuloysiya sa kay Chico. “Anak, are you okay?” tanong nya agad dito. 

Chico nodded, still fascinated with all the decoration. She was relieved he did not look afraid. 

Tinunton nya ang Grand hall. 

“Need help?” someone said behind her. 

“Oh, I’m okay.” 

The man was wearing a tuxedo and a phantom mask. She was immediately skeptical about him. 

“I’m going to the grand hall too.” anito. 

Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Gabby. The party was for kids at wala itong dalang bata. There were also other halloween parties in the hotel for his age. 

The guy made a half-laugh. “Tito duties. They are already inside.” He was already reaching for Mango in Gabby’s arms. 

“Mommy, don’t talk to strangers,” Agad na sabat ni Chico. He moved to stand before Gabby na animo ay ipagtatanggol ang ina. 

“Hello there.” said the guy and kneeled before Chico. Itinaas naman nito ang maskarang suot and smiled. He looked intently at Chico. “Let’s remedy that big boy. I’m Niam Bernados.” He even extended his hand. 

Chico looked up at Gabby first and waited for his mom to nod before he accepted the handshake. 

“And your name, sir?” Niam continued to talk to Chico. 

“Theo,” He answered. Gabby can feel na nagustuhan ng anak that the guy was talking to him like he was a big boy already. 

“I think you don’t need my help,” ani Niam that earned him a smile from Chico. “But this little girl does.” He took Mango from Gabby.

Gabby was about to protest when Niam started walking. They were forced to follow behind him. 

Why did she give Mango? Gustong iuntog ni Gabby ang ulo sa pader. She was not giving a good examples to her children.

“What’s your name pretty girl?” tanong ni Niam kay Mango. 

“Mango,” she answered cutely. 

“Like the fruit?”

“Yes, mommy loves it.” 

“What’s mommy’s name?” 

“Miss G” 

Natawa naman si Niam sa sagot nito. 

Gabby gave a sigh of relief when they reached the Grand Hall. Mas lalo pang maganda ang Grand hall than the lobby. Mango squirmed in Niam’s arms at gustong magpababa.

Niam put the toddler down. He looked at the kids again before facing Gabby. 

“Thank you, Niam?” Mabilis na pasalamat ni Gabby dito picking up his name nang magpakilala ito kanina.

“No prob. I’ll see you around, Miss G,” sabi nito sa kanya, smiled before he turned and left. 

Gabby grabbed her kids’ hands and went the other way. Nilingon niya pa si Niam and saw a boy in a Woody of Toy Story costume, he could be the same age as her twins, run to Niam. He picked the boy up at itinaas pa over his head before he carried the boy in his arms. 

She sighed and looked down. Chico was also looking back. Gabby bit her lip. She can’t carry Chico for long already at mabigat na ito. Parang may kumurot sa puso niya nang maisip that maybe he was jealous. 

“Chic, you want to play airplane later?” Tanong niya dito. 

“No, Mommy. I’m a big boy now.” 

Ito na mismo ang humila sa kanya to move forward. 

Maliban sa mga palabas in one area, there were also booths of famous children’s toys, meron din mga children’s books. There were games at every booth na pwedeng manalo from small toys to expensive ones and from drawing books to a whole set of the most sought-after children’s books. 

So this was why the tickets were very expensive. Naisip ni Gabby. The event was not for everyone but still, proceeds went to a good cause. It’s just another one of those events the rich created to be enjoyed by the rich and proceeds went to the poor. It’s hard to find fault in it. The orphanage run by the convent relied on these types of events. There are donations but the rich seem to get tired of simply giving dole-outs and charity. 

“Mommy, We won the big bear,” Tuwang-tuwang si Chico. 

When the booth clerk showed them the bear, “Oh my,” tanging namutawi sa labi ni Gabby. 

It won’t fit in their Land Cruiser. It might be one of those Bears used in huge display windows. 

“Chic, it’s too big.” She didn’t want to disappoint Chico but the direct approach always worked with Chico. 

“Give them the two bears.” 

Gabby turned and it was Niam again but this time, he had a new guy with him in an old English man costume -- top hat and a cane -- na hawak-hawak ang batang lalaking sumalubong kanina kay Niam. 

“Are you okay with two bears, Theo?” tanong ni Niam sa anak nya. “It’s still big.” turo pa nito sa bear na hawak na ng clerk. “And you can get one for you and one for baby Mango.” he turned to Mango and gave her a wink and a sweet smile. 

Tumango naman si Chico and tugged Gabby’s hand to get her approval. 

Gabby smiled her approval, she turned to the clerk. 

“Get her address,” tuloy naman na utos ni Niam. “They can deliver those to you.” 

Gabby filled up the form na inabot ng clerk while giving her kids a side-eye. Both guys look decent at mukhang hindi naman nito itatakbo ang mga anak nya. She quickly finished filling up the form. 

“This is my friend, Mark.” Pakilala ni Niam kay Gabby to Mark. “Miss G - “ 

Natawa naman sya, “No. It’s Gabby. Gabby Gabriel.” pagtatama nya naman sa pangalan nya. 

“Why don’t you join us?” Alok ni Mark. “We have a table here.” 

Nag-aalinlangan naman si Gabby. These were people she just met that day. “I don’t think that’s proper. But thank you.” 

“Oh come on, you can trust us. Everyone knows us here.” ani Niam. He pulled out a business card from his wallet and gave it to her. 

Engr. Niam Bernados. President. First Construction.

Nag-abot din sa kaniya ng business card si Mark. 

Dr. Mark Valdez. Director. Cardiology and Intensive Care Services. Montenegro Medical.

Gabby was not used to networking. Is this what happens at parties? 

“I have a two-year old daughter,” sabi naman ni Mark and picked up Mango. “Mango, right?” tanong nito sa anak nya. 

Tumango naman si Mango and took off Mark’s eyeglasses. Natawa lang ito sa ginawa ni Mango. He was already walking with her daughter. Sumunod naman si Chico na kahawak kamay na ang batang lalaking kasama ni Niam at Mark. 

Wala syang nagawa kundi ang sumunod. 

“That’s Leon,” Niam supplied as they followed the boys. “That’s the son of our friend. We are babysitting.” Nakangiti nitong sabi. 

“They also have twins who are not ready for this party yet. Two-year olds.” patuloy nitong pagkwekwento. “So they stayed home with Mark’s daughter while we go out and party-party.” 

Natawa namansiya sa sinabi nito. He said it like he was enjoying the kid’s Halloween party a lot. 

They reached the table and she was glad to give her feet some rest. There were a lot of benches scattered across the venue but most were constantly occupied by people who wanted to take pictures kaya nakakahiyang gawing pahingahan. She earlier planned na lumabas saglit para makapagpahinga ang kambal but this happened. 

“We’ll just order some refreshments.” ani Mark and left with Niam. They left Leon with her sa kanyang pagkabigla. Paano na lang kung masamang tao sya. Tiningnan nya naman ang tatlong mga bata and they were happily talking and showing off the stars na tinatatak sa binigay na booklet/ passport when they entered. 

---

“I TOLD YOU!” Napapalatak pa si Niam. “The kids look like Matt, right?” 

“Had he returned call?” Tanong naman ni Mark. 

“Not yet.”

“I’ve never seen her before.” 

“Yeah, but she looks just like his type.” Natatawa at naiiling na sagot ni Niam. 

“Call him again,” utos naman ni Mark. 

Niam pulled out his phone again para tawagan ang kaibigan. 

“Fxck!” Agad din hininaan ni Niam ang boses when he realized he was around kids. “Where are you? Kanina pa kami tumatawag.” Angil nito kay Matt. 

“Meeting,” maiksing sagot Matt sa kabilang linya. “I’m on my way. Why?” 

“You should see this girl. Totally your type.” 

“I’m no longer looking,” Matt said sounding bored. 

“Well, hold that decision until you see them. I’m sending a picture.” Yun lang ang sinagot ni Niam and ended the call. 

He immediately sent the photo to their group chat. 

---

Tinawag naman ni Gabby ang mga bata palapit sa kanya para painumin ang mga ito ng tubig and wiped their sweat. Inasikaso nya rin si Leon. 

“Tita, I like you,’ Sabi ni Leon to Gabby. 

“Thank you and I like you too,” sagot nya naman dito. Napakagwapong bata din nito. Alon-alon ang buhok with dark hair at mahahabang pilik. She suspected that the boy must have some Spanish or Mediterranean blood.   While her Chico had fine brown hair and gray eyes. She always thought it was because of her. Maybe her unknown father was American. 

“Are you Tito Matt’s wife?” 

Nabigla naman si Gabby at nanlamig sa pangalang binanggit nito. 

“What do you mean, Leon?” 

“Chico looks like Tito Matt.” Leon was looking at her so intently. 

She forced a smile para sa bata. 

“It must have been a coincidence. Where - Where is Tito Matt, Leon?” 

“He owns this hotel. He’ll just be here, somewhere.” sagot naman nito. 

Napatango naman si Gabby. She needs to get out of here. Tiningnan nya ulit si Leon and she knew hindi nya kayang iwan ang bata na mag-isa. 

She called Chico over at binulungan “Baby, we need to go home as soon as Tito Mark and Tito Niam arrive, okay. Help, Mommy. Help, Mommy convince Mango.” 

“But are we going to get the bears, Mommy?” Balik-tanong nito. 

“Yes, it will be delivered to the house.” 

Tumango lang ito. 

Nagpalinga-linga siya trying to spot the two men. She was relieved nang makita ang mga ito na palapit. 

“Sorry, we just have an emergency at home. We have to leave,” she immediately told them paglapit ng mga ito. ‘Nice - Nice meeting you.” she said to Leon and patted his head. 

Gabby picked up Mango na tahimik lang din na sumama. Hawak nya din ang isang kamay ni Chico. 

Niam dropped the food na hawak nito on the table and went after them.

“Hey, Gab, Gabby --” Niam tried to block her path. “If it’s an emergency then let me help.” 

“No, It’s okay,” she curtly replied. 

Napapansin naman ni Niam that she was clearly distraught sa pangungulit na ginagawa nya so he let her go. 

----

Two men and a boy sat at the table with food before them enough to feed ten people. Nakapangalumbaba si Niam at Mark. 

Leon was nibbling on fries when Matt arrived, he was wearing his business suit so they knew he must have rushed to the grand hall. 

“They left,” agad na balita ni Niam kay Matt. 

Pasalampak naman na naupo si Matt on one of the empty chairs. 

“Leon, why did Tita Gabby leave? Do you know?” tanong naman ni Mark sa pamangkin. 

Umiling naman ito. 

“She did not say anything? Did she receive any calls?” Tanong pa ulit ni Mark. 

“We were just talking, Tito.” 

“About?” si Niam. 

“I asked if she’s Tito Matt’s wife because Chico looks like Tito Matt.”  

Napa-ayos nang upo si Matt as soon as he heard his name. 

“Then she asked where Tito Matt was, I told her that he is just around.” 

Nagkatinginan ang tatlong magkaibigan. 

“I’ll just call someone,” si Matt at akmang tatayo

“She can be married,” si Mark

“She’s not,” sagot ni Matt.“I’ve met her a week ago. I asked Nico to look into her.” 

“Do you think they are yours?” si Niam

Tumango si Matt and was about to make a call. He put down the phone when Niam slid a piece of paper to him. 

“Two Bears. That’s their address.”