KABANATA 01

KABANATA 01

"Here he is, my one and only handsome pamangkin!" Ang mga salitang iyon ang unang bumungad sa kanila Ultear nang tunguhin nilang tatlo ang daan patungo sa waiting area.

Her son ran through Kylie's place quickly, with a pretty smile on his face. Wala na itong pakialam kung mayroon man siyang mabangga mga tao.

My Pretty Aunt! he stated as Kylie lifted him up immediately. His lips landed on her cheek.

Ugh! So heavy! She acted like it is hard for her to carry Kajic for minutes. It seems you ate plenty of foods, huh?

The boy's head nodded slowly. She was right. Kajic was eating plenty of food this past few days.

How are you? Did you get jetlagged?

Kajic twitched his head for one time and gave another kissed on her cheek before he spoke.

Nope. I am a strong big boy like my Uncle Daddy," Nakangiti itong lumingon kay Ginno na nasa tagiliran lang ni Ultear at nakapatong ang braso nito sa kaniyang balikat.

Ultear brows raised secretly as she witnesses Kylie made off. She was the only person who caught her forced smiles, and Vince, the one who stood next to Kylie, did the same thing. There is something that bothered her inside of those forced smiles. She tried to solve it in her mind, but nothing happened.

Hindi niya alam kung siya lang ba ang nakapansin sa kanila ni Ginno or sadyang nagmamalik mata lang siya. But never mind, its look likes ganoon lang siguro sila or naiilang din. But not her friend, gan'yan naman palagi si Kylie kay Ginno every time na makikita ito ng kaibigan sa screen. Hindi lang siya makapaniwala ngayon dahil kahit si Vince ay parehas din ang ginawang reaksyon.

Inilapit ni Kajic ang bibig nito sa tainga ni Kylie na para bang ayaw nitong may makarinig sa kaniyang sasabihin. But the Kajic voice was so bright na kahit anong pagbulong ang gawin nito sa isang tao ay maririnig talaga. "But, my stomach was aching. It is a duty to chow plenty of foods."

They chuckled secretly. See?

Ultear head twitched, unbelievably.

Tinungo nila ang restaurant na may kalayuan sa airport. Vince's said, masasarap ang mga pagkain sa restaurant na iyon. Wala na silang ginawang pagtutol ni Ginno tungkol sa bagay na iyon dahil sang-ayon din naman si Kajic.

The atmosphere between them is still there, and it is because of Kajic's none stop talking. He tells them what he sees outside of the airplane.

Nakangiti niyang pinagmasdan ang kapaligiran na nadadaanan ng kanilang sinasakyan. Ilang taon lang siyang nawala ngunit ang laki na nang pinagbago ng lugar na ito. Those buildings here upgraded, and those empty lots also had restaurants under construction.

Habang patuloy na tinutungo ang daan ay hindi niya mapigilan ang kaniyang sarili na pagkatitigan mabuti ang ilang mga bahay na nakakakuha ng kaniyang atensyon. Maliliit lang ang mga bahay na iyon ngunit nakakakuha pa rin ng atensyon dahil sa simpleng designs nito. Those architects who designed it is really excellent and made her amazed.

So, you had a plan to stay here for good? Kylie opened their conversation and looked at her directly as she waits for her answer.

She looked at her friend as she shook her head and continues slicing Kajics bacon. Nah! We are going back to IS and stay there for good.

Aww! Kylies lips pouted "I thought hindi ka na babalik pa roon, mayroon pa naman ako naisip na business for both of us."

I am so sorry, Kylie. That was my final decision before we landed here. She looked at her with a sorry drawn on her face and looked at Ginnos smiley face. We will make a new life with Ginno for good.

For real, Mommy? The boy voiced full of life. You and my Uncle Daddy will get married as well? And Uncle Daddy will be my Daddy for real?

Ultear gently touched her sons face and replied. Not that one, baby. Mommy and Ginno need more time to know each other more.

But honestly. Six years was not enough to make Ultear fall in love with him.

But you two knew each other a long time ago. You have known what kind of food my Uncle Daddy likes and hates. And he knew when you had a time of the month, so he always bought you Band-Aids,  walang tigil nitong paliwanag.

Ultear does not know if those people around them heard what Kajics said. His voice sound like a speaker. Which no one ever heard, and her problem was already answered.

Those people who were sitting near them, looked at her with a secret smile on their faces. She does not know what to so she just smiles at them back.

Ibinaba niya ang kaniyang paningin at sinagot ang kaniyang anak sa nahihiyang boses. Her cheeks turned red. Her cheeks turned red. "Baby, we were just a friend. That is why Ginno was doing that."

"But I saw, earlier. Uncle Daddy kissed your head," pamimilit nito.

She looked at Ginno to lend her some help. But Ginno just smiled as he shakes his secretly. She made her eyes rolled.

She thought he wasn't going to help her anymore, but she was mistaken.

"Kajic, baby," saad ni Ginno nang pumagitna na ito sa usapan. We are going there! We are getting married, but first. As Ultear said, we need a lot of time to know each other. Like what I always said to you, no need to rush such things. We will go there as well, but we still need more time to make things right and perfect. So, your Uncle Daddy needs your help to woo your Mommy. Will you help me?

Kajic did not hesitate and nodded at Ginno. Nilapit pa ni Kajic ang bibig sa taenga nito at bumulong. 

"Don't worry. I knew Mommy like you too."

She laughed, in disbelief.

"So, Ultear." Vince interrupted them. "How many months will you stay here?"

"Two to three weeks, I guess," she answered. "After your wedding, we are going back immediately."

"Hindi mo ma-enjoy ang vacation na mayroon kayo sa maiksing panahon na 'yon. 

Two months are enough. You can stay in our apartment if you want." Kylie winked at her.

"My decision is final. I’m sorry again. I have a lot of things to do. Hindi ako puwedeng magtagal ng ganoon katagal. My boss gets mad at me."

"Ohh. You're freelance model, by the way," saad nito habang tumatango-tango ang ulo. Alam ni Ultear na hindi masaya ang kaibigan niya sa naging sagot niya na iyon. Dahil na rin sa palihim na ginawa nitong pag-ikot ng mga mata.

The conversation between them is getting more exciting and cheerful.

They still had a lot of things to chatted about, about nonsense things. And Kajic keeps interrupting and telling all the epic things that happened to her. Ultear does not even know if Kajic was her son because he was telling to Kylie everything about the embarrassing moments she did. While if it's Ginno, he always tells good things as always. She just looked down and pitied herself behind her hair.

She could not help but laughed when Vince is the star of their topic. Kylie told her what happened to him when he knew Kylie was pregnant. He got fainted. Ultear does not expect that part.

Fortunately, there are no customers here. They had no problem doing such uncomfortable things.

Sweetheart, stop that. It is embarrassing, Vince pleaded while his eyes were on Kylie and making his face looked pitiful. He bowed his head while his fiancé carried on. And two of them continue to laughed until their gums almost got hurt.

Nakayuko na sa kahihiyan si Vince habang si Kylie naman ay patuloy sa pagdada. While two of them continue laughing na halos sumakit na ang kanilang mga bagang.

Nasaksihan ng kaniyang mga mata ang ginawang marahan na pagsiko ni Vince kay Kylie.

Natigil siya sa pagtawa pati na rin si Kylie. Her eyebrow raised for an inexplicable reason. What happened?

Si Vince naman ay tumingala at nilingon ang entrance ng restaurant nang biglang tumunog ang palawit mula roon.

Their eyes landed at the two people who entered into the restaurant

Bumilis ang pagtibok nang puso ni Ultear, kinulang din siya sa paghinga. Her palm get wet and whole body tremble, na para bang nasa loob siya ng isang horror movie at nasa isang killing scene na. Ngayon na lang muli nakaramdam ng ganito pakiramdam si Ultear.

'Ano ang ginagawa ng lalaking iyan dito? Was this just an accident or on purpose? Hindi mapigilan na tanong ng kaniyang isipan. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya nagawang maisatinig iyon.

The guy opened the door for the woman who's with him gently, like she's the woman of his life. It's not bad if they two got married. Because of what she's thinking, her heart started to ache.

Sting! Vinces voice breaks the silence between them. He got the attention of the man who walked on the table not far away from them. Buddy!

 Kajic stopped talking to Ginno and looked at Sting who's standing not far away from them.

Ang hiyang nararamdaman ni Vince kanina lang ay naglaho sa mabilis na minuto at napalitan ito ng kasiyahan. Kasiyahan na nakita ang kaibigan sa inaasahang pagkakataon.

The man turned his sight on them. Mabilis naman ang ginawa pagkausap nito sa babaing kasama at itinuro pa ang table na tutunguhin nila.The woman just nodded and continue walking. He made his way to their table without any expressions on his face. Blank and cold like a year before.

'Hindi niya man lang ba ipapakilala sa amin ang babaing kasama niya? D*mn head! Ano ba ang kabaliwan na pinagsasabi mo?!' inis niyang saad sa sarili at kinurot pa ang braso to punished herself, secretly.

Sting stood next to her. His presence made her mood.

Mas lalo lang lumala ang mga bagay na kaniyang na-imagine at nararamdaman. Wala pa rin pinagbago ang kaniyang nararamdaman mula noon hanggang ngayon and she hates this feelings. Kahit walang ginagawa ang binata sa kaniya, nagagawa pa rin nito na pabilisin ang tibok ng kaniyang puso.

Dahan-dahan ang ginawa niyang pagtingala sa lalaking nakatayo sa gilid niya. Gusto niyang malaman kung gaano na ba kalaki ang pinagbago ng binata? How handsome he has. Kylie was always proud to mention his name on their topic and how the woman was lucky to have him. And should she say the woman with him right now was too luckily?

The face of the man she loved for a long time, hasn't changed, still handsome. His face got more matured. Sting pretty expressions are still there as well. He is taller than in the past, his body was so fit that can make the girls go crazy for him and he's also wearing a suit right now.

Don't tell me. Sting achieved all his dreams? Nanlalaki ang kaniyang mata na tinignan ito. Hindi niya na kailangan pang itanong iyan sa kaniyang sarili dahil kanina niya na alam ang maaaring sagot.

Sting stared at her for a moment and looked away. This old feeling was still here, and nothing had changed.

Should she greet him for not being bitter about what happened before? Or just shut her mouth? Yeah. She'll just shut her mouth until he leaves.

Who is she? Kylie asked then looked at me to know what's gonna be my reaction seeing him again. 

 Ang lalaking sinumpa niya sa kaibigan nang ilang taon. "Your new girlfriend?" she added.

She regretted cursing his name, and also regretted telling it to Kylie.

Nope, she is one of my clients. Stop assuming that I have one. He turned to the place where Ultear was and her son. The smile on Sting's face vanished quickly.

 Lumingon ito sa parte kung saan sila ng kaniyang anak na nakaupo. The smiled on his face vanished quickly.

Sinundan niya ang mga seryosong mata nito kung saan nakatapat. His eyes were plan at Kajic continue eating and at once took the bacon was on Ginno’s plate.

Ang plano niyang ilayo at harangan ang anak sa mga mata ni Sting ay natigil nang magsalita si Vince. He's a life saver.

By the way, buddy. Did you know her right? Ultear just went, Vince said. There is something in his voice. He smiled at her as his finger pointed beside her. And her son, Kajic.

Ultear is not stupid, and she knew what kind of smile Vince has. That smile is not going to be good.

And Ginno, you knew

Her son halted Kyles saying and added, My Mommys boyfriend and my future Daddy. Right, Uncle Daddy? Kajic looked at Ginno before giving Sting a brighter smile.

Ultear does not like to make an eye contact with her son, honestly.

No one could speak after what her son said. But thanks goodness! Her friend broke the silence.

Ultear and my handsome nephew. Can you go with me? I need to wash my hands and fix my make-up as well.

But, my Pretty Auntie. Look at me. I am still eating. Could you please take my Mommy over with you? Kajic was pleased and continue eating. Hindi na lumingon pa si Kajic sa kaniya o kahit na kay Sting. 

Huling-huli ng mga mata niya ang pagtiklop ng mga kamao ng lalaking na nasa kaniyang gilid. His mad, for what?

Galit ba ito dahil sa bumalik pa rito si Ultear? Or galit ito dahil nakita ng dalawang mga mata nito ang batang sinumpa at tinakwil ni Sting nang ilang taon na ang lumipas ay humihinga at malayang kumikilos sa harapan nito.

Tumayo siya. Hindi niya alam kung paano itatago ang galit na nararamdaman niya para kay Sting o kung kaya niya pa ba iyon na maitago.

Ultear stood up. She did not know how to hide the anger she felt for Sting or if she can even hide it.

"Come on, baby. Kylie is right. We need to wash your face," she said.

Kajic pouted and looked at her before he replied, "But, Mommy, I’m still eating."

"Look at your face. If someone sees it, they would call you are ugly. You do not like it, right?" Ultear explained, trying to calm herself.

Kajic made a sneet again. Wala na itong ibang nagawa pa kung hindi ang bumaba sa upuan at lumapit sa kaniya. Tinungo nilang tatlo ang restroom.

She felt peace on the left side of her body and breathed heavenly as the door closed completely. She gently massaged the left side of her temple and closed her eyes for a while. She doesn't know what she should react right now, in front of her son, and her friend was both looking at her.

Are you okay, Mommy? Kajic asked with a worried face. You looked pale.

Im fine, baby. Im on the jetlagged stage. She continues cleaning Kajic face.

Is that just about jetlagged? Kylie asked her with her raised brow. Or

Kylie! She looked at her with a threatening eyes.

Hindi niya na nagawa pang sundan ang sasabihin niya nang muling magsalita ang anak.

"Mommy, I want to pee!"

Ginabayan niya ito sa isang cubicle at bumalik sa tabi ni Kylie.

How was the feeling? Kylie poked. She lower her voice. She doesn't want Kajoc to hear what he was about to say.

Nothing special. She opened the faucet and washed her hands. Yeah. It was nothing!

Kylie already knew how she was feeling right now. She did not even try to ask and just opened another topic, so.

"Ano ba kasing pumasok diyan sa isip mo at sinama mo pa ang Ginno na iyon," her voice irritated. "Akala ko pa naman ayo lang ni Kajic ang uuwi. Don't tell me, papatirahin mo rin siya sa bahay ko?"

Do you have a problem with Ginno? Kylie did not answer her but rolled her eyes. That is the right time to asked this question. I see. Will you let me know why it was?

He's not good for you.

"He does. Alam mo naman ang mga mabubuting bagay na ginawa niya sa akin hindi ba?" 

Ultear said, whispering and forced to speak calmly. And Ginno was the first man who accepts my son. Those guys who tried to court me back out when they realized I already have a son.

You could say that. But you did not know those people who are being nice. They are just doing it for some matters. They're trying to tricked and used you for their own will, she explained.

Her head twitched unbelievably. She does not have any idea why did Kylie say those words.

Ultear erased all the things she heard. She knew Ginno than how her best friend knows him. Six years had passed; they have been together in the US. That was enough for her to get to know him thoroughly.

"Ginno is not like that. He is a real man with ambitious and responsible. Walang tao na makakapantay sa nakikita ko sa kaniya... even Sting." She looked away.

Kylie just twitched her shoulder, in disbelief. "Okay, I will let you tell from time to time how he was the flawless perfect person in your eyes."

Ultear did not understand her best friend's reasons and why she doesn't like Ginno. If she remembered, Kylie liked Ginno than Sting for her before. Then what happened in those ive years? Why does Kylie like Sting? Did Kylie forget that the man she was favoring right now is the man who hurt Ultear?

She sighed. She just wanted to end this day and make a peaceful rest.

She will think and gather strength again to face Sting. Because of all the guts, she has accumulated over the years. She loses it in just a couple of minutes. How incredible, right?