INICIAR SESIÓNThe soft mellow music reached my ear the moment the car stopped. I clutched on my purse and took a deep breath."Are you okay, hon?" Hail asked beside me.Nang lingunin ko siya ay ngumiti ako at tumango."Just a little nervous, hon. First time exposing myself with the Philippine media after years," I reasoned out.But deep inside, I am making myself ready to whatever is going to happen later. I just hope that Hail won't cross path with them. Sa laki ng party venue at sa maraming bisita, hindi ako aalis sa tabi niya para maigiya siya malayo sa mga Del Rico.That's right! Pipigilan ko na magkaharap-harap kaming lahat."Eros wants to stay with your parents while Iope is with Dad," I told him.Tumango siya."I'll go out first," aniya.Pinanood ko siyang nagtungo sa pintuan ko nang makalabas at p
"I miss Ninang Leda! We can bond too, right? Before we head home to Yorkshire?" she asked, she shifted on her seat to see my face."Of course, baby."Nilingon ko si Hail na nakangiti lang habang nakatanaw sa anak namin. Naramdaman siguro ni Iope na nakatingin ang ama kaya lalong bumaling ang mukha sa kabilang banda."I'm sleepy," she reasoned out.Hail extended his arm to messed up Iope's hair. Doon niya nakuha ang atensyon nito."Don't smile at me like that, Daddy. I'm still mad at you for making Mommy cry," aniya.Hail glanced at me. I rolled my eyes at him."But Mommy already forgave Daddy. When will you?" panunukso ni Hail.My daughter looked at me."You forgave him?" she whispered.I smiled and kissed her cheek. Bumaling ito sa ama."Then will you buy
Nakasalubong ko si Hail na nakapambahay lang. Tumaas ang kilay ko."You don't have a meeting or something?" I asked him.Nakangiti siyang umiling."I miss having fun with you, hon. Let's date before fetching them," malambing niyang sambit.Umikot ang mata ko nang talikuran siya at binalingan ang anak."Eros, your promise. No more accidents, honey. You don't want Mommy to worry, right?" simpleng sambit ko.My son nodded and smiled."I'll be here in the afternoon, Mom. Iope and Grannies will be here, right?"Tumango ako."Yes, baby. Tell Ninang Leda to update me about you, okay?"He smiled and went back from watching. Sinundan ako ni Hail hanggang sa kusina. Naabutan pa namin doon si Krystal."Good morning, Ma'am, Sir," bati nito."Good
"Del Ricos?" kunwaring natatawang sambit ko at inilapit sa akin ang straw ng juice."They're invited? Did my husband say that?"Umiling ang organizer."Itinawag lang po ng kapatid niya. Si Miss Hanna Willbourne. Your husband said sent an invitation to whoever you, his parents and his sister wanted to invite."Sumandal ako sa upuan ko. God! Hanna. I know she doesn't have any idea about my past but goodness! Is she planning to give her brother a fright? Hindi gusto ni Hail ang mga Del Rico. Base pa sa naging interaksyon niya kay Tyron noong isang lingo.What more is, humanap siya ng hospital na walang Del Rico na doctor na naka-assign sa bawat appointment ng check up noon ni Eros. Kaya naman...I laughed awkwardly."Can you not send the invitation to them?"The woman blinked repeatedly before awkwardly smiling.&
Sa kalagitnaan ng pag-drive, tumunog ang cellphone ko. I saw that it's Leda. Sinagot ko iyon at in-loud speaker."Leds," I called her."Where are you? I'm free today. Can I visit the Greek god?" she asked on the other line.Eros leaned in to me."Can I talk to her, Mommy?" bulong niya.Tumango ako."Ninang! We have a friendly competition tomorrow. Can you come with me?"Mabilis ko siyang nilingon. Hindi ko alam iyon. Ngayon pa lang siya makalalabas sa bahay matapos ang pagpapagaling niya tapos ngayon..."What do you mean, Eros?" I asked, alarmed.Ngumuso siya at ipinikit-pikit ang mata na tila nagpapa-cute."Mommy, I talked to Leynard yesterday. He said someone would be there and would love to watch me.He said he's a well-known racer, too. I wanted to show off," ani Eros
Napapagod na tinignan ko siya. I licked my lips and gave him a question."Tell me, Hail. Tell me the truth. What have you been doing here? And care to tell me why you're in that hospital when you're not even aware that Eros was there?"Doon siya parang natigilan. Na parang ang tanong na iyon ay 'di niya inaasahan sa kabila noong pagkakahuli ko sa kaniya. I wasn't happy to see him in that hospital and find out he's not there for Eros. Kung ganoon, sino ang pinuntahan niya roon kung hindi kami?"I want an honest answer from you, hon," mababa ang boses ko sa pagkakataong ito, paraan para mapilit siyang magsabi ng totoo at hindi makaisip na magsinungaling.I saw something on his eyes. Fear? Guilt? Sinimulan akong kabahan sa dami ng pumapasok sa isip ko."I was..." He swallowed hard before he continued with his tired voice. "I was going to visit a friend. A doctor in that hospital."







