Chapter 4

Mabigat ang ulo ko pag-gising kinaumagahan.

Nakatulugan ko na ang pag reminisce ng huling pag-uusap namin ni Zach.

Today is Sunday and I’ve decided na ipasyal si Matthew. Aside sa gusto kong makipag bonding sa anak ko, gusto ko ring malimutan niya kahit papaano ang tungkol sa Daddy niya.

“Mama, where are we going” tanong ng anak ko habang nagsusuklay ng buhok.

“Kung saan ang gusto ng baby ko. Mamasyal tayo, just tell me where you want to go, baby” I replied while continuing to comb his hair.

Ang cute, akala mo binata na kung makaayos sa sarili.

When I look at my baby, he reminds me of Zach. But not entirely. It’s just that their eyes, skin, and lips are all the same color. Their lips are both thin and symmetrical.

Hindi rin nagtagal ang pag-aayos namin. Matthew has expressed an interest in playing arcade or kiddie games. So, as an obedient Mommy, we went to the nearest mall where I knew there were a lot of games to play.

As soon as we arrive in the mall, Matthew is happily running papasok dito habang hawak ang kamay ko.

“Saan mo gusto baby” I ask him while he’s busy roaming his eyes around.

“WOF, Mama!” he exclaimed pointing at the World of Fun. We decided na pumasok sa WOF.

Unlike sa ibang mall, it is wide and maraming games din.

When we finally get inside, medyo marami-rami talaga ang naglalaro. Some are families, teenagers, and most specially kids like my Matthew.

We first try the Stop Dance. Bakit kaya stop dance ang tawag?

Anyway, while playing, I look at Matthew and I can say that his really good at dancing. He looks happy while waving his body with a punch in the air. Natawa na lang ako sa anak ko habang nagsasayaw kami.

“Mama, let’s dance pa” he exclaimed as we finished the whole song.

Grabe naman ang energy ng batang ito. Ang sakit na kaya ng balakang at binti ko, sign of aging maybe. Huwag naman ganito kaaga!

“Baby, let’s try another game. Masakit na ang balakang ni mama eh” naka pout na sabi ko rito.

“Sorry, Mama. Gusto mo wag na lang tayo mag-play?” nag-aalala na tanong nito.

This is why I adore my child. He’s really thoughtful. Saan kaya nagmana ang batang ito?

“No baby, let’s continue playing. Pero sa iba naman. This is our date so dapat mag-enjoy ang baby ko” sabi ko rito at kinurot ang pisngi niya. Ang cute talaga!

We decided to try the car racing. Paulit-ulit namin iyong sinubukan dahil palaging natatalo ang baby ko.

Ang bilis pa naman mapikon ng isang ito kapag hindi nakukuha ang gusto. Somewhat Zach, pero iyong taong iyon, mabilis paamuhin. Si Matthew kasi kailangan pa ng ilang beses na pa-cute.

Wait. And why even thinking about Zach? Nevermind.

Marami kaming sinubukang laro ni Matthew.

Pumasok din kami sa You Kingdom. I can see on his face that he really enjoyed it. I even bought him a teddy bear at talaga namang tuwang-tuwa ito. Right now, we are outside of the WOF while he is hugging the teddy bear.

“Baby, let’s eat lunch na” sabi ko rito

He just nodded and we walked into the nearest restaurant. It offers delicious Filipino food at sa labas pa lang, amoy mo na ang pagkain nila. Talaga namang matatakam ka.

As soon as we walk in, the crew directs us to a vacant table for two. I'm checking the table and our belongings, while Matthew is looking around. Napapa-iling na lang ako sa batang ito. He’s very observant. He always likes to study people’s behavior.

Gawin ko kaya itong manghuhula paglaki. Argh, what are you thinking, Camara? Gutom na talaga ako.

I ordered their best selling Filipino food and beverages.

“Baby, let’s wait for the food okay?” I said to catch his attention

“Yes, Mama” he said while finally looking at me at umayos ng upo

I am talking to Matthew asking if he enjoyed. Maya-maya pa, dumating na ang order namin at nagsimula nang kumain.

Minsan sinusubuan ko si Matthew kahit alam na niya ang proper way of eating and using the utensils. Gusto ko pa rin siyang i-baby kasi baby pa naman talaga siya!

I’m busy chewing the adobo nang mapansin kong titig na titig si Matthew sa likuran ko. His face is very serious while ngumunguya pa. Hindi ko na lang ito pinag-tuunan ng pansin at kumain na lang rin.

I thought my baby would be fine. Pero maya-maya lang, bigla itong umiyak. Gosh! I'm not sure why he cried out loud! Sobra akong nagulat at hindi kaagad nakakilos.

Who the hell caused my baby to cry?! Lagot talaga siya sa akin!

Nang makabawi mula sa pagkakagulat. Agad akong tumayo at tinabihan si Matthew.

“Baby, what’s wrong. Tell me” sabi ko habang pinupunasan ang basa niyang pisngi.

Patuloy pa rin ito sa pag-iyak at hindi tumitingin sa akin.

“Baby, look at Mama. Tell me what’s wrong” mas malumanay na saad ko rito

But he didn’t look at me. Instead, he just raised his finger and pointed it at my back.

Nilingon ko ang tinuturo niya at hindi ko alam kung ano ang unang mararamdaman.

Kakabahan ba dahil nakita niya kami ni Matthew o maiinis dahil pinaiyak niya ang baby ko. Kita sa mukha nito na natataranta dahil sa pag-iyak ni Matthew.

Not long after, lumingon din si Zach sa akin ng mapansin na nakatingin ako sa kanya at bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkagulat.

Oh baby, me too was shocked!

Kinunot ko ang kilay ko at pinakita rito na galit ako. Pero ang kaninang pagkagulat ay unti-unting napalitan ng seryosong mukha.

His face became serious habang nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin sa amin ni Matthew. I knew right then that this was the start of something bad.