CHAPTER 45 My Favorite Person
Seraphine's POV:
Two days after what happened tahimik lang ako sa kwarto habang nakatitig sa kisame.
Hindi ko alam kung anong oras na.
Hindi ko rin alam gaano na 'ko katagal nakahiga rito.
Naririnig ko lang mula sa labas 'yung mahihinang boses nila.
Paminsan-minsang tawanan at mga yabag.
Pero hindi ako lumabas. Honestly, wala akong energy humarap kahit kanino today.
Then maya-maya-
Tok tok.
Tahimik lang ako.
Hindi ako sumagot. Hindi rin ako gumalaw.
Narinig kong bumukas nang dahan-dahan ang pinto.
Akala ko si Emery, pero after a few seconds, lumubog 'yung kama, then may maliit na katawan na humiga sa katabi ko.
Tahimik lang siya, and she slowly wrapped her arms around me.
"I love you, Mama."
Napapikit ako sandali.
Boses ni Collie.
Tahimik kong nilingon siya.
Naka-yakap lang siya sa tagiliran ko habang nakatingala sa 'kin.
Then softly-
"Galit ka po ba sa 'kin?"
My chest tightened immediately.
"What?" mahina kong tanong.
Umiling siya agad.
"Kasi..." She looked down for a second. "You looked sad yesterday. You also avoided me po."
Napabuntong-hininga ako nang mahina bago dahan-dahang hinaplos ang buhok niya.
"I'm not mad at you."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Tahimik ulit kami sandali.
Then Collie scooted a little closer.
"I just miss Daddy."
Mas lalong sumikip dibdib ko roon.
Not because masakit marinig, but because halatang guilty siya habang sinasabi 'yon.
Parang natatakot siyang masaktan ako.
"I know, and it's okay," Mahina kong sagot.
Tahimik siyang nakatingin sa 'kin bago kumunot noo.
"Then why are you sad?"
Napatawa ako nang mahina.
Diretso talaga magtanong ang batang 'to.
"I'm not sad because you miss him," Sabi ko softly. "Nagulat lang siguro ako."
Collie stayed quiet for a few seconds.
Then dahan-dahan siyang umangat para mas makaharap ako.
"Mama?"
"Hm?"
"You're still my favorite person."
Napakurap ako.
"Even if Daddy is here na?"
Tumango siya agad.
"Yes," Sagot niya.
"Paano si Callie?" Tanong ko.
"She likes you too. so, you being my favorite won't be a problem. Also, she loves you more than oxygen," Mahaba niyang sabi.
Natawa ako nang mahina habang umiiling.
"Sinabi niya 'yan?" Kunot-noo kong tanong.
"Hindi po. Obvious lang."
Napailing ako habang natatawa.
Then Collie suddenly hugged me tighter.
"I missed Daddy," Bulong niya. "Pero ikaw pa rin po ang home ko."
And that-
That almost broke me.
Ramdam kong biglang uminit ang mga mata ko, kaya mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin.
Pero parang naramdaman niya agad.
"Mama..." She whispered softly. "Are you crying?"
"No."
"You sound emotional."
"Arte mo," Sabi ko.
"Mana po sa inyo."
Natawa ulit ako nang mahina, then after a few more seconds of silence-
"Daddy invited us for lunch today po," Sabi niya carefully.
Napahinto ako.
"Lahat tayo?"
Tumango siya.
"With Emery too."
"Mommy," Automatic kong correction.
"Same thing po."
Hindi ko napigilang matawa.
Then Collie looked at me carefully.
"You don't have to come if you don't want to po. It's okay."
That made me look at her again.
"Why would you say that?"
"Kasi ayoko po na isipin mo na pinapalitan ka po namin every time we're with Daddy."
My heart physically hurt hearing that from a child.
Agad kong hinawakan ang mukha niya.
"Hey," Mahina kong sabi habang naka pout. "Listen to me."
Tahimik lang siyang nakatingin.
"You never made me feel replaceable, okay?"
"But-"
"No buts."
She pouted slightly.
"You and Callie are my babies. Nothing will ever change that, kahit pa anong mangyari sa 'min ng mommy niyo."
Tahimik siyang nakatitig sa 'kin. Then slowly-
"Okay po."
I smiled softly before brushing her hair away from her face.
"Tsaka isa pa," Dagdag ko, "Kahit anong mangyari, ako pa rin favorite person mo, 'di ba?"
Natawa siya agad.
"Confident."
"Aba, dapat lang. Gusto ko nga ipa-billboard kasi ikaw mismo nagsabi."
Then bigla siyang napa-gasp dramatically.
"OWGAG."
"What?"
"Baka magselos si Daddy," Sabi niya sabay smirk, halatang nang-aasar.
"Collie."
"Joke lang po."
Tahimik kaming natawa pareho.
Then after a few moments, bumangon siya mula sa kama bago inabot ang kamay niya sa 'kin.
"Come eat with us?"
Napatingin ako sa kamay niya, then slowly, hinawakan ko.
After a few more minutes, pinalabas ko muna siya para makapag-ayos.
Simple lang ang suot ko, nothing too special. Honestly, wala rin naman ako sa mood.
Pagkababa ko ng hagdan, agad napatingin si Emery sa 'kin.
Naka-upo siya sa sofa habang hawak 'yung susi ng sasakyan.
Halatang kanina pa naghihintay.
Her eyes immediately scanned my face, parang chine-check kung okay ba akong sasama.
I gave her a small smile.
A weak one.
Pero enough na para bahagyang lumambot expression niya.
"You okay?" Mahina niyang tanong.
Tumango lang ako.
"If you don't want-"
"No, I'm good," I cut her off.
"Let's go before magutom lalo si Collie."
As if on cue-
"MAMA, ANG TAGAL MO PO!" Reklamo agad ni Collie mula sa pinto habang hawak ang kamay ni Callie.
"Noisy," Muttered ni Callie habang umiinom ng chocolate milk na hawak niya.
Then eventually-
Umalis na rin kami.
The entire drive was quiet.
Well...
Tahimik sa side naming matatanda.
Kasi sa likod, si Collie kung ano-anong kwento kay Robert through video call, habang si Callie paminsan-minsang nagco-correct ng grammar niya.
By the time makarating kami sa restaurant nandoon na si Robert.
Nakatayo siya malapit sa entrance.
And somehow...
The twins immediately brightened up paglabas pa lang namin ng sasakyan.
"Daddy!"
Collie ran first.
Callie followed behind her, calmer as always.
Napahinto ako sandali habang pinapanood sila.
Robert immediately crouched down para salubungin sila.
Natural.
Comfortable.
Like he belonged there.
Like he should've always been there.
My chest tightened quietly. I don't know, pero nung dumating siya, lagi na lang ako nakakaramdam ng 'di maipaliwanag na sakit.
"Glad you came," Lingon niya sa 'kin sabay ngiti. Nakita ko naman na naghihintay ang mga bata sa reaction ko, kaya nginitian ko na lang rin siya.
Pagpasok namin, napansin ko agad na may isang table sa gilid na may apat na bouquet of flowers.
I frowned slightly.
Paglapit namin-
Ngumiti siya nang bahagya bago isa-isang inabot 'yung flowers.
One for Emery.
One for Callie.
One for Collie.
And one for me?
"For the ladies," Sabi niya casually.
"Wow," Sabi agad ni Collie habang inaamoy 'yung flowers. "Thank you po, Daddy."
"Thank you," Callie said politely.
Emery accepted hers quietly, habang ako naman ay bahagyang nagulat.
"Thank you," Mahina kong sabi.
Robert just nodded.
Tahimik kaming umupo sa table pagkatapos no'n, and at first, okay naman.
Actually.
More than okay.
Collie kept talking nonstop. Si Robert, nakikinig talaga-hindi pilit, hindi awkward.
Every time may sinasabi 'yung kambal, his entire attention immediately shifted toward them.
Callie was quieter, pero halatang comfortable rin siya.
Paminsan-minsan, napapangiti siya habang kinakausap siya ni Robert.
And somehow...
That made something painful move inside my chest.
Not because may mali, kundi dahil sobrang tama tignan.
Emery noticed it too.
Ramdam ko.
Kasi ilang beses kong nahuli na pasimpleng tumitingin siya sa 'kin.
As if she's worried I might break.
Then habang kumakain kami, Robert finally spoke again.
Carefully.
"Can I spend time with the kids sometimes?"
Tahimik agad 'yung table.
Napahinto si Collie sa pagkain.
Even Callie slowly looked up.
Then Robert looked at Emery first.
Not me.
Because legally, siya pa rin 'yung may say.
Emery immediately glanced at me. Ramdam ko 'yung hesitation niya. The guilt.
Pero umiwas lang ako ng tingin. Hindi ko alam ano dapat kong sabihin. Then suddenly-
"Please, Mommy?"
Napatingin ako kay Collie.
Naka-tingin siya sa 'min ngayon.
"Mama."
She looked at me. Not at Emery.
At that moment, parang may kung anong sumikip sa dibdib ko.
She looked hopeful. Careful.
As if natatakot siyang tumanggi ako.
Tahimik ang buong table.
Then softly, Emery answered.
"Yes."
Agad lumiwanag ang mukha ni Collie.
"Really?!"
Tumango si Emery.
"As long as you guys know your limitations."
Robert visibly relaxed after hearing that.
"Thank you."
Then slowly, napatingin siya sa 'kin.
Parang may gusto siyang sabihin pero bago pa siya makapagsalita-
"Robert?"
Lahat napalingon.
A woman was walking near our table.
Beautiful, elegant long brown hair.
Designer clothes. And the moment she saw Robert-
"Brother," She said with a smile before briefly hugging him.
Then her eyes landed on the twins.
"Oh my God..."
Collie immediately smiled.
"Tita!"
The woman softened slightly before kneeling near them.
"You two got so big."
Then eventually-
Napatingin siya sa 'min.
Her eyes landed on Emery first.
Then me.
And somehow...
The warmth in her expression changed.
"Hi," She greeted politely.
"Hi," Sabi ko sabay ngiti na lang rin.
Then she looked back at Robert.
"So..." She smiled slightly. "It feels good being with the kids, right?"
Robert nodded.
"Yes."
Her eyes moved toward me again.
"And you are?"
Something about the way she asked made me uncomfortable immediately.
Parang polite pero hindi warm.
I swallowed quietly.
Before I could answer Emery spoke first.
"She's Amor, my beloved," Sabi niya. Unlike nung nakaraan, now she said it loud and clear.
The woman nodded slowly.
"Ah."
Then she looked at the twins again.
"So she lives with you?"
"Yes, with us," Emery corrected calmly.
The woman smiled politely.
"Right."
Then her eyes returned to me.
"And how long exactly have you been taking care of them?"
Napahawak ako sa braso ko.
Hindi ko alam bakit, pero parang iniipit ako ng tanong niya.
Like she was trying to understand my place.
My role.
My right to be here.
"Almost a year," Mahina kong sagot.
"Really?" She said softly.
Then casually-
"That must've been difficult considering... they're Robert's children."
Narinig ko agad paghinga ni Emery sa tabi ko.
"Excuse me," Malamig niyang sabi.
But the woman continued smiling politely.
"I didn't mean anything bad," She said smoothly. "I'm just surprised. I mean... it's unusual."
I looked down quietly.
Suddenly, parang hindi na ako makahinga nang maayos.
Outsider.
That's exactly what I felt. Like I was sitting in a place that was never meant for me.
Then Emery suddenly moved slightly closer beside me.
She was being protective.
"She raised them well," Emery said firmly. "That's not unusual. The kids love her."
The woman blinked once.
Finally Robert spoke.
"Sis," Mahina pero seryoso niyang sabi, "The kids are here. Also, I think Amor is doing a great job," Sabi niya sabay ngiti.
Hindi ko alam kung nang-aasar siya or ano, pero isa lang masasabi ko-medyo ayaw ko 'yung tono ng boses niya habang sinasabi 'yon.
Then the woman slowly looked at him.
Something unreadable crossed her face before she smiled again.
"Right," She said softly. "Sorry."
Pero kahit nag-sorry siya-
Hindi nawala 'yung bigat.
Hindi nawala 'yung pag-iisip ko.
Hindi nawala 'yung discomfort.
Kasi habang tumatagal mas lalo kong napapansin kung gaano ka-natural tingnan si Robert kasama 'yung kambal.
The way Collie leaned toward him habang nagkukwento.
The way Callie quietly listened kapag kinakausap siya nito.
The way they smiled at him.
Like they missed him.
Actually, they really did.
Tahimik lang akong nakaupo habang pinapanood sila.
Then slowly that small insecurity from last time began growing again.
Little by little.
Quietly and painfully.
Robert cleared his throat softly after a few more minutes of awkward conversation.
Then he looked at the twins.
"Do you two wanna check the children's room first?" He asked gently. "They have games there."
Agad namang lumiwanag ang mukha ni Collie.
"THERE'S A CHILDREN'S ROOM?!"
Callie blinked once.
"That sounds great for Collie," Sabi niya bago tumingin sa 'kin. Ngumiti naman agad ako.
A small smile appeared on Robert's face.
"I already asked someone to guide you."
Then a restaurant staff approached them politely.
"Come on," Collie immediately said habang hinihila si Callie.
Callie sighed dramatically.
"If I disappear, tell the police I was kidnapped by a kid that looks exactly like me but has the mindset of a 50-year-old woman."
"Arte," Muttered Collie.
Tahimik ko silang pinanood habang papalayo.
Then suddenly, the table became too quiet.
Again.
Robert's sister slowly crossed her arms before looking at me.
"So..." She started casually. "What do you do for a living?"
Napatingin ako sa kanya.
"I currently help manage-"
"She's starting a business," Emery suddenly cut in calmly.
Bahagya akong napatingin sa kanya.
The woman raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
Robert looked genuinely interested.
"What kind of business?"
"Coffee shop," Mahinahon kong sagot.
And immediately-
"That actually sounds nice," Robert said softly. "Amor looks good at handling people."
Tahimik ako.
Hindi ko alam bakit, pero nagulat ako roon.
Because he sounded sincere.
Not forced.
Not fake.
Just honest.
Then, for some reason naalala ko 'yung flowers earlier. The way he acted calm and respectful. And suddenly, napaisip ako.
Was he truly this kind? Or was he just pretending to be?
Kaya ba siya minahal ni Emery?
"Interesting," Robert's sister suddenly said, pulling me back from my thoughts.
Then she smiled politely.
"But business is difficult."
Tumango lang ako.
"Especially for people without experience," Dagdag niya casually habang iniinom 'yung wine niya.
Tahimik lang ako.
Narinig kong bahagyang gumalaw si Emery sa tabi ko.
"She'll do fine," Malamig niyang sabi.
The woman smiled again.
"Yeah, right."
Pero halatang hindi siya naniniwala.
Then she tilted her head slightly toward me.
"So before this... what exactly were you doing?"
The way she kept asking made me feel smaller and smaller.
Parang bawat sagot ko, may mali.
Parang kailangan kong patunayan na deserve kong umupo rito.
"That's enough," Emery suddenly said firmly.
The woman blinked once.
"I'm only trying to know her."
"By interrogating her?" Emery asked coldly.
Robert immediately sighed softly.
"Sis..."
But she continued anyway.
"I'm just confused," She said calmly. "The twins suddenly became attached to someone else so quickly."
That hurt more than I expected.
Someone else.
Not their mother.
Not family.
Just someone else.
Tahimik akong napayuko.
"They're attached because she loves them. She was there when they needed someone," Emery said again, this time sharper.
The woman looked at her.
"And now Robert is back."
Silence.
Then she looked directly at me.
"That must be hard for you."
Hindi ko alam bakit, pero parang may hidden meaning lahat ng sinasabi niya.
Parang gusto niyang ipaalala sa 'kin kung sino lang ako rito.
Temporary.
Replaceable.
Outsider.
Tumayo ako dahil, sa totoo lang, hindi ko na kinakaya ang nararamdaman ko.
"I need to go to the restroom."
But before I could even leave-
"MOMMY!"
Lahat napalingon agad.
Collie.
She was crying hard.
Takbo siya agad papunta sa table habang hikbi nang hikbi.
"Collie?!" Robert immediately stood up.
Agad niya itong binuhat.
"What happened?" Gulat niyang tanong. "Who made you cry?"
Pero lalo lang umiyak si Collie.
Robert looked completely lost. Hindi niya alam paano siya papakalmahin.
He kept trying.
"Hey, hey... tell me what happened."
But Collie just kept crying harder.
Then instinctively, lumapit agad ako.
"Collie."
The moment marinig niya ang boses ko, agad siyang lumingon.
Then she reached for me immediately.
"Mama..."
Robert froze slightly bago dahan-dahan siyang lumapit para iabot siya sa 'kin.
The moment makandong ko si Collie unti-unting humina ang iyak niya.
Hinaplos ko agad ang buhok niya habang marahan siyang niyayakap.
"It's okay," Mahina kong sabi. "I'm here."
Humihikbi pa rin siya habang nakabaon ang mukha niya sa leeg ko.
"Mama... uwi na po tayo, please."
My chest tightened immediately. Napatingin ako saglit kina Emery at Robert.
Robert still looked worried.
Confused.
Guilty.
Emery looked tense beside me.
"Okay," Mahina kong sagot kay Collie habang hinahaplos ang likod niya.
Callie arrived a few seconds later, tahimik lang pero halatang nag-aalala.
"What happened?" Mahina kong tanong sa kanya.
Callie glanced briefly toward the children's room.
"Another kid pushed her accidentally," She explained softly. "Then she cried because she got overwhelmed."
Tahimik akong tumango.
Then slowly, kinuha ni Emery 'yung bag namin.
"I think we should go," Malamig pero kalmado niyang sabi.
Robert immediately looked at the twins.
"I'm sorry-"
"It's not your fault," Putol ni Emery.
Pero ramdam ko pa rin ang guilt niya.
Tahimik naming iniwan 'yung restaurant.
No one stopped us.
No one tried to argue anymore.
The ride home was quiet.
Too quiet.
Naka-upo lang si Collie katabi ko habang yakap-yakap ako buong biyahe.
Si Callie, tahimik lang din sa kabilang side.
And sa harap, tahimik lang si Emery habang nagda-drive.
No music.
No conversations.
Just silence.
Pero habang nakatingin ako sa labas ng bintana, hindi mawala sa isip ko 'yung isang bagay.
The way Collie reached for me.
The way she calmed down immediately in my arms.
And yet somehow...
Hindi pa rin nawawala 'yung takot.
Because earlier. I saw how natural Robert looked with them. And for the first time...
Natatakot ako na balang araw, baka hindi na nila ako kailanganin pa.
Pagkauwi namin tahimik lang akong bumaba ng sasakyan habang buhat si Collie.
Nakatulog siya sa biyahe kakaiyak.
Mahigpit pa rin ang yakap niya sa leeg ko kahit tulog na.
Tahimik ding sumunod si Callie, habang si Emery naman ay naiwan muna sa sala, probably giving us space.
Pagpasok ko sa kwarto, dahan-dahan kong inihiga si Collie sa kama.
Bahagya siyang gumalaw bago mas lalong yumakap sa unan.
Napangiti ako habang inaayos ang buhok niya.
Then softly-
"Sleep well, baby."
Tahimik kong pinatay 'yung ilaw bago lumabas ulit.
Hindi ako bumalik sa sala. Instead, dumiretso ako sa garden.
Malamig 'yung hangin.
Tahimik.
Only the sound of leaves moving softly dahil sa hangin ang naririnig ko. Umupo ako sa maliit na table malapit sa halaman habang tahimik na nakatitig
sa fountain.
Pagod na pagod na ang utak ko.
Emotionally.
Mentally.
Everything just felt heavy.
Then after a few minutes may narinig akong footsteps.
Napalingon ako.
Si Callie.
Kasama niya 'yung isa sa mga nanny namin na may hawak na tray.
Paglapit nila, dahan-dahang inilapag nung nanny 'yung coffee sa mesa.
"Thank you po," Sabi agad ni Callie.
Tumango lang 'yung nanny bago tahimik na umalis.
Then Callie sat beside me.
Tahimik lang muna siya habang inaayos ang sleeves niya.
"I made this for you, Mama."
Napatingin ako sa coffee. Medyo hindi pantay 'yung foam, halatang first attempt.
And somehow...
That made my heart happy.
"You made this?" Tanong ko habang nakangiti nang bahagya.
Tumango siya agad.
"Supervised," Dagdag niya. "Kasi apparently, delikado daw ako near hot water."
Natawa ako nang mahina.
"That's probably true."
"That's offensive, Mama."
Napailing ako habang inaabot 'yung coffee.
Mainit pa.
Then after taking one small sip, napangiti ako.
"It's good."
Her eyes immediately brightened a little.
"Really?"
"Promise," Sabi ko.
Tahimik siyang ngumiti bago sumandal sa upuan.
Then after a few seconds-
"Mama?"
"Hm?"
"Are you still sad?"
The question caught me off guard.
Napatingin ako sa kanya.
Tahimik lang siyang nakatingin sa fountain habang hinihila-hila niya ang sleeves niya. Tinulungan ko naman siya kasi kanina pa niya hindi maayos.
Then softly-
"Collie cried because she thought you were sad earlier."
My chest tightened immediately.
"She told you that? Pero diba may tumulak sa kanya?"
Tumango si Callie.
"She thought maybe... you don't like Daddy being around po."
Tahimik ako sandali bago napabuntong-hininga.
"It's complicated."
Callie looked at me calmly.
"You know po, Mama..." Mahina niyang sabi, "I like having Daddy around."
Masakit pa rin marinig, pero this time hindi na gano'n kabigat.
"Okay lang," Sagot ko softly.
"But..." She continued, finally looking at me, "That doesn't mean we don't love you anymore."
Napakurap ako.
Then she frowned slightly.
"Why do adults always think love gets smaller when another person comes po?"
Tahimik ako.
Honestly...
Hindi ko rin alam ang sagot.
Callie leaned slightly closer.
"You're still our Mama, and I love you more than oxygen."
Natawa naman ako si totoo nga.
"You're also the person Collie looks for when she cries."
Mas napatawa ako nang mahina kahit naiiyak na 'ko.
"Observation ba 'yan?"
"Yes."
"Ang talino mo talaga."
"I know po."
Tahimik ulit kami sandali.
Then Callie suddenly looked serious.
"I went upstairs po, and you know what Collie said before sleeping again po?"
Napatingin ako sa kanya.
"What?"
"She said..." Callie paused for a few seconds. "'Even if Daddy came back, Mama still feels safest.'"
Something inside me cracked quietly.
Napayuko ako agad dahil biglang uminit ang mata ko.
Then after a few secondshumawak siya sa braso ko, Awkwardly. As if hindi siya sanay mang-comfort.
"Mama?"
Huminga ako nang mabagal bago ngumiti nang maliit.
"I'm okay."
"You're crying again po."
Natawa ako.
"Grabe ka."
"It's true po. Oh, look."
Then she slowly leaned her head against my shoulder.
Tahimik lang kami roon.
No more heavy conversations.
No more overthinking.
Just the cold afternoon air.
Warm coffee na unti-unti nang lumalamig and Callie quietly staying beside me as if reminding me without words na kahit ano pang magbago...
Nanay pa rin nila ako.
After a few more minutes ng tahimik na pag-uusap namin may narinig kaming footsteps mula sa likod.
Agad kaming napalingon at pagkatingin namin si Emery.
Tahimik siyang naglakad papunta sa 'min habang hawak pa rin 'yung coat niya.
Paglapit niya sa 'min, bahagya muna siyang tumingin sa 'kin.
As if checking if I was okay.
Then her gaze softened nang makitang kalmado na ako.
"Hindi pa kayo nagbihis?" Mahina niyang tanong.
"Collie is unconscious already po," Sagot agad ni Callie. "She cried dramatically then slept."
"Hoy," Natatawa kong sabi.
Umupo si Emery sa kabilang side ko bago tahimik na sumandal nang bahagya.
Then napansin niya 'yung coffee.
"You made that?"
Callie nodded proudly.
"Yes po."
Emery raised an eyebrow after taking one look at it.
"Safe ba 'yan?"
"Wow mommy ahh," Offended na sabi ni Callie.
Natawa ako agad habang si Emery naman ay bahagyang napangiti.
"Joke lang."
"Emotional damage," Biro ko.
Tahimik kaming natawa.
Then after a few moments, biglang nagsalita si Emery habang naka-cross arms.
"By the way..."
Napatingin kami sa kanya.
"Collie told me something interesting earlier."
Callie immediately narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Why do I suddenly feel unsafe po?"
Napangiti si Emery.
"She said may crush ka raw sa school."
Dead silence.
Then slowly, namula si Callie.
"WHAT?"
Ako naman, agad napalingon sa kanya.
"OWGAG, TOTOO BA?"
"Mama, don't react like that," Mabilis niyang sabi habang halatang nagpa-panic na.
"May crush na si Callie ko?" Natatawa kong tanong.
"She's lying."
"She specifically said," Emery continued casually, "'Callie smiles differently when that person talks to her.'"
"COLLIE IS A TRAITOR."
Natawa na kami pareho ni Emery.
"Wait, wait, wait," Sabi ko habang natatawa. "Who is it?"
"No one."
"Boy ba?" Tanong agad ni Emery.
"Girl?" Dagdag ko.
"Human?" Seryosong tanong ni Emery.
"OWGAG."
Natawa ako nang malakas habang si Callie naman ay literal nang pulang-pula.
"I suddenly understand why Collie cries emotionally," Reklamo niya.
Then Emery leaned slightly closer.
"So anong name?"
"There is no name po, Mommy."
"Section?"
"No section po."
"Height?"
"Mama, please control your girlfriend," Baling na sabi niya sa 'kin.
Napatawa ako lalo habang si Emery naman ay halatang natutuwa.
"She's panicking," Bulong niya sa 'kin na parang proud pa.
"I can hear you."
Then I suddenly gasped dramatically.
"Wait..."
Callie immediately pointed at me.
"Don't, Mama."
"Siya ba 'yung reason bakit extra ayos buhok mo lately?"
"MAMA."
"OH MY GOD, THAT'S TRUE!"
"HINDI NGA PO, NGANI!"
Even Emery was laughing hard now.
Which honestly felt nice after everything earlier. Then Emery suddenly asked calmly-
"So kailan mo ipapakilala?"
Callie stared at both of us in disbelief.
"I am being bullied inside my own house by my parents."
"Not bullied," Sabi ko habang natatawa. "Supported."
"That's worse."
Then after a few more seconds ng pang-aasar, Callie suddenly covered her face gamit 'yung unan sa garden chair.
"I miss peace."
"Too late," Sabi ni Emery.
"Yeah right, you gave birth to Collie," Sabi ni Callie.
"HEY!" Sigaw ni Collie mula sa taas.
Napatingin naman ako sa kwarto niya dahil kitang-kita siya mula rito.
Tahimik kami for one second.
Then sabay-sabay kaming natawa, even Callie.
At habang pinapanood ko silang dalawa
Si Emery na relaxed na ulit.
Si Callie na namumula habang inaasar namin.
For the first time simula bumalik si Robert parang hindi na gano'n kabigat sa dibdib ko.
Because no matter what changes around us-
This still felt like home.
We stayed in the garden a little longer.
Hangin lang at mahihinang tawa ang umiikot sa paligid.
Si Callie, naka-cross arms na ngayon, nakasimangot pa rin pero halatang hindi talaga galit more on defeated lang.
"Hindi na po talaga ako sasabay sa inyo tumambay," She muttered.
"Bakit?" Kunwaring inosenteng tanong ko.
"Because you two are dangerous together po."
Emery raised an eyebrow.
"Two?"
"Okay, fine." Callie pointed between us. "The three of you. Including Collie."
Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko, kunwaring nasaktan.
"Grabe ka."
"Truth hurts," Dagdag ni Emery habang umiinom ng coffee ko.
Callie looked at her.
"You're enjoying this, Mommy."
"Maybe."
"Traitor ka po."
Tahimik lang kaming natawa ulit.
Then after a few seconds, Emery suddenly leaned back on the chair, looking at Callie with interest.
"So..."
Callie immediately tensed.
"Don't start again mommy."
"When are we meeting this crush of yours?"
"NEVER."
"Too late," Sabi ko agad, nakangiti.
Callie looked at me in disbelief.
"Mama!"
"Sorry," Sabi ko pero hindi ko maitago 'yung ngiti.
Emery nodded slowly.
"I think we should observe first."
"OBSERVE?!" Callie repeated.
"Like a background check," Dagdag pa ni Emery, very serious.
Napahagalpak na ako ng tawa.
"Emery naman!"
"What? Safety first."
Callie covered her face again.
"I regret being born into this household."
"Liar," Sabay naming sagot ni Emery.
That made her peek between her fingers.
"...Maybe a little bit."
Then suddenly may narinig kaming mahihinang yabag mula sa loob ng bahay.
Sumilip ulit si Collie sa bintana, half-awake pa, buhok niya magulo.
"Why are you all laughing without me?" Reklamo niya.
"Because you're a traitor," Callie immediately answered.
Collie blinked.
"I don't understand, but I feel attacked."
Then she noticed Callie's face.
"OHHHH YOU'RE BLUSHING AGAIN!"
"GO BACK TO SLEEP!"
Nagising ulit ang energy ni Collie at bigla siyang nawala.
A few seconds later
Collie arrived in the garden fully awake, she pointing at Callie like she was solving a mystery.
"WHO IS IT? YOUR CRUSH?"
"STOP SPREADING MISINFORMATION!" Sigaw ni Callie.
Emery looked at me, amused.
"She's going to make this worse."
"She always does," Sagot ko habang natatawa.
"I knew it. I felt it in my bones. Crush mo talaga siya. My gossip is right."
"You don't have bones of intuition," Callie shot back.
"I do."
"No."
"Yes."
"NO."
"YES."
Emery suddenly raised a hand.
"Name?"
"NO."
"Grade?"
"NO."
"Section?"
"NO."
"Height?"
"WHY DOES HEIGHT MATTER PO?!"
Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko kakatawa.
"Emery, tama na," Sabi ko.
"I'm gathering data," She replied calmly.
"Stop collecting data on my emotional suffering, Mommy!" Callie snapped.
That made all of us laugh harder.
Even Callie eventually napangiti rin habang umiiling.
Then after a while dahan-dahang humina 'yung tawanan.
Si Collie, sumandal sa balikat ko habang nak kandong sakin, inaantok na ulit.
Si Callie, nakaupo sa tabi namin.
Si Emery, tahimik lang, nakatingin sa 'min.
Then Emery spoke again.
"Good to see you smile," She said.
Napatingin ako sa kanya.
Then I gave a small smile.
"Medyo okay na."
She nodded.
"Good."
For once, hindi na umiikot 'yung isip ko sa mga what if.
Kasi kahit anong gulo ang dumaan sa araw na 'to...
Nandito pa rin sila.
And somehow...
That was enough for me.