I am currently on my desk checking the papers of the students while they are playing on their chairs. They were chitchatting about their toys I guess. Funny how they could have each other's interest. Napapansin ko na rin si Jeth na nagpaparticipate sa klase. Iyon nga lang ay hindi pa rin siya nakikipagkaibigan sa mga kaklase niya.

It's been awhile after the party. Ngunit hindi ko pa rin malimutan ang mga nangyari. I never thought that something like that would happen. It made me bring back the memories from the past that I'm dying to forget.

I sighed when memories were starting to ran up into my mind. I shook my head, erasing it.

Agad kong ibinalik ang atensyon sa mga papel na nasa harapan ko. Muli kong ipinagpatuloy ang pagche-check sa mga papel ng mga bata.

The bell rang thrice. Sign for the kids to have their snacks.

"You may take your snacks, kids. Make sure to be back here before 10, 'kay?" I said and the kids nodded.

Nakita kong lumingon sa akin si Jethro. Nginitian ko siya at tinanguan.

"Sige na. Bumili ka na doon," saad ko.

He smiled and zoom out the classroom. Napangiti ako at umiling na lamang. Muli kong ipinagpatuloy ang pagche-check.

Patapos na ako nang biglang pumasok si Jethro. He's holding two burgers and two milkteas. He walked emotionlessly inside the room. Now I wonder kung mauubos niya iyan. But anyway, mahalaga busog siya.

I smiled at him when he approached me. He smiled back, showing his cute dimples.

Have I told anyone before that he has dimples on both cheek?

"Oh hey. Buti nakabili ka kaagad ng snacks. Are you hungry? Hindi ka ba kumain ng maayos kaninang umaga?" I asked at him.

"Kumain naman po ako ng marami. Bakit?" tanong niya pabalik.

"Ang laki-laki kasi ng binili mong burgers," I chuckled. "Kaya mo bang ubusin 'yan? Kung hindi ilagay mo na lang muna dito sa desk ko para kung magugutom ka mamaya may makain ka ulit."

"Para po sa inyo 'tong isang burger tsaka isang milktea, Ma. Nakita ko po kasing ang rami ng chinecheck mo kaya binilhan na kita ng snack. Baka nagugutom ka na po, eh," saad niya saka may munting ngiti.

He has a shy smile. My heart swelled with happiness. Aww, so adorable.

Ngumiti ako ng malawak. "How so thoughtful of you. Should I give you a kiss for that?" I joked. "Oh, ba't ka namumula? Marunong ka nang kiligin pala, ha," I teased him.

He laughed shyly and run-walked towards me. He hurriedly placed the snacks he bought on my desk. And he hugged me on my nape placing his face on my neck. I laughed hard. I poked him.

"Kinikilig ka? Should I give you a kiss for that? Or should Precy give you a kiss instead? You choose," I teased him.

He laughed on my neck and shook his head as he hid his face more.

I laughed and caressed his back. This kid just never stop making my heart swell. Such a sweet little guy.

I was starting to get used to this sweet side of him. Lalo na't nakilala ko siya bilang isang pilosopong bata na may blankong ekspresyon sa mukha. Madalas na rin siyang humihingi ng pabor sa akin gaya ng matulog sa tabi niya. Madalas na rin siyang nagtatanong sa akin ng mga bagay-bagay ng kinalilituhan.

I could feel that he's depending on me. Nakakatuwa sa parte ko. Isang malaking blessing ang magkaroon ng anak na gaya ni Jeth. Para kang may anak na sanggol na nagbibinata. He's such a sweet boy.

Naaalala ko pa dati noong namili kami sa mall, may mga batang tingin ko'y kaedad niya lamang na hindi maalis ang tingin sa kanya. Ramdam ko ang inis ni Jeth noon and I was stopping my laughter until I get over it. I bet a million times that those girls have swelled eyes for staring too much at my Jethro.

"Ma, kumain ka po muna. Baka malipasan ka ng gutom," Jeth said still hugging my nape.

"Oo, Sir. Kakain ako ngayon. Ang kaso nakayakap ang munti mong braso sa akin kaya hindi makagalaw si Mama," I chuckled.

Dahan-dahan siyang bumitaw mula sa pagkakayap at naupo sa gilid ko kung saan mayroong maliit na upuan.

"Here. Kumain ka na rin para hindi ka gutumin mamaya. Just tell me kung nakukulangan ka okay? Para makabili ka ulit," saad ko at ibinigay sa kanya ang burger at milktea niya.

Agad naman siyang tumango sabay sabing, "Opo".

Nagsimula na rin akong kumain habang ipinagpatuloy ang pagche-check sa mga papel nila. Heart swelling by Jethro's sweetness. A very sweet boy.

I was already done checking when the bell rang thrice again. Agad kong sinimulan ang discussion. Kasalukuyan kong itinuturo sa kanila ang buhay ni Dr. Jose Rizal. There were so many questions coming from the mouths of the kids, full of curiousity. Well, kids are known for being curious.

"Si Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda o mas kilala bilang si Dr. Jose P. Rizal ay isinilang noong Hunyo 19, 1896. Kailan siya isinilang?" tanong ko sa mga bata.

"Hunyo 19, 1896!" sabay-sabay nilang sagot.

"Sino ang isinilang noong Hunyo 19, 1896?"

"Si Dr. Jose P. Rizal!"

"Okay, very good. Isinilang si Rizal sa Calamba, Laguna. Saan isinilang si Rizal?"

"Sa Calamba Laguna!"

"Ang kanyang mga magulang ay sina Ginang Teodora Alonso Realonda at Ginoong Fransico Mercado," pagpapatuloy ko hanggang sa kung anu-ano na ang mga tanong ng mga bata.

"Ma'am, maliban po doon kay Ms. Josphine Bracken, ang sabi ng tatay ko marami daw pong asawa si Rizal. Chicksboy daw 'yon, eh!" saad ni Justine.

Napatawa ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi kaya makukulong kami nito?

"Hindi totoo 'yan. Biruan lang 'yan ng mga matatanda noon," saad ko.

"Sabi rin ni Lolo, bestfriend niya raw 'yon, eh. Matinik daw 'yon sa babae," saad naman ni Carlo.

Talagang makukulong na kami nito.

Napailing na lamang ako at saka ipinagpatuloy ang lesson. This would be a tough discussion. Goodness!

---

I am currently sitting inside the conference room listening to my team discussing about the project for the cabins of the fucking Saavedra's resort. I could say that they are good at explaining it like how we wanted it to be. But, we're still hoping that other than us this fucking Saavedra would cooperate.

I stood up when it's my turn to explain about the materials we're going to use.

"For the cabin that we're planning to build, we chose a kind of material that would compliment the environment since it is located on a resort. As you noticed, most of the cabins on some other resorts used concrete materials, there are lesser wood materials used. So in our case, I prefer using woods," saad ko.

Napansin kong titig na titig sa akin ang mga tao sa loob ng conference room. Waiting for more of my discussion.

"Wood maybe only just second to stone in terms of its application in the world of constructing or building but as you can see it is a widely preferred material used for building houses. Also, it is inexpensive than usual concrete materials. Its not that I want the materials to be inexpensive but for the tourist to enjoy our culture knowing wood is quite popular here in our country."

I clicked the remote to show them the materials and kinds of wood we needed. I discussed it to them very clearly. And as soon as I'm done I looked at them.

"So, is there any questions or objection?" I asked.

They all looked at the fucking Saavedra who is now narrowing his fucking eyes. I hold my grudges not to roll an eyes at him. Malapit ko nang mapatay 'to, kung hindi ko lang mahal ang triplets.

He tapped his finger on his chin and leaned his elbow on the table. Staring intently at me.

Gago 'to, ah. Mukha namang hindi nakinig sa diniscuss ko.

"No," sa wakas ay saad niya. "When are we going to start the project?" he asked.

Akala ko ba wala siyang tanong?

"It depends on you, Sir," sagot kong nagpipigil masapak ang pangit na mukha ng gagong 'to.

He nodded.

"Okay. We'll start may be next week or two. We will buy the materials first and Engineer Laston here would be with you Architect Cruise if you needed to visit the resort," he added.

I nodded. He then stood up and adjourned the meeting. I felt glad though. At last we will be working at a huge project.

As soon as I entered the room I sighed hard. Nakahinga na rin ako ng maluwag. Binuksan ko ang tatlong butones ng suot kong polo at niluwagan ang necktie ko na ginawa kanina ng asawa ko. Hindi ako marunong magnecktie dahil hindi naman ako palaging nagsusuot nito.

Napaupo ako sa upuan ko sa opisina at ipinikit ang mga mata.

Not bad to be called as success, right?

Habang nakapikit ay hindi mapigilang isipin sina Harriet at Jethro. I don't know.

I had always been praying for my firm to be successful. Yes, we've been working tons of projects from inside and outside of La Seriah however our name isn't that known yet.

I want my firm to be successful because I want my Harriet to be proud of me. I want to show her that I am capable of working things somewhere.

I just feel like thinking about them would lessen some of my stress.

Ipapahinga ko na sana ang utak ko nang maalalang magtatanghalian na. I want to call Harriet so that we can have lunch together. Kaso natatakot akong mareject. Pero wala masama kung susubukan ko diba?

I breathed in and out as I nervously reached for my phone. I dialed Harriet's number. It rang two times before she answered it.

I cleared my throat, "Hey. I just want to ask if you're free this lunch. I-I... maybe we could—you know, have lunch... together?" Utal-utal kong sabi.

I shouldn't have stammered! Ampowta!

"Ahm... ah... ah--"

"Why the fuck are you moaning Harriet?! For goddamn's sake! Who are you with?! Sinong 'yang kasama mo?! Hayop na 'yan! Ba't ka umuungol?! Tinatanong kita?! Sumagot ka!" Napatayo ako at itinukod and kaliwang kamay sa mesa habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

I swear if who the fuck is making my wife moan I will definitely rip his throat!

"Are you cursing me, Evans?" tanong niya mula sa kabilang linya kaya napatitig ako sa cellphone ko, lalo nang maramdaman kong may banta ang buhay ko—ang tinig niya.

Muli kong ibinalik ang cellphone sa tenga ko.

"Hindi naman. Sino 'yang kasama mo? Bakit ka umuungol?" muli kong tanong.

"Gago ka ba?! Hindi ako umuungol! Hindi ko lang alam kung ano ang isasagot sa sinabi mo kaya nagkanda-utal-utal ako! And for your information! Wala akong kasama!" sigaw niya mula sa kabilang linya kaya nailayo ko ang cellphone sa tenga ko.

Remind me to not use loudspeaker again next time.

"Oh—okay, I'm sorry about that—really?! Why did you stammer?" Ngising aso ko.

I mean—damn! Nauutal siya dahil sa akin? That's so... damn—nakakakilig.

"Dahil gago ang kausap ko. Nauutal ka rin ginaya ko lang. Bakit ikaw lang marunong mautal? Kaya ko rin ’yon, ’no! Ganun ang style sa pagsasalita ko!" sigaw niya.

Napatawa ako," That's just so lame, Harriet," I chuckled.

"Oh yeah? Gusto mo bang hindi na lang kami sasama sayo sa lunch?"

"Sabi ko nga, ganun ka lang magsalita. Come'n that's so cool! Specially when you talk like that—"

Napatigil ako at napatitig sa cellphone ko nang pinatayan niya ako ng tawag.

What the fuck?! Teka, nasabi niya bang sasama siya? O hindi siya sasama? That woman! Remind me to punish her later.

Evil smirk with a killer wink.

Kidding aside. Wait, should I call her again if she would like to have lunch with me? Should I message her? Should I wait 'till she message me? Should I—nevermind, I'll message her.

Me:

So, are you coming?

She instantly replied.

Harriet:

Yes. I will bring Jeth with me.

Me:

Okay😊.

Hindi na siya nagreply. Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. Pero agad ring napangiti nang mapagtantong sasama naman pala sila. I looked at my watch, it's 11:45. Hindi naman masyadong malayo ang eskwelahan na pinagtatrabahuan ni Harriet dito sa opisina ko. Pero dahil masyado akong excited, agad kong nilinis ang opisina ko para masundo ko na sila.

Pinulot ko ang mga nakakalat sa sahig. Inarrange ko ang mga aklat sa shelf. Inarrange ko rin ang mga nakakalat sa mesa ko. Nagwalis na rin ako.

"Whoah! Bakit ka naglilinis, Evs? Nagbabagong buhay ka na?"

Napatingin ako sa pintuan nang may nagsalita roon. Napairap ako nang makita sina Sim at Nat, kapwa may nang-aasar na ngiti. Ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagwawalis.

"Dahil ba pumayag agad si Mr. Zandro, Evs?" Nang-aasar na tanong ni Nat.

I looked at her and smirked.

"Bakit, Nat? Selos ka?" Balik asar ko.

She tsked and rolled her eyes. Agad na silang pumasok.

"So, bakit nga?" tanong muli Sim.

Pakialamero!

"Wala ka na doon. Tsaka, sino ba namang hindi magiging masaya kung sa wakas ay may natanggap na tayong malaking project, diba?" saad ko saka isanauli ang hawak kong walis.

"Sigurado kang 'yan lang ang dahilan?" Nang-aasar ngunit may pagdududang tanong ni Sim.

Hinarap ko sila at kinunutan ng noo.

"Ano bang ginagawa niyo rito? Go back to work!" Singhal ko sa kanila.

They both laugh and shook their heads.

"Nevermind," saad ni Nat.

"Whatever," saad ni Sim.

Sabay silang tumalikod at kapwa nang palabas. Ngunit, sa kalagitnaan ng kanilang paglabas ay agad silang nagsalita.

"Congrats, boss," saad nilang dalawa saka tuluyang lumabas.

Napangiti ako. Kahit naman loko-loko ang dalawang iyon, mga kaibigan ko pa rin 'yon.

Napailing na lang ako. Agad na akong lumabas ng building pero nagpaalam muna ako kay Nat para kung sakaling may magtanong. Pagdating ko sa parking lot ay agad kong pinasibad ang kotse at tumungo sa paaralan.

---

As soon as the bell rang, I hurriedly arranged my things on my desk. I fixed my hair and my uniform. I did my makeup and smiled tons of time on the mirror. Napatigil ako nang matanto kung bakit ako nagpapaganda. Kinunutan ko ng noo ang repleksyon ko.

Bakit nga ba?

Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang mga iniisip ko saka nagkibit balikat. Nang makitang lahat ng mga bata maliban kay Jethro ay nakalabas na ay agad kong tinawag si Jeth.

"Tara na," saad ko saka hinawakan ang kamay niya.

Agad naman siyyang tumango. Tumungo na kami sa labas ng gate at naabutan si Evans doon, may kausap na babae. She's my co-teacher, Maureen. Guess, he still didn't change, huh. Still being so friendly. Nagkibit balikat na lamang ako.

When we finally reached near his car he's still talking to Maureen. Agad ko na lamang binuksan ang backseat at pinapasok doon si Jeth saka ako sumunod at naupo sa tabi niya. Maybe, he invited Maureen.

Agad na siyang nagpaalam kay Maureen at saka pumasok na rin sa sasakyan. Nang makaupo na siya sa driverseat ay napatingin siya sa amin ni Jethro.

"Bakit nandyan ka?" Takang tanong niya sa akin.

Kinunutan ko siya ng noo.

"Dahil inimbita mo akong mananghalian." Pilit kong hindi maging sarkastiko ang sa pagkakasagot ko.

"No, ang ibig kong sabihin ay kung bakit nariyan ka sa backseat?"

"Dahil dito ko gustong umupo. Hindi mo ba papasukin si Maureen?" sabi ko.

He looked at me with creased forehead.

"We can talk clearly if you sit her in the frontseat," sagot niya.

Bumuntong hininga ako saka lumabas ng kotse. Pumasok akong muli at naupo sa frontseat.

"That's better," saad niya.

Ipinukos ko na lamang ang tingin sa bintana at naghintay na pasibadin niya ang sasakyan. Ngunit, ilang minuto ang lumipas ay hindi niya pa rin iyon pinasibad kaya napatingin ako sa kanya at kinunutan siya ng noo. Naabutan ko siyang nakatitig sa akin at hindi ko mawari ang ipinapahiwatig ng ekpresyon niya.

"Zandro let us work for his cabin resorts. I thought he wouldn't like my designs but... he actually aknowledged it. He never asked questions and he let us decide for it. And maybe, next week we'll start working for it," sabi niya.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

"Why are you telling me this?" tanong ko.

He smiled at me.

"I don't know. You're my wife. I guess, you have the right to know. And... aside from that, I just really wanted you to know about it," he said, almost a whisper.

I blinked and sighed.

"Congratulations. I'm sure you did great there, that's why Zandro didn't hesitate on letting you decide for his cabins," I said softly and smiled at him.

The smile I never showed him for a long time. He smiled back and sighed.

"Thank you," he whispered. I answered him with a smile. He suddenly smirked making my smile fade. "Wife, I know you were jealous back there when you saw me talking to Moira, but I understand. Just don't get mad at me. I won't talk to her if you don't want to," he said softly but with a little smirk.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'm not. Nagbago na ako. And it's Maureen not Moira," saad ko saka umirap.

"Maureen pala 'yun? Moira 'yung dinig ko, eh. But anyway, saan niyo gustong kumain?" tanong niya.

"Pasibadin mo na ang sasakyan, Sir. Kanina mo pa nilalandi si Mama. Tingin mo 'di ko nakita 'yun? Bilisan mo na rin at nagugutom na ako. Landi, landi," biglang singit ni Jethro.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at naramdaman ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko. Right, Jeth is here.

Sinamaan ng tingin ni Evans si Jeth. "Tsk. Bitter ka lang, 'di ka siguro kinrushback ng crush mo," Evans scoffed and started the engine saka pinasibad ang kotse.

"Hindi naman gaya mong malandi, eh," sagot naman ni Jeth.

Napapansin kong madalas na silang magbangayan.

"Hindi ako malandi, bakit nakita mo bang hinalikan ko si Mama mo? Hindi naman diba? Nasaan ang malandi doon?" saad ni Evans.

"Hindi nga. Pero ang mukha mo sumisigaw ng kalandian," sagot ni Jeth.

"Paano mo nalaman ang kahulugan ng kalandian, ha?" saad ni Evans.

"Dahil palagi kong nakikita 'yun sayo," sagot ni Jeth.

"Aba!"

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako saka napairap. Sigurado akong hindi agad matatapos ang mga ito. Ipinikit ko na lamang muna ang mga mata. Dahil paniguradong mahaba-habang biyahe ang isang ito.

—