Nalaman ni tita Calista na may driver kami ni Chronic para lang makarating sa school, at nasa iisa lang pala kaming subdivision (ibang street lang) kaya nag-insist siya na hayaan si Raven na ipagdrive kami, na hinayaan lang namin dahil mapilit si tita.

Nakabihis na ako ng uniporme at sa bungad pa lang ng dining area namin ay naririnig ko na ang kwentuhan at tawanan nila Chronic, Daddy, at Raven.

"Good morning Dad." Niyakap ko si Daddy at hinalikan sa pisngi. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ko kay Chronic, at dahil nakaugalian ko na talaga, hinalikan ko sa pisngi si Raven. "Good morning." Bago ako tumabi sa pinsan ko.

"You know, 'Couz? Stop giving Raven a peck of a kiss in his cheeks every time  you see him or stop doing that to everyone that isn't part of our family." Kinunutan ko siya ng noo at ipinagbawalang bahala na lang ang sinasabi niya. He is talking nonsense.

Kumuha ako ng pancake at inilagay sa plato ko. "The butter and maple syrup, please."

"O-okay." Dahil nga si Raven ang pinakamalapit sa hinihingi ko ay siya ang nagbigay nito sa akin. Inilagay ko na sa pancakes ko ang Maple Syrup at ang Butter saka ako kumain.

"Ah, Daddy, I remembered. Card Day is near, please attend?" Nginitian ko siya.

"Of course, kailan ba iyon?"

"Next Friday, Dad."

"Tatawagan ko mamaya si Julia para i-cancel lahat ng gagawin ko sa araw na iyon." He gave me a warm smile. "I'll tell Angelo about it later, Chronic."

"Can't you, tito? Ikaw na lang ang um-attend rin sa akin." Ngumiti lang si Dad kay Chronic.

"Of course I can." Nag usap-usap ulit sila habang ako ay tahimik na kumakain. I can't help my mind but wander. Paano kaya kung hindi kami iniwan ni Mommy? O paano kung hindi namatay si Tita Pia? Would our fate change? I guess so...

"Hey, my little angel, what are you thinking in that mind of yours?" Nginitian ko lang si Daddy.

"It's nothing Dad." I gave him a genuine smile for the reassurance that I'm telling the truth. My Mom's nothing, she's just a piece of flesh who leaves her own flesh on its father on its own.

-

Nasa likuran ako ng sasakyan, habang ang dalawa ay nasa harapan ko. I poked Chronic's cheeks to get his attention and asked him.

"C, what if my Mommy will show up and she said she wants me back?" He shrugged.

"We both grew up without a mother's guidance, so I can't suggest anything, 'Couz." Right. "Ask Raven." I poked Raven and gave him a smile.

"So, what if my Mommy will show up and she said she wants me back? Any suggestions?" He glanced at me in the rearview mirror and gave me a genuine smile.

"I don't really want to interfere with your mother issues, but to tell you a fact? Parents also make mistakes, and if your Mom is reaching out to you, maybe she wants to make it up to you this time. Maybe she already realized what she did was wrong." I gave him a pout.

"Those are what if's and maybe's, Raven. I want a direct answer."

"But your fate is up to you, Dainty. Every simple decision you make has a different outcome. Lots of different outcomes. Wala sa kung anong sa tingin namin ang mas mabuti ang desisyon. It's all up to you, but whatever your decision may be, we'll still be here with you, right Chronic?"

"Right!"