Chapter Twenty-eight

Invitation

Aaron was watching me as I was using a breast pump on my breasts. Well, it was a little awkward. Bakit ba kasi siya nanonood. Was he curious? It's for Arabella.

"Aaron..."

"Hmm?" Napatingin siya sa mukha ko.

I sighed. "Wala ka bang ibang gagawin?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I have no work today. I'll spend the whole day with you and Arabella."

I just nodded.

"Do you need help?"

My eyes widened a fraction. "What? Uh, no need. I can manage." Mabilis ko nalang na tinapos muna ang ginagawa at tinabi ang breast pump ko.

What does he mean help me? What will he do? Suck on my breasts like the freaking pump?! Si Aaron talaga.

I don't know if he's kidding or what. Maybe he's just teasing me. But he looked serious and innocent...

Well, ako lang yata ang nag-iisip ng kung ano.

We were just inside my bedroom here in my parents house. Nasa hospital sina daddy at mommy. At nasa school si Lance. Nasa baba naman sina manang at iba pang mga kasambahay namin. Kaming tatlo lang ni Aaron at ng anak namin ang nandito sa kwarto.

"Are you hungry?" Aaron asked after a while.

Hungry? Hungry for what? Does he mean food? Of course it's food, Tristeen. Ano pa ba ang iniisip ko? Tsk.

"Or thirsty?" he added.

Thirsty... Yeah, water. Bakit ba parang iba ang naririnig ko o iba ang pagkakaintindi ko sa mga sinasabi ni Aaron? Am I crazy?

Kung iisipin kasi...ang tagal na rin pala since we last... I sighed. Nararamdaman din ba iyon ni Aaron? O naiisip.

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. Are you?" Baka siya ang nagugutom at nauuhaw...

Pero umiling din si Aaron. "I'm fine." Pagkatapos ay tumayo siya para ilagay si Bella sa crib. Nilipat muna namin ang ibang gamit ni Bella dito sa kwarto ko. Kahit connected lang din naman ang room ko sa baby room ni Bella. Nilagay nalang muna namin malapit sa kama ko ang crib niya. Para hindi rin ako mahirapan dahil mas malapit lang sa akin ang anak ko.

"She's asleep." I said.

Aaron nodded. Pagkatapos niyang ilagay sa crib si Bella ay tumayo siya ng tuwid. Bumaling siya sa akin na nakatayo na rin dahil tutulungan ko sana siya kanina sa paglalagay kay Bella sa crib. We stood in front of each other. Nagkatinginan kami ni Aaron.

"What is it...?" I asked him, nang magtagal na ang titigan namin...

Bahagyang umiling si Aaron. Pagkatapos ay nagbuntong-hininga siya. And then he shook his head. Lumapit siya sa akin. And then it was followed by his hug. He hugged me to his chest. "I miss you..." aniya.

Medyo nagulat pa ako sa inakto niya, pero napangiti nalang din. And then I hugged him back. "We've been always together, Aaron. Since we had Bella."

He nodded on the side of my head while still hugging me. "I still miss you." he said.

Does he mean... Like he miss me...the way I'm missing him, too...?

Ano ba iyan, Tristeen. Baka naman naglalambing lang ang baby daddy mo. I sighed and just hugged Aaron.

Ang bastos na yata ng mga thoughts ko lately...

Nang kumalas kami ni Aaron sa yakapan ay hinawakan ng kamay niya ang pisngi ko. 'Tapos ay muli kaming nagkatinginan. And then slowly he lowered his head to meet my lips. And I just let him kiss me... Gumanti na rin ako ng halik sa mga labi niya.

Nagtagal ang halikan namin ni Aaron. Napaatras na rin ako ng konti at sa likod ko na ang kama. Mapapaupo na ako doon nang biglang narinig namin ni Aaron ang pag-iyak ni Bella mula sa crib nito.

Our lips parted. Napagdikit nalang namin ang mga noo namin and we both chuckled. Pagkatapos ay mabilis na naming pinuntahan si Bella para patahanin.

It's just really different when you and your partner already has a child...

Balik muli sa pagtatrabaho si Aaron sa company nila ng daddy niya just after his day off from working. At sa amin na siya umuuwi. Para na nga kaming nakikitira sa bahay ng parents ko. At wala naman iyong problema kanila mommy at daddy. They're actually happy that we're here at nakakasama pa nila ang apo nila.

But I know that hindi pwedeng ganito nalang palagi...

While Aaron goes to work I do my thing at home too like taking care of myself more this time after giving birth. Dahil noong buntis ako ay medyo naging less active ako, and I also mean tinatamad ako noong buntis pa kay Bella kahit na mag-skin care at iba pang bagay. Now I'm getting back to doing workout again at home dahil hindi ko naman pwedeng iwan sa bahay si Bella at magpuntang gym. Ayos na rin kahit sa bahay lang. I used to do this before.

Like what I told Aaron I wanted to prepare my body and myself for our wedding. Minsan lang ikasal ang isang babae kaya gusto ko sana maayos ang lahat sa kasal namin ni Aaron.

And then we started planning for the wedding. Alam na rin nina mommy at daddy at ng mga pamilya namin ni Aaron na pumayag na akong magpakasal kami. Mommy and Tita Eris were both happy for Aaron and I's decision. While daddy said that it's only the right thing to do especially for Bella. Dahil dapat lang na magkaroon kami ni Bella ng kompleto at maayos na pamilya. I remembered hugging daddy at that time...

"Thank you, Dad. For still loving me despite of my mistakes..."

"You may had yourself shortcomings, Tristeen... But nothing will make me love you less because you are my daughter." Daddy said while hugging me and kissing the top of my head.

I just smiled.

I'm really lucky to have him and mommy as my parents.

They aren't perfect but they love me very much and I love them the same.

"Soon...Aaron will take you and my granddaughter out of our house..." Daddy said.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Daddy. "Don't worry, Dad. Palagi pa rin naman po kaming bibisita ni Bella dito sa bahay natin. Palagi n'yo pa rin pong makikita ang apo n'yo."

Daddy sighed. "All right."

I just grinned at my father. Mukhang nalulungkot na nga siya nandito pa man kami ni Bella sa bahay niya. "I love you, Dad." And then I went back to hugging my ever so understanding and loving father.

"I love you too my princess." Dad replied who was getting emotional already.

Ngumiti nalang ako. Simula noong bata pa lang ako pakiramdam ko talaga isa akong prinsesa. Because my dad made me feel like one.

Kung ipapanganak man ako uli gusto kong sila pa rin ni mommy ang maging mga magulang ko.

At sana kung paano ko nakikita ang parents ko ay ganoon din akong titingnan ng anak ko...

Pero dahil uunahin nalang muna namin ni Aaron ang binyag ni Bella ay nag-halt muna kami sa pagpaplano ng kasal. Ang dami ko rin kasing gusto para sa kasal namin kaya hindi pwedeng madaliin. I just wanted our wedding to be perfect.

I went to Tita Hannah and Tito Troy's house to give out invitations to Bella's Christening. Tito Troy is Dad's cousin. Kaya malapit pa rin ang families namin sa isa't isa. At halos nakasabay ko ring lumaki ang mga pinsan ko. Tho wala ang mga pinsan ko doon nang pumunta ako. Sina tito ay tita lang ang nasa bahay.

"Ewan ko ba at busy na nang lumaki." ani Tita Hannah nang magtanong ako tungkol sa mga pinsan ko. "Palaging wala sa bahay at maraming ginagawa sa labas." she added.

I remembered my cousins, the twins, wanting to live alone outside their parents house. Pero malulungkot si Tita Hannah kaya hindi sila pinayagan ni Tito Troy. Kaya hanggang ngayon ay nasa bahay pa rin sila ng parents nila nakatira. Ako nga rin kahit may sarili nang baby ay sa bahay pa rin ng parents ko nakatira. But, well, there are still times na hindi umuuwi dito sa bahay nila ang kambal na panganay na anak nina Tita Hannah at Tito Troy. Mga matitigas din ang ulo ng mga pinsan kong sina Kade at Kane. Pero ang pinsan kong babae naman na bunso nina Tita Hannah ay siya namang masunurin at binibaby pa rin ni Tito Troy.

Nakakatuwa rin ang pamilya nila. Kahit may nangyari pa sa nakaraan... Ang mahalaga maayos naman ang kinalabasan ng lahat ng iyon ngayon.

I smiled. "I came here to give you this invitation to my daughter's Christening, tita." Inabot ko iyon kay Tita Hannah.

"Oh." Tinanggap naman ni tita ang invitation. "Makakaasa kang pupunta kami ng tito at mga pinsan mo, Tristeen."

I nodded and smiled. "Opo. Thank you, tita."

Tita Hannah smiled prettily. She's still as simple as ever. Simple lang manamit at walang arte sa katawan but still very beautiful. No wonder Tito Troy's crazy for his wife. Naalala ko ang mga kwento ng mga tito ko na friends nila ni daddy tungkol kung gaano raw ka patay na patay si Tito Troy kay Tita Hannah noon pa man.

Kaya rin siguro hindi talaga sila ni daddy at Tita Hannah ang para sa isa't isa dahil may ibang taong nakatadhana para sa kanila... At mas nararapat sila para sa taong iyon. Because who knows, only them could save that person. Like how Tita Hannah had saved Tito Troy... Kasi sobrang pasaway daw ni tito noon at wala siyang pinapakinggan except Tita Hannah, of course.

I smiled more.

Pagkatapos ay hindi na rin kami nagtagal ni Aaron sa bahay nina Tita Hannah dahil may pupuntahan pa kaming iba para mamigay din ng invitations.

Bahagya akong natigilan nang maisip ang sunod naming pupuntahan ni Aaron. Should I just skip it for today? Saka nalang ako magbibigay ng invitation kapag ako na lang mag-isa at wala si Aaron... Or ipapabigay ko nalang kay mommy...

"Uh, Aaron," tawag ko. Nagpatuloy na rin ako palabas ng bahay nina Tita Hannah at papunta na sa kotse ni Aaron.

"What is it?"

"Uh..." I didn't know how to tell him. Pero matagal na naman iyon... Hindi na kami nag-uusap pa ni Noah... Pagkatapos noong nangyari na naging dahilan ng paghihiwalay namin ni Aaron noon. Pero bakit parang kinakabahan pa rin ako sa reaksyon o maiisip ni Aaron? I sighed. "We'll go to Ninang Patricia's house next..." Sinabi ko na.

We should move on. At dapat ay hindi na isipin pa iyon. It's already in the past. And we already have Bella now.

Hindi agad nakasagot si Aaron. And I just waited nervously... And then he nodded and opened the door of his car. Mabilis na rin akong pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan pagkatapos.

Aaron was quiet while driving. O baka lang din hindi rin kasi ako nagsasalita. Kaya nag-isip ako ng mapag-uusapan namin habang nasa biyahe... "Do you still remember their house...?" Pero humina rin ang boses ko tanong...

Aaron's eyes remained on them road. Hindi siya makasulyap sa akin because he was focused on driving.

"Yeah." he answered.

Alam kong...doon sa bahay nina Noah nangyari iyong noon... Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa lap ko. I just looked at my little handbag that was resting there.

Nag-parked si Aaron sa harap ng malaking bahay nina ninang. We both got out of the car at the same time. And then we were greeted by Ninang Patricia herself. It was a good thing that they were just at home. Ganoon din kanina sina Tita Hannah. Maybe because it's a Sunday, too.

"Hija!" Masaya akong sinalubong ni Ninang Trish.

I smiled and hugged her. "Ninang,"

"Oh my, I feel like it's been so long since I last saw you! How have you been? I missed you!" Ninang looked so happy and excited to see me.

Napangiti nalang ako.

Si Ninang Patricia ang best friend ni mommy. Kaya lumaki rin akong close kay ninang.

Binalingan ko si Aaron na tahimik lang na nakasunod sa akin. "Ninang, this is Aaron, my fiancé." I still introduced.

"Oh, yes! Ikaw naman, Tristeen. Para namang nakalimutan mo nang kilala ko rin naman si Aaron and his family. How's Eris, hijo?"

Polite naman na sumagot si Aaron.

Ngumiti ako kay ninang.

"Congratulations on your engagement! Hindi na kami nakapunta ng Ninong Migs mo sa engagement party ninyo, hija! Alam mo naman ang tito mo busy pa rin talaga sa businesses namin! Alam mo naman si Noah..." Bahagyang natitigilan si ninang at napatingin din kay Aaron. She smiled awkwardly to him before she quickly turned to me again. "Alam mo naman ang anak ko pasaway pa rin talaga sa daddy niya. Hindi ko alam kung kanino nagmana. Alangan naman sa akin? Behave naman ang ninang mo noon pa man." She grinned. She's trying to make our conversations lighter...

"But don't worry, I'll make sure na sa binyag ni Arabella nandoon na talaga kami ng ninong mo!"

"And you remember? Kapangalan ng anak ninyo ang pamangkin ko rin na si Arabella."

I nodded at ninang. May pinsan kasi siya na may anak na babae at Arabella ang pangalan. And I've met her before.

We stayed for a little longer sa bahay ni ninang dahil pinagmeryenda pa niya kami ni Aaron at gusto pa niya akong makakwentuhan. Ang hirap din tanggihan ni ninang. While Aaron just quietly remained seated beside me. And he's just responding politely to ninang kapag kinakausap din siya nito.

"Oh, we have visitors..."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakitang nakatayo na doon ang mukhang dumating lang din na si Noah...

He smiled when our eyes met. "Teen, you're here..." At parang doon pa lang din niya nakita na kasama ko si Aaron...

"Hijo! Saan ka ba galing at inumaga ka na naman sa mga parties na pinupuntahan mo?" Si ninang na nag-excuse muna sa amin ni Aaron. She stood up and went to her son who just went home.

"I did not party, Mom..."

"Haynaku! I can even smell the slight alcohol on you! Naparami ka na naman ba ng inom? Saan ka na naman ba nagpunta kagabi. You are angering your Dad again."

"Mom, please, stop it. We have other people here." Now he looked annoyed even at his mom.

Nagbaba ako ng tingin and I found Aaron's hand that was resting on his left thigh while we sit there on the sofa. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at napatingin siya sa akin. I gave him a gentle smile.

"May hangover ka na naman panigurado." Nagpatuloy si ninang na pinagsasabihan ang anak niya. And she really looked stressed because of Noah. It was obvious on her face even kanina nang may nasasabi pa lang siya tungkol sa anak.

"Yes, Mom. That's why I'll go straight upstairs now." Noah said to his mom while I caught his eyes looking at my and Aaron's hand. But it was just for a brief moment dahil pagkatapos ay iniwan na niya kami doon.

Ninang Patricia sighed. She's really stressed because of her son. "I'm sorry. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na mapagsabihan siya kahit nandito kayo. Problema talaga namin siya ng ninong mo, Tristeen." Ninang Trish looked sad and worried.

While I think I didn't know what to say to her. Hindi rin ako gaanong makapagsalita because Aaron's here... Sa huli ay maayos na rin kaming nagpaalam at hinayaan na rin kami ni ninang.

"Take care, you two!"

Tumango ako at ngumiti kay ninang. "Yes, po. Kayo rin po, ninang. Huwag n'yo pong pababayaan ang sarili ninyo..."

Ninang smiled despite being stressed because of her son. "Yes, hija. Thank you." She kissed my cheek.

And then after that ay tuluyan na kaming nakapagpaalam ni Aaron at umalis sa bahay nila.

Note: If you're curious, hehe. You can also read Hannah and Troy's story, The Badboy's Heart & Patricia and Miguel's story Playful Fate available here in Wattpad and free. Join my growing Patreon creator page Rej Martinez and/or my Facebook VIP group to read The Badboy's Heart and my other stories exclusive there. Message my Facebook account Rej Martinez to join my Facebook VIP group it's the alternative of Patreon. Thank you!