Mister Grumpy

      "CANCEL all my meetings today. I'll be in Cavite for the whole day for the construction of the resort," I swallowed a lump in my throat when I heard the stern command of my boss. Hindi niya man lang ako tinapunin ng tingin kahit isang beses.

Para akong may kausap na bato na nagkatawan tao!

I nodded and faked a smile. "Noted, Sir."

Hindi na siya nagsalita at tinalikuran na lang ako. I let out a deep sigh. How can I fix what I need to be fixed if destiny keeps on ruining us? If destiny kept intervening in our ways? Isang araw na ang lumipas at mas nahihirapan ako sa trabaho ko dito sa Silvercrest dahil sa trato niya sa'kin.

He's cold to me because he thought Dwight and I have a relationship. It was obvious that he was jealous, and I liked the idea of it. However, I am scared because how could I tell him about the twins if he's mad at me? Baka hindi siya maniwala.

Kasabay nang pagbuntong hininga ko ay ang pagtunog ng phone ko. I immediately took it, assuming that it was from my boss. "Hello, Sir?" I answered.

"Anong Sir? Si Jel 'to, San." Narinig ko ang marahan niyang pagtawa sa kabilang linya.

I let out a sigh of relief when I heard Jel's voice. "Ikaw pala, San. Akala ko iyong boss ko. Bakit ka pala napatawag, San? May problema ba sa bahay?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

"Wala naman problema dito sa unit, San. Pero may problema tayo, San." ani ni Jel sa kabilang linya kaya mabilis akong nilukob ng takot.

"A-Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"San, kasi ano, 'eh... Ngayong araw kasi ang alis ni bruha este ni Jansen. Balak ko sana siyang ihatid sa Airport ang kaso sa Clark pa raw iyon, San. W-Walang magbabantay sa kambal," mahabang lintanya ni Jel sa kabilang linya.

I let out a sigh of relief. "Akala ko ano nang nangyari dyan, San. Ako na ang bahala sa mga anak ko," I said while thinking about how the twins will come here. Tutal, wala naman ang tatay nila dito sa opisina kaya ayos lang kung dito muna sila. "P-Pwede mo ba sila ihatid dito, San? I'll book a grab tapos ako na rin bahala sa pamasahe niyo ni Jansen mamaya," I said.

"Sige, San. Bibihisan ko lang ang kambal,"

Tipid akong napangiti. "Salamat, San. Just call or text me kapag nasa looby na kayo, 'ah? Nasa top floor kasi iyong working station ko," ani ko.

"Sige, San. Ako na ang bahala,"

Nang mamatay ang tawag ay mabilis na akong nagbook ng grab para sa kanila. Almost half an hour passed, and Jel texted me that they were already in the lobby. Mabilis akong tumayo at dumiretso sa elevator, I entered the lobby floor.

"Mama!" Zhara immediately ran towards me when she saw me stepping out of the elevator. Her chubby cheeks were jiggling while running, which made me chuckle.

"Mama!" Zacki called me while waving his tiny hands.

A smile curved on my lips when I saw the two little figures of my kids. Zhara was wearing denim jumper shorts and a pink t-shirt paired with white rubber shoes. Her hair was style in pigtails. On her back was a small Cinderella backpack.

While Zacki is wearing a black jogger pants, white shirt that paired with a blue running shoes. May suot siyang sumbrero sa ulo. Sinalubong ko nang yakap ang mga anak ko at pinugpog sila ng halik sa mukha. I glanced at my cousins's face na halatang namangha sa itsura ng Silvercrest. Same, couz. Same.

"Jel, salamat talaga sa pagdala mo sa kambal dito," sabi ko.

"Walang anuman, San! Ang ganda pala dito sa Silvercrest, no? Parang palacio!"

Mahina akong natawa. "Oo, San. Ganyan din ang reaksyon ko nang unang tampak ko dito," I said. "Kailan pala ang balik mo?"

"Bukas ako babalik, San. Dadalhin ko na rin iyong mga naiwan nating gamit sa apartment."

"Okay. Ingat ka sa byahe, San." Kumuha ako ng pera sa wallet at inabot sa kanya. Nag-usap pa kami ng ilang minuto bago siya nagpaalam na aalis na.

"Mama, do they have a playground here?" Zacki innocently asked.

I smiled and shook my head. "Wala baby, but there's a lot of food in the pantry. There's a cake and an ice cream," I winked at him.

"I heard ice cream, Mama! I love ice cream, Mama!" Zhara beamed in excitement.

Natawa ako ng mahina. "I know, baby. Later, kakain kayo ng ice cream basta be a good kid, okay? Bawal malikot, anak." paalala ko sa kanila.

"Opo, Mama!" The twins answered in unison.

"Wow! What ride is this, Mama?" Zhara pointed her fingers at the elevator. I smiled and was about to answer when Zacki answered first.

"It's called Elevator, Zhara," Zacki said like an adult man.

"Elevator? Like the moving stairs in the mall?" Her mouth slightly parted in curiosity.

Zacki's face crumpled. "No! That's an escalator and not an elevator, Zhara. Mama, what floor are we going to?" Tanong na lang ni Zacki.

Inalis ko ang sumbrero niya at sinuklay ang buhok niya. "Top floor, baby."

Sumakay na kami sa elevator at bahagya kong binuhat si Zhara para siya ang magpindot ng floor. Tuwang-tuwa naman siya nang magsimulang umandar pataas ang elevator. 

"Wow! I'm so excited, Mama! Hold my hand, please!" Zhara held my hand, and I gently squeezed it.

I glanced at my son. "Zacki? Do you want me to hold your hand?"

"No, Mama. I'm okay," he answered firmly.

Nang makarating kami sa top floor ay tumakbo na kaagad ang dalawa palabas ng elevator. Napailing na lang ako habang may ngiti sa labi.

Hinawakan ko sa braso ang kambal at pinakatitigan sila. "Twins, don't go anywhere, okay? Dito lang kayong dalawa. After Mama's work, pupunta tayo sa Jollibee. Do you like that?"

Zhara's  face instantly glowed. "Jabe, Mama! I want Jabe!"

"Later, baby. After ng work ni Mama," I caressed his soft hair at lumingon naman sa kakambal niya. "Zacki, I know you're smart and you'll understand what I said. But don't go anywhere and stay here, okay?"

"Yes, Mama." He answered politely.

I glanced in the direction where I left the twins. Hindi naman malayo iyon sa working station ko kaya panatag ang loob ko. Zacki was playing with his toy car, while Zhara was playing with her barbie doll. Mabuti na lang talaga at naisipan dalhin ni Jel ang mga laruan ng bata para hindi sila mainip sa paghihintay sa akin.

"Hi, Mama!" Zhara called me, I immediately smiled at her and she did the same.

Time passed and I almost done at work. I looked in horror when I glanced at the direction of the twins and didn't see Zhara. Mabilis akong napatayo mula sa pagkakaupo at mabilis na nilapitan si Zacki na hawak pa rin ang laruan niya.

"Baby, where's your sister? Diba, you two are sitting next to each other? Na saan si Zhara, baby? Hmm?" I asked calmly, yet my voice was trembling a little.

"She went there, Mama!" He innocently pointed to the elevator.

Para akong tinakasan ng dugo sa sinabi ng anak ko.

"Mama, I think someone is calling you," Zacki stated, pointing to the telephone attached to the wall.

I murmured a cuss before I rush towards the telephone when it rang. Mabilis kong sinagot ang tawag kahit halos hindi na ako makahinga ng maayos dahil sa kaba.

"Ms. Mendoza! Your daughter is here on the ground floor. She used the private elevator to get here. Can you please pick her up here?"

Napasinghap ako at napatakip sa bibig. Zharaiah Maeve! "S-Sure. Thank you," mabilis kong binaba ang tawag at nilapitan si Zacki para isama sa pagsundo sa makulit at pasaway niyang kapatid.

"Where are we going, Mama? Uuwi na po tayo?" Inosenteng tanong niya.

I shook my head and smiled. "No, baby. Susunduin lang natin sa ibaba ang kakambal mo," sabi ko.

I heavily breathe as I stepped onto the elevator and pressed the ground floor button. My hands were trembling so badly while stomping my feet on the floor. My hands felt cold, and my heart was pounding like it will exit my chest. I felt my legs feel a little tremble, and my face paled.

"Mama, baba ako..." Zacki small voice got my attention.

Dahan-dahan ko siyang ibinaba mula sa pagkakabuhat ko at hinawakan na lang ang maliit niyang kamay. I let out a loud sighed when the elevator made a sound and it finally opened.

"Ms. Mendoza!" I quickly turned my head in that direction when someone called me.

Nakita ko ang iilan sa mga employees na nakatingin sa'kin. I also saw Georgia, one of the receptionist here in Silvercrest. Mabilis ko siyang nilapitan.

"Where's my daughter, Georgia? Akala ko ba nandito siya?" I've tried so hard not to panic, but I failed.

"She's here earlier, Ms. Mendoza pero lumabas po siya—"

"What?! My daughter went outside? By herself?!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang hindi magtaas ng boses. I saw her got flastened because of my remarks. "Sorry, Georgia. I-Im just panicking because Zhara is only four at hindi niya kabisado ang building—"

Zacki pulled the hem of my skirt. "Mama, I found Zhara!"

My head automatically turned to Zacki when I heard him said that. Mabilis kong sinundan ang direksyon kung saan nakaturo ang maliit niyang kamay.

My whole world froze including me, when I saw Zhara, my daughter was carried by Zachariah— her father. Him including Hunter and Leoniel was also with them, kinakausap nila ang anak ko at halata sa mga mukha nila ang tuwa sa pakikipag-usap sa kanya. Bakit sa lahat ng pagkakataon ngayon pa? Bakit?

When my eyes blinked, an unknown liquid rushed down through my eyes. My lips opened, wanting to shout my daughter's name, but my mouth including my body was stucked on the floor, and my eyes were attached to the exact place where my daughter was.

My lips parted, and my face paled when Zacki ran toward the exact place where his sister was located. Mabilis na nakalapit sa pwesto nila si Zacki. I put my hand on my mouth when Zach kneeled, letting Zhara jump off his arms. 

"Zacki, you're here! Mister Grumpy bought me an Ice cream!" Zhara exclaimed cheerfully like she didn't even feel the tension between his brother and Zachariah.

Zach's smile slowly fade as his gaze went towards Zacki... Our son.

Zacki and Zach both stared at each other faces like they were trying to figure out why they looked so much at each other. I swallowed a big lump on my throat and immediately covered my mouth when my son raised his little hands to hold Zachariah's face.

Nakita ko ang pagbuka ng bibig ng anak ko, mukhang may sinabi sa lalaking kaharap. Nagmistula akong estatwa habang pinapanood sila. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako makahinga ng maayos sa sobrang bilis nang pintig ng puso ko.

Nang mapatingin si Zhara sa gawin ko ay mabilis siyang kumaway at walang sabing nagtatalon. 

"Mister Grumpy, that's my Mama!" Zhara announced while jumping and waving his tiny hands at me.

Zachariah's golden eye darkened as he glanced at me. I saw his jaw clenched as his gaze went from me before looking at Zacki's face again. 

SOBRANG bilis ng mga pangyayari dahil namalayan ko na lang na nasa loob na ako ng opisina ni Zachariah habang nakatayo siya sa harapan ko at umiigting ang panga. The Twins are outside with Hunter and Leoniel. They will watch over the twins while Zachariah and I talk.

I was about to open my mouth, but Zachariah got ahead of me. Hindi ko kinaya ang nagyeyelo niyang tingin kaya nagbaba ako ng ulo.

"Talk," he commanded in a dangerous voice.

Napalunok ako at dahan-dahan na sinalubong ang malamig niyang titig. "Zach—"

I almost shrieked when he pinned me to the wall. His towering height made me so small compared to him. I can feel his deep breathing and fast heartbeat since he's so close to me.

"They're mine, right? Mga anak ko sila?" His jaw clenched as he asked me. That was his first question, yet my heart instantly shattered because I could feel the pain in his voice.

Tumango ako. "I'm sorry," my voice broke, and the corner of my eyes moistened.

"W-Why?" His voice broke, and his jaw kept clenching. "How can you do this to me, Ariella? May ginawa ba akong mali para gawin mo sa'kin ito? How can you hide my child from me? You hid them from me. Almost five years, Ariella." He looked at me with so much pain.

Umiling ako at naluluhang tumingin sa kanya. "W-Wala akong plano itago ang kambal sa'yo, Zach..." panimula ko.

He scoffed. "Really? Then why did I only find out that I have a child?" He mocked along with his intense glare at me.

"I was planning to tell you about them yesterday," sabi ko habang kagat-kagat ang labi ko.

"Yesterday?" He repeated and laughed wearily. "You should have informed me right away when you first found out you were pregnant, Ariella!" His veins protruded while screaming.
"How can you not tell me about it? We were with each other for the past weeks! Araw-araw tayong magkasama, Ariella! We were in the same building, same floor, and breathing the same fucking air, yet you didn't tell me about my kids?! How selfish are you?!"

Mas lalong lumakas ang iyak ko dahil sa mga sinabi niya. I felt so much guilt for hiding the twins to him. Pero wala naman akong balak itago sa kanya ang tungkol sa kambal dahil ayokong lumaki ang mga anak ko na walang kinikilalang ama katulad ko. I know how much my kids wanted to beg for their dad's love. I know how much they wanted to meet him. Kaya nga ilang beses na akong nagtangkang sabihin pero palaging may pumipigil.

"I'm sorry." My tears cascade from my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Zach..." I hid my face using my hands.

"I already plan my future with you... I am willing to risk everything I have for you. Even if it was my dream. Fuck, you're the reason why I am still going and dreaming, yet you broke me big time." His eyes were heavy and overflowing with emotions.

"I'm sorry..." I said apologetically, while sobbing. "But I only did that because I don't want you to lose your dreams! I'm being a hindrance to your dreams, and plans! I'm distracting you from achieving your dreams. You even declined the offer of your dream company three times, Zachariah. That was your dream company... I just want you to be successful." Nanginginig ang boses ko habang patuloy sa paglandas ang aking mga luha.

"But you don't know how much I've suffered when you left me," he said hoarsely, and his tears started to pour like rain.

My chest hurt a lot. He was crying so hard in front of me that I could hear his heavy breathing, and his chest was moving frantically. I want to hold and calm him down because I am worried about him, but I don't know if he wants me to lay a finger on him after what I did.

"So, do I, Zach. It was hard to walk away from someone I love too much." humagulgol ako. "A-Akala mo ba ginusto kong itago  sayo ito, Zach? Hindi, Zach! Ilang beses kong hiniling na sana naroon ka sa tabi ko noong pinagbubuntis ko ang kambal. Sana nandoon ka noong mga panahon na naglilihi ako, mga gabi-gabing umiiyak ako dahil sa paghihirap sa pagbubuntis ko... Hiniling ko sana naroon ka noong pinanganak ko ang kambal kasi sayo ako kumukuha ng lakas. Sa tingin mo ba naging madali para sa akin ang lahat ng ito?! Nagalit si Mama, nawalan ako ng scholarship, naging pabigat ako sa mga Altamirano, nawalan ako ng trabaho... Hindi rin naging maganda ang buhay ko noon, Zachariah..."

Natigilan ako nang makita ang galit sa mga mata niya ay napalitan ng lungkot at pagsisisi. He cried more and even covered his face. "I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me the most... I'm sorry." He cried so hard. Pakiramdam ko ay unti-unti akong nadudurog sa mga sinasabi niya.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita at puro hagulgol na lang ang lumalabas sa bibig ko. Napapikit ako at mas humagulgol pa nang balutin ako ni Zach ng yakap.

"I'm so proud of you, milady." I felt him kiss me on the top of my head. "You did well," he murmured.

A few minutes passed, and no one started to talk. Binalot kami ng katahimikan at tanging ang mga mabibigat naming paghinga ang gumagawa ng ingay. I caught him massaging his nose before he let out a heavy sigh.

"Do the twins ask for me?" He whispered, hoping that I would say yes.

"Oo naman," sagot ko at nakita ko naman siyang nakahinga ng maluwag. "They were asking me about you every day, especially Zhara..." 

His lips twitched, and his eyes flickered in joy. "I have a lot of things to ask about the twins. Can you tell me everything about them?" he asked softly.

Suminghot ako at pinunasan ang natuyong luha sa mukha ko. "Oo naman," sagot ko.

When Zachariah opened the door of his office, The first thing I saw was Hunter playing with Zhara. He's holding the other Barbie Doll of my daughter. I instantly smiled because of that scene, but my smile quickly vanished when I heard Zach clear his throat. Nakuha namin ang mga atensyon nila.

Mabilis na bumaling sa'kin ang paningin ni Zacki at sumunod Si Zhara. She quickly got up from sitting and ran toward us.

"Finally! Akala namin aabot pa kayo ng isang oras sa loob, 'eh." Makahulugang saad ni Hunter saka tumingin sa'kin.

I averted my eyes. "Thank you for looking out for the twins," ani ko.

"Mama! Hello, Mister Grumpy!" I smiled when she pronounced the letter 'R' wrong again. She waved his tiny hands at Zachariah.

"Mama," agad akong napalingon sa isa ko pang anak na si Zacki. I was about to squat to equal our height when a massive hand grove my arms.

I met Zachariah's intense gaze. Umiling siya. "D-Dont... You're wearing a skirt," he said.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at mabilis na yumuko na lang ng bahagya. I saw Zacki looking straightly to Zachariah. Gusto kong mapangiti dahil ang sarap nilang titigan ngayong nakatingin sila sa isa't-isa. Kitang kita ko ang takot at pangungulila sa mga mata ni Zach habang nakatingin sa anak ko.

"Who is he, Mama? Why does he look like me? And why are your eyes swollen? Did you cry?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Zacki.

"You cried mama? Who made my mama cried?!" Galit na tanong ni Zhara at mabilis na tumingin sa lalaking nasa harapan niya. "Mister Grumpy did you made my mama cry?!" Tanong niya sa galit na boses.

Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Zhara. "No, anak. I did not cry." pagtanggi ko at pinilit na ngumiti. "Don't yell at him Zhara. He didn't made me cry,"

Zhara shook his head and crossed her tiny hands over her chest. "No, Mama. I know he made you cry! He looks galit, Mama!" She uttered and pointed her tiny fingers at her father.

Narinig ko ang pagbungisngis ni Hunter sa gilid habang pinapanood kami. "Ang cute bro. Sayang mahal ang gatas," rinig kong bulong niya kay Leoniel.

I bit my lips and about to spoke when Zacki stepped in front. "You made my Mama cry. Didn't you?" Galit ang mga mata niyang bumaling kay Zach.

Nakita ko ang takot at sakit sa mga mata ni Zach nang salubungin ang galit ng dalawa. "I'm sorry," he uttered softly. "I'm sorry for making your mama cry," sabi niya at mabilis na tumingin sa'kin.

"Mama, he said sorry na po. Is he forgiven, na?" Tanong ni Zhara.

Tumingin ako sa anak ko at tumango. "Forgiven na, baby. I hope mister grumpy will forgive Mama, too." I said and raised my head, trying to meet his intense gaze.

"Mister Grumpy, will you forgive my Mama na po? My Mama is nice, and she's pretty too!" Zhara exclaimed. "Tito Jel and Mama always forgive me even if I'm naughty because I'm pretty! You should forgive my Mama too because she's pretty!" She pulled the hem of Zachariah's coat.

Zach bent down and looked at Zhara. "I-I don't need to forgive her because I'm not even mad at your Mama," Zach uttered as his gaze went to me. 

*****

Author's Note:

I published this chapter because today is a special day for our twins! Happy 4th Birthday, Zacki and Zhara! ♡ Happy birthday to all of the people who has the same birthday as them!