Private Pilot

       NAPATINGIN ako sa malaking orasan: I still have half an hour before Zachariah's arrival. He left earlier because there was a problem with the construction of the Resort-Casino in Cavite. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya umuuwi ngayon, kung may bago siyang condo o may sarili na siyang bahay.

"Mama, what time po babalik si Daddy dito?" Tanong ni Zacki habang hawak ang buzz lightyear stuffed toy niya.

I bit my lips and shrugged. "On the way na siya, baby." I lied. Hindi ko talaga alam kung babalik pa ba siya o ano.

I don't have his phone number. I also checked my Instagram, expecting him to message me there. However, he didn't. Tanging si Dwight at ilang mga kakilala lang ang nagmessage sa'kin.

Habang hinihintay siya ng dalawa ay pinaliguan ko na sila. Pinagsuot ko ng sandong kulay berde at shorts si Zhara, Terno 'yon at little mermaid ang design. Si Zacki ay nakasuot naman ng t-shirt at shorts na may spiderman design.

Nasa kusina ako ngayon, magluluto ng Lunch. 11AM na kasi. This is the first time i'll be having lunch with Zachariah after five years. We had lunch before, but that was an exemption since I am his employee at that time.

I actually don't know what to cook. May laman naman ang fridge namin but all of sudden, I feel like I don't know what dish I should cook. Maybe menudo will do?

Fine.

Menudo na lang ang lulutuin ko!

Nagsimula ako magluto ng menudo. Kalahating oras ang lumipas at natapos na akong magluto ng menudo ay natagpuan ko na lang ang sarili kong nagluluto ng chicken cordon bleu.

Seriously, Ariella?

Biglang tumunog ang doorbell sa pinto at sa inaakalang si Zachariah iyon ay mabilis kong binuksan ang pinto. Napaawang ang labi ko nang makita ko kung sino ang dalawang taong nasa harapan ko ngayon. My eyes clouded in tears.

"Tita Ninang! Papa Dwight!" Zhara excitedly jumped when she saw Khrizanta and Dwight.

"Hi, Baby," Dwight smiled and bent down to carry Zhara in his arms.

"I miss you, papa!" Zhara kissed Dwight's cheeks.

"I miss you more," ani naman niya. "Let's go inside? Let's play with your brother," tumango naman si Zhara kaya naiwan kaming dalawa ni Khrizanta.

"Surprise!" Khriz exclaimed and quickly enveloped me.

I sobbed. "Khrizanta! Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita sa akin?! Almost 2 years kang hindi nagparamdam sa akin, gaga ka!" Sinabunutan ko siya patalikod kaya napaaray siya.

"Ouch! Mapanakit kana, 'ah? Don't you miss me? Because I miss you so much, babe!" Khrizanta sob just like me.

Para kaming mga bata na umiiyak dahil napagkaitan kami ng masarap na kendi. Yakap namin ang isa't-isa habang humihikbi ng sabay. After almost 2 years, nandito na ulit si Khrizanta. Her hair was blonde reaching up to her arms. She's wearing a white racer back top and cargo pants. The black expensive shade was in her head. Mas lalo siyang gumanda at mas naging sexy simula noong pumunta siya sa US.

Pinapasok ko siya sa loob sa loob ng unit. She quickly surveyed the place before complimenting it. I served them juice and cookies that I made. Malapit na kami sa exciting part nang kwentuhan namin noong tumunog ang doorbell. Napasimangot ako.

"Are you expecting someone?" Tanong ni Dwight. Nakaupo siya sa carpet habang nakikipaglaro ng luto-lutoan sa kambal.

Umiling ako. "Baka si Jel 'yan," sagot ko at mabilis na tumayo para papasukin kung sino man 'yon. Natigilan ako nang bumungad sa akin si Zachariah.

Shit!

"Hey, I'm sorry I'm late—" He was taken aback when he saw Khrizanta standing behind my back.

"Oh, God! Zachariah!" Khriz squealed.

I don't know if it's just me, but I can feel the tension and heavy atmosphere enveloping the dining table. Since my friends are here, I invited them to eat lunch here. Zachariah is also here and eating lunch with us.

"Zhara, eat your carrots, anak." ani ko nang mapansin kong hinihiwalay niya ang carrots sa plato niya.

"I don't like it, Mama," she answered, shooking her head.

"She doesn't eat carrots?" Khrizanta whispered. Siya ang katabi ko at sa kabila ko naman ay si Zacki. Habang magkakatabi naman sina Zhara, Zach, at Dwight.

"Kumakain pero mas gusto niya ay iyong hindi pa luto," ani ko.

"Pareho pala kami ng inaanak ko," tipid akong ngumiti at tumango.

"More rice, please," ani naman ni Zacki at mabilis ko naman siyang sinandukan ng kanin sa plato.

I was startled when Dwight wiped the sauce on Zacki's lips. "You have a sauce, buddy,"

Ngumiti naman si Zacki. "Thanks, Papa," he said.

 Zach suddenly cleared his throat, and when our eyes met, I saw the pang and jealousy in his eyes.

Natapos kaming kumain na halos ang kambal at si Khrizanta lang ang nagsasalita. Sumasali rin ako paminsan-minsan lalo na kapag ako ang kausap nila. Naiwan kami ni Khrizanta sa kusina dahil nagpresinta kaming maghuhugas ng mga pinagkainan.

"Tulog lang ba talaga?" Khrizanta teased after I told her everything. "Five years ang nakalipas, babe. For sure, Miss na miss niyo ang isa't-isa." She winked at me.

My face crumpled. "Natulog nga lang kami. Saka hindi naman kami nagkabalikan. May ibang binabakuran na ata 'yang si Architect," saad ko.

Her lips formed an O. "Sumakabilang bakod na pala." She acted like she was hurt. "Dwight is still single," she suggested and let out a chuckle.

"Alam mo naman na hindi pwede, diba?"

"Poor, Dwight. Sana makahanap na siya ng babaeng magmamahal sa kanya," she stated, chuckling, but I can sense the seriousness in his voice.

Nang matapos kaming mag-usap ni Khriz at nakigamit siya ng comfort room kaya naiwan akong mag-isa sa kusina. Napatingin ako sa lalaking pumasok sa kusina, si Dwight.

"Hey, Ari," he faltered. 

I smiled. "Ikaw pala,"

"You plan on getting back together with him?" Tanong niya sa akin nang makalapit.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at huminga ng malalim. "No," sagot ko. "Wala pa sa isip ko 'yan,"

I saw him nodding. "I see, " he said coldy. "You know that I love you, right? I have always been. But I don't want to force myself on you because I know you don't want me to get hurt, even if I'm already hurting right now." His honey-brown eyes glowed with tears. "I'm always here if you need anything, Ari." he bitterly said, looking hurt.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang pangingilid ng luha ko. Dwight has done so much for me and he deserved every happiness in the world. He's not just my friend, he's also my family.

"I'm sorry..." I softly uttered, tears kept falling from my eyes.

"Just what I always say, be happy, Ari." He said and kissed me on the forehead. "I'll go ahead," he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

MABILIS na lumipas ang oras at sumapit na ang gabi. The twins were glued to Zach. Halos hindi na nila ako pinapansin kapag nandyan si Zachariah. Hindi naman sa nagseselos ako pero parang gano'n na nga. Pero ayoko naman ipagkait sa kanila ang pagkakataon na 'to kaya nanahimik na lang ako sa tabi at pinagmamasdan sila.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong singhotin ang mabangong amoy ni Zachariah. Kung dati, ako ang nakikigamit ng mga toiletries niya, ngayon naman ay siya ang nakikigamit sa akin. I can smell my shampoo, soap, even my scrub in him! Kinakabahan tuloy ako at baka pati feminine wash ko, ginamit niya.

Naiilang ako dahil nahuli ko siyang pasulyap-sulyap sa akin simula kanina pa. Hindi naman kapansin-pansin ang suot ko. Nakasuot lang ako ng red dolphin shorts at oversized shirt dahil malamig dito sa kwarto.

Humiga na ako sa tabi ni Zacki at siya naman ang sa tabi ni Zhara. Napalingon ako sa kanya nang magsalita siya.

"So..." he trailed off. "Are we really going to sleep right away?" He asked as if he was implying something.

My eyebrows crumpled. "Anong gusto mong gawin natin mag-jack en poy?" Halos bulong na sambit ko para hindi magising ang kambal.

He bit his lips before licking them. "Pwede..." he trailed off. "Or we could talk," he suggested.

I raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

I saw him scrunched his nose and averted his gaze at me. "A-About your love interest for the past few years,"

I scoffed. "Why are you interested in my love life?"

He swallowed and scratched the back of his head. "Just because," he shrugged.

I stilled.

"Does Dwight court you when I'm not here?" He suddenly asked, making my head turn in his direction.

"Hindi," sagot ko para matahimik na ang kaluluwa niya.

His lips parted but he quickly pursed it back. "The twins called him Papa," parang may sama ng loob na saad niya na ikinatawa ko ng mahina.

"Bawal ba? Dwight is one of the God-father of the twins,"

I saw him swallow. "D-Did you have a b-boyfriend after me?" he stuttered.

Umiling ako. "Wala. I never had a boyfriend after you." I answered, not looking at him.

A long silence prevailed over us.

"Baka nga ikaw ang may girlfriend," I said casually.

"I have no time for that. I've been busy with work."

"Busy with work, huh?" I sarcastically whispered, but he heard it again. Biglang pumasok sa isipan ko ang babaeng sinabi ni Hunter. Iyong si Architect Montesilva na kasamang kumain ng lunch ni Zachariah three days ago.

"Kawawa naman si Architect Montesilva at itinatanggi mo." It was supposed to be casual, yet my voice including my body language, betrayed me.

I heard him chuckle softly. "She's just a friend," he said softly.

I scoffed. "Asus,"

"Hindi ka naniniwala?"

"May sinabi ba ako?" I raised my head, trying to meet his intense gaze.

"Why do I feel that you're jealous?" he asked while wagging his brows, teasing me.

I smiled but in a sarcastic way. "Ikaw lang ang nag-iisip no'n, Silvestre."

The side of his lips rose. "You called me by my last name, It means you're jealous," he said proudly.

"Ang kapal, 'ah?" I scoffed.

"Bakit hindi ba? Ganyan na ganyan ka noong college tayo kapag nagseselos ka." He increases his eyebrows at me, smiling at my reaction.

"Ah, talaga? Ako pa talaga ang selosa? Baka ikaw? Hindi ba nagselos ka sa sarili mong best friend dahil pinost niya ako sa IG niya? Nice, ako pala ang selosa," May diin sa bawat salitang binibitawan ko.

His lips parted, and his jaw clenched. "Ariella," he warned.

I laughed softly and pointed at his face. "Ganyan na ganyan ka noong college tayo kapag nagseselos ka," I smirked when I got him flustered.

I won!

Tumahimik siya sa sinabi ko. I glanced at him, and I caught him massaging the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh.

"Architect Montesilva has a pilot boyfriend," he muttered even though I didn't ask.

I arched my brows. "Talaga? Piloto?" I said in delight.

"Why are you suddenly sound delighted? Hmm?" he asked sullenly.

Gusto kong matawa dahil ganyan na ganyan ang tono ng boses niya noong college pa lang kami. Tuwing nagseselos o di kaya'y kapag may hindi ako sinasabi sa kanya.

"Bakit naman hindi? Piloto ang boyfriend niya. Sigurado akong gwapo 'yon. Ang gwapo kaya ng mga lalaking nakasuot ng pilot uniform," sabi ko at nagkunwaring kinikilig pa.

His face instantly darkened. "Kung hindi mo pa alam, I'm also a pilot..." he said confidently.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Feeling," pang-iinis ko.

His jaw clenched. "I'm a licensed private pilot, Miss Ma'am." A smirk curved on his lips when he saw me getting flustered. "After I finished my Architecture apprenticeship, I took a flying hour in a flight school in the US. So, I'm not just a licensed architect, CEO, but also a Pilot." His lips broke into a grin.

Sumimangot ako. "Ang yabang mo!"

He let out a chuckle while looking at me. "You look like Zhara," he muttered.

"You think so? Hindi ba mas kamukha mo siya?"

He shook his head. "Just her nose and lips were like mine, and the rest was yours."

Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi niya. When I remembered the photo album that I planned to show him,  Dahan-dahan akong tumayo mula sa pagkakahiga.

"Where are you going?" he asked and was about to get up when I grove his arms.

"Huwag ka ngang clingy. May kukuhanin lang ako sa cabinet," ani ko at tinuro pa nga ang cabinet na nasa gilid lang. I saw him pouting his lips.

Dahan-dahan na umupo si Zach sa kama at hinihintay akong bumalik. Inabot ko sa kanya ang dalawang photo album na naglalaman ng mga pictures ng kambal at pictures ko noong pinagbubuntis ko sila. 

"Photo album 'yan," sabi ko baka kasi hindi niya alam.

Hindi na siya nagsalita at dahan-dahan niyang binuklat ang naunang photo album.  His lips instantly parted when he saw the first photo on the first page.

"Wow," he raised his head, and our eyes met. "You look beautiful," he said in amusement.

"Six months na ang tyan ko dyan," ani ko habang nakatitig sa litrato kung saan nakasuot ako ng bestidang bulaklakin at malaki ang tyan. 

He covered his mouth and let out a soft chuckle when he saw the photos of the twins.  "They're so adorable,"

"Totoo 'yan,"

Sinilip ko ulit ang sumunod na picture at dali-dali akong napatingin sa kanya nang makitang may pumatak na tubig sa litratong 'yon. I startled when I saw him clouded in tears. Bahagya ko siyang inalog.

"Zach, bakit ka bigla-biglang umiiyak dyan?" Tanong ko.

"I'm just happy because I'm so lucky to have you. God, you're so strong to bring out not just one but two adorable kids in this world," he looked at me, still crying.

Hindi ko alam kung kikiligin ba ako o ano dahil sa mga sinabi niya. However, I found myself chuckling while hugging him. "Tahan na. Baka magising ang kambal at akalain nilang inaapi ko ang daddy nila," pagbibiro ko. 

"Ariella," he called my name, and I quickly unattached myself from the hug.

"Hmm?"

"I just want you to know that there was no one else after you left," he said, looking straightly into my eyes. My heart went frenzy as I heard what said.

KINABUKASAN ay nagising ako hindi dahil sa sinag ng araw kundi dahil sa mahihinang hagikgik na naririnig ko sa gilid ko.

I slowly opened my eyes to see what it was, and my mouth slightly parted when I saw my child and their father on the side of the bed. They were both sitting on Zach's lap, on each of his thighs. May binubulong-bulong sila na animo hindi pwede iparinig sa akin.

"Daddy! Mama is awake na po," Zhara said at mabilis na umalis sa kandungan ng ama para lumapit sa akin. She quickly enveloped me with his tiny hands. "Morning, Mama." She greeted me and kiss me on the lips.

I smiled. "Good morning, baby," bati ko sa anak ko.

"Morning, Mama," Zacki greeted me as well at talagang sumiksik siya sa kabilang gilid ko para yakapin ako. He kissed me too on the lips, just like his sister.

"Good morning, baby," I greeted back.

"Good morning, Mama." My eyes widened, and my heartbeat went frenzy when I heard what Zachariah said.

Sirang ulo, 'to! Nakiki-Mama na rin!

Patago ko siyang inirapan. "Morning, sperm donor," I fired back.

His lips parted in disbelief, but after a few seconds, he laughed. "Your mouth didn't change," he said amusingly.

"What is sperm donor, Mama?" Zhara asked.

Napalunok ako at dahan-dahan na naupo. I scratched the back of my head. "Well, baby. That word was only for an adult like me and Daddy," I said at narinig ko naman na napasipol sa Zachariah sa gilid ko. Sira ulong 'to!

"Why po pang adult lang?" Tanong naman ni Zacki.

"Kasi—"

"Who wants to go the mall today?" Zachariah's dominated the atmosphere. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag noong umalis ang kambal sa magkabilang gilid ko para bumalik sa ama nila.

I stood up and checked the time on the digital clock. I gasped when I saw it was almost 10 AM!

"Kumain na ba ang kambal?" Tanong ko kay Zachariah habang tinutupi ng maayos ang kumot na ginamit namin kagabi.

He looked at me and nodded. "Yes, I did feed them earlier." He stood up while the twins were in his arms.

"Anong pinakain mo?"

"They had milk and chocolate cereal," he trailed off. "Is that right? Or do they have rice for breakfast?" he asked nervously.

"It's okay. They can eat anything for breakfast, naman. Ikaw kumain kana?" Nakita ko ang pagkabigla niya sa tanong ko. I saw his adam's apple move.

He licked his lips. "N-Not yet. I'm actually waiting for you," he said, nasa sahig ang tingin.

"Okay. Mauna na kayo sa kitchen," ani ko.

Napangiti naman siya kaagad at mabilis na lumabas ng kwarto bitbit ang kambal. Napailing na lang ako habang may ngiti sa labi.

I was washing the dishes because we just ate lunch while they were playing on the living room. I can hear the twin's giggles and Zach's chuckles from the kitchen. Mukhang masayang-masaya si Zach kahit inuuto na siya ng mga anak.

Dumiretso ako sa living room at pinanood ang kambal sa pakikipagkulitan sa ama nila. They were seated on the carpet, Zach teaching Zacki how to draw while his other hand was holding Zhara's Barbie doll. Napangisi ako dahil doon.

"Mama what do you call a pig that knows karate?" I looked at my daughter when she suddenly asked me.

My forehead knitted in confusion. "Hmm?"

"Edi Pork chop, Mama!" She answered, giggling.

My lips parted before I let out a chuckle. "Who told you that baby hmm?"

"Si Daddy!" She exclaimed and pointed to Zachariah, who looked so guilty right now.

His lips twitched. "Hehe," he replied, scratching his head. The muscles on his arms flexed.

"Zachariah talaga," Napailing na lang ako, pinipigilan ang mapangiti.

SAKTO ala-una ng hapon noong sabihan kami ni Zachariah na may pupuntahan talaga kami ngayong araw. Akala ko biro lang.

Inuna ko nang paliguan at ayusan ang kambal bago ako naligo. I let Zhara wear a pink dress na bumagay sa kulay ng balat niya. I fixed her hair into a high ponytail and put a pink ribbon on her hair. Si Zacki ay nakasuot ng shorts, rubber shoes at toy story shirt.

I chose to wear a  white sleeveless flowy dress na umaabot hanggang sa tuhod ko. V-neck cut iyon kaya exposed ang mas lumaking cleavage ko since ilang taon akong nagbreastfeed sa kambal. Hinayaan ko naman na nakalugay ang mahaba kong buhok habang naglagay lang ako ng light make up.

Nakita ko agad na dumapo ang mga mata ni Zachariah sa'kin pagkalabas na pagkalabas ko ng kwarto. Medyo nailang ako bigla dahil tutok na tutok sa akin ang mga mata niya. Zach was already sitting on the sofa with the twins on each of his side.

"Wow! Mama, you look like a princess!" Zhara exclaimed and clapped her hands when she saw me.

"So pretty, Mama!" Zacki complimented me as well.

Ngumiti ako at lumapit sa kanila. Nakatitig pa rin sa akin si Zach habang nakaawang ng bahagya ang bibig. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at nilagyan na lang ulit ng polbo ang Kambal.

"Daddy, your saliva is dripping!"

Mabilis akong napalingon sa direksyon ni Zachariah pero nakatikom na ang bibig niya at pinupunasan niya na ang gilid ng labi niya. I bit my lips and looked at him disgusted.

"Sorry, baby. Your mama is too hot that Daddy got salivated," he answered.

Nag-init ang magkabilang pisngi ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "U-Umalis na tayo habang hindi pa masyadong mainit," sabi ko na lang dahil hindi na kinakaya ng puso ko ang mga sinasabi ni Zachariah.

When we got outside the building, nalaglag kaagad ang panga ko dahil sa gulat. I heard the twins' amazement as they saw their father's car. It was a white Ferrari convertible electric car!

Parang katulad noong sasakyan niya noong college kami pero mas maganda ang isang 'to.

"Wow! Daddy, is that your car?" Zacki's eyes twinkled while looking at his father's car.

"Daddy, this is so cool!" Zhara added. "Mama, we have a car now! Daddy, does your car have an aircon inside?"

I heard Zachariah chuckle as he pressed the car key to open it. He opened the door on the back and let the twins sit on the back. He even put on their seatbelts.

"Saan ako uupo?" Tanong ko nang marealize ang ginawa niya.

He looked at me, and a playful smile on his lips curved. "Wanna sit on my lap, Miss Ma'am?" he winked at me.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at patagong kinurot sa braso. "Bigwasan kaya kita dyan?" I whispered and smiled sweetly at the twins.

"Mama, tabi na lang po kayo ni Daddy!" Zhara exclaimed.

"She's right, Mama. Just sit on the shotgun seat," Zacki added.

Napanganga ako dahil mukhang naging kakampi na ni Zachariah ang kambal. I crossed my arms over my chest at humarap sa ama nilang malaki ang ngiti ngayon.

"Shall we, milady?" binuksan niya ang pintuan sa may shotgun seat. I rolled my eyes at him before I entered his car and put on my seatbelt.

"I'm so excited to go to the mall with Daddy!" Zhara exclaimed.

Napangiti ako nang marinig ang kasabikan sa kambal. They looked so excited. Natigilan lang ako sa pagngiti nang maramdamang nakatingin sa gawi ko si Zach.

I caught him glancing at me. "Sa kalsada ka nga tumingin at huwag sa akin," saad ko.

He cleared his throat and quickly averted his gaze. "Sorry, you're just too pretty,"

"Alam ko kaya nga naglaway ka kanina," I said sarcastically.

"Now you know how much you affect me." He shakes his head, smiling.

"This is a Ferrari, Daddy! Just like my toy car!" Namamanghang saad ni Zacki.

Zach glanced at him. "You have a Ferrari toy car, baby?" he asked softly.

Zacki nodded with a big smile on his lips, exposing his baby teeth. "Yes! Mama bought it for me! Mama said that her favorite car is a white Ferrari!"

I quickly coughed at what Zacki said. Binubuko ako ng anak ko, ah!

"Really? Mama loves white Ferrari like my car?" Parang namamangha pang tanong ni Zachariah pero nasa tono niya ang pang-aasar.

"Yes po!" aktibong sagot naman ng anak namin.

When our eyes met, I saw him looking at me intently. I swallowed hard and averted my gaze.

"Do you like this car, son?" Tanong ni Zach nasa kalsada na ang paningin.

"Opo, Daddy!"

I saw him smile. "Then, it's all yours. You can have it," Zachariah uttered.

Napasinghap naman ako at mabilis siyang hinampas. "Zachariah! Ano ka ba naman? Zacki is just 4 years old! Medyo bulol pa nga 'yan magsalita tapos—"

I froze when he held my hand and intertwined it with his. "It's okay. It doesn't mean that he will drive the car at his age. You can drive it instead while Zacki can't drive,"

"What?! Ayoko nga sakyan 'to!" sabi ko sabay hila ng kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya.

I heard him smirking. "Edi ako ang sakyan mo," he whispered, just enough for the two of us.

Napasinghap ako at mabilis siyang kinurot sa hita. I glared at him. "Bibig mo,"

"Hahalikan mo?" he fired back.

I gritted my teeth and quickly looked away. Tumingin na lang ako sa bintana pero kaagad akong napakunot noo nang mapansing hindi kami papunta sa mall. We're heading to Silvercest Company!

I quickly shifted at him. "Akala ko ba sa mall tayo pupunta? Bakit papunta tayo sa Silvercrest?!"

"Relax, Miss Ma'am. This is a surprise," ani niya at narinig ko naman ang bungisngisan ng kambal sa likuran.

Napaawang ang bibig ko at sinamaan ng tingin si Zachariah. "Do you guys have a secret? Zacki, Zhara, do you know where we're going?" I asked calmly.

Zhara giggled. "Yes, Mama!"

"Where, Baby? Zacki, where?"

"Daddy said that we will ride a plane, Mama!" Zhara exclaimed.

"Sabi ni Daddy makikita ko na po sa personal si Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Russell and other Pixar characters, Mama!" Mahabang sagot ni Zacki.

"Zachariah? Care to explain?" Tanong ko habang nakatingin sa kanya ng masama.

I saw him swallowing before he scratched his head. "Well, The Twins are a fan of Disney and Pixar. So, I planned to bring you and the twins to the US,"

My jaw dropped when I heard what he said.

*****