Abalang kumakain ng ice cream cake sina Neri at Kelvin sa kusina. Si Moira naman ay nasa sala kasama si Joem. She knows what's going to happen now. Sisermonan na naman siya nito.

"When are you going to tell him?" tanong ni Joem. "Are you ever going to tell him?"

"Hindi ko alam," pag-amin niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano'ng magiging reaksyon ni Vince kapag sinabi niyang may anak na ito. For ten years, he was led to believe that he's still unattached.

"Kelv's been asking kung bakit madalas kang ginagabi. Hindi naman namin masabing dini-date ka ng boss mo, na daddy nya."

"We're not dating," tanggi niya. "And don't ever mention Vince to him."

"But he needs to know. Ang tagal ka nang kinukulit nyan."

Napabuntong-hininga siya. Kelvin made her life so difficult, but every hardship is worthwhile. Noong college siya, hirap siyang balansehin ang pag-aaral at pag-aalaga ng bata. Neri became the second mom to Kelvin.

She's the one who met Joem back in college. May production kasi noon ang org nila and Joem's been asked to come up with designs for it. She worked closely with Joem at sa saglit na panahon ay nagkapalagayan sila ng loob.

But she couldn't love anyone else just yet. She was still hung up on Vince at that time. So when the opportunity came, she introduced Joem to Neri instead. Schoolmate at kabahay niya ang pinsan noon. Nasa Canada ang parents nito. Neri's living alone at that time. Gusto kasi nitong magtapos ng college muna bago ito sumunod sa mga magulang na ilang taon na ring naninirahan sa Canada.

But Joem made Neri stay. And with their help, she raised Kelvin. Siya ang nangibang-bansa para magtrabaho, while Neri's taking online jobs. But her work's cut short because she was harassment-magnet.

She's never been with anyone, romantically speaking. The first three years, she's been busy balancing Kelvin and her studies. After that, nag-focus siya sa anak at naghanap ng trabaho. Then, Kelvin started going to school.

When she had the opportunity to date, nagagalit naman ito sa kanya. Palagi nitong inaayawan ang mga nanliligaw sa kanya, saying that he wants his dad instead. He's been asking and asking about him. Wala naman siyang masabi tungkol kay Vince.

She wants to think that she could be enough for Kelvin, but unfortunately, that's not the case.

"Oy kayo? Ayaw nyong kumain?" tawag ni Neri sa kanila.

Joem headed to the kitchen. Sumunod na rin siya. She took a plate and a fork, and sat next to Kelvin. Tumayo ito at ikinuha siya ng cake.

"Ma, bukas ulit ha. Yung may oreos ulit," pakiusap nito.

"You might get sick kung gabi-gabi kang mag-a-ice cream cake," she told him.

"I won't get sick, I promise. Umiinom naman ako ng vitamins e. Ask Tita Neri pa."

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Neri. Tumaas lang ang kilay nito saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"I know you take your vitamins, pero masama pa rin ang araw-araw, naka-ice cream cake. Sa birthday mo na lang, okay?"

Ngumuso ito. "Ang tagal pa no'n, mommy!"

"Don't worry, Kelv. Isasabay natin sa Pasko ang celebration para bongga," sabi ni Neri sa pamangkin. "Di ba gusto mo ng Toothless na cake? Pagagawa tayo, Toothless na ice cream cake!"

"Really, tita?"

"Really."

She gave her cousin a knowing look. "Nakapangako ka na ha. Sagot mo na yung cake."

"Oo na. Nga pala, bukas agahan mo ng uwi."

"Bakit?" kunot-noo niyang tanong.

Nagkatinginan sina Neri at Jo. Then it dawned on her.

"Ay, sige. What time ba kayo aalis?"

"Mga seven siguro."

--

Vince was used to telling Rose about his day. Para kasing ate na niya ito, ateng mahilig sa tsismis. He indulges Rose with his stories and this one's just one of the many.

"So, tell me how that cancelled date with the non-existent Cathy turned out."

"She didn't suspect anything," masaya niyang balita.

"Kasi nga, ayaw nyang umasa, so baka hindi na 'yon nag-assume," she told him. "Ano nang plano mo? Magka-cancel ka ulit ng imaginary date just to take her out? Baka makahalata 'yon kapag paulit-ulit ka."

Napangiti siya. Biyernes kinabukasan. He wanted to take Moira out again, but he doubts that she'll say yes if he asks directly.

"I'll ask Red and Vico for a night out. They could invite Moira."

--

Last day of the week na. And then, next week would be her last week at work. Ang tagal ng galaw ng oras. Pakiramdam ni Moira ay kalahating taon na siyang nagtatrabaho.

Hindi niya alam kung makahahanap pa siya ng trabahong ganoon kaganda ang sweldo. Para kasing sobrang imposible na bayaran siya ng kumpanya ng humigit-kumulang 75K for a month of secretarial job.

She needs to find another one to support Kelvin. Kung nagkataon lang sigurong hindi si Vince ang boss nya, baka sa mismong kumpanya na rin iyon siya maghanap ng ibang trabaho. But she doesn't want to be around Vince.

Paano na lang kapag nalaman nito ang sikreto niya? She can't afford for him to know about Kelvin. He might take the kid away from her. Mas may kaya nga naman itong buhayin ang anak nila, kaysa sa kanyang kailangan pang mangibang-bansa para kumita ng malaki-laki.

She went to work early so she could get out early. Anniversary nina Neri at Jo. Kailangan niyang umuwi agad para makaalis ang dalawa to celebrate. Wala naman silang katulong sa bahay. Si Neri lang ang naglilinis at nag-aalaga kay Kelvin kapag wala siya.

Jo moved in with them a few years ago. May maliit itong arts and design office na pagmamay-ari nito. They take a lot of jobs, even the ones whch are remotely related to design, pero konti lang ang big time client. When he proposed to Neri three years ago, instead of saying yes, her cousin told Jo that he should move in instead.

Translation, he had to wait until Neri's ready to get married. And Neri refuses to marry Jo because of her and Kelvin. Hindi na nga lang nakatiis ang dalawa kaya buntis na si Neri. She knew what the marriage means. Kakailanganin nilang bumukod.

Wala silang ibang ka-close na kamag-anak sa Pilipinas kaya nag-aalala siya.She would have to take care of Kelvin, herself, and to work maybe two jobs to support them both and pay all the bills.

Naantala ang pag-iisip niya nang biglang dumating si Vince.

"Hey, you're early," puna nito. Then he smiled and said," Good morning."

"Good morning." Sinundan niya ito papasok sa office nito. "Vince, can I go home early today?"

Inilapag ni Vince ang gamit sa lamesa at saka siya nilingon.

"Pag-uwi na agad ang nasa isip mo? Kararating ko lang."

"Sorry. It's just that... a-anniversary kasi namin ni Jo ngayon."

"Oh." The shine in his eyes disappeared. "Okay then," he said coldly.

"Thank you."

Hindi na lamang niya pinansin ang pagbabago ng mood nito. She still doesn't know if he likes her or if he's just fooling around. She finds it hard to get over the numerous rejections back in college.

--

Sumalampak si Vince sa upuan. He already hates the day even though it just started. Hindi naman Friday the 13th pero bakit parang ang malas niya? Ang plano sana niya, he would ask Moira to get lunch later, and then he'd ask Red and Vico to come along. Ang dalawa na ang bahalang mag-imbita kay Moira.

Anniversary pala nina Moira at Joem. His jaw clenched at the thought. What if this is the anniversary na tatanggapin na ni Moira ang proposal ni Joem? What if after this day, she's already an engaged woman? He's not that heartless to covet an engaged woman. Hindi kakayanin ng konsensya niya.

Desperate for an advice, he called Rose. Alam niyang magagalit na naman ito dahil tumawag siya ng maaga. Lately kasi ay napupuyat ito dahil palaging gising ang baby nito sa madaling-araw. Kaya nagbabawi ito ng tulog sa umaga. She's not accepting phone calls before 11am anymore.

"Ano?!" bungad nito sa kanya. She sounded sleepy. Mukhang kagigising lang nito.

"Sorry, Rose. It's about Moira."

"Vince, isang oras pa lang ang tulog ko. I swear I'm gonna strangle you for this!" she threatened.

"Babawi ako. Pangako. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Narinig niya itong bumuntong-hininga.

"All right. What is it this time?"

"Remember last night, when I told you about the plan? Well, it turns out that she can't go."

"You already asked her? E, natural tatanggi yan. You appeared too eager kasi, asking so early in the morning."

"I didn't ask her. Ang plano ko sana, during lunch, like you suggested. Pero nagpaalam na sya agad sa 'kin. Maaga raw syang uuwi ngayon."

"Biyernes kasi. Baka may lakad."

"Meron nga. Anniversary nila ni Joem," tiim-bagang niyang sabi.

--

Gusto sana ni Vince na ikansela ang lakad. After all, Moira won't be there. But Red and Vico were indignant. Ayaw ng mga itong pumayag.

"I already told Troy na mali-late ako ng uwi, so don't cancel," Red told him.

"Don't worry, Vince. I'm sure we'll enjoy the night, even without Carlene," Vico assured him.

Sa isang resto bar sa Timog kasi sila pupunta. Dinner at inuman sana. He needs the alcohol to loosen up. Pero dahil wala si Moira, baka magpakalasing na lang siya.

Because the two insisted, he had no choice but to continue with the plan. It just sucks that while he's pretending to have a good time, Moira will be in God-knows-where, probably already saying yes to Joem.

It's really it for him. Wala nang pag-asa.

"Cheer up," sabi ni Red. "We're here!"

The lights were dim on the inside. Loose at calming ang ambiance. Jazz yung nakapailanlang na music. They were led to the table for four and were given menus to choose from. Nasa bandang sulok sila, medyo tago. Sinadya nyang doon para may privacy sana for him and Moira, in case Vico and Red decided to go to the bathroom again.

But there's no Moira in the picture so his plan was screwed from the beginning.

"Vince, are you ready to order?"

"Kanina ka pa nakatulala."

Nakatingin sa kanya ang dalawa, parehong kunot ang noo at mukhang nag-aalala.

"Yeah," he said curtly. "Let's order."

When their orders arrived, agad niyang nilaklak ang alak na nasa lamesa. He knows that alcohol is bad on an empty stomach, but he's too upset to care.

"Hey, slow down," saway sa kanya ni Red when he ordered another one.

She called the order off and made him eat his food first. He obliged grumpily.

"This way, sir, ma'am."

Napatunghay siya. The waiter was escorting a couple to the table a few meters from theirs. He frowned when he noticed that the guy looks familiar.

His grip on the utensils tightened as he realized who it is.

It's Joem. But he's not with Moira. He's with another woman.