Moira spent the whole Wednesday thinking about Red's offer and briefing Rose about the works she had done for the last two months. Hindi niya alam kung kailan siya kakausapin ni Vince. Kapag lalabas ito ng office at lalapit sa cubicle nila, he only talks to Rose. Kapag nakakasalubong niya ito sa daan, nilalampasan lamang siya nito ng tingin.

Kahit sa bahay ay napi-pressure din siya dahil kina Neri at Joem. Tanong nang tanong ang mga ito kung nakapag-usap na sila ni Vince. They're also scared of him, apparently, dahil kasali sila sa pagsisinungaling niya.

So she also has to make sure na hindi matatamaan ang dalawa. She has to clear their names to prevent damage in the future. There's no telling what Vince would do when he's angry.

"Galit pa ba?" tanong niya kay Rose nang makabalik ang dalawa from lunch. Vince invited Rose out to have lunch, while completely ignoring her. She tried to act like it didn't matter, but it did. If there's one thing that she hates more than being hated, it's being ignored.

Nagkibit-balikat si Rose. "We didn't talk about it."

"Gano'n ba?"

"Don't worry. He'll come around. Nagpapakalma lang 'yon."

"Pero last day ko na ngayon. Kailan pa nya 'ko kakausapin?"

"May job offer si Red sa 'yo, di ba? Hindi mo iku-consider?" pag-iiba nito ng topic.

She grimaced. True, the job would be perfect for her. Kahit hindi kasinglaki ang salary na makukuha niya from working as Vince's assistant, mas permanente naman iyon. Probi lang sya for a few months and then regular employee na. At kapag regular employee, may compensation and benefits pang kasama.

Malaking tulong na rin iyon para makapag-ipon siya for Kelvin's college fund.

"Maghahanap na lang muna siguro ako sa ibang kumpanya," she told Rose.

"Magpapakapagod ka pa sa paghahanap, e may offer naman na sa 'yo rito. Familiar ka na sa environment at sa trabaho mo. Saka mataas ang sweldo at maganda ang benefits. For sure malaki pa rin ang io-offer sa 'yo since you've already worked for Vince."

Rose gave her a knowing look.

"Is it because of Vince?"

"I just don't think that I'd be able to work with him around."

"But you have to get used to it. Since alam na rin naman nyang may anak kayo, he's not going to let you take care of your son alone. Syempre, he'll get involved and ultimately, you'll have him around whether you like it or not."

Rose has a point. She knows that. Pero hindi pa niya napag-iisipan ang tungkol doon. Ang isip niya ngayon ay nasa kung paano niya ipaliliwanag kay Vince ang lahat. How much will she tell him? And how will she introduce Vince to Kelvin?

--

"So when are you going to talk to her?" Rose asked Vince over dinner. Pinagalitan na naman siya nito kanina dahil hindi niya ito pinauwi kaagad. Rose had been itching to go home since the clock hits six. Miss na miss na raw kasi nito ang anak.

He felt guilty for stealing her time away, but he needs to talk to Rose. Nangako naman siyang huling gabi na iyon na uuwi ito ng late.

"Friday," sagot niya.

"Did you tell her that?"

Umiling siya. Ni hindi nga niya tinapunan ng tingin si Moira buong maghapon. Hindi kasi siya makapag-isip ng maayos. On one hand, he wanted to set aside his emotions and just talk to her sensibly. Pero sa tuwing makikita niya ito ay inuunahan siya ng galit.

"You're killing her, you know that. She's been anxiously waiting for you to say something the whole day."

"Let her suffer."

Sinamaan siya nito ng tingin. "Now you're being childish."

"Kanino ka ba kampi?"

"Ano 'to, laro? Kailangang may kampihan?" Rose shook her head. "Kung ganito ka nang ganito, you're going to lose her. And don't you dare tell me that you don't want her. You're crazy about her. We both know that."

Sometimes, he regrets telling her stuff. Kapag kasi kailangan nito ng pambalik sa kanya, napakarami nitong panlaban. And what she's saying is true. He wants Moira. But there's also a side of him that feels betrayed and hurt for not being trusted.

"You didn't tell her, did you?"

"I'm very tempted, but no, I didn't. Pero huwag mo nang hintaying maisipan kong pangunahan ka."

"Is that a threat?"

Rose smiled. "It's a promise."

--

It's already Friday pero wala pa ring naririnig si Moira mula kay Vince. He has her number and her personal email address. He even knows where she lives. Pero nananatili itong tahimik. Maybe his anger's still not subsided.

She updated her resumé while waiting for his call. Naghanap na rin siya online ng mga job vacancies. But nothing comes close to what Red was offering. Bibihira rin kasi ang job openings for an executive assistant, so kung mag-a-apply siya sa ibang kumpanya, baka mas mababa ang posisyon maging niya.

"Moira."

Napatingin siya sa pintuan ng kwarto nang tumawag si Neri. Hawak-hawak nito ang phone niya. She left it in the living room earlier.

"May text message ka. Binasa ko na. Galing kay Vince."

Iniabot nito sa kanya ang phone at saka ito umalis. She opened her inbox and looked for his message. True enough, mayroon nga. It was already read, like what Neri had told her.

Vince wasn't asking. He told her, via text, that she needs to be ready by seven, because he'll pick her up for dinner. Ni-reply-an niya ito na sa harap na lang ng subdivision siya hintayin. Kapag nalaman ni Kelvin na susunduin siya ni Vince, paniguradong magtatanong ito nang magtatanong bago siya nito papayagang umalis.

Four o'clock ng hapon nang umuwi si Kelvin galing school. Nung Wednesday pa ito magaling at ayaw nitong mag-pirmi sa bahay kaya hinayaan na lamang niya itong pumasok. Siya na rin ang naghatid dito sa school. Nagkataon lamang na manunundo ng anak ang kapitbahay nila kaya isinabay na nitong sunduin si Kelvin.

"Mommy, what's for dinner?" tanong nito.

"Dinner kaagad? It's just four o'clock."

"E di merienda. I'm hungry." Naupo ito sa may breakfast nook at nagpangalumbaba. "I want mac and cheese."

"Baka mabusog ka na sa mac and cheese, hindi ka na makakain ng hapunan."

"Is it not okay if I skip dinner?"

"You might get hungry later kaya dapat kumain ka kahit kaunti. Just ask tita Neri to cook something that you like for dinner."

"Why tita Neri? Why not you?"

"Because I have to be somewhere else later."

"A date?" taas-kilay nitong tanong.

"It's not a date."

"But you'll go out to dinner, with a guy, right? Isn't that a date?"

"I didn't say that it's with a guy."

"Then, is it with a girl?"

Pinisil niya ang ilong nito. "You're so nosy."

"I'm your son. I deserve to know," he said dramatically.

She raised her hands in defeat. "Okay. It's with a guy, but it's not a date."

Kelvin frowned.

"Then what is it?"

"It's just dinner."

"But isn't that a date?" lito nitong tanong.

"It's not a date. Ang kulit mo."

Kelvin smiled. "I just want to make sure."

Ipinagluto niya ng mac and cheese ang anak para manahimik na ito. After that, she prepared herself for her dinner with Vince. Kagaya ng napag-usapan nila, sa labas ng subdivision na lamang siya nito hinintay. She felt so underdressed next to him. Naka-jeans lamang siya, sleeveless blouse at cardigan. Ito naman ay naka-usual attire nito, suit.

Hindi sila nag-usap habang nasa daan. She didn't ask him where they would eat. Hinayaan na lamang niya itong mag-drive. Kung hindi nga lamang rude tingnan, sa backseat na sana siya naupo.

Pamilyar ang restaurant na pinarahan nito. They've been there before. The NO WIFI zone Pinoy restaurant. Pero sasakyan lamang ni Vince ang nasa parking area.

"Hindi yata sila bukas," mahina niyang sabi rito nang makababa sila ng sasakyan. Mukhang walang katao-tao sa loob, which is unusual, since it should be jam-packed dahil weekend.

"I rented the whole place," he replied coldly.

The manager welcomed them warmly. Naka-salansan na ang mga lamesa at upuan sa gilid. There's just one table on the corner with two chairs sitting across each other. Doon sila pumwesto.

Vince ordered for the both of them. Sa dami ng order nito, she figured that they will be staying there for quite a while.

"How's he?" tanong nito nang makaalis ang waiter.

"Okay naman. Magaling na."

"Did he ask about me?"

Umiling siya. "He doesn't know about you," she admitted.

"Oh." He looked genuinely disappointed. Lalo siyang na-guilty. She felt guilty for not giving him the benefit of doubt. She felt guilty for hiding Kelvin from him, na para bang ipinagdamot niya ang anak sa sarili nitong ama.

Dumating ang waiter with their appetizers.

"Thanks," Vince told him. Nang makaalis ang waiter ay itinuon nitong muli ang pansin sa kanya. "So what do you tell him when he asks?"

"I dodge every question."

He scoffed. "That's so like you."

She lowered her gaze. He's still angry. And he has every right to be.

"You basically excluded me from my son's life."

"Hindi ko kasi alam kung matatanggap mo sya."

She hasn't eaten since four in the afternoon and the dish served to her could make any mouth water, but she couldn't eat. His words are ruining her appetite.

"Sana nagtanong ka man lang, di ba? Instead, you made my decisions for me."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Vince began eating. And her apology was left hanging in the air. Nagsimula na rin siyang kumain at hinintay itong magsalita. Later, the waiter brought their main orders. Adobong pusit, shrimp curry, kare-kare at pinaupong manok. Just like last time, the rice was served on a banana leaf and they have to eat by hand.

"When do you plan on introducing me to him?" he asked a while later.

The truth is, she had no plan of introducing Vince to Kelvin. But things changed when he found out about his son. Ngayon, wala na siyang choice. They had to meet eventually.

"Ikaw, kung kailan mo gusto."

"Tomorrow is fine."

She choked on her food. Dali-dali siyang uminom ng tubig. His expression remained bland.

"Isn't that too soon?"

"Isn't ten years too late?"

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "A-All right. I'll ask him."

"I still don't know anything about him. Ni hindi ko alam ang full name nya."

"It's just Kelvin," she told him. "I-It's a play on your name."

 His eyes twinkled for a quick moment. But one blink and it was already gone.

"When's his birthday?"

"December 27. It's why I wasn't able to go with my parents to New York for New Year. Kapapanganak ko pa lang kasi noon."

Tumango-tango ito.

"So he's turning ten this December, right? Anong grade nya na?"

"Grade three."

"What school? Private?"

"Sa public school sya nag-aaral, because I can't afford to send him to a more expensive school."

"And how does that work out for him?"

"He's doing okay. Matataas naman ang grades nya, especially in Math, Science and English. But he's often bullied," she admitted, eyes downcast.

"Why?"

"Kasi matalino sya, but he's scrawny. A-And because he has no dad." She lifted her finger to stop him. He was about to make a comment. "I know it's my fault."

"You could've prevented it."

"I have to tell you something but please don't get angry." Huminga siya ng malalim. "Remember that time when we're in a meeting and I ran out because of an emergency?"

Kumunot ang noo nito. And then his eyes widened when he realized something.

"You mean to tell me that it's not Joem who was pushed down the stairs?"

Tumango siya. "I panicked when I received Neri's text. Akala ko malala na. Fortunately, it's just a few steps. But he still got fractured."

Napasapo si Vince. "You should have told me."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Is there anything else that I need to know? Alam kong marami."

"About Joem." Tumikhim siya. "We're not really together. He wasn't cheating on me with Neri. They've been together since college. I-I just pretended to be with him because I don't want you to think that I haven't moved on from you."

Vince scoffed. "Wow. So I was actually making a fool of myself all this time. Did you enjoy it, pretending and making me look stupid?" buong pang-uuyam nitong sabi.

"It was not my intention. I just didn't know how to face you. That night, I promised that it would be the last time that you'll see me. So, no'ng nagkita tayo ulit, hindi ko alam kung pa'no ka patutunguhan. I didn't mean to lie, but felt like I had to, especially because of Kelvin. Hindi ko alam kung ano'ng gagawin mo kapag nalaman mo," paliwanag niya.

"Kung sinabi mo sa 'kin agad, e di sana hindi mo na kailangang magsinungaling. Nagpunta ka naman ng states, di ba? You could've given me a call."

She shook her head.

"I didn't want to ruin your life. If my parents found out about you, they would have done everything just to get to you. Lalo na't sa magandang pamilya ka galing. Kung nalaman nila, baka pinilit ka nilang ipakasal sa 'kin."

It's not that her parents are too hungry for money, pero may tendency ang mga ito na mag-take advantage sa ibang tao. She didn't want that to happen to Vince, kaya hindi siya nagsalita tungkol dito.  

"They were so ashamed of me for being pregnant so early, that they even tried to take him away from me. Plano sana nilang ipalabas na anak ni ate si Kelvin. So I went back to the Philippines to raise Kelvin."

--

Ilan sa mga paliwanag ni Moira ang nagpakulo ng dugo ni Vince. But as they sink in, the anger slowly waned down. It's undeniable that she had been through a lot and had sacrificed a lot so she could give their son a good life. Of course, it wasn't enough. Kung alam lamang niya, ang dami na sana niyang naitulong.

But it's not too late. Pwede pa siyang makabawi.

"Neri helped me a lot. And later on, pati si Joem tumulong na rin," dagdag nito. "I wasn't supposed to drag them into this mess. And I don't want you to get angry with them. Sinakyan lang nila yung pagsisinungaling ko because I begged them to."

She really looked apologetic. Hindi na halos nila magalaw ang mga pagkain dahil sa pag-uusap nila. Siguro ay pareho na silang nawalan ng gana.

"I'm sorry," she told him. Kanina pa ito hingi nang hingi ng tawad sa kanya.

"You need to make up for your mistakes, Moira."

Yumuko ito. "I know."

"I'm not going to take Kelvin away from you, if that's what you're afraid of. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay makilala niya ako bilang ama nya. He deserves to know that."

--

She sighed in relief upon hearing that. Alam niyang hindi magiging problema si Kelvin. He's been dying to know who his father is. She just hopes that he'll like Vince.

Vince seemed to have calmed down. The heavy atmosphere was finally gone and they were able to eat their dinner. He kept on asking about Kelvin and she didn't hold back with the answers.

After two and a half hours of talking about their son, they finally called it a night.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow, around nine. Is that okay?" tanong nito nang makarating sila sa subdivision.

"Okay." Ipinarada nito ang sasakyan sa tapat ng bahay niya. "Thanks, Vince."

"Don't thank me yet."

Tumango siya at pilit na ngumiti. "Good night."

Pagkapasok niya sa bahay ay pinuntahan kaagad niya si Kelvin sa kwarto nito to check if he's already sleeping. He isn't. Agad itong bumangon pagkakita sa kanya.

"Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog?"

"I was waiting for you," he answered. "How's dinner?"

"It was alright. How's yours?"

Kelvin wrinkled his nose. "You're a way better cook than tita Neri."

She smiled. "Don't tell her that. She'll starve you."

Ngumiti rin ito. "She won't. She adores me."

"Aba, conceited?" She tucked him in. Saka siya nahiga sa tabi nito. "Honey, do you still want to meet your dad?"

Tumingala ito sa kanya. "Of course. Why?"

"Because I just talked to him and he wanted to meet you too."

His eyes sparkled. "Did you have dinner with him?" He bounced in excitement when she nodded. "You should've brought me!"

"I needed to talk to him first."

"But when am I going to meet him?"

"Tomorrow."

"Really?" Namilog ang mata nito. "Did you tell him about me? What did he say? Does he like me?"

She cupped his face and kissed his forehead. "He's very excited to meet you."

"I'm excited to meet him too!"

"Then you better sleep because he'll pick us up early tomorrow."

Tumango ito. "Okay. Good night, mommy. I love you!"