Kelvin was so excited. Alas sais pa lamang ng umaga ay gising na ito at nagtatatakbo sa sala. Siya naman ay kinakabahan.

"You have to eat," she told him. Nagluto siya ng breakfast pero hindi ito mapakali sa upuan nito.

"I can't. Mommy, what time is it?"

"It's only eight. Come on, eat."

Umiling ito. "I need to take a bath. Dad'll be here any minute."

Bago pa niya ito mapigilan ay nagtatakbo na ito papunta ng banyo. Grunting, she covered the food she cooked and followed him. Hindi rin naman siya makakain dahil sa kaba. Inihanda na lamang niya ang towel ni Kelvin at ang susuotin nitong damit.

Ten minutes later, lumabas na ito ng banyo at nagbihis.

"Mommy, you should take a bath too."

"Later."

"But it's almost nine!"

She sighed. "Fine. But eat your breakfast."

"Okay, okay."

She took a quick bath. Nang makalampas na kasi siya ng labinlimang minuto sa banyo ay kinakatok na siya ni Kelvin at pinagmamadali. Before heading upstairs to get dressed, she checked the food first, kung nabawasan ba iyon. Kelvin swore that he ate. Hinugasan na rin nito ang pinggan na kinainan nito.

"Did you brush your teeth?"

"I'm about to," he answered. Kinuha nito ang toothbrush, nilagyan ng toothpaste at saka tumingin sa kanya. "Mommy, get dressed already!"

Itinulak siya nito paakyat ng hagdan, saka ito tumakbo sa may sink para mag-toothbrush. Naiiling siyang umakyat at tinungo ang kwarto. She chose a simple flowery maxi dress and a pair of strappy sandals. Pinatuyo niya ang buhok at saka iyon itinali. She was putting on makeup when Kelvin went to her room.

"Mommy, it's already 5 past nine," he pointed out. "He's not here yet."

"Baka malapit na 'yon."

"Are you sure that he's coming?"

"He's coming, I promise. Kalma ka lang."

Kelvin sat on her bed and started bouncing. Tumigil lamang ito nang biglang tumunog ang phone niya. When she answered it, idinikit ni Kelvin ang tainga nito sa kabilang side ng phone niya. He listened intently to his voice and she could see his eyes twinkling on the mirror.

Nang matapos ang tawag ay ngiting-ngiti ito. Lalo na nang marinig nito ang tunog ng sasakyan sa labas. He started running down the stairs. She quickly checked herself in the mirror and grabbed her purse, then followed him downstairs.

Nasa kalagitnaan pa lamang siya ng hagdan nang buksan ni Kelvin ang pinto. Vince smiled at him. Ang anak naman niya ay litong tumingin sa kanya.

"Sorry I was a little late," Vince told them.

"It's okay." Nilingon niya ang pinsan na noon ay kababangon pa lang. "Neri, aalis muna kami ha."

Tumango ito at kinawayan si Vince. "Have fun, guys."

Hindi ni Kelvin hinihiwalayan ng tingin si Vince. Nasa backseat ito but she could see from the rearview mirror na tutok ang atensyon nito sa ama. Nilingon niya ito.

"Hey, are you okay? You're awfully quiet."

Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa kanya at kay Vince. Tapos ay lumapit ito at kumapit sa driver's seat.

"Baby, get back on your seat," saway niya rito.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to an amusement park," Vince answered. "Do you like amusement parks?"

Kelvin shrugged. "Maybe. I've only been to one, but I wasn't able to ride the roller coaster so I don't know yet."

"Why not?"

"Mommy hates roller coasters. Her face turns green just by looking at them."

Vince chuckled and looked at her. "Really? I didn't know that."

"Do you like roller coasters?" tanong nito sa ama.

"I do. I can ride with you, if you want."

She was relieved to see them bonding already. Kelvin got so many questions. Halatang curious ito sa ama, pero medyo skeptical pa ito.

Mag-a-alas onse na nang makarating sila sa amusement park dahil medyo malayo iyon. Naghanap muna sila ng kakainan dahil gutom na silang mag-ina. Kelvin wanted to eat at KFC. Ayaw sana niya sa fast food, but Vince was so eager to please his son kaya um-oo kaagad ito.

"Do you want the bucket meal?" he asked Kelvin.

Kelvin, in turn, looked up to her. "Mommy, can we order the bucket meal?"

"Hindi mo mauubos 'yon," she told him. Then she turned to Vince. "One piece chicken na lang."

"Pero hindi ka pa nagbi-breakfast. And I'm already hungry."

"I'm hungry too," pagsakay ni Vince. "Let's order the bucket meal."

So in the end, she had to agree because she's outnumbered. Two versus one. She had a feeling that this won't be the last time that they'll gang up on her. Matagal na pa namang naghahanap si Kelvin ng kakampi kapag may gusto ito na hindi niya sinasang-ayunan.

Sana nga lamang ay hindi ito masyadong ma-spoil kay Vince.

Naghanap silang mag-ina ng available na table habang si Vince naman ay um-order. Para talaga silang isang pamilya. It would have been great if Vince loves her too, because that would be like a cherry on top of a delicious sundae, sweet and perfect. But she knows that he's only doing it because of Kelvin.

Tuwang-tuwa ang anak niya nang dumating si Vince with their order.

"Can I use my hands?" tanong nito.

"Wash them first." Tumayo siya. "Tara sa CR."

Kelvin nodded and followed her. Dali-dali itong naghugas ng kamay at saka patakbong bumalik sa pwesto nila. Vince had already distributed the plates. Nabuksan na rin nito ang kanin at nailagay na iyon sa plato nila.

"Let's eat!" he announced.

Parehong leg part ang kinuha ng mag-ama. Pareho ring sinabawan ng mga ito ng gravy ang kanin. They may not realize it yet, pero halos pareho ng galaw ang mga ito. They both held their chicken using their left hands and used their right hands to pick up the rice.

Sa kaaliwan niya panunuod ay nakalimutan na niyang kumain.

"Mommy, aren't you hungry?" takang-tanong ni Kelvin sa kanya.

Nginitian lamang niya ito saka siya nagsimulang kumain. Kanang kamay lamang ang ginamit niya para iyong kaliwa, panghawak ng drinks nilang tatlo. Kapag nauuhaw ang dalawa, sya ang tagaabot ng inumin sa mga ito.

Unang beses niyang makitang ganoon kaganang kumain ang anak. Nakakadalawang chicken na ito at dalawang kanin. Kung normal na araw ay hindi ito kakain ng ganoon kalaki. Siguro ay dahil na rin kay Vince kaya malaki ang gana nito.

It's not until Vince had finished eating that Kelvin also stopped.

"I'm so full!"

"Ang dami mo kasing kinain."

"Let's go wash our hands," aya ni Vince sa anak. Tumango si Kelvin at sumunod sa CR. Siya naman ay naiwang kumakain. Maya-maya ay bumalik na ang dalawa tapos ay siya naman ang tumayo paramaghugas ng kamay.

Pagbalik niya, nakabalot na 'yong mga tira nilang pagkain at handa nang umalis ang dalawa.

"Mamaya na tayo mag-rides. Baka masuka tayo sa dami ng kinain natin," Vince told Kelvin.

"Okay. But where will we go next?"

Tumuro si Vince sa museum na nasa bukana. Puro 3D arts ang nandoon. Kelvin readily agreed. They bought tickets and went inside. Tuwang-tuwa ito nag-pose at nagpa-picture. Vince would join him, occasionally.  Siya naman ang naging taga-picture.

Maliit lamang ang museum na iyon. Wala pa yatang 30 minutes ay naikot na nila iyon.

"Mommy, look!"

Sinundan niya ng tingin ang itinuturo nito. On one wall, there's an inviting sight of a flowery arc, with a priest reading a book and in front of him, is a floating bouquet.

"You should take a picture there!"

"Huwag na," tanggi niya.

"Please?" he begged. Saka ito tumingin kay Vince. "Please? I'll call you daddy from now on."

Binalingan naman siya ni Vince. His eyes pleading.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Fine."

Halos ipagtulakan sila ni Kelvin patungo sa painting. Ibinigay ni Vince ang phone nito sa anak para kunin ang picture nila, but one staff saw them and offered to take the picture for them. So that's how Kelvin ended up in the middle, smiling proudly, because for the first time in a long time, his family became whole.

--

Habang ang dalawa ay nag-e-enjoy sa rides na hindi niya kayang sakyan, siya naman ay panay ang kuha ng pictures. They seemed to be having a good time. After the rides, magpapahinga naman ang dalawa by going to some booths and shooting some hoops.

Vince managed to get a couple of stuffed toys for Kelvin and one for her (Kelvin insisted on it). Pinakahuli nilang sinakyan ang Ferris Wheel. Once inside, Vince showed Kelvin a picture of himself when he was ten. Her son thought that it was him instead.

"But I don't remember having this picture taken," kunot-noong sabi nito.

"That's because it's not you. It's me," Vince pointed out.

Namilog ang mga mata nito. "Whoa. We do look alike!"

True to his word, Kelvin began calling Vince daddy. Itong isa naman, parang ilaw ng bumbilya ang mukha tuwing maririnig ang salitang iyon. They looked so adorable together. If she could have only predicted this, e di sana ay hindi na niya itinago si Kelvin sa ama nito.

But Vince is right. It's not too late to make up for the lost time.

Pinatunayan nito iyon nang dumaan sila sa isang mall at dinala nito si Kelvin sa isang toy store. Vince pulled a cart and told his son, "Pick whatever you like. I'll buy it for you."

And Kelvin just went right at it.

"Isn't this too much?" tanong niya kay Vince habang namimili ng laruan si Kelvin.

"I'm just making up for all the birthdays that I missed," he answered and she didn't say another word about it.

When Kelvin came back, umaawas ang laman ng cart nito. Vince bought them all and they filled the backseat with them. Tapos ay dumaan muna sila sa DQ to buy ice cream cake. Kelvin was so happy, he hugged Vince a few times.

"Can we do this again tomorrow?" tanong nito sa ama nang nasa daan na sila.

"Sure," agad namang sagot ni Vince.

Kelvin clapped his hand. "Wow. It's really nice to have a dad!"

She saw Vince smile. "Yes, it is," he muttered.

--

"Tita! I have ice cream cake!" sigaw ni Kelvin pagkapasok ng bahay. Humahangos namang sumalubong ang pinsan niya, na namilog ang mata pagkakita sa napakarami nilang dala.

"Baby, why don't you give tita Neri a slice? Pati na rin si tito Joem."

Tumango ito at pumunta sa kusina, kasunod ang dalawa. Nilingon naman niya si Vince at itinuro ang mga dala nito.

"Just leave these here. Iaakyat ko na lang mamaya."

"Okay." Ibinaba nito ang mga dala sa sahig.

"Would you like to have some coffee? Or ice cream cake kaya?"

Umiling ito. "Hindi na. Thanks."

"Aalis ka na ba? I'll call Kelvin."

Nang tumango siya ay pinuntahan niya ang anak sa kusina. Masayang kumakain ang tatlo habang ikinikwento nito ang nangyari kanina.

"Baby, daddy's about to go home."

Bigla itong sumimangot. "Already?"

"Yes. Come and say good night."

 Malungkot itong sumunod. Sa higpit ng yakap nito kay Vince, akala mo'y hindi na magkikita ang dalawa kinabukasan.

"Next time, daddy, dito ka na lang matulog," sabi nito sa ama.

"Your mom might not like that idea. But you can sleep over at my house, if you like."

Kelvin's eyes twinkled in an instant. "Really? Can mommy come too?"

Nagkatinginan sila ni Vince.

"If she wants to," sagot nito sa anak.

"Mommy?"

"We'll talk about it," she promised.

Humiwalay si Kelvin sa ama. "Good night, daddy. I'll see you tomorrow."

Hinalikan ito ni Vince sa tuktok. "Good night."

Inihatid nila ito hanggang sa sasakyan nito. Kelvin refused to go back inside hanggang kita pa nito ang sasakyan. When Vince's car was already out of his sight, saka lamang ito pumasok.

"Mommy, how come that we don't live in the same house?"

"Daddy has his own house, baby," sagot niya rito.

"Can't we live there with him?"

"I don't know yet."

--

Vince thought that the best weekend was the one that he spent with Moira in Newark. Mali pala siya. This weekend with Kelvin and Moira easily topped that one. Kaya naman pagdating ng Lunes ay may hangover pa rin ang tuwa niya.

Rose noticed that immediately. Pagkapasok niya ng opisina ay sumunod kaagad ito sa kanya.

"I've never seen you this happy in months," she pointed out.

"There's no greater joy than being a parent," he told her.

Ngumiti ito. "I couldn't agree more." She sat on one chair. "So, tell me what happened."

He didn't spare any detail. Pati expression ng mukha ni Kelvin at tono ng pananalita nito ay naikwento na yata niya. Rose listened intently. Ramdam niya ang tuwa nito para sa kanya nang matapos siyang magkwento.

"He really got to you, didn't he?"

Tumango siya. "Parang ten years na kaming magkakilala. It was so surreal. I never thought that I'd be that happy with a child I barely know."

"Lukso kasi ng dugo. Saka base sa kwento mo, he seemed like a nice kid."

"He is."

"So kelan mo sya ipakikilala sa 'kin? Dadalhin mo ba sya rito?"

He sighed. "I don't know. Maybe not anytime soon. My father doesn't know about him yet."

Iyon pa ang isang problema. His father had been setting him up with different women, hoping that he'd find one that's bearable enough to marry. But he doesn't want anyone else. Pero yung choice niya, alam niyang hindi magiging aprubado ng ama.

"Did Moira accept the job?" tanong niya kay Rose. Alam niyang matatapos na ang kontrata ni Vico. Ilang linggo na lamang at mangingibang-bansa na ito kasama ni Mitch para sa pangarap nitong trabaho. Red told him about her plan to hire Moira as replacement. Pumayag naman siya agad.

He wants to keep Moira around because not seeing her puts himself at unease.

"Pag-iisipan daw muna nya," sagot ni Rose. "Baka maghanap muna sya ng trabaho sa ibang kumpanya."

As if he will let that happen.

"Rose, will you help me with this?"

"With Moira? Sure. What do you want me to do?"

"Search for every job vacancy within the area. And call every company's HR. I don't want anyone to accept Moira's application."

Kampante naman siyang susunod ang mga ito sa gusto niya. Karamihan sa mga kumpanya sa lugar ay either co-owned niya o kasosyo niya sa negosyo ang may-ari.

"You're quite possessive," Rose commented.

He smiled. "Only with this one."