“Saan na naman tayo pupunta?” naiinis na tanong ni Gabby.They were not on their way back to her condo. She hated sitting beside him. She was irritated na suot-suot niya pa rin ang coat nito. She was so stupid to wear a flimsy, lace bra underneath a satin blouse. She did not want to embarrass herself further so she decided to wear his coat until she splits up with him.
“I have to go home.” dugtong niya sa sinabi.
“It’s only 8 pm. You ate too fast. We still have time.”
“Just tell me where we are going.”
“Let’s get the bears for the twins.”
“We don’t have to. If the hotel won’t send it over, I can pick it up tomorrow
“Mommy!” Namimilog ang mata ni Mango na tuwang-tuwa sa narinig. “We get a daddy. You hear that, Chico?” Hinila pa nito ang kapatid sa pagkakayakap kay Gabby.Chico shrugged Mango’s hand and held tighter to Gabby’s neck.Mango was not bothered and sat back on Matt’s lap. “So are you mommy’s Boyfie?”Pulang-pula naman na ang mukha ni Gabby.“Yep. I‘m her boyfriend.” Matt answered. He smiled while intentionally avoiding looking at Gabby and just focused on Mango.“You’re like Teacher Jason to Teacher Martha. He waits for her then they go home together,” daldal ni Mango. “Are you going to pick
“Mommy!” Namimilog ang mata ni Mango na tuwang-tuwa sa narinig. “We get a daddy. You hear that, Chico?” Hinila pa nito ang kapatid sa pagkakayakap kay Gabby.Chico shrugged Mango’s hand and held tighter to Gabby’s neck.Mango was not bothered and sat back on Matt’s lap. “So are you mommy’s Boyfie?”Pulang-pula naman na ang mukha ni Gabby.“Yep. I‘m her boyfriend.” Matt answered. He smiled while intentionally avoiding looking at Gabby and just focused on Mango.“You’re like Teacher Jason to Teacher Martha. He waits for her then they go home together,” daldal ni Mango. “Are you going to pick
A Little Tikes play house was in the middle of the room. Excited na excited na ipinakita ng mga anak niya ang iba’t-ibang puzzles sa bawat dingding. Nakasunod lang sa kanila si Matt.Hindi naman siya nagkulang na bigyan ng mga laruan ang mga anak niya. But they always gave the toys to the orphanage once the twins outgrew them.They only kept a few. Ganoon din sa mga damit. She looked around. Maayos na nakasalansan ang mga lumang laruan sa isang estante na nakadikit sa dingding. Short enough na abot pa rin ng kambal.“Mommy, let’s play this.” Chico pointed to the huge tic-tac-toe board na nakadikit sa game house.They split into teams and Mango and Gabby were together and Chico and Matt were a team. Gabby sat down inside the playhouse which was large enough for an adult … or
“Miss G, nandito po si Mr. Wilson,” kinikilig na sabi ni Miss Martha over the phone. “What?!?” “Sinusundo niya daw yung kambal.” “Miss Martha, I’ll be there in twenty minutes… No, no. Fifteen minutes,” agad na bawi ni Gabby sa sinabi. It was only Thursday. She expected Matt kinabukasan pa. He called the twins every night tulad ng pinangako nito. They were always talking for about an hour at hindi niya narinig na nagsabi itong Huwebes ang dating nito. At ang lalong masaklap, she has not made a decision yet. O, hindi pa nga ba talaga? She dragged her feet and said yes to everything for the past four days. Gabby heaved a big sigh and snatched her keys.
“Join us for dinner,” Matt told Lucas when they got to the office.“Lexie needs to go for a check-up. We’ll plan something out so your family can meet everyone. Naiwan din ang kambal. Alam mo naman ang mga iyon.”Lucas called Leon. Atubili pa itong sumama but Lucas told him they were meeting again. They watched Leon and Chico exchange an elaborate handshake before they bade goodbye to each other.Nagkatinginan lang si Matt at Lucas and shrugged their shoulders.Nagpaalam si Lucas sa mga bata and gave Gabby a quick hug before he left.Hindi naman makapaniwala si Gabby but there were at least 6 booster seats at Matt’s office. There was even a sales representative
Halos hindi nag-uusap si Gabby at Matt habang naghahapunan. Gabby was silent due to embarrassment while Matt let her be. But he never let her put any distance between them, he was always near. He took her hand at every opportunity.Tinulungan sila ng hotel staff with all the shopping bags and loaded them in her Land Cruiser na hinatid ng valet. Matt kept insisting she shop for herself pero hindi siya pumayag. All the things that Matt paid for were for the twins.“Kids, say thank you and good night to D-daddy.” ani Gabby pagkatapos makapagpasalamat sa mga tumulong sa kanila. Her intent was obvious, at least para kay Matt. She wanted to go home with the twins na sila lang.“I’m driving you home,” maiksi naman nitong sambit. Maingat nitong kinarga at isinakay sa sasakyan si Man
TINUTUYO NA NI GABBY ANG BUHOK NI Mango when the two got back to the room.“Mommy, can I sleep beside daddy?” tanong ni Mango.Gabby nodded.Mabilis na nagtungo siya sa walk-in closet after drying Mango’s hair. Doon niya na tinuyo ang sariling buhok and brushed her hair. They are again taking a giant leap. Hindi niya na maintindihan and there are too many insecurities and uncertainties sa isip niya.“How long are you going to dry your hair?”Nagulat siya nang hindi niya namalayan ang pagpasok ni Matt.Sinulyapan ni Gabby ang maliit na desk clock at nagulat nang makitang mala
She moaned softly as she felt warm. Sumiksik pa siya lalo and brought the blanket closer. She felt soft, moist lips on her face that was followed by giggles.Dahan-dahan niyang minulat ang mata. The twins were sitting on the bed at pinupugpog siya ng halik.“Mommy’s up,” Matt said, then kissed her cheek. “Morning, mommy.” nakahiga ito sa tabi niya and was the warm thing hugging her from behind.“Oh my!” napabalikwas siya ng bangon. She overslept. The twins were already in their uniforms.“Daddy gave us showers, mommy. Then he made breakfast.” Chico informed her. Sumulyap pa ito kay Matt na umayos na rin ng up