TUMIGIL ako sa pag-iisip nang lumapit na si Shantal sa amin at naglagay ng pagkain sa harapan ko. Tinanggal ko ang mga mata sa locket na hawak-hawak pa rin ni Emily. Pansin kong halos ayaw niya tanggalin ang mga mata doon. She looks so amazed.
"Look, mommy, it's tito Hunter!" Tuwang tuwang pinakita ni Emily ang picture ni Hunter kay Shantal.
"Wow. That looks amazing. Tito Hunter must love tita Lana so much." Aniya sa anak.
"Tito Hunter is so handsome. I have a crush on him. But... Don't tell daddy. I told him he's my crush. He might get jealous."
Natawa kami sa sinabi nito. "So you like tito Hunter, huh?"
She nodded. "He gave me a lot of chocolates in the island. He gave Erine too. I was so happy! Mom said God will hear my prayers if I pray hard enough so I pray every night that tito Hunter breaks up with tita Lana." Aniya saka bumusangot. "I thought you already broke up because you cried."
Naiiling akong tumawa. "You shouldn't ask God for that. If tito Hunter breaks up with me I'd cry forever. Do you want to see me cry?"
She pouted. "No. But... I like him."
"Do you really like tito Hunter?"
Tumango siya. "I want him to become my boyfriend."
Mas lalo kaming natawa ni Shantal. Where did she even learn stuff like that? Tsk. "But he is already my boyfriend. Can't you like someone else?" Sakay ko sa ka-cute-an nito.
Paulit-ulit siyang umiling. "I only like him. He is really nice and handsome and he gives me a lot of chocolates."
Pinisil ko ang pisngi nito. "What do we do? Should we ask tito Hunter who he wants to marry?"
Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi niya at tumango. "I miss tito Hunter. I haven't seen him since we left the island."
I can't believe a kid have a crush on Hunter. Matutuwa siya pag narinig niya toh. He really loves kids. Spoiled na spoiled nga sa kanya ang mga anak ni Torre eh. They're his grandchildren which is so weird to think or say. Gabriella and Cara are only my nieces.
"Do you want to see tito Hunter?" I asked.
"Yes! I will tell him I like him." She said casully.
I giggled. "Don't worry. You'll see tito Hunter tomorrow." Nagtaas ako ng tingin kay Shantal. "You're coming to the opening party right?"
She nodded. "Of course. Pupunta lahat ng kaibigan natin. Hindi ko yun palalampasin."
Tumalon sa tuwa si Emily. "I'm going to see tito Hunter tomorrow!!! Mommy, I need to find my dress!"
Hindi ako matigil sa pagtawa. Excited na umalis si Emily sa kusina para hanapin ang dress niya. Sumunod naman sa kanya ang nagtatakang si Erine. Malamang ay wala itong clue kung anong nangyayari. Medyo gumaan ang loob ko dahil sa mga batang toh. They are so adorable. Malamang kasing kulit din nila ang magiging anak namin ni Hunter.
"You should eat. Susundan ko lang si Emily at baka guluhin na naman niya ang cabinet niya." Ani Shantal.
"You should." Wika ko.
Tinapik niya ang balikat ko. Hinintay ko na makalabas sila ng kusina bago ako kumain na. Panay ang mahihina kong tawa. Para akong baliw na nakaupo dito mag-isa. I just can't get over what Emily said. That kid is so cute. Mukhang parehas kami ng taste sa lalaki. Malamang ay di niya tatantanan si Hunter. Ang kulit pa naman ng batang yun. Manang mana siya kay Phillip. Pag may gusto siya, she wouldn't leave it alone no matter what. We gave her a stuff toy on her 3rd birthday. Since then, she couldn't sleep without it every night. Kaya goodluck na lang kay Hunter bukas.
