Aiming for Hades

36

I gave Hades and Ares the time to talk to each other.

My heart was so soft and I'm all teary as I watch them. Hindi ko na masyadong napakinggan ang pinag-uusapan nila dahil hikbi ako nang hikbi. My son was crying, too. Hades is, too. I'm all emotional. I can't help but feel bad about the years Hades' lost because I hid our son. I cried and wept as I looked at them.

We drove home so awkwardly because we are all crying. Yuri was awkward with us, too. Johnny, on the other hand, was confused. Umuwi rin sila sa kanila at ngayon, nandito kami sa bahay ni Tatay; kami nila Hades.

Hades was still talking to Ares, entertaining him to keep him from crying again. Hades looked at our son with so much passion and happiness. I can't explain how I see so much of it in his eyes. How he would hold our son... how he would talk... It was all so gentle!

And my son looked so happy, too! Though, he cried, I can see the amused face of my son as his father talked to him and entertained him. He has that twinkling eyes that made me realize how he long for a father.

My heart hurt.

How am I so selfish to hid the truth to my son, all these years?

"M-Mag... papaluto lang ako ng lunch..." binasag ko ang sariling mundo nila habang nag-uusap.

Napatingin silang dalawa sa 'kin. I became intimidated because both of their eyes looked the same. I feel like two Hades or Ares, is looking at me right now!

"Mom!" Ares called like he just noticed me. Lumapit siya sa 'kin at iniwanan si Hades sa sofa kung nasaan sila nag-uusap. "I'll go with you." presinta ng anak ko, gaya ng lagi niyang ginagawa.

He likes stuff when it includes being with me. Lagi siyang pala-sama sa lahat ng bagay na pupuntahan o gagawin ko. I liked it. Actually, I love it so much that I sometimes wonder how will I function if one day, Ares won't be the same anymore. But well, you always overthink about a certain thing if you love it very much, after all. Napatingin ako kay Hades na nakasunod ang tingin kay Ares na hinawakan na ang kamay ko ngayon.

I looked at Ares and saw his serious eyes, waiting for me to take a step because of what I said earlier.

Though, I like to have Ares by my side, as always, I know I need to make a move for my son to bond with Hades.

"Baby, d'yan lang naman ako... dito ka na muna kay, uh, D-Daddy..." I stuttered.

Damn!

Ares looked at his father so I looked at Hades, too. Hades was smirking at Ares and then, to me. What is it? Damn! Humigpit ang hawak ni Ares sa 'kin.

"But I wanna go with you, Mom..." he whispered. "D-Dad, why don't you go with u-us, too?"

Hades moved fast, he stood up immediately. "I'll go, baby. Let's go." agad siyang pumunta sa kabilang gilid ni Ares at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

Ngayon, hawak namin ni Hades ang tag-isang kamay ni Ares. Para kaming masayang pamilya! Damn it, Elle! Ganito pala talaga 'pag Nanay ka na. Emotional! Nakakahiya!

Ang ending, talagang para kaming isang linya kahit pupunta lang ako sa chef namin para magpaluto ng lunch! Ganoon pa man, kinukurot ang puso ko sa saya habang tinitingnan ang mga kamay naming magkakakonekta. I was so overwhelmed yet so happy with it. 'Di sinasadyang mapatingin ako kay Hades na nakatingin din pala sa 'kin.

Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at tinahak na lang ng tahimik ang pasilyo papunta sa kusina.

"Mom, can I have some Adobong Sitaw for lunch?" Ares asked politely. Ngumiti ako sa kanya nang mag-angat siya ng tingin.