Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 31

Hindi nagkaroon ng chance si Aid na makausap si Tati dahil sobrang dami ng mga bisita na lumalapit sa bata. When the celebration was already over, our daughter was too drowsy to speak to anyone.

"Can I at least greet her?" Aid requested, looking across at Tati, who was dining on the side with Kuya and Mommy.

Tumango ako at sinamahan siyang lumapit sa anak namin. Nilingon ko saglit si Zoren at napansin ang galit niyang mukha. I flashed him a pleasant smile, assuring him that I will explain later. Umiwas lang siya ng tingin.

Nang makarating sa mesa nila Kuya, agad silang napatingin sa amin. They seemed startled, while Tati peered at us sweetly.

"Hello, baby," panimula ko. "This is my f-friend, Aid."

Seryoso lang ang tingin sa amin ni Kuya habang pabalik-balik naman ang sulyap ni Mommy sa aming dalawa ni Aid.

"He is here to greet you," I added.

Aid was crouching in front of Tati, looking at her face as if he was memorizing every feature of it. Finally, he tossed her a beautiful smile.

"Happy birthday, little girl," he greeted emotionally.

Akala ko 'yon lang at aalis na siya pero muling siyang nagsalita.

"Happy birthday," he whispered.

And then he did it five times in a row. We were baffled by what he was doing, but as I grasped it, my heart wrenched as I watched him restrain his emotions.

Pitong beses niya binati si Tati para mapunan ang anim na kaarawan nitong wala siya.

"Thank you po seven times!" Tati replied, evidently delighted.

Nagulat kami nang biglang tumayo si Aid at naglakad paalis. My shoulder slumped, knowing he'd weep again. Sobrang lambot niya pagdating kay Tati gayong ngayon niya pa ito nakilala.

"Is there something I said that I shouldn't have mentioned? Was he upset, Mommy?" tanong ni Tati habang tinitingnan ang papalayong si Aid.

I shook my head and brushed her cheeks. Alam kong malapit nang bumagsak ang mga pilikmata niya dahil sa antok.

"Hindi 'yon galit, okay?" Ngumiti ako ng malapad para hindi siya mag-alala pa. "Are you done eating? Sama ka muna kay Tito at Lola sa loob ha? May kakausapin lang ako."

She obviously had no idea what I was talking about when she nodded since she seemed so lost, as if the only thing she wanted to do was sleep.

Nang makapasok na sila, nilapitan si Zoren na halatang wala sa mood. He had his arms crossed and his eyebrows furrowed the entire time.

"Sino 'yon?" agad na tanong ni Zoren nang makabalik ako sa mesa namin.

Kaunti na lamang ang mga tao dahil malalim na rin ang gabi. Some of the personnel were starting to clean the place. Wala na rin ang mga photographers na kasama ni Aid.

"Ama ni Tati," pagod kong sagot.

"What?" he exclaimed, his voice sounded irritated and disturbed.

I cast a weary look at him. "What's up with the tone?"

He sighed. "I'm sorry. Nagulat lang ako. Alam ba ni Tati?"

Umiling ako. "Bukas na. Pagod ang bata."

"Pitong taon siyang wala sa buhay niyo, Ava! Tapos papasukin mo siya sa buhay ng anak mo nang ganoon lang kadali?" he told me, clearly disappointed with my decision.

"You have no idea about the situation. 'Wag natin 'tong pagtalunan pa. Pagod ako," kalmado kong saad.

"No! Kaya ko namang maging ama ng bata! Hindi na siya kailangan!"