SAUDADE

dalawang pu't walo

Third Person

"Hon, paki-abot nga the cinnamon..." She turned to her husband who was eating a ham and cheese sandwich as she pointed at the top of the cabinet.

Greggy instantly placed his food on his plate and went beside Irene to get something from the cabinet. "Ayan..." He gave it to her.

"Thank you..." She smiled sweetly as she patted his cheek. He stood there, looking at her, "Hmm?" She hummed as she opened the jar.

"Kiss ko?" He smirked. Irene chuckled and rolled her eyes, "Ba yan... Yan lang pala..." She tiptoed and aimed to kiss his cheek but a sudden movement sideways made her lips land on his.

She pulled back with wide eyes and a smile, "Ikaw talaga..." She clicked her tongue.

"Good morning sa'ken..." Issa suddenly spoke, causing her parents to look at her. "Good morning, love..." Irene smiled.

"Aga-aga niyong naglalambingan." She yawned as she went towards her parents, engulfing them with a hug.

"Ganiyan talaga pag maganda asawa mo..." Greggy winked, "Okay, stop na... Lalanggamin na pagkain ko..." Issa shook her head and sat on a high-stool, resting her elbows on the kitchen island.

"Diba may lakad ka ngayon?" Irene tilted her head at her daughter. Issa nodded and sighed, "Xav said gusto raw ako makilala sa mommy niya..."

Greggy scrunched his eyebrows and frowned, "Oh? Ba't parang hindi ka excited?" He asked her, going beside her.

"I don't know... Baka kasi hindi ako magustuhan?" She chuckled softly, Irene looked at her husband and pursed her lips.

She stroked her daughter's hair, "Why won't they like you? Yung anak nga nagustuhan ka, what more yung parents?" She smiled and lifted her up.

"Well... Xav knew me as me... Not as your daughter..." She said, matter of factly.

Greggy sighed, "So, let them know who you really are... Calm down and just be yourself... Hmm?" He kissed the top of his daughter's head and stroked her arm. "Kaya mo yan, ikaw pa."

"Alright, enough with the sappy moments..." She chucked and lightened up the mood, "I'd have to get ready, Xav will pick me up later."

"Go... Bring his family some of my cinnamon rolls... Ready na 'to on time." Irene smiled and went to the other counter to roll on some dough.

Issa nodded and stood up, carrying a sandwich, "Okay, thank you mommy." Issa kissed Irene's cheek.

Greggy then looked at the plate and furrowed his eyebrows, "Huy! Akin yan, ah?" He scoffed. "Make a new one na lang, Dada. Thank you!" Issa giggled and kissed the cheek of her father before going out.

Irene laughed, "Yang anak mo talaga... Manang mana sayo..." She said as she shook her head.

❘༻༺❘

"Mommy! Nandito na si Xav!" Issa ran downstairs with her bag and shoes on hand. Irene widened her eyes, "Kalma... Kalma..." Irene repeated and held her hand up.

The doorbell rang and Issa rushed to the door to open and greet him. Once the door was fully opened, it revealed Xav with a bouquet of flowers and a big-no, massive, plant beside him.

"Uh..." Issa looked at him confusingly and then to the plant. "For you..." He grinned. Issa took the flowers to her arms, a confused face still shown. "Pasok ka... Ano yan?" She pointed to the plant with her lips.

"Where's your mom?" He whispered as he moved just a step forward.

"Issa! Don't forget to bring these..." Irene's voice rang, she was walking towards her daughter with a box on her hand. "Oh! Xavier, nandiyan ka pala..." She smiled as she spotted her daughter's suitor.