SAUDADE

tatlong pu't lima

Third Person

Irene's face scrunched in confusion as Xandra and Issa arrived in her door step with a huge black balloon on Issa's hand and a paper bag on Xandra's.

"What's happening?" She asked them as she stepped beside to let them in.

"Mommy... I'm doing a reveal!" Issa grinned. "Oh!" Irene's mouth fell agape as she closed the door. "You already knew?" She asked her daughter.

She nodded. "Yes... We went to the doctor earlier and it just felt right to know that time..." She smiled.

"And...?" Irene smiled, waiting for the news. "Alam ko naman para kay Xavier lang yang mga pakulo mo, so tell Mommy na." She chuckled.

Issa and Xandra laughed at Irene's remark, "Mommy... It's a girl." Issa smiled at her mother. Irene's hands went up to her mouth, "Oh my!" She gasped.

Her arms enveloped Issa's neck and softly pulled her into a hug, "Oh, congratulations, love..." She kissed her forehead. "I'm so happy for you..."

They pulled back and smiled at each other. "So... What can I do?" Their mother led them to the kitchen and Xandra placed the paper bag on the island counter.

"I was thinking maybe just put pink frosting on some parts? And then lagyan na lang natin ng 'It's a girl' in pink frosting?" Xandra suggested

Irene then nodded, "Yeah, okay na yan..." She chuckled at the memory where she also gave Greggy a cake when she told him about her pregnancy.

"I have left over frosting pa siguro diyan, but if wala... We can make one na lang from scratch..." Irene said as she moved towards the refrigerator to look for her left over frosting.

"I'll tell the kuya's to come here after their meeting." Issa smiled and let go of the balloon. "Sabihin mo kay Alfy na bumili ng dinner, take outs na lang from your Tita Ana." Irene told Issa.

❘༻༺❘

The three women set up the veranda tables with little plates, glasses, napkins, and candles. They were waiting for the men to come home, not knowing the men they were waiting for were already meeting up.

"My father reached out to me..." Xavier said, sitting in front of Luis and Alfonso with Greggy on his side. He then fished our a red velvet box from his vest pocket.

"I've already told Tita Irene about my intentions... Pero gusto ko po sana na magpaalam sa inyong tatlo... In just how many weeks more, Issa will give birth na..." He looked at them as he fiddles with the box.

Alfonso pursed his lips, "Do you want to marry Issa?" He asked her. "Kasi kung oo naman... I just want to ask you one thing..." He continued.

Xavier looked at him and nodded, "Opo, Kuya... I want to marry Issa."

Greggy shifted from his seat and nodded at Alfonso. "As her father, Xav... I just want you to know na si Issa ang nagbigay ng isa pang pagkakataon para itama yung mga mali namin ni Irene." He breathed out.

"She was the only reason why we are together again. She made us realize that." He continued and looked at Xavier. "Ang gusto ko lang naman ay... Wag mo sanang gawin ang lahat ng pagkakamali at pagkakakulang bilang isang ama at bilang isang asawa..."

"I know, Tito... I respect you po but, I will always try to not make big mistakes that would make her question the love she has for me... That's something I'll never do." Xavier gave Greggy a small smile and he only nodded in response.