For All That It Takes

CHAPTER 21

"Gael, baby?" I called.

I instantly heard his light steps coming from his room. I pursed my lips to stop myself from smiling. I know that he will scream because of shock.

When I heard his steps getting near and nearer, I put my finger on the center of my lips to stop Harold from moving. He was hiding from the highchair while we were waiting for Gael to come out.

"Mommy!" His high-pitch voice roamed around our house.

Pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko na huwag matawa dahil sa posisyon ni Harold sa likod ng upuang pinagtataguan niya. He's really determine to surprise my baby.

"Love, stop grinning like that, okay? Your son will find out that I'm here," he hissed at me.

I just rolled my eyes around at him. Inirapan din ako ng mokong. I glanced at my baby who's still on his room.

"Gael, come here, anak! Quickly!" Eagerly, I called my son again.

Nakita ko siyang lumabas mula sa kwarto niya habang hawak-hawak sa kanang kamay niya ang maliit na kulay orange na bola. Beads of sweats was visible on his forehead. Gael was probably playing basketball again.

While staring at my son walking towards us, I couldn't stop myself from feeling that heavy feeling inside my chest. It was just so weighted that all I could do was to release a deep breaths.

Staring at Gael... It warmed my heart.

I've had enough for those months with him on my tummy. Lahat siguro ng hirap ay masasabi kong pinagdaanan ko na simula pa no'ng ipagbuntis ko ang anak ko. I was wrecked then. I was as blank as bond paper that haven't even touched yet to leave a stain. My mind... It was blank.

Nang makita ko nang lumabas si Gael mula sa kwarto niya ay agad akong napangiti. It was a heart-warming smile of a mother while looking at her precious and priceless gem in the world. It was me... Looking and smiling at my son lovingly.

His eyes that mirror his. It was only the comfort I had since the beginning. But staring at that pair of my son, it makes me remember about him. It would always give me that tightness on my heart. But in the end, I still disregard it. Because I know what was the truth. I know it very well.

"There you are, kiddo!"

I came back to my senses when Harold lifted my son that earned a yell from Gael.

"Papa, stop! I'm sweating po. Look, oh!" Gael wipe the sweats on his forehead and showed it to Harold.

Harold laughed out loud. Napatawa na rin ako sa ginawa ng anak ko.

"Oh, come on! Am I not allowed to carry my baby when he's sweating?" Arting tanong ni Harold sa bata. He even dared to pout as if he's a baby! Kapal talaga.

My son immediately waved his tiny hand on the air to disagree about what his Papa Harold said.

"No, Papa! Of course you are allowed po but..." Gael trailed off.

Tinapunan ako ng tingin ni Harold. I lifted my left brow to question him.

Hamunin mo ang anak ko, Harold. Sige lang.

I secretly laughed because of my own thoughts.

Lumakad ako papalapit sa kanila at tumigil din sa harap nilang dalawa. My son smiled at me widely. Showing his white pearly teeth.

"Mommy, Papa's nagtatampo on me," ngusong sumbong sa akin ng anak ko.

Agad kong tinapik ng palihim si Harold sa likod niya. Nilingon naman niya ako habang malokong nakangisi. Nang-iinis na naman ang walanghiya, oo.