Fourth of July

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

HIS POV

"Are you listening, Keilev?" Mom snapped her fingers in front of me to help me get back to my senses. I blinked multiple times before clearing my throat.

"Sorry, what is it again?"

Mom wiped her mouth using the table napkin. "You seemed off. Is there something bothering you?"

Mula sa pag-higop ni Daddy ng kape ay nag-angat siya ng tingin sa amin ni Mommy. He stares at me and never leave my eyes as if he was waiting for me to speak.

"I'm fine.." I scoffed. "May iniisip lang ako about work."

"Fix yourself, Keilev. We're having dinner. At least show some respect." Dad said in his low and baritone voice.

I nodded my head and stay quiet. I silently finished my food. Mom cleared her throat and break the silence between us three.

"As I was saying, may big gala na magaganap sa Corona Hotel. I want you to bring Chelsea with you. She's invited, of course.. she's your wife."

"Right. It's been couple of weeks since we last saw her." Dad agreed.

"Alright. I'll inform her, Mom, Dad." Sabi ko na lang para matapos na rin 'yung diskusyon.

We had a peaceful dinner. Nauna nang umakyat si Dad sa third floor para pumunta sa opisina niya, leaving me and Mommy here in our balcony. We're talking about some stuffs under a cup of tea.

"How was things going so far?" Mom asked.

"Nothing's new. Chelsea and I were both busy on our work."

She smiled at me and gently rubbed my hands. "So, when will you guys plan to have a baby?" She asked me plainly. Like she was just asking me how was my sleep went well.

"Mom.. you know how busy I am."

"But we want to see mini versions of you and Chelsea. That'd be lovely!" She clapped her heands cheerfully.

Natahimik ako saglit at napaisip. She's right, I sometimes wonder if how my life would be if we got to have mini versions of me and Chelsea. I onced dreamt of having cute and lovely family, not a perfect one.

But, lahat ng 'yon hanggang isip na lang. Hindi ko nga alam kung saan kami makakarating ni Chelsea sa pagpapanggap namin na 'to. Isa pa, alam kong hindi pa namin gano'n ka-kilala ni Chelsea ang isa't-isa.

Sobrang hirap niyang basahin. Kung siya pa rin ba 'yung Chelsea na masayahin at makulit kagaya ng pinapakita niya ngayon? Or there's something different about her— that seems strange.

Lately, I've been noticing a lot in her. Para siyang isang logic game. Na kung hindi mo pa i-analyze nang maayos, hindi mo malalaman ang totoo.

"Mom.. 'di ba nag-cheat sa inyo si Dad?" Napalingon siya sa'kin sa tanong ko na 'yon. Maybe she wasn't expecting that question.

Out of nowhere ba naman kasi, tinanong ko 'yon.

Natigilan siya saglit pero maya-maya'y tinango ang ulo niya. "Yes, he did." She sighed and sipped her tea. "Why? Are you cheating?"

"What? No, Mom!" Sagot ko agad. "I just asked."

"I must say, magaling mag-tago 'yang daddy mo. Imagine, ilang taon niyang itinago sa'kin na may ibang babae siya."

"How did you know that he was cheating on you?"

"I didn't do anything. God had sent me an angel for me back then, that person kept on sending me pictures of your dad and his mistress." She paused for a while. "In all fairness, the mistress was fine. But of course, mas maganda ako 'no?" Then she let out a soft laugh.