Photograph Of Yesterday

11

"I am sorry for fulfilling my promise late."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya 'to sinasabi sa akin. Pero dama ko 'yong bigat ng mga salitang 'yon dahil sa emosyon na nakikita ko sa mga mata niya — pagsusumamo at pangungulila.

Marahang hinahangin ang buhok naming pareho dahil sa hangin. Nangungusap ang mga mata namin pero walang salitang namumutawi sa bibig ko bilang sagot sa sinabi niya.

"I am sorry," he added. I cleared my throat and looked away.

"Andrius, hindi ka pa ba hinahanap ng mga bata?" I asked him, referring to hira and arc to divert the topic.

"No. They know where I am. We will meet here today," he replied. My eyes dilated.

"They are also here?!" I asked in surprise.

He smiled and nodded. "Yes, they are just waiting for my call. They also know that you are here," he replied. I was about to say something but his phone rang. He fumbled his phone in his pocket and his smile grew when he saw who the caller was. He looked at me. "It looks like they are so excited to even wait for my call," he said smiling before answering the call.

"Daddy!" The small voice from the other line shrieked. Andrius chuckled and slightly put the phone away from his ears.

"Baby, why are you shouting?" Andrius asked. Still smiling.

"What's taking you so long dad? Where's mommy—" the little girl got cut off and a subtle commotion was heard from the other line. "Is that dad? Where's mom?" It was a little boy's voice this time.

Hira and Arc.

I was confused when Andrius gave me his phone. But I still accepted it and put it on my ear to greet the kids.

"Hello," I said.

"Mommy! Mommy!" It was hira.

"Hira, let me greet mom! Ako naman kasi," it was Arc. I think he was trying to snatch the phone from his sister.

"Kuya, later ka na," hira said to his brother. "Mommy, how are you po? We are here po sa car. Sabi ni daddy tatawagan niya kami pag pwede ka na namin lapitan," she said. Nabigla ako dahil sa sinabi ni hira kaya tinignan ko ng masama si andrius.

"Hira, I will just talk to your daddy. Okay?"

"Okay po," she cheerfully responded.

"Mommy ended the call already? Wala na hindi ko na nakausap. Ikaw kasi eh," Arc complained. He probably thought that I ended the call but I just put the phone away so they wouldn't hear me scolding their father.

"Andrius, bakit naman ayaw mo palapitin sa akin 'yong mga bata?"

"Hey, it's not like that. Okay? Don't get me wrong. Humahanap lang ako ng tiyempo. Baka kasi hindi ka handa na makita kami kaya ako muna 'yong humarap sayo. Baka din magalit ka na nandito kami kaya bago ko sila papuntahin dito siniguro ko muna na magiging maayos ang lahat."

Bumagsak ang balikat ako dahil sa sinabi ni andrius. Nalulungkot akong isipin na kailangan pa nilang siguraduhin na hindi ako magagalit pag nakaharap ko sila at kailangan pa nilang mag hintay kung saan. Hindi ko naman sila susungitan lalo na yung mga bata e. Ang totoo nga niyan gusto ko silang makasama. Pero hindi ko din naman sila masisisi dahil maaaring tumatak sa isipan nila 'yong pagpapaalis na ginawa ko sa kanila sa bahay.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago nag salita.

"Andrius, ayos lang. Papuntahin mo na sila dito. Baka naman kung saan mo lang sila pinaghintay ha!" I exclaimed.