Amara's POV
It was a hearty dinner, full of wonderful talks, silly jokes (from my daughter, as always) and reminiscing, like what we always do. But for now, time to put the little one to bed because her Ate is already sleeping deeply in her own room. Parang sila ang napagod sa pagp-prepare ng dinner eh. Haha!
"Tulog na po ha." Malambing kong sabi habang hinehele si Aleara. Pa-pikit naman na ang mata niya dahil pagod sa sobrang hyper kanina. Atleast, mas madali siyang patulugin ngayon. Just a little bit of craddling and humming will do.
Nasa baba pa rin sila Mama at hinihintay ako. Nagpaalam lang kasi ako na papatulugin ko 'yung mga bata then I'll join them.
"Goodnight, baby. I love you." I kissed her forehead before laying her down on her crib. I stayed for a couple more minutes to see if she'll get awaken, then I went down to the dining room to join my family.
"Mission accomplished. Kids are asleep." I said as I entered, stretching my arms a bit.
They're having coffee. Naabutan ko rin sila na nagtatawanan.
"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?" Tanong ko nang makaupo na ako sa tabi ni Alex.
"Nothing much. Mga pregnancy thingy mo lang." Sagot ni Carlyn. "Like how you cry over your cravings, or tantrums whenever Kuya is out. Ganu'n lang naman."
"Crazy! Ako pa ginawa niyong topic."
"Eh sino ba sa atin ang makulay ang family, career and lovelife? 'Di ba ikaw?" Katwiran ni Carlyn. Hindi talaga nauubusan ng katwiran ang babaitang 'to eh. Mana sa akin.
"Fine, fine. Whatever. Pinatulog ko lang 'yung mga bata, ang dami niyo na yatang napag usapan about me."
"Speaking of, baka dapat magpahinga ka na rin, gabi na oh." Payo ni Mama sa'kin.
"No, not yet. Hindi pa ako inaantok. Kwentuhan nalang tayo." I suggested.
"Sige. Whennnn...was your first kiss with kuya Alex?"
"Wow Carlyn Arriea De Vida! Sabi ko, 'kwentuhan'. Bakit 'yan ang tanong mo?"
"Wala lang. Gusto kong malaman." Kaswal na sagot niya habang nakasandal pa ng komportable sa upuan.
"Ayoko nga. Sa'min lang 'yun ng asawa ko." Yes, it's confidential to others. Hahahaha! Arte.
"Sungit!! 'Yoko na nga." Humalukipkip siya at ngumuso na tila nagtatampo. Palibhasa, alam niyang 'di ko siya kayang tiisin eh.
Napatingin ako kay Mama pagkatapos ay kay Carlyn. "Shh. 'Di kasi alam ni Mama 'yun." Mahina kong pagkakasabi kahit alam ko naman na naririnig ni Mama dahil nasa iisang mesa lang kami.
She laughed loudly that's why we all looked at her. "Amara, you really think I wouldn't know? May I just remind you that I'm your mother?"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Alex na nanlalaki ang mga mata. "Sa tingin mo, tuwing umuuwi ka na nagtatatalon ka pagpasok mo ng pinto, 'pag lagi kang nakangiti at tulala sa breakfast, you really think I wouldn't know that something's up?"
I gasped. "Well Ma, why didn't you say something?"
"May magagawa pa ba ako? Kahit naman yata pigilan ko kayo, makakagawa ng paraan itong asawa mo eh."
Tinikom ko na ang bibig ko because I just remembered that I'm guilty of something na may kinalaman sa 'paggawa ng paraan'. Even Alex is.
"Nanahimik na ang Ate at Kuya mo." Sabi ni Mama kay Carlyn. "I think it's the best time to talk about the time when your SISTER snuck out of her room to meet with her boyfriend." Mama revealed. Nooo!!! Role model pa naman ako niyan ni Carlyn, baka bigla akong itakwil niyan because I'm not who she thinks I am. Hahahahaha!
