This I Promise You

41

Deserve

"Nay, ayos lang ba kayo..."

My eyes quickly searched for my son, and I felt glad that he wasn't hurt or anything. The next thing I noticed was Brandty's wooden toys and the plush horse that was on the floor, and then I looked up at Nanay Flor, who had a very shocked expression on her face.

She was staring intently while her jaw slightly dropped on the man in front of her.

Kung ako si Nanay ay siguradong ganoon din ang magiging reaksyon ko. Bigla ka ba naman makakita ng isang taong kamukhang-kamukha ng inaalagan mo, eh.

If this were a fairytale and you saw Brandty and Evan together like this, you would think that Evan came from the future to visit his younger self. That's how much they resemble each other.

Habang nakatuon ang atensyon ni Nanay Flor sa kanya, si Evan naman ay titig na titig kay Brandty.

I tried to read his expression, but I just couldn't. Masyado siyang seryoso at tila pinag-aaralan ang batang lalaki na kamukha niya. Brandty looks kind of confused too, innocently confused by the man who kept on staring at him.

"Mamma!" Brandty called when he noticed me.

Sobra sobra ang kalabog ng dibdib ko at medyo nanlalamig ang mga kamay dahil nandito si Evan, pero hindi ko kayang tiisin ang anak ko kaya naman binalewala ko ang nararamdaman para lang malapitan siya.

"What's the meaning of this, Reve?"

My heart pounded more because of Evan's question. I don't know what to say, so I just swallowed really hard.

Alam kong hindi na ako makakapagsinungaling pa sa kanya lalo na ngayon, hindi ko nga lang alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag ang lahat-lahat.

"Mamma, get my horsie, please."

Naagaw ng sinabi ni Brandty ang atensyon ko.

"Okay, Mamma will get it for you."

Bahagya na akong yumuko para abutin ang mga laruan ni Brandty sa sahig pero naunahan ako ni Evan.

"T-Thank you..."

I was about to take the plush horse from him, but he grabbed my hand.

"Why did you do this to me, huh?"

Muli akong napalunok dahil sa sinambit ni Evan lalo na nang mataman niya akong tinitigan.

"Mamma? Horsie?"

Parehong naagaw ni Brandty ang aming atensyon. I saw how Evan's jaw clenched before he kneeled down to level our son's eyes, then handed the plush horse to him.

"Is this yours?" Evan asked.

"Yes." Brandty answered.

"Do you like horses like your Mamma?"

Evan's tone was slightly hoarse when he said the last word.

"Yes."

"Can you tell me your name, big boy?"

"Bwanty Pwerto."

Evan's Adams apple moved when he swallowed hard and then clenched his jaw again.

Dali-dali kong pinunasan ang luhang tumulo sa aking pisngi at binuhat si Brandty para ibigay kay Nanay Flor.

"Nay, pakidala naman po muna si Brandty sa loob." Sambit ko.