Elysian Secrets

Kabanata 18

Lia snapped her eyes open at agad na napabalikwas nang bangon. Mabilis niyang hinablot ang kumot sa kanyang paanan at hinila iyon pataas hanggang sa kanyang dibdib Iniikot niya ang paningin sa loob ng kuwarto pero wala siyang ibang taong nakita.

Her shoulders sagged in relief. Max must have already left. She hope to God that he did or this is going to be one awkward morning after. Umalis nang walang paalam must be a protocol for a one night stand. If not, someone should put it in the rule book.

Nahagip ng kanyang mga mata ang kapiraso ng pulang tela na maayos na nakatupi sa ibabaw ng bedside table. Hindi niya maiwasang pamulahan nang maalala ang mga ginawa niya at ginawa sa kanya habang suot ang kapiraso ng sutlang iyon.

Last night was surreal. And crazy. The craziest thing she has ever done. Well, correction. The second craziest thing she ever did. Nothing beats what she did seven years ago. Seven years ago got her Niccolo. What is she going to get this time.

Speaking of Niccolo...

She looked around the room for her bag and found it on a settee a few feet from the bed. Umibis siya sa kama and tied the edges of the blanket around her chest and tried to walk in it. Masyadong mahaba ang kumot na maaapakan na niya ang laylayan nito.

Choosing safety over modesty, she let go of it and walked butt-naked to the bag. Pakiramdam niya naman ay mag-isa na lang talaga siya sa kuwarto. Kung nandoon pa rin si Max at makita siya nito ngayon, it wouldn't matter. Nakita na rin naman nito ang lahat-lahat sa kanya kagabi.

She felt another blush creep up on her with that last thought.

She finally got hold of her phone and automatically dialed the number to her house. She returned to the bed and sat on the edge of it while she waited for her call to connect.

"Elooow?"

Napangiti siya nang mabosesan ang anak sa kabilang linyo. Niccolo got into the habit of elongating his 'hellos' when answering the phone. She finds it cute. Too cute that sometimes, when she's on break and at the office, tumatawag siya sa bahay niya just to hear that greeting.

"Hi, baby."

"Mommy!" The child cried gleefully. "Uuwi ka na po?"

"Yes, I'll be home soon," pangako niya.

"Okay. Bilisan niyo po, ha."

"Opo, sir," tudyo niya rito. "Have you been a good boy to Auntie Nancy?"

"Of course po, Mommy."

Niccolo took that as his cue to launch into a long and winding story of what he did since she was gone. Hinayaan niya lang itong magkuwento. She doesn't focus on what the child is saying. She just enjoyed the soft cadence of his voice. Nakawawala ng stress. Nakapagpapalimot sa mga kagagahang she's too old to engage in but still do.

"You have to be home before Daddy arrives."

That statement brought her wandering thoughts to the present. "Come again, baby?"

"I said," pasensiyo nitong simula, "you have to be home Daddy. Susunduin niya raw tayo to go to Lola Grace's house. She misses me."

She ignored the smugness she could hear in her son's voice and focused on his words. "Who told you that?"

"That Lola misses me?" nagtataka nitong balik-tanong.

Napangiwi siya. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit ganoon na lang kadali sa batang ito na tawagin ang nakakatakot na senyora na 'lola'.

"No, baby. That we are going to her house. Who told you that?"

"Daddy."

She didn't bother correcting her son anymore. Ano na naman bang pakulo ito nang nakakainis niyang amo na 'yon? "When?"