"Kanina ka pa?" tanong ng kadadating lang na si Jake.
"Haha. It's been 30 minutes. Nagpa-late na nga ako kasi alam kong pag-iintayin mo ako." sagot ko.
"Mommy, sorry na talaga. Napahaba yung meeting ko sa last client." paghingi nya ng tawad.
"It's all good. Inorderan na kita ng food and drinks. Nachos and java chip frappe." sabi ko sa kanya. He smiled before he checked his phone.
"Yup. Replyan ko lang to." he said. I drank my coffee and waited for him to finish while taking a look around.
"How's Savannah's field trip, mommy?" tanong nya habang kumakain ng nachos.
"Daddy, nag-send kami ng pics kanina." medyo naiirita kong sagot. It's always like this. Even if I reminded him, there's a big chance that he'll forget it.
"Sorry, nasa meeting ako kanina." paghingi nya ulit ng paumanhin. I calmed myself and smiled at him.
"She had fun and you know --" simula ko sa kwento pero pinutol nya.
"Sorry my but before I forget, okay na ba yung budget? Nabayadan na lahat ng bills?" he said bago ilapag ulit ang phone. I looked at him before I answer.
"Opo. Everything's done yesterday pa. Did I miss anything?" tanong ko habang inaalala kung may nakalimutan ba ako.
"Baka late reminder lang to. Thank you. I really can't live without you." sabi nya pa.
"Small things." nakangiting sagot ko sa kanya.
"Sorry ha. Hectic sched ko. Alam mo naman di ba? I need to work hard. Para satin din to." he explained.
I nodded while thinking the long list of things that we need to do. Adulting is hard and responsible parenting is harder.
"Of course but don't push yourself too hard." maikli kong reminder sa kanya.
"Do you need anything ba? How about Savannah's needs and wants?" sunod-sunod na tanong nya.
"Dy, everything's taken care of. You worry too much." sabi ko before I take a sip.
"You want to go somewhere? Di pa ako kumakain eh." sabi nya.
"Oh what do you want to eat? Inasal, Gerry's or Savory?" tanong ko.
"Gerry's siguro. Sunod-sunod ulit meeting ko mamaya." sabi nya.
Tumayo na kami after namin maubos ang pagkain sa cafe.
We went to the car and he gave me the keys. Ako ang driver. The car is silent while I'm driving. I glance at him and he's busy reading in his phone. I know he won't start a conversation kasi ito na lang yung time para magawa nya naman ang hobby nya kasi mamaya may mga meeting na naman sya.
"Have you read this?" he said and show me the title.
"Not yet." I answered while reminding myself the title so I can read it later.
Traffic kasi school dismissal na. I am about to turn right when someone take over my lane so I hit the break to let the other car pass through.
"What's that?" nakakunot na tanong ni Jake sa tabi ko.
"Nag-over take eh." I answered.
"Did you look at the mirrors before making your turn?" he asked.
"Yeah." I answered shortly. I know where this is going.
"Be careful naman. What if maaksidente tayo?" sabi nya. I kept my mouth shut.
"Nagmamadali ka yata eh alam mong traffic." he said. I focused on the road.
I was about to answer him when my phone rings. Thank God.
"Don't answer. You're driving." he reminded me. I put my phone on silent without saying a word to him.
After a few minutes, we reached our destination.
I went out of the car and gave him the keys.
He put his arms around me as we entered the restaurant.
"What would you like to eat?" he asked me.
"Just a simple meal. Busog pa ako." I answered.
"okay. I got you." he smiled before going to the counter while I find an available table for us.
After a few minutes, he came with a number in hand.
"I ordered a rice meal with juice for you." he said before taking his seat.
"Thanks." I said and checked my phone.
The food was served and we started eating while he is checking his phone.
"my, I have to take a phone call." he informed me before answering his phone. It's about work.
"May meeting pa pala in half an hour." sabi nya.
"Finish your food. I'll order a take out meal for you." I said before standing up and lining to the counter. There were a few people so I waited a little bit.
"I'm done." he said while standing at my side. I gave him the take out.
"Mag-commute na ako. Ingat ka." I smiled at him
"Sorry, mommy. Babawi ako next time. Tawag ako mamaya." sabi nya bago paandarin ang sasakyan.
As I'm waiting for the taxi, I received a call.
"Hello, nakauwi ka na?" tanong ng nasa kabilang linya.
"On my way. Naghihintay na lang ng taxi." sagot ko.
"Alam mo, I don't get you. Why waste time to meet with Savannah's father eh co-parenting na lang naman kayo? Girl, okay na yung bank transfer at chat na lang. Don't waste your time." paalala nya.
"Okay lang yun. Wala naman akong work." sagot ko.
"Hoy fyi, wala kang work kasi ayaw ka nyang magtrabaho. Kung may divorce lang talaga sa Pilipinas. Do you want to be together?" tanong nya.
"Nope." mabilis kong sagot. Thinking about the driving incident, I won't put myself to something like that everyday because of something petty and simple.
"Co-parenting lang sis. Stop with the dates." paalala nya.
"Kape lang yun. Nothing more." I said but more of reminding myself.
