Secretly Yours

CCXVII

EXT. SEASIDE - AFTERNOON

5:23 p.m.

Robin tried to whisk herself away by drowning her thoughts with the sound of water crashing on the shore and the soft tangerine streaks sprawled all over the sky.

Ang ganda, she thought, sighing. When an arm slowly nestled her in from behind. She closed her eyes. Of course, she knew who it was just by a simple waft of his scent.

Robin
Okay ka lang?

Mikey
Hmm?

Robin
Alam ko hindi okay si Kaching.
Pero ikaw ba? Okay ka lang?

Mikey
No.

Robin
Pahinga ka na do'n—

Mikey
No. Hindi 'yon.

Robin
Ha?

Mikey
It's not because of the heavy scene.

Robin
Ah . . .

Robin nodded.

Robin
Sorry.

Mikey
Sorry.

Mikey chuckled when they apologized at the same time.

Mikey
No. I'm sorry.
Kanina pa kita hinahanap actually.
Nandito ka lang pala.

Robin
Mahangin, e. Saka ayaw ko na muna mag-isip kaya pumunta ako dito. Sakto rin pa-sunset na.

Mikey
Love?

Robin
O?

Mikey
Is it because of Kieth?

Robin
One half.

Mikey
One half?

Robin
Oo.

Mikey
What's the other half?

Robin
'Yong baby ko.

Mikey
Oh . . .

She sighed and Mikey settled beside her.

Robin
Sa totoo lang, hindi ko naman talaga ine-expect na maiintindihan n'yo 'ko. Ayaw ko rin namang sabihin na hindi n'yo 'ko maintindihan kasi hindi n'yo naman alam 'yong pakiramdam na mawalan ng anak.

'Di ko rin naman hihilingin 'yon kahit kanino. At the same time, ayaw ko rin namang maka-relate kayo sa 'kin do'n. Pero dala-dala ko rin kasi 'to araw-araw.

Sabi pa sa 'kin ni Ate Gigi matagal na. Alam ko expected niya siguro na kahit papaano, nakausad na ako pero ano ba meaning ng matagal kung araw-araw din ako napapaisip tulad ngayon?

What if kasama ko anak ko dito? Mag-e-enjoy kaya siyang magtampisaw sa dagat o mas gusto niya dito sa may buhanginan tapos aayain niya ako gumawa ng sand castle kahit alam kong wala naman kaming mabubuo o kaya hihilain niya ako para mamulot kami ng shells kasi mangongolekta siya . . .

Robin teared up again and Mikey wrapped an arm around her.

Robin
Alam mo, habang ginagawa ko 'yong script ko no'ng nasa Manila ka naiisip ko rin na siguro magiging proud siya sa 'kin kung sakaling matutuloy talaga 'yon.

Tapos kapag bumalik siya ulit sa 'kin, ipapapanood ko sa kanya 'yong movie tapos sasabihin ko na habang ginagawa ko 'yon, siya lang 'yong iniisip ko, na para sa 'ming dalawa 'yon tapos magiging proud siya sa 'kin. Ipagmamayabang niya sa school na gumawa ng movie mommy niya tapos aayain niya sa bahay mga kaklase niya para panoorin 'yon tapos paghahandaan ko sila ng movie snacks . . .

Mikey didn't say anything but he brushed his lips on top of her hair.

Robin
Hindi ko kayang pumunta do'n sa ball kasi alam kong invited si Kieth pati 'yong asawa niya. Kapag naaalala ko sila mas lalo kong naaalala 'yong anak ko kaya hindi ko kaya. Kung gusto mong pumunta, pumunta ka. Kailangan mo rin 'yon pero please, 'wag mo na ako isama. Hindi ko talaga kaya makita 'yong taong 'yon—

Mikey
I know. Sorry. Nag-pass din kasi sa isip ko na same network pala kami. I just really want to go there with you and enjoy the night with you. I thought na baka magustuhan mo rin kasi may theme 'yong mga damit and I know you love dressing up and if you want our clothes to match, then I'll gladly do that with you.

Robin's lips quivered.

Robin
Sorry . . .

Mikey
It's fine. Gawa na lang tayo ng sarili nating thematic ball then let's invite our friends. What do you think?

Robin
Ha? Pumunta ka pa rin do'n sa ball.
Fundraiser din 'yon.

Mikey
Yes, I will.
I'm not taking anyone on a date.
But let's do our own din next time.

She smiled, nodding.

Robin
Salamat.

Mikey wiped her tear.

Mikey
Now, tell me about our theater room.

Robin
Ha?

Mikey
When you thought about our baby having friends over. Ano'ng 'itsura ng theater room? May reclining chairs ba? What color did you choose? Ilang seats? And 'yong sound system? Is it Dolby Atmos—

Mikey was halted when Robin hugged him so tight.

Mikey
Love?
Ano na?
Paint me a picture.

Robin
Pa'no ko i-de-describe? Nagpapaiyak ka, e.

Mikey
Okay, okay.
Later then.

Robin
Yakap mo rin ako.

Mikey
Kanina pa kita yakap.

Robin
'Yong mahigpit.

He chuckled.

Mikey
Like this?

Robin nodded.

Mikey
Kain tayo merienda.
Do you want ice cream?

Robin
Gusto ko ulit ng empanada saka suka.

Mikey
Again?