Burning Desire (Alejandrino Trilogy 1)

Special Chapter: Mom pt. 2

Tamara

Feeling grumpy, I walked into our house. Sa dinami-rami ng puwedeng mangyari ngayong araw, nasira pa talaga ang school bag ko. Padabog ko itong hinagis sa couch at umupo. The door opened and Kate walked in, pouting.

"Ate, I told you to wait for me!" she almost yelled.

"Ang bagal mo naman kasi!"

"Hindi tayo bati!"

"For goodness sake, fourteen ka na, Katelyn! Stop being childish."

She ran away. "Mommy!"

My eyes followed her. She ran to hug Mom who was holding a tray of food. She looked at me, concerned. "Why are you so grumpy, sweetheart?"

"Mommy, nasira 'yong bag ko."

"Itabi mo na, well just buy a new one. Friday naman ngayon."

"Sayang pa rin. Daddy bought this pa naman."

"Bought what, sweetie?" Dad asked out of nowhere. Nakasuot siya ng white long sleeve polo na nakatupi hanggang siko at slacks na itim.

"Daddy, Ate's bag is destroyed," Kate said.

Mom giggled. "I told her to buy a new one. Your daughter is so grumpy when she got home."

"You had that bag since you started high school, Tamy. It's about time to buy a new one."

I went to hug Dad. "Sorry for ruining it."

"Why are you saying sorry?"

"Because now, you have to buy me a new one."

"We can always afford a new one, Tamy. Even the ones you don't need."

I felt relieved. "Thank you, Daddy."

Dad told us to get ourselves changed because we are going out for dinner. I went to my room, but, I took a glance at Mom and Dad. Umirap si Mommy at si Daddy naman ay hinahalikan siya sa pisngi, mukhang naglalambing.

Hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin. It's none of my business after all. I went to my room and got myself ready just like Dad said. I took a shower and dried my hair. Bumaba ako pagkatapos n'on. None of them were around. Maybe Mom and Dad went to their room as well. I sat on the couch and waited for them. It didn't take long before they got ready. Basta namalayan ko na lang, papunta na kami sa restaurant.

It's not a fancy dinner or anything. Mom did not like fancy things. Although, I do think that Daddy's five-star restaurant is a fancy one. Oh, well, we own it so I know Mom wouldn't be that much bothered.

We went to the restaurant and ate. After that, we headed to our go-to store when it comes to bags. Ang maganda rito ay kumpleto ang store. May mga minamatang damit si Mommy na kaagad pinagbigyan ni Daddy.

Hindi rin kami nagtagal dahil gusto raw ni Kate bumili ng dolls niya para sa collection niga. Of course, Dad couldn't resist his little princess and had to say yes to her. On our way, may nabangga si Kate na isang batang lalaki. Siguro ay nasa five or four years old na ito. The little boy cried and Kate looked at Mom and Dad looking guilty. Nagmadali si Daddy na lumapit sa bata at tinulungan siyang tumayo.

The child did not stop crying until beautiful woman ran towards him. "Jace!" she yelled.

Tumayo si Dad at halata ang gulat sa mukha niya nang makita ang babae. Si Mommy rin ay nagulat. Somehow, she looked familiar kahit hindi ko pa siya nakikita sa buong buhay ko.

"Mommy," the little boy cried as he reached his hands out to the woman.

"Delancy?" tawag ni Daddy sa babae.

Nang sabihin iyon ni dad, gulat na lumingon sa kaniya ang babae. "K-Kasper?"

"Ikaw nga!"

Parang pilit ang pagngiti ng babae. "Yeah."

"So, how are you? Is this your son?"

Tumango ang babae. "Youngest. May dalawa pa, isang ten at isang seven."

"Oh these are my daughters," Dad proudly said. "Katelyn and Tamara."

Nang bumaling sa akin ang tingin ng babae, lumambot ang ekspresiyon niya. "Ang laki mo na."

I just smiled kahit na medyo creepy para sa akin ang sinabi niya.

Dad continued talking. "And this is my wife Tat-"

"Tatiana."

I got the hint that they must've known each other in the past. Maybe friends? Pero mabigat ang atmosphere, e'. I can feel the tension between them.

Dahan-dahang lumapit sa kaniya si Mommy at hinawakan ang isang kamay niyang hindi nakahawak sa bata. "I am sorry for what happened in the past. Please know that breaking the two of you apart was never my intention."

Sumunod si Dad kay Mom. "And Delancy, sorry for breaking your heart."

Nakangiting tumango iyong Delancy at tumango. "Masiyadong mabigat para sa akin ang hindi magpatawad. Ang mahalaga ay masaya na kayo ngayon kasama ang mga anak ninyo bilang isang masayang pamilya, at masaya na rin kami ng asawa't mga anak ko."

Mom's expression softened. "Thank you, Delancy. You're too kind."

Ngumit iyong babae sa amin at saka nagpaalam na rin. I was curious about her so I asked them. I couldn't help myself.

"Who was that, Dad?"

Tumingin muna si Dad kay Mom bago ako sinagot. "She was a childhood friend turned fiancée, Tamy."

"Oh, really?" Hindi ko maitago ang gulat ko. "What happened, Dad?"

"You happened, anak. Just a short time before our marriage, you and your Mom came into my life."

"I don't understand, Dad? You had me before you got engaged to her? How?"

"It's a long story, sweetie," sagot ni Mommy at ngumiti. "You'll learn when you get older."

Just then, Kate interrupted. "Mommy, Daddy, punta na tayo!"

Dad chuckled then nodded. "Sige, anak. Mauna ka na."

Kate let out a frustrated grunt then rolled her eyes before running towards her favorite store. Nang maabutan namin siya doon ay nagtitingin na siya ng mga manika.

Lumapit ako sa mga magulang ko na pinapanood ang kapatid ko sa kahibangan niya sa mga manika. I am still curious about what happened with their lives.

"Dad," tawag ko at kaagad siyang lumingon sa akin.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"How old was I when you married Mom?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Not sure, maybe three or four?"

"And Mom once told me umuwi kami rito noong three ako. Medyo confused ako sa timeline."

Malalim siyang huminga. "Well, my supposed to be wedding with Delancy was cancelled since she left, but I already paid for everything. Since may anak naman na kami ng Mommy mo, I decided to marry her so I could take responsibility for the both of you."

"Did you love Mom because you had me, or you love her because that is really hoe you feel?"

"I'm not gonna lie, anak," dahan-dahang sambit niya. "Noong una, responsibilidad ko lang talaga kay Mommy mo ang habol ko sa kasal, but I fell for her along the way."

Dad looked at Mom lovingly, before giving a peck on her lips.