The Correct Way To Drink An Affogato

30

Dylan Severiano

I'm in my mid thirties. I shouldn't be nervous around children anymore... But this one is different. He's too precious that I can't afford to make a mistake around him.

Disappointing him is my greatest fear.

"Okay, I'll get this one since it's not that sweet" He said after picking the chocolate that I recommended him to choose.

I could've bought all three of it for him but his father is teaching him a life lesson about the privilege of having an option. That despite being rich, he's teaching him how to spend it wisely.

God, he's such a great father.

"Nice" I raised my hand for a high five and he happily obliged which made me smile.

We went to the next aisle full of pillows and towels.

Florian pointed at the blue maternal pillow. "Papa, you can buy that one so you can have something to hug when I'm sleeping in my room"

Oh to be a maternal pillow.

"I prefer hugging you" Sagot ni Alder sa anak niya. Nakita ko naman na saglit siyang nagnakaw ng tingin sa akin.

I couldn't help but smile. I miss his lowkey flirtatious remarks.

Napawi ang ngiti ko nung makitang umaakyat si Florian sa bakal para maabot yung unan. "Hey, you might hurt yourself" Nag-aalala kong sabi.

I don't want to sound forbading so I'm always playing safe when it comes to talking to him. I want him to feel like I'm not replacing his father by not sounding like his father.

"I want to touch it" Nakanguso niyang sagot.

"I'll carry you" Suhestiyon ko na tinanguan niya.

I scooted and picked him up. He curiously looked at the quilted pillow. The moment his hands felt the suede material, he smiled widely then continuously rubbed the pillow.

Alder reached for the pillow as well. His face is rested on my biceps. "It feels like touching butter" Kumento niya saka mabilis na nagnakaw ng halik sa pisngi ko.

My face heated. Baby, you said we're taking things slowly... Why are you stealing kisses in front of your son? I'm not complaining tho.

Actually, I'm thankful.

I hate grocery shopping but now... I love it. It's enjoyable when I'm with these two. I want to go to every aisle just to able to talk to them. Be with them. Help them. I feel like I missed so many grocery dates with them.

We're eating lunch when someone approached us.

"AJ!" Tili niya.

Alder stood up and gave her a hug. "Liv! Kumusta? I heard you have twins?"

She nodded. "Oo! Kabarkada mo nga pala si Asher yung ninong ng mga anak ko!"

"Oo! By the way, this is my son. Florian. This is Papa's friend. Olivia" Kumaway lang saglit si Florian bago ibalik ang atensyon sa phone.

I remember her. She's Oliver Lim's sister.

I stood up and offered my hand. "I'm Severiano, Nice to meet you"

Nanlaki ang mata niya. "Olivia Lim. Actually kilala kita kasi nakwento ka ni Kuya sa akin. Are you two back together?"

That caught me off guard. I saw someone approaching us so I am so fucking thankful for his entrance because I don't know what to say to his sister without exposing my relationship to Florian.

Lim arrived while carrying a toddler. "Liv, we need to go." He didn't even bat an eye at Alder.

"Sige na, Liv. Sa susunod nalang tayo mag-usap." Alder told them. Kumaway-kaway pa si Olivia.

I was supposed to drop them off but they had too much stuff to carry so I decided to help. Alder didn't say anything to me. I know that he's on his head again.

The silence is killing me slowly especially when we entered the condo.

"Let's tell him right now."

"Right now?" Gulat kong tanong.

He nodded with a confident smile.

"Are you sure? Is it too fast?"

"I trust you" His answer made me want to kiss him  even when his son is one sofa away from us.

Mula nung nagkaroon ako ng pera, pakiramdam ko hindi na ulit ako haharap sa mahihirap na sitwasyon. Mabubuhay nalang ako nang puro paggastos.

I thought my future is set because my dream with Alder is far from happening... Ilang beses kong gustong lumipat sa Alabang para lang makipagbalikan sa kanya pero ayoko na muling matakot, ayoko na humarap ulit sa mahirap na sitwasyon kaya nanahimik ako rito sa probinsya.

I did wait for him but I wasn't hopeful.

But damn, he came back... My baby came back with a baby, successful career, and he still loves me. Who wouldn't be courageous to face difficult situations when you're facing it with the people you love?

Alder leveled with his son. "Florian, Remember when we talk about Papa likes boys and not girls?"

He nodded and finally giving his full attention to his father. "What about it?"

Alder reached for my hand.

"This is Severiano, I like him. Not in a friendly way like your Tito Asher or Tito Kale. I love Severiano like how Tito Asher loves Tita Elene" He simply explained.

My heart warmed. The hard pounding stopped... It's real, we're finally real because Florian knows.

Nakanguso namang tumingin sa akin ang bata saka bumaling sa ama niya.

"I'm sleepy" Saad niya. "I want to sleep beside you, Papa." With his small arms wrapped around his father's neck with his face buried on Alder's shoulder.

I don't know what to feel... He dismissed the topic. But I guess this is too much for him so I respect his reaction...

But that hurt... I wasn't rejected but I was dismissed. This kid... I love him so much that his dismissal isn't going to make me back off. I'm all in but... That one was a blow to the head.

Buhat na ni Alder ang anak niya. May binubulong si Alder sa kanya pero hindi ko naririnig. Pinanood ko lang silang mag-ama. Trying to stop myself in joining their circle.

"In your room" Rinig ko kay Florian.

Tumingin naman si Alder sa akin. Ramdam ko sa pagtingin niyang 'yon ang pag aalala sa akin.

I flashed a smile just to assure him that I'm okay.

"Do you wanna say goodbye to Severiano before we go to sleep?" Tanong ni Alder. Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin saka umiling bilang sagot.

May nagbabadya ng luha sa mga mata niya.

Florian, my baby. I'm sorry...

I can take his dismissal and him icing me out, but it still hurt.