"That's a wrap! Good work, everyone!"
I smiled and clapped my hands along with my co-models on the backstage. I congratulated them as well at gusto ko sanang lumapit kay Natalia para batiin din s'ya for her successful fashion show. Ang ayos-ayos ng naging flow ng event at walang naging malaking problema. I was actually amazed, as it seemed like she had already done this many times, even though this was only her first fashion show.
I am sure that she'd be successful even more.
I decided to find Yeruslan instead. Dahil tapos na ang fashion show ay mas lalong naging magulo sa backstage. I was worried that he might get overwhelmed by all of this.
May ilan sa audience ang pinayagang makapasok kaya ilang beses akong naharang as they were asking for my picture with them. Pinagbigyan ko rin naman. I wasn't planning on going to the after-party after all. So, this was their only chance to take a picture with me.
"You still look wonderful, Yeliz," sabi ng isa sa mga bumati sa 'kin. "To think that you already have a child. It doesn't show!"
Pinasadahan n'ya pa ako ng tingin. There wasn't anything negative in her eyes, only amusement si I smiled at her.
"Actually, he's here and waiting for me."
"Does that mean that you're not going to the after-party?"
I scrunched my nose as I shook my head.
"No. It'll be his bedtime soon, so we have to go home after this."
She chuckled. "What a good mother you are."
She finally let me go after that. I looked around, trying to find Yeruslan while silently hoping that no one would approach me this time. Natagalan na ako sa paghahanap dahil sa mga lumalapit sa 'kin and I was worried that he might get bored.
I finally found him sitting on one of the chairs. His focus was on the tab that he was holding, probably watching his favorite cartoon show para malibang. I smiled as I went near him. I crouched down in front of him pero hindi pa rin n'ya ako napapansin.
I stared at him. There was a little frown on his forehead, bahagyang magkasalubong ang mga kilay habang seryosong nanonood. He suddenly giggled nang may nakakatawa sigurong scene at mas lumawak lang ang ngiti ko. I wanted to stare at him longer but I knew that we really had to go.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
He flinched. Mukha yatang nagulat sa bigla kong pagsasalita. He looked at me, and I even saw the surprise in his eyes. Pero agad ding napangiti nang makilala ako. His eyes were even twinkling.
"Mommy!"
He stretched his arms as he hugged me. He almost couldn't reach me kaya inilapit ko na ang sarili ko sa kanya. When he let me go, his two small hands cupped my cheeks.
"Mommy cho pwetty..."
I giggled.
"You've watched Mommy walk?"
"Hm!" He nodded. His hold on my cheeks tightened until my lips had already protruded. "Cho pwetty...."
I get back at him by pinching both of his cheeks. I saw him frown pero hindi naman binitiwan ang mga pisngi ko.
"And my Ruslan is cho adorable..."
Ruslan giggled. Dahil hawak n'ya pa ang pisngi ko ay ramdam ko nang hilahin n'ya palapit ang mukha ko. I willingly got my face closer to him and he kissed me a quick peck on the lips. Matunog pa iyon and it sounded cute. Pagkatapos ay sinilip ang mukha ko while he patted my head.
