Arty didn't accept any projects for me for a while after Natalia's fashion show so I had a lot of time lazing around with Yeruslan. My manager was so considerate to give me time to be with my son after that big project and it was really nice of him to do that. He knew that I wanted to be hands-on in taking care of my son.
I wanted to be with Ruslan always and to give him the best childhood. I wanted to be the best mother to him. I even moved out of my father's house since the place didn't hold many good memories for me since my mother died. So, I bought my own and just hired a housekeeper who would clean the house for a certain time of the day.
I didn't have to do anything today but just watch and take care of Ruslan. There was a rubber mat laid around the living room and I was literally laying down on it while Ruslan was busy playing. Nakakalat ang mga laruan n'ya. Bukas din ang TV and he didn't want me to turn it off even though he wasn't watching the cartoon show. Iiyak pa talaga kapag sinusubukan kong patayin ang TV.
I watched Ruslan playing with his toys. He has been playing with his cars for a while now. Pinagbabangga ang dalawang hawak na kotse at hindi kinukuha ang mas malayong tumalsik. I guess he thought that the nearer one was the winner. Then he would get another car and would do the same thing again. Parang last car standing yata ang nilalatro.
He was mumbling incoherently as he played. His brows were even frowning a bit. Bahagya pang napapanguso kapag ang hindi gustong toy car ang nananalo. I think he was a bit biased while playing. May paborito. Kaya ilang beses uulitin ang pagbabanggan hanggang sa ang manalong toy car ay ang gusto n'ya. If not, even though he tried his game numerous times, doon na talaga mapapasimangot.
"I hate this car," he said when his favorite car didn't win this time.
"You hate it? Why?"
"Because it's weak." He extended his hand to me while holding the toy car. "Throw it."
I frowned a bit.
"But we just bought it a few weeks ago. It's new. Sayang naman kung itatapon natin agad."
Ruslan was still frowning. Nanghahaba pa ang nguso.
"I still don't like it."
Napangiti na ako at bumangon para umupo. I sat on the rubber mat crossed-legged. Kinuha ko ang binibigay n'yang laruan.
"It's the right timing then. Kazik will be here tomorrow with his mom. I could just give it to him," I said, talking about Kazimir, Irina and Killian's son, using his diminutive.
From my hand, mabilis na kinuha sa 'kin ni Ruslan ang toy car. He was clearly against the idea that I would give it to another kid. He loves Kaz but... Ruslan was a bit possessive over his things.
"This is mine," he said.
Itinago ko ang ngiti ko. "I thought you wanted me to throw it away?"
"No!" Inilapit n'ya pa talaga sa dibdib ang toy car, almost hugging it, na para bang kukunin ko uli iyon mula sa kanya. "Mine."
"You'll still play with it? You don't want Mommy to throw it na?"
Ruslan frowned deeply this time. Parang isang malaking problema talaga ang iniisip. Then he reluctantly nodded.
"Yes. This is mine."
Tuluyan na akong napangiti.
"That's good to hear."
He went back to playing again and I couldn't help but stare at his face. My heart ached as I did so. Ruslan got my ocean-blue eyes and fair complexion. But other than that, he got all his other features from his father.
