Instant Mommy

Chapter 26

The living room felt unusually quiet that afternoon.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa ni Jacob na nakaupo sa malaking sofa habang pinapanood si Jayden na naglalaro sa carpet sa harap namin. Halos nakakalat na naman ang mga dinosaur toys niya sa buong sala, kasama ang ilang building blocks.

"Rawr!" Napangiti ako nang marinig ko ang seryoso niyang boses.

Tahimik lang si Jacob sa tabi ko na mukhang malalim ang iniisip. One arm was resting behind me on the couch while the other absentmindedly intertwined our fingers together. Paminsan-minsan ay hinihimas niya ang likod ng kamay ko gamit ang hinlalaki niya.

Napatingin ako sa wall clock. Halos isang oras nang late si Lalaine para sa visitation hour niya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero nakaramdam ako ng inis dahil doon.

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay ni Jacob. Agad niyang napansin iyon at dahan-dahan akong nilingon bago niya marahang pisilin ang kamay ko pabalik.

"It's okay," he murmured. Tumango lang ako kahit hindi naman talaga ako okay.

My gaze shifted toward Jayden again. He was happily making dinosaur noises, completely unaware that everything around him was about to change.

He didn't even know today might become one of the memories that would shape the rest of his childhood.

Tahimik akong napabuntong-hininga. Sana naman maging maayos ang lahat.

Makalipas pa ang mahigit kalahatin oras marinig namin ang mahinang ugong ng sasakyan mula sa labas.

Jacob's hand immediately squeezed mine as if he already know who it might be. Pareho kaming napalingon sa malaking glass window ng sala.

A sleek black luxury car slowly entered the front gate.

"She's here." Hindi ko namalayang mahina ko pala iyong nasabi.

Naramdaman kong bahagyang humigpit ang hawak ni Jacob sa kamay ko.

"Look at me." Napalingon ako sa kanya.

"If she says something you don't like, don't answer." His tone was calm, but I could see the tension in his face.

"I'll handle her." He slowly stood up from the sofa but didn't let go of my hand. He just remained standing beside me.

The moment the door opened, the smell of expensive perfume reached us first. Then came the sharp clicking sound of her heels against the marble floor. She walked inside confidently as if she owned this house.

She was wearing an elegant cream dress that hugged her figure perfectly, oversized sunglasses resting on her pointed nose, and a branded handbag hanging effortlessly on her shoulder.

This time, seeing her standing in our living room didn't make me tremble the way it did before because now I knew exactly who she was and more importantly I know who I am in this house. Our level doesn't match.

I frowned when her serious face suddenly beamed in excitement as she smiled. Her eyes locked on Jacob as her smile grew wider.

"Jake." Her lips curved into a familiar smile. "I didn't know you'd be here." She laughed lightly.

"I actually went to Rigal earlier, but your dumb receptionist wouldn't let me in." She removed her sunglasses and casually placed them on top of her head.

"I didn't know you were anticipating my visit here instead." Jacob didn't answer. Instead, I felt his hand find mine again.

Lalaine's eyes slowly dropped to our joined hands. Her smile faltered before she looked at me.