Tyrone and I are waiting for my friends. We arrived in the Philippines a couple of days ago and it’s time that I go to work. You know maid-of-honor’s duty. Mika will have her cake tasting with us and the bullies. Her fiancé will just follow because he’s still in practice.
Ty is already munching on some cookies I ordered so he won’t get bored waiting for my ever punctual friends.
“Victonara, ikaw na ba yan?” the first one to arrive is Kim. I stood up and gave her a quick hug.
“Parang di tayo nagkita five months ago ah,” I said as we take our seats.
“Ang tagal kaya ng limang buwan. Dito sa Pilipinas, halos araw araw kami nagkikita nung iba. Konti na nga lang magkakapalitan na kaming apat ng mukha. At ang dami kayang pwedeng mangyari sa limang buwan. Tulad mo parang nangyayat ka, nastress ka no, kasi uuwi ka at makikita mo si ano,” Kim said.
“Ewan ko sayo, sinabi ko lang naman na nagkita tayo five months ago and dami mo nang sinabi,” I rebutted.
“Haha, hello Ty,” Kim noticed Tyrone.
“Hello Tita Kim,” he beamed. My baby boy is so cute with his teeth full of chocolate chips. He stood up and gave Kim a chocolatie kiss on the cheeks.
“Alam mo, Ara, ang swerte mo ang gwapo ng anak mo,” Kim stated. As she help Tyrone back to his seat.
“Naman! Saan pa ba magmamana yan kundi sa,”
“Sa tatay,” Kim added nonchalantly without waiting for me to finish. I gave her a look and she just raised her eyebrow at me. “Totoo naman ah.”
I rolled my eyes at her, “Hindi kaya.”
“Sige, asa pa more,” Kim added and took the seat beside my son.
We all looked back to the door when we heard the wind chimes ring. A beaming Carol Cerveza appears at the front door.
“Maganda ang umaga pero mas maganda ako!” my most talkative friend announces her arrival with her hands up. “Aray naman Cienne!” Carol complained as she tripped because my moody friend pushed her out of the way.
“Arabelllaaaaa!!” Cienne ignored Carol and went directly to me. I stood up and gave one of my bestfriends a warm embrace. “Kamusta ang biyahe?”
“Okay naman nakakapagod lang, pero nakapahinga naman na,” I answered.
“At talagang inignore niyo tong ganda ko ha,” Carol ranted and walked to our table. She opened her arms inviting for a hug and I happily obliged. “Lalong gumanda ang baby bully namin ah. Ano bang kinakain mo sa London, penge nga.”
“Ewan ko sayo. Ingay mo talaga,” I said. “Hindi ka pa rin talaga nagbabago.”
“Ba’t naman ako magbabago, ikinaganda ko kaya to,” she replied as a matter of fact. Ewan ko na lang talaga.
“So, asan asawa mo?” I asked Cienne completely ignoring Carol. I saw in my peripheral vision that Carol went to Tyrone, unfazed of being ignored.
“Eh di kasama rin ng groom. Ewan ko kung nasan sila. Basketball siguro,” Cienne answered casually.
“Ara, asan yung pamunas ni Tyrone? Dungis na oh,” I heard Carol asked. I pointed to my bag where my hankie is.
“Text ko nga si Mika. Asan na ba yung higanteng yun,” Kim mentioned. As she put her phone to her ear, we saw Mika walking outside the glass wall of the cake shop.
The bride to be is walking hand in hand with her groom to be. She was beaming even before she entered.
“ARRRRAAAAAA!!!” she called, more on shouted, right when she entered the wooden door. She let go of her fiancé’s hand and almost run at my direction. She tackled me with a bear hug.
“Mapisat naman ako Daks,” I muttered.
She puts me in arms length, “Na-miss lang kita. Eto naman.”
“Oo na, I miss you too,” I said and pulled her to a comfortable hug.
“Hi Ara, long time no see ah, kamusta na?” Mika’s fiancé greeted me.
I let go of Mika and gave her fiancé an awkward hug, “Hi Jeron! Okay naman, ikaw? Long time no see nga. Haha”
“I’m good. You look great. Ibang-iba na ah.” he said as he reciprocates my hug.
“Hindi naman,” I answered.
“Wait, ba’t andito ka? Nasan asawa ko. Akala ko ba magkakasama kayo?” Cienne butted in our get together.
Jeron pulled out of our hug to face Cienne. “Nasa kanila Kuya Almond, dun na lang daw sila maglalaro. Sasamahan ko kasi si Mika,” Jeron explained.
“Eh yung boyfriend ko? Nandun din ba?” Carol asked without looking at Jeron as she continues to feed my son.
“I think so,” Jeron answered.
“At bakit ginawang hanapan ng jowa ang fiancé ko?” Mika quickly butted in.
“Eh sila dapat magkasama,” Cienne answered.
“Good morning ladies,” a middle aged woman went out from somewhere, I didn’t noticed where, and greeted us. “Oh and gentlemen, I thought I am accommodating only women,” she said as she saw my son and Jeron.
“Sorry Steph, last minute addition,” Mika sheepishly said.
“No worries, Mika,” the lady smiled and called one of her staff. She gave instructions and directed her attention to us.
“Guys, this is Stephanie. She’s the owner of this cake shop and she’s making my wedding cake. Steph these are my friends, Cienne, Carol, Kim, Ara, you know Jeron, and…” Mika looked at Ara as she waited for Ara’s permission to introduce Tyrone as her son.
“This is Tyrone, my son,” Ara butted in.
“Hello cutie, I see you like the cookies,” she smiled at my baby boy and then turned to us. “I’ll just prepare the cakes na?” she asked as Mika nodded. Steph went to the back and we were back to our talking.
I noticed Jeron was looking at my son intently. His brows were furrowed and he looks at my son like his the biggest mystery on the face of the Earth.
“Stuy! Jeron!” I called as Jeron blinked.
“Ha?” he snapped out of his reverie.
“You are looking at me son weirdly,” I said as a matter of fact.
“I’m sorry,…” he said as he search his head for words. He looks at Mika, then me, then Ty. “I’m sorry I didn’t know you have a son.” He said and looked at Mika with questioning look. Mika just rolled her eyes.
“Not my story to tell, baby.” She said and kissed Jeron on the cheek. “Ara wants to tell everyone, herself.”
“So married ka na?” Jeron followed up.
I shook my head. It’s not like I’m ashamed of it. Tyrone is the best thing that happened to me. I just don’t want the questions.
“Okaaaaay,” Jeron doesn’t look like he’s judging but he has this look on his face while he’s looking at my son. “How old is he?”
“Three.” I lied without blinking. Jeron absentmindedly counted something using his fingers. He looked at me then Tyrone then back to me.
I thought he was about to say something but he threw that thought away. He blinked away his other questions and smiled at me, “Well, he’s kinda tall for a three year old.”
“Malaki kasi yung Tatay at medyo matakaw kasi,” I lied and smiled it off.
“Hahaha parang kayo lang,” Jeron remarked and we all laughed and agreement.
“Mamaya na nga yan. A lot of time to catch up,” Mika interrupted. She pulled us on a round table to settle.
I look around and my friends, except Mika, are looking at me, holding their breaths. We’ve talked about this. They all know I will be asked by so many questions the moment I introduce Tyrone to everyone. They all know what to do whenever they will be asked about Tyrone. That is to dodge the questions back to me just like what Mika did earlier. I got the cover story straight in my head. I smiled to them with the I-got-this look. They smiled back and started breathing again.
***
“Ara, sisirain mo naman yung mga relasyon namin. Do you really want me to lie to my husband? Carol to her boyfriend and Mika to her future husband?” Cienne ranted.
We are in Carol’s restaurant having lunch. After what happened to Jeron yesterday, asking questions about Tyrone, the girls wanted to talk about what we are going to do with the others, specifically their other halves.
Tyrone is with my big brother whom I strictly instructed not to go out. It’s a Saturday, so no work for my Kuya.
“Buti na lang wala pa kong boyfriend,” Kim butted in as she was ignored by the others.
“Hindi naman kayo magsisinungaling eh. Hindi niyo lang sasagutin,” I told them.
“Ang hirap naman niyan. I know napag-usapan na natin to, pero pag nandito na pala ang hirap. Parang nasa tip of my tongue palagi,” Carol said.
“Carol, seryoso to. Bawal ka madulas, umayos ka!” I said.
“Oo na, oo na,” she said as she take a sip on her green apple juice.
“Alam mo kasi Ara, hawig naman talaga yung anak mo sa itsura ng tatay niya. Mapapaisip talaga yung makakakita,” Mika added.
“Lakas kasi yung genes nung gagong yun. At porket chinito, kamukha agad yung tatay hindi ba pwedeng chinese or chinito lang yung winork-out ko sa London?” I sarcastically said.
“Haha gaga ka Ara! Winork-out mo talaga ha. Yan ba mga natutunan mo sa London ha!” Kim snorted.
“Deny all you want Ara, pero alam kong nakikita mo sa anak mo si…”
“Hindi. Tyrone reminds me of no one. He is nothing like his father. He is not the same person. I will raise him to be different, way different from his father,” I firmly said.
“Eto naman ang dramatic actress mo naman. Oo na nga. Napapa- straight english ka na. Tama na Ars, masakit sa ulo,” Kim butted in. Cienne playfully hit Kim’s arms. “Aray ha!”
“Buti na lang at naisip mo na sabihing three lang si Tyrone when he’s actually 4. Alam niyo naman na maliit yung totoong tatay niya kaya convincing na malaki siya for his age.” Cienne added.
“I’ve thought about everything before coming home, “ I said. “Pero please lang guys, ilang linggo lang naman ako nandito, aalis din kami ni Ty at mawawala din yang mga tanong,” I said.
“Hindi ka ba talaga magtatagal, alam mo namimiss ka din namin,” Carol asked. “Kahit isang buwan lang.”
I look around them. They all look expectant and hopeful. I miss my friends too. But I might lose the person that’s been holding me in one piece if I choose to stay longer.
“We’ll work this out.” I said.
“Haha! Para ka namang jowa ko!” Carol sniffed. “Linya niya yan eh, kapag nag-aaway kami.”
“Ewan ko sayo Carol, kinakawawa mo yung taong itlog,” Kim remarked as we all laugh. “Ayan speaking of the devil.”
“Ara?” We all looked back to the one who called me. “Ikaw na ba yan?” A tall fair skinned guy was walking towards us.
“Babe, ba’t andito ka?” Carol stood up to welcome her boyfriend.
“Well, am I not allowed to visit you anytime I please because you’re my girl?” I smiled at the sweetness.
Carol raised one brow, “What do you need?”
“Aray naman, hindi ba ko pwedeng maging sweet?” he replied and faked a hurt look.
“Tigilan mo ako Gabriel. Hindi ka sweet. Ano na? May meeting de abanse ako,” Carol said impatiently.
“Sakit nun Cars ha,” Gab gave Carol a look.
“Huwag mo nga akong artehan. Dali na,” Carol said.
“My Mom’s throwing a party and she needs a caterer,” Gab said with heavy shoulders. Gaga tong si Carol inaway talaga.
“Sabi na eh. Teka kunin ko lang yung Calendar,” she said and went to the back.
“Hi Gab,” I called him. He shifted to our direction and there was a change of emotion in his eyes. He was happy to see me.
“Hi Ars, how are you?” he gave me a warm hug. “You look different. Different is good,” he commented.
“Haha thanks Gab. Okay lang ba kayo ni Carol? Parang mainit ulo sayo ah,” I said.
“Haha sanay na ko,” Gab said.
“Sanay na din kami,” the other three chorused.
“Okay lang sayo?” I asked.
“Mahal ko eh. Tsaka cute din naman yun kapag nagmamaldita,” Gab said. I can see in his eyes that he truly loves my dear friend.
“Hindi rin,” Kim added.
“Haha. Okay lang kami nun,” Gab added.
“Aso’t pusa pa rin, buti na lang at nagpaparaya na rin tong si Gab minsan. At least hindi na masyadong maingay,” Cienne said.
“Sorry naman ganun talaga kami magmahalan. Haha,” Gab said. “Anyways, Ara parang may nag-iba sayo,” Gab noticed.
“Hahaha naninibago ka lang sa medyo long hair ko,” I said, my hair is in a nice bob cut, obviously longer than what my friends are used to.
“That’s one thing pero there’s really something eh. You look mature in a good sense and different. I can’t pinpoint what,” Gab looked at me like an experiment.
“Wala kasi dito,” Kim mumbled.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” Gab asked Kim. I gave Kim a look.
“Wala, sabi ko ganyan talaga ang mukha ng London,” Kim said.
“Babe, kelan yung party?” Carol came back with a large book in her hands.
“Wednesday.” Gab answered. Carol checked something on her book and eventually smiled.
“Okay, free kami. Ano yung ise-serve?” Carol.
“I will let Mom decide. I’ll call Mom later na ok na,” Gab said.
“Sige,” Carol answered. She looked at Gab with a waiting look.
“What?” Gab.
“You still need anything?” Carol with matching taas kilay.
“You.” Gab answered nonchalantly. “I was hoping I could take you out on a date.”
“Sorry babe. I’m busy.” Carol said and looked at us.
“Gaga ka talaga Carol. Hayaan mo na nga si Gab dito. Okay na tayo, basta ha” I said.
“Oo na!” They all answered.
Carol looked at Gab, “Sorry, girl talk.”
“No worries.” Gab said. “Uhm Ara, you’re phone is lighting up. Somebody’s calling you I think.”
I looked at my phone on the table. Somebody’s calling me nga and my photo hugging Tyrone is blinking on and off as the phone vibrates. It’s Kuya.
“Kuya,” I answered.
“Magpapaalam yung anak mo,” Kuya said and I heard him call Tyrone. “Here’s your Mom.”
“Babe, can I eat some chocolates? Tito June has some and he’s sharing it to me. Please Mommy,” my baby asked with his British accent. I’ve trained Tyrone to refrain from eating unnecessary food for healthy living. I know this is way different from the lifestyle I used to have especially when it comes to food but motherhood changes everything.
“Okay. But will you promise that you will only eat a few?” I asked.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Tyrone answered. I know that he’s jumping up and down.
“Okay. Be a good boy,” I said and Ty hang up. Excited sa chocolates eh.
I put my phone back to the table and noticed Gab looking at me quizzically. “Bakit?” I asked him.
“Sorry, who’s the boy on your phone?” he asked.
I smiled, “anak ko.”
Gab blinked, I think more than once, “You have a son?”
I nodded honestly, “Yeah, why do you look so surprised?”
He was about to open his mouth but decided not to. He looked at Carol asking if she knew, which she nodded as a confirmation. “You’re married?”
“Ai naku, bakit ganyan mga tanong niyo? Ganyan na ganyan din yung tanong ni intsik kahapon. Modern era na po tayo. Acceptable na pong magkaanak ng walang asawa,” Kim ranted on the side.
“So you’re not married?” Gab asked. Carol rolled her eyes at him.
“Bakit ba? Ang dami kayang hot sa London. Maganda pa accent,” Carol said.
“Hey!” Gab looked at his girl who just stuck her tongue out at him. “I’m sorry, Ara. I’m not judging. I’m just surprised, it’s not like you. But whatever, people change, right? I actually like the new you.”
“Thank Gab.” I said.
“Pwede bang makita yung baby mo?” Gab pointed to my phone.
“Oh, y-yeah s-sure,” I hesitated but gave him my phone. Annnd I think that was a bad idea.
Gab’s reaction was the exact replica of Jeron’s yesterday, like he saw a ghost. His face paled like he saw someone from the past.
“Parang si…”
“Diba ang cuuuuuuuuute,” Carol butted in before Gab could finish his sentence.
“3 years old lang yan, pero ang laki na,” Cienne added.
Gab narrowed his eyes at the photo. “He’s just three?”
“Yep,” I answered.
Gab nodded. His expression changes like he dismissed a thought. “Well, cute nga naman. When will I see this cutie in person?”
“He’s my ring bearer.” Mika said. “You’ll see him sa wedding.”
Gab nodded. He looked at me with a mysterious look. I just smiled at him without blinking like I haven’t been lying to him.
“Well, I’ll leave you girls alone na. Carol doesn’t want me here obviously,” He gave Carol a playful look like he’s just messing around. “But I will have my dinner date later, babe.” He kissed his girl on the top of her head and left.
“Bastos na kalbo yun. Hindi man lang inantay yung sagot ko,” Carol said.
“Alam naman namin na magye-yes ka kaya manahimik ka na,” Kim said.
“hmp! True naman,” Carol said. Hay naku lang.
“Bakit feeling ko ang next nating pag-iexplainan eh yung asawa mo,” Mika turned to Cienne.
“Feeling ko din. Ano Ara? Tara na sa bahay para matapos na to,” Cienne said.
“Sige na Ara, para makapagpractice kami ng sasabihin pag nakita na natin yung dapat na pagsisinungalingan natin,” Kim added.
“Tama nga naman, to get the cover story straight in our heads,” Carol suggested.
“Sige na nga,” I think they’re right.
“Tama, nasa bahay yung susuotin mo sa kasal. Daanan natin siTyrone tapos kunin natin yung damit mo,” Cienne proposed.
“Ha? Bakit isasama pa si Ty?” I asked.
“Siyempre para hindi naman obvious. Anong gusto mong gawin? Pagpasok natin sa bahay ko, ipapakita yung picture ni Ty at sasabihin natin sa asawa ko ‘uy, eto yung anak ni Ara, hindi yan anak ng kaibigan mo ha, sadyang magkamukha lang sila at 3 years old lang yan kaya hindi pwedeng kaibigan mo ang tatay kasi 4 years na silang hindi nagkikita.’ Ganun?” Cienne said.
Well she’s got a point. “Fine. Libre mo hapunan ha.”
“Yes! Sarap ng buhay ko, libre na lunch libre pa dinner. Uwi ka nga ng madalas Ara.” Kim said. We all rolled her eyes.
“Kapal talaga ng mukha,” Mika murmurs.
“Ano sabi mo?” Kim eyed Mika.
“Tara na nga!” I pulled them out of Carol’s restaurant.
***
Cienne has a two year old daughter. She had a honeymoon baby girl. No fertility problems obviously. Haha. When we entered the house, Cienne’s baby girl was struggling out of her daddy’s arm to walk towards her Mom.
“Hi Baby girl, how was your day?” CIenne opened her arms for her baby girl. The big daddy followed supporting his baby girl. Cienne scooped her baby up and kissed her on the cheeks. Her husband gave her a quick kiss on the lips right after.
“We have visitors,” the ever tall husband of Cienne’s said.
“Kukunin ni Ara yung damit nya,” Cienne mentioned. “Ate Celia pakikuha yung damit ni Ara para sa wedding,” Cienne said to the woman who looks like their helper.
“Ara?”
“Here!” I raised my hand. Nasa likod kasi ako ni Mika. Haha “Daks, hindi ako nakikita. Nahihirapan yumuko ang higante. Hi AVO!”
“I didn’t see you! You look… not you.” He said with hesitation.
“Is that good or bad?” I retorted.
“Good, actually.” He looked convinced.
“Thanks. Kamusta?” I asked.
“Really good, already adjusted to married life but still adjusting to being a father,” he said.
“hahah good answer, masama tingin ni Cienne oh,” Kim commented.
“Being a parent is a life-long journey,” I said.
“Really?” he asked. He gave me a questioning look. “I’m sorry I just didn’t think you would know.”
I smiled and pointed down to Tyrone who was busy munching on his apple. AVO looked down as he saw my little boy. “Babe, say hi to Tita Arnold.”
Ty looked up to me and I pointed to AVO. He looked further up and he saw a towering giant. Ty stepped closer to me obviously shocked by the huge man in front of him.
“Hi,” Ty said shyly.
“Oh hi little man.” AVO turned to me. “You have a son.” He said firmly with amazement.
“At least that’s a statement. The other two were asking, Jeron and Gab I mean. Yeah this is my son Ty.”
AVO half-kneeled in front of my little man, “Hello young man. I’m your Mom’s friend.”
Ty looked up to me and I nodded to him, “Hello.”
“And he has an accent. You know what young man, you look familiar… You look like…”
“Thomas!” Carol exclaimed. Really Carol?! We already talked about this! I felt irritated until I turned to give Carol a look.
I felt a sudden jolt run throughout my body. Every single hair stood up. Shit!
Author's Note:
What do you think of the story so far??? Let me know. More chapters coming up.
Feel free to comment. I need your insight guys.
