Everything Has Changed

XXIII

Pippa is finally out of the hospital. The doctors say she's better and healthier already so she can finally go back home. Migo asks Patricia if the twins can sleep at his house for at least three days so that he can spend more time with them. After an hour of begging her, she finally says 'yes' but 'only for three days', she reminds him. Migo brings his children home. But when he tries to open the door, he's surprised that it's already opened. They get in and he's even more surprised to see who's inside, in the living room, sitting on the couch, reading a book with her eyeglasses on. He drops the keys of the house on the floor. "M-- Ma?!"

Aurora looks up from the book she's reading and smiles at her son. But it quickly fades away as she notices the children beside him. "Oh, may visitors pala tayo?" She stands up and walks towards him and gives him a 'beso'. "Who are they?"

The twins look at their father, wondering who this woman in front of them is.

Migo gulps. "Ah..." He nervously purses his lips. "Kailan ka pa dumating, Ma?" He tries to change the topic.

She looks at the children and smiles. She extends her arm. "Hello. I'm Aurora, Migo's mother."

The twins shake hands with her with their eyes wide open. Papa's mother? She doesn't know us?!

"Can I know your names? May I know who you are?" This little girl right here looks exactly like... Like--

He clears his throat. "Ma, let's go upstairs. We have to talk."

"Oh, why upstairs pa? Don't be rude to your guests!"

"Ma."

She sighs. "Okay, okay. Maiwan muna namin kayo ha? We just have to talk."

The twins just nod their heads.

They go upstairs in the guest room where Aurora usually sleep every time she visits Migo. She doesn't live with him anymore. She gave the house to her son and bought a new one for her, ten years ago. "Migo."

He looks at her.

"Who are those kids? Kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng mga kaibigang mas bata sayo? A lot younger!"

He looks away.

"Migo, I'm talking to you. Who are they? And why does that girl's face look familiar to me?"

"Ma, I'm sorry..."

She frowns. "Sorry? For what?"

"For not telling you." He breathes deeply. "Those kids there, Dylan and Trixie... They're..." He lets a deep sigh out. "They're my children, Mom."

She squints her eyes and chuckles. "What the hell are you talking about? What kind of joke is that?"

"Ma, hindi 'to joke. Andito sa Pilipinas si Patricia. I met with her, months ago, and we talked. Then I found out that--"

"Patricia? That girl?!"

"Yes, Ma. Patricia. Patricia Cortez."

She coldly stares at him.

"I got her pregnant thirteen years ago and all of a sudden ko lang rin nalaman. Kung hindi pa kami nagkita, hindi nya sasabihin sa akin. She didn't--"

"She didn't want her children to meet you? Am I right?"

He nods.

She shakes her head. "Unbelievable. Ang kapal ng mukha!"

"Ma."

"What? Totoo naman, hindi ba?" She sits on the edge of the bed. "She left you and didn't come back. She was pregnant and she didn't even tell you anything about it. You're the father, Migo! You had the right to know!"