Unexpectedly [KathNiel]

💘 27 | For Keeps

KATHERINE

"Mom, are we gonna stay in the Philippines for good?" He asked while licking two chocolate lollipops. Hindi ko talaga maiwasang ma spoils siya ng sweets kaya ganito. Buti na lang at minsan lang din siya manghingi.

Clark's got a good brain. He's intelligent in his age. Madali siyang matuto ng mga bagay-bagay. Magsalita nga siya parang nasa ten years old na eh. I'm glad I raised him well.

"Mom, I'm asking!" He pouted. My baby's so cute.

We were currently boarding an airplane to the Philippines. Yes! Uuwi na kami. I'm so glad to hear the news my Dad and Mom said to me last night when I got home. Nag-iyakan pa talaga kami nung sinabi nila sakin yun. They think it's time already. Masyado ng matagal ang almost six years na hindi kami naka-uwi.

"Yes, baby. Are you excited to finally meet your father?" I teased him. Masyado kasi akong excited na umuwi.

"Mom! I know I am turning five years old next month but don't you know it's rude to tease me? I'm only a child." Ano daw?

"You definitely look like your father. Ang galing niyo mambara." Nag-pout lang siya. He even already know what makes me forgive him. My goodness!

Mahaba ang biyahe. Syempre from London to Manila, it doesn't take a few minutes only.

Hinayaan kong matulog si Clark halfway of the travel. This is his first plane ride kaya todo picture ako. I had a lot of his photos since birth. Pinaghandaan ko kasi tong pag-uwi namin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to NAIA International Airport. Local time is-"

Finally! Safe and sound. I slept for just 30 minutes only. Sobrang halata na talaga ng excitement ko. Shit!

Habang papasok kami sa loob ng airport, hindi naman siya mapakali. Naninibago yata siya sa environment.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Sinaway ko siya kasi kanina pa palinga-linga.

"Mom! Where's Daddy? Is he gonna pick us up here?" I chuckled at his question. Gusto niyang bitawan ang kamay ko at tumakbo ngunit hindi ko siya hinayaan. Masyadong malikot.

I forgot to ask Dad if alam na ba ni Dj na ngayon ang uwi namin. Pero he said someone will be picking us up here at the airport once we arrived. Who's that someone?

"I don't know, Clark. Your granny tells me that there will be someone who will pick us up here. I don't know who." Hawak-hawak ko ang kamay niya habang tumitingin dun sa mga nag-aabang ng bagong dating. Yung mga nagdadala ng placards na may naka-sulat na names. Hindi ko alam tawag dun eh.

Nung nakita ko na yung names namin, pinuntahan ko agad yun kaso di ko makita kung sino yung nagbitbit, nakatago yung mukha sa likod nung placard eh. Sus!

"Uhm. Excuse me?" I asked. Baka isa to sa mga driver namin sa bahay na tinawagan ni Daddy para sunduin kami.

"I'm Ka--" Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko ng tanggalin niya ang placard sa harap ng mukha niya.

"DADDYYYYYY!" Hindi ko na napigilan si Clark. Tumakbo pa talaga siya papunta kay Dj para magpabuhat. Naiwan naman akong tulala.

Tinitingnan ko lang sila habang busy kakikilala sa mga sarili nila.

Nakilala agad ni Clark ang Daddy niya dahil lagi kong ipinapakita sa kanya yung picture namin ni Dj nung college kami. I didn't let my son away from his Dad. Every detail ay alam ng anak ko. And he's genius kaya siguro hindi niya nakalimutan.

Si Dj? Maybe Mom or Dad gave him photos? I didn't know. Kung titingnan kasi sila ngayon ay parang sobrang kilala na nila ang isa't-isa.

I was back to reality when I felt a warm hand on my waist. "I missed you... so much." Hindi ko na kailangang tanungin kong sino dahil kilala ko na yung amoy niya. I even smiled at what he said.

I'm glad you still do, love.

"Daddy, I can't breathe!" Tinanggal ko naman agad ang mga braso ni Dj sakin. Hindi ko naman napansin na nasa gitna ng mga binti namin si Clark.

"I'm sorry, Big Boy!" Dj patted his son's head kaya nung ngumiti si Clark ay nakahinga ako ng maluwag. He seems fond of his father that fast.

I mouthed "I missed you too" to Dj when his gaze found me. Bumusangot ulit yung mukha ng anak namin. Tinaas niya ang dalawang kamay sa harap ni Dj. Kinarga naman siya agad ng Daddy niya.

"If you missed each other, keep the sweetness and do it at home when we arrived. I'm tired! Let's go home na Mommy, Daddy! Eh? Did he just scold us?

Nagkatinginan kami ni Dj. Natatawa siya at hinayaang makatulog sa balikat niya si Clark. Nakatulog naman agad ito.

Lumapit siya sakin at nag sign sa kasama niyang dalawang bodyguards na dalhin yung mga luggage namin sa sasakyan.

"Let's go, love. They're waiting." Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti ulit nung hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan ang forehead ko.

Ang saya ko!

Sa lahat ng sacrifices namin. Sa lahat ng longings. We ended up this way. Thank you, Lord God, for letting me conquer a lot of trials and for giving me the best rewards.

I promise to myself, I'll be the best Mom to Clark and a thoughtful wife to Dj.

Wife?!

_____________________

to be continued...

Lassie Louise ✨