Baby Daddy

II

CHAPTER TWO

KARARATING lang ni Kelly galing sa ospital. She’s been on duty for almost 72 hours and she’d really kill for a decent sleep.

“Ma’am Kelly, nasa lanai po si Senyora Kikay. Nagdala po ng cake. Ano pong sasabihin ko?” Bungad agad sa kanya ng kanilang kasambahay.

“It’s okay, pupunta na ‘ko dun. Bring us tea, please. Chamomile for me.” Inabot niya dito ang mga gamit niya. ”Paki-akyat sa room ko. Thanks.”

Matagal na niyang hindi nakikita si Lola Kikay. What, with her schedule and all, it’s just impossible. Growing up, ito na ang tumayong parang totoo niyang abuela. Nasa States kasi ang mga lolo’t lola niya kaya hindi din niya masyadong naging ka-close ang mga ito.

Bukod sa napakabait talaga ni Lola Kikay, sobrang cool din nito kaya magkasundong magkasundo sila.

“Lola Kikay!” Nagmano agad siya dito.

Niyakap naman siya ng matanda, at hinalikan sa pisngi. “My goodness, Kelly. Have you been sleeping? You look like a zombie, honey!” Sapo nito ang mukha niya sa dalawang kamay nito. “A very pretty zombie, that is.”

Napangiti siya. “You look very pretty yourself, Lola. Ikaw ha, why do you look 10 years younger? You’ve had shots no?” Panunudyo niya dito na ikinatawa naman nito.

“Oh no no no, dear. You know how I don’t like those needles!” Hinawakan nito ang mukha. “I’ve been taking Zumba classes,  and I must say, lahat sa akin ay na-uplift!” Naglagay ito ng sugar cubes sa tsa nito. “Anyway, how have you been?”

“I’m very good, Lola. I may not seem like it nga lang.” Sinabayan niya ng tawa. “But still, at the end of the day, I’m doing what I love, so it’s all worth it naman po.”

“But still, dear, you have to slow it down sometimes. Yan din ang sinasabi ko kay Zacharias, but he just wouldn’t listen.” Napailing ito. “I would ask you to talk some sense into him, but I see na isa ka pang absorbed na absorbed sa trabaho mo.” Tiningnan siya nito ng seryoso. “Aba, you kids should realize that you’re not getting any younger.”

Nginitian niya ito. “Meaning?”

“Meaning, dapat kino-consider na ninyo ang paglagay sa tahimik. Life’s very short, hija. And you don’t really know what’s ahead.”

Natawa naman siya. “Lola! You sound so morbid! I’m only 25. There’s still a lot in store for me. As for Zach naman, you need not worry, he’s already realized he’s not getting any younger years ago pa, tingnan niyo nga, marami na kayong candidates for granddaughter-in-law.”

Teka, bakit ba niya ipinagtatanggol yung lalaking yun, eh war nga pala sila.

Sus, inggit ka lang kasi you’re not one of the candidates.

Sumimangot ang matanda. “Hay nako, Kelly. If you ask me, kung yung mga babae na yun din lang ang ihaharap sa akin ni Zacharias, mabuti pang tumanda na lang siyang mag-isa. Why, those women don’t have any substance at all. Sure they’re all beautiful and may breeding naman lahat, but I wouldn’t want a model for a granddaughter-in-law. No no no no.” Iiling-iling pa ito.

“What’s wrong with models, ‘La? Ayaw niyo nun, you’ll have super cute grandkids.”

“Beauty has an expiry date, hija. And besides, I want super cute and super smart grandbabies.”

She smiled. “Lola, not all models are dumb, you know. Anyway, hayaan ninyo, makakahanap din si Zach ng sakto sa preferences ninyo. All in God’s time.” Sinimsim niya ang kanyang chamomile tea.