She woke up alone in bed wondering where did her husband go. She rubs her eyes and gets her phone on the nightstand. There's no message from him. She looks around but there's no trace of him in there. She sighs. Looks like he forgot about it. She expected him to be staying at home with her today. Pero wala siya.
"Baka naman nasa baba." She smiles, got up of the bed and went to the bathroom to do her usual morning routine.
After fixing herself pumunta siya sa kwarto na katabi sa kanila. She opens the door and sees her monsters sleeping peacefully. She smiles and walks to their bed. Kay bilis ng panahon. Dati, karga karga pa niya ang mga ito. But now, they're both grown up. Ayaw na ngang magpahalik ng bunso niya sa kanya, eh. Kasi daw, big boy na daw siya. 'Yong panganay naman niya, independent na. Noon, candies at chocolates ang mga paborito nito pero ngayon, bihira na lang kung kumain ng mga matatamis. Kasi daw, nakakataba. It's funny how things changed so fast. The last time you'll know, ikakasal na din ang mga ito.
"Wag na muna..." she whispered and smiled at the thought. Hinaplos niya ang balikat ng kanyang bunsong si Paulo, now sixteen.
"Pao-pao ko.. gising na." She said tapping her son's cheeks.
"Ma..... ang aga pa po." Sagot nito and covers his face with the blanket.
She giggled pulling the blanket away from him.
"Excuse me, pogi. It's past nine in the morning na. Hindi na 'to maaga." And she tickled him on the side.
Her son giggled as she launched a full tickle on him.
"Okay, okay. Stop na, Ma. I'm awake already..." tatawa-tawang pakiusap nito sa kanya. She smiles and taps his shoulder.
"Hilamos ka na, butchukoy. Gisingin ko lang si Ate." Tsaka niya pinuntahan ang isa pa niyang anghel. She laughed when she heard her son murmuring, "Don't call me butchukoy na, Mama.. Nakakahiya." Bago ito pumasok sa loob ng banyo.
She looks at her daughter who's not her little princess anymore. Kayle, now nineteen. She kisses her forhead and combs her hair. That's her technique para gisingin ito.
She smiles when she saw her opened her eyes.
"Morning, Mama.." bati nito sa kanya before hugging her. Nagdalaga na nga ito pero hindi pa rin nawala ang pagiging malambing nito.
"Morning, Ate... get up na so we can eat breakfast."
Tumango ito.
"Hintayin ko kayo sa baba..." she said and head to the door. But before she can step outside, her daughter called her.
"Ma?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"Where's Papa?"
"I don't know. Wala siya sa kwarto pagkagising ko. Baka nasa baba na.." and she smiled. "Sige na. Maghilamos na at ng makakain na tayo..." then she leaves them.
Pagkadating niya sa baba, wala siyang Richard na nadatnan.
"Ah, manang... Si Richard ba, umalis?" She asked the old lady who's busy preparing the food.
"Ay, Oo, ija. Maaga ngang umalis, eh."
Bigla naman siyang nalungkot sa narinig.
"Bakit? Hindi ba sinabi sayo?"
"Opo, eh... baka emergency." And she forced a smile. "Tulungan ko na po kayo..." and she helps the old lady.
They finished preparing thetable when her two monsters showed up. Her butchukoy, hugged her from the side and kisses her cheek.
