IS IT OKAY TO CALL YOU MINE

PROLOGUE

"THIS is new. You're all here." Hindi napigilan ni Calyx ang magkomento nang makita ang mga bisita na kasama ng kanyang anak sa dining room. Kasama ng bata ang mga magulang niya at ang pinsan niyang si Lily na lumaki na sa poder nila mula nang mamatay ang mga magulang nito.

"Good morning, munchkin. How's your weekend with Lolo and Lola?" tanong niya sa seven year old daughter niyang si DeeDee.

"Good morning, too, Dad. Lolo and I went fishing, it's actually fun! I caught a large bangus and Lola cooked it for our lunch. Try mo sumama minsan, Dad," masiglang sagot ni DeeDee.

"I would love to, munchkin. Maybe next weekend," sagot naman niya. Aware siya na kahit masigla ang anak ay nagtatampo ito sa hindi niya pagsama sa lakad ng mga ito. Something came up unexpectedly last week so he needed to cancel his trip with his family. Ang kaso, super-excited si DeeDee sa getaway nilang iyon and he can't just break his child's heart. Kaya naisip niyang kausapin ang mga magulang para tumuloy at ipasyal si DeeDee.

"So, son, how's the office? Naayos mo ba ang gusot no'ng nakaraang linggo?" tanong ng papa niya.

"Of course, Pa. It's a simple misunderstanding on schedule, nothing to worry about."

"If that's the case, bakit 'di ka na nakasunod sa amin?" tanong ni Lily.

"Because malakas ang ulan dito sa Manila kaya hindi advisable bumiyahe," mariin niyang sagot.

"Is that so? Hmm..."

Lily could be troublesome sometimes. Ni hindi nito alam kung kailan ang tamang timing para magkomento sa mga bagay-bagay.

"Dad, may consent letter po from school na kailangan n'yo i-sign," singit ni DeeDee. "Consent letter for what, munckin?"

"Pupunta po kami sa isang orphanage, Dad."

"Orphanage? Why? I mean, is that a part of your school's curriculum?"

"Actually, dad it is more of social work. May sinusuportahan na orphanage ang school namin and nag-decide ang school director na dalhin ang section namin for a tour sa Little Wings," masiglang sagot ng anak niya.

"Little Wings, huh? Sige, I'll sign it later."

"Thanks, Dad! You're the best po," masayang sagot ni DeeDee.