The Au-Boy. [JaDine]

[33] Jaime Dior Fildon

We're so so so close to the end. Handa na ba kayo?

Pang-tatlomput tatlo

Jaime Dior Fildon

THIRD PERSON

"BABY?"

"A-Ano ulit 'yon?" tanong ni Nadila kay Jaime mula sa kabilang linya.

"You're spacing out."

"No, baby. I'm j-just... just tired." bumuntong hininga si Nadila bago mabilis na nahiga at yumakap sa unan. Pumikit siya kahit na nasa tenga parin ang telepono.

"Kelan ka babalik?" tanong nito sa kanya. Dumilat siya at iniisip ang pamilya ni Jaime. She's planning for a surprise reunion of their family. Napag-alaman niyang nandito rin pala ang ama ni Jaime, they are currently staying with his mother's brother, Jude.

"After a week or two."

Natahimik ang kabilang linya at agad na kinabahan si Nadila. She knew this would be Jaime's reaction. Pero anong magagawa niya? She's not just doing this to make everything right but for Jaime as well.

Kahit na alam niyang maraming pwedeng mangyari at isa na doon ang paglayo ni Jaime dahil kailangan niya ang pamilya niya, she still pushed this through. If this can make Jaime happy, then she doesn't really care about what might happen.

Seeing Jaime's smiling face can mend her in an instant. She reallly is in love with him.

"Baby." malambing na usal ni Nadila. "Trust me on this, please. Marami akong inaasikaso and believe me when I say I badly want to be there. Please, trust me. K-Kahit 10 days nalang. After that I'll be with you, promise."

"8 days."

Bumuntong hininga si Nadila. "Fine, a week."

"Okay."

Alam na alam niya na ang istilo ni Jaime. Kunwari'y ayos ito sa gano'n katagal pero pinakamahaba na para rito ang isang linggo palugid. It's take it or leave it. Dahil kung hindi mo magagawa 'yon, he'll just end up not talking to you for days. When it means days, he really won't talk to you for days.

"Can I ask you about something, Jaime?" tanong ni Nadila.

"Sure, what is it?"

"What would you do if you accidentally meet you family? I mean, buo ang pamilya mo. 'Yung hindi naman pala divorced ang magulang n'yo?"

Natahimik ang linya ni Jaime. Inisip ni Nadila na baka may mali siyang nasabi, pero ng nagsalita si Jaime ay parang siya naman ang natahimik.

"I'd be happy to see them. Our family whole again. Gusto ko silang mayakap ulit and tell them how badly I regretted not speaking about my thoughts. How I was against the divorce and how thankful I was that we are complete." bumuntong hininga ito. "Pero alam mo kung anong masakit?" he asked. "It's not seeing my family whole again. Hindi lang dahil sa wala ako pero dahil sa alam kong may kulang na. Whether it is my mom or my dad, one is missing, and it will never be whole again even with me on it."

Parang kumirot ang puso ni Nadila. Now she wants to hug him and give him a hug that can comfort him. Ramdam niya ang sakit, lungkot at pangungulila nito sa pamilya.

"Don't worry, baby." malambing niyang usal. "God loves everyone who has a good heart. Isa ka sa mga taong 'yon kaya alam kong may magandang mangyayari sa 'yo. Maybe he'll send you a gift you've been waiting for for years."

Hindi nagsalita si Jaime at alam niyang naintindihan ito ng kasintahan. Napangiti na lamang si Nadila sa naisip.

I can't believe I can act like Santa.