The Virgin Mother ✔

The Result

Umuwi kami ni Angelo na tuwang-tuwa siya. Di kaya mapunit ang labi ng batang 'to, kakangiti? Abot-tenga eh.

Anyway, it looks good on him to see him smile like that.

"Thank you po." Pero naninibago ako. Parang may kulang, kapag kinakausap niya ako. Nginitian ko siya habang buhay niya ang mga pinamili naming damit para sa kanya. Medyo natatawa pa ako kasi halos matabunan na siya ng mga paper bags na dala-dala niya. Kinuha ko ang iba at ako na ang bumitbit.

"You can.. watch tv." I nodded. Ako na ang nagpasok sa loob ng kwarto ng mga pinamili namin. Most were just his clothes, toiletries which will suit for kids, and some toys.

"Paano po buksan?"

"Ibig sabihin, ilang araw ka nang hindi nanunuod ng tv?" That's ridiculous. Parang dapat ko pa siyang i-train kung paano ma-operate ang mga bagay-bagay.

Ako na ang nagbukas ng tv gamit ang remote. Nilipat ko sa channel na puro cartoons. Sa ngayon, Adventure Time ang palabas.

"Diyan na lang po." Sabi nya at tumango ako.

"Okay, diyan ka lang at pupunta ako sa baba. Magpapa-laundry lang ako."

"Ano po yung lon-dri..?"

"Laba. Magpapa-laba lang ako. May gamit na washing machine para doon. Sa susunod, magtuturo ako sayo tungkol sa mga bagay-bagay."

"Ah.. sige po." Nakangiti siyang tumango at binalik ang panunuod sa tv.

It took me a few minutes to realize it.. It was awkward to ask the kid but I'll ask it anyway.

"Angelo.." Nakatingin ako sa kanya at tumingin rin siya sa akin kahit na tutok ang atensyon sa panunuod. "Why aren't you.. Bakit hindi mo na ako tinatawag na.. mommy?"

He blinked his eyes. "Sabi mo po.. ayaw mong tinatawag kitang mommy. Kaya tinigil ko na lang po. Baka po kasi magalit ka sa akin lalo." I nodded. Ganun pala.. I understand that he's just a little kid longing for parents. Pero pag nalaman ko na ang resulta, no doubt, I'll let him call me his mother.

Di na ako sumagot. Nilagay ko na sa isang cloth bag ang mga damit namin para ipa-laundry. Tumawag na ako ng room service para ihatid sa baba ang mga damit, at siya na ang maghihintay na matapos iyon at siya rin ang mag-aakyat.

It was already 1 AM. Immersed ako ng sobra sa inaayos kong mga files na para sa opisina. Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras. Naririnig ko pa rin ang ingay na galing sa tv. Lumabas ako para uminom ng tubig, there I saw the kid sleeping soundly. Nakaupo siya pero naka-bend naman ang leeg. I thought he might get a stiff neck in the morning kaya hiniga ko na lang siya sa sofa.
The sofa looks too big for him. He's a bit thin and small too. I turned off the tv.

Umiinom na ako ng tubig but I heard murmurs. Tumingin ako sa bata. I have always wondered where he really came from. But he always say he's from my necklace. How? How can a kid get stuck in there? Is life some kind of a joke? And of all couples wanting a child.. bakit ako? I'm very single and not even ready to mingle.

I went beside the sleeping kid. I can really see the distinction between my child self and his appearance. Are his features that mainstream?

Angelo was in tears. Medyo nagulat ako na may mga luhang tumutulo. His face looks very sad. His lips curved downward. "Angelo.." I softly called. Hinawakan ko rin ang braso niya at medyo niyuyugyog iyon.

"Angelo.." His breathing went heavier.

"Wag po iwan..!" He said.

Tinatapik ko ng mahina ang pisngi ng bata. "Angelo, I'm here."

His breathing is still heavy. He is sweating, and his eyeballs are moving fast. I thought he might be in a really bad dream.

"Angelo." My voice was firmer. Marahan ko pa ring tinatapik ang pisngi niya at braso. Unti-unting bumubukas ang mga mata niya.

"Mommy's here. I won't leave." Sabi ko. I don't freaking know why those words were from my mouth!

"Ma.." He murmured and a small smile formed in his lips. He immediately went to sleep again.

Mahimbing na naman ang tulog niya. Kalmado na ang paghinga niya. Napangiti ako.
I carried Angelo. He's light, kahit na isa siyang batang lalaki. I think he has to take food supplements and vitamins for him to grow, at para magkalaman naman siya.

We went into my room, nilapag ko siya sa kamang hinihigaan ko. Kinumutan ko siya at nilagyan ko ng unan sa tabi niya para yakapin. He looks so peaceful, kaya parang gusto ko na lang siyang tabihan at matulog na rin.
My work's important too, and I still have to finish a few of it.

Almost 3 AM when I finished everything. I even hear Angelo's soft snore. Lumabas ako ng kwarto para kumuha ng wine, pampatulog lang rin.

Pagkakuha ko, pumunta ako sa balcony. The reason why I immediately get this unit is that, the view of the city lights mesmerizes me. It makes me forget the problems in work I'm having, and Angelo.. I never thought he's not much of a problem now. I was even thinking of sending him to a good school just near here so I can be the one to drop him off there.

I never, once in my life, planned to have a kid outside marriage. I didn't even plan that much to be married. Siguro, sapat na ang naranasan ko noong bata pa ako ang nangyari kanila mama at papa. I was so afraid, and still afraid I might be like my self-centered mother, or my pitiful father. They had shortcomings in their marriage but I never thought they'd break up.

Marriage is.. a sacred commitment. It should be something cherished, as two different individuals become one. It should have love, understanding, friendship, and intimacy. I think of marriage as God's way of bringing one Adam and one Eve together.

But why do people break up? Is it still God's plan, or just people's decisions, discontentment, or do they just fall out of love?

Nagising ako sa liwanag ng kwarto. It's morning. Angelo is still asleep on the other side of the bed.

First thing in the morning is checking emails. There might be very important or urgent emails I have to reply. On top of the inbox email, there's a subject named "DNA Results".

I immediately checked it, I scrolled down for details and it was summarized.

Angelo and I are 100% match.