The Virgin Mother ✔

Weakness

When Ivo spoke to Angelo, the kid didn't say much. He's not dropping names.. o baka yung narinig kong dalawang bata noon sa school ay si Angelo namin ang tinutukoy? Anong klaseng mga magulang ang meron ang mga batang iyon para umaway ng kapwa-bata?!

Ivo spooned me on the sofa. I instantly felt the comfort. Kahit na pakiramdam ko ay anytime darating si daddy.

"Kumusta naman si Tita? Is she doing well?"

"Yes, I think. Siya ang nagtulak sa akin na puntahan naman kita. She told me I shouldn't worry about her so much, although for me, it's the other way around. I'm dead worried about her." And yes, too much worry is what I feel while he's talking.

"Oh, you should go then. Be with your mother. I miss tita, too."

"She misses you, too. Sabi niya nga, you're the daughter she wished but never had. Then I acted like I'm jealous. Hahaha." I smiled, even though we're worrying too much on things.. Kahit na sandali lang, nakakalimutan pa rin.

I turned to face him and smiled. "I love you."

He was taken aback but smiled too. Siguro nabigla sa pag-proclaim ko ng pagmamahal sa kanya?
"I love you more, and I don't know what I'd do if I lose you. Mawala man sa akin ang posisyon ko sa kumpanya niyo, basta alam ko lang na ako pa rin ang mahal mo, everything will be fine."

He cupped my face and kissed me passionately. I responded to his kisses and flicked my tongue in his mouth. His kisses are so sweet, I feel my knees wobbling.

Humahagod ang kamay ko sa likod niya at ulo. Ganun rin siya sa akin. Ang suot ko lang ay nightgown na above-the-knee lang ang haba. I'm just wearing an underwear, but not.. a bra.

He easily cupped my breast, while his other hand rested on my butt. Slowly, he's taking over me and I'm now under him. I moaned softly when he kissed my neck.

"Rie, my love.."

"T-take me, Ivo."

He bit his lower lip and looked at my eyes.. He planted little kisses on my forehead, to cheeks, lips, neck, and down to my twin mounds. I moaned when he sucked on my left breast, and knead the right, while I'm unbuckling his belt.

When I finally did it, he paused and took off his pants, then his necktie. He also unbuttoned his longsleeves, then threw it on the floor.

"I love you. Sundan na natin si Angelo?" He chuckled.

"Silly. Not now! But I love y--" He again claimed my lips and kissed me hungrily.

He kissed my neck and paused. He looked at me like he was asking permission if he can take off my nightgown.

"Mommy? Daddy? Nagugutom po ako.." A half-asleep Angelo murmured and went out of the room.

"I'll prepare you dinner, sa kwarto ka na lang muna Elo, hatid na lang namin ng daddy mo." He nodded and went back to our room and closed the door.

"I guess this isn't really the right time for Angelo to be a kuya." We both laughed at the thought.

"And your second attempt was unsuccessful, Ivo Lorenzo."

Ivo didn't really spent the night in my unit. Umalis rin siya ng magaalas-dos na ng umaga para umuwi at magpalit ng damit tapos ay didiretso na siya ng ospital ulit para bantayan si tita.
Kumain kaming tatlo na magkakasabay at kinausap ng maigi si Angelo tungkol sa nangyari sa kanya.

He said he doesn't want to transfer schools, hassle pa raw iyon. I insisted, pero ayaw niyang magpalipat talaga.

Angelo is such a lovable and very kind kid. Why would someone be rude to him? He's just a child.

Nakaalis na si Ivo at magkatabi na kami ni Angelo sa kama. I was hugging the kid like a teddy bear. "Mommy, medyo hindi po ako makahinga.."

I loosened. "Hehe, sorry naman. Mommy and daddy loves you. Kaya sabihin mo sa amin pag may problema sa school ha? Wag na wag mong sarilihin. Kahit busy kami, never ever hesitate to talk to us. Okay?"

He looked at me. "Opo mommy. Mahal na mahal ko rin po kayo ni daddy. Pati si Papa Lui, tapos si Mama Loren."

I smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Mommy.. nanaginip po ako kanina ang bad ng panaginip ko."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Mama.. Mama Loren, may hinihigaan po siya tapos hindi siya humihinga saka gumagalaw. Marami pong bulaklak sa paligid saka medyo maliwanag."

"I-it's just a dream, baby.. Hindi pa yun mangyayari. Mama Loren will live longer." I calmly told him, even if I'm worried too.

"Sana po, okay lang si Mama Loren. Mag-bake pa raw po siya ng cake para sa akin eh."

"Yes, and she'll teach us too."

"Pero mommy.."

"Ano yun?"

"Bakit po nasa taas kanina si daddy? Nadadaganan ka po niya? Hindi ka po nabibigatan o nasasaktan?"

Oh, Angelo and his innocence.

I woke up with 5 missed calls and 2 texts from Ivo.

Love, mama isn't responding to the medications. Binigyan pa siya ng taning ng doktor. This is frustrating!

Rie, love, can you come here? I really, I really need you right now.

I replied.

Hold on, baby. Tita will be fine. Ihatid ko lang si Angelo sa school, tapos pupunta ako dyan.

Medyo nagmamadali ang pagkilos ko, pati si Angelo ay magmamadali na rin.

"Mommy, kumusta po si Tita Loren?"

"Uhm.. honestly, she's not doing very well. She's not resp--"

"Mommy, okey lang po ba kung hindi ako pumasok ng school ngayon? Sasama muna po ako pumunta sa ospital. Mommy, ngayong araw ko po kasi nakita sa panaginip ko yung nangyari kay Mama Loren ta--"

"Don't.. think of that, Elo. Hmm.. sige, isasama kita doon but you'll wear a hoodie and a face mask."

"Sige po."

When we arrived in the hospital, particularly in the floor where tita's room is, I saw Ivo outside.

His head was bowed, his arms rested on his knees. Elo and I immediately went to him.

"Love, nandito na kami." I said.

Inangat niya ang ulo niya at namumula ang mata. "She's gone, she's gone! Paano na ako? Mag-isa na lang ako, wala na si mama!"

This.. was the first time I saw him cry. The first time I saw his vulnerability; his worst condition; his weakness.

"I'll always be here.. Angelo and I will always be with you." I said with a very gentle tone.