SANA NGAYONG PASKO (COMPLETED) #Wattys2018

ANG TANGING HANGAD KO AY...

MATTHEW
Mama told me that Tatay is picking us up for a late lunch because we have to talk about my College, I knew that they are going back together. It's December 24, Christmas eve. If they were going back together, they would have told me that Tatay will be joining us for Christmas dinner or midnight dinner. Yeah Matt, you're 17 and you still think like a kid man. Just get out of your daydreaming and move on.
When Tatay arrived, he talked to Grandpa and and Grandma and told them he'll bring us back before the Noche Buena. He hugged my grandma and grandpa patted his back. He seemed close to them. When we left, Tatay told me to sit at the back and he opened the door for Mama. She let him. Well the spirit of Christmas might be working on her. We drove to a 5 star hotel. Tatay looked at Mama and Mama tried not to smile.

"Bakit dito?"

"Dito nagpa book si Mrs Francisco eh. Ayaw mo? Drive thru na lang tayo sa McDo."

Mama looked at me and said, let's go inside. When we got off the car, Tatay tried to hold the hand of Mama but she removed his hand and kunwari took mine. I saw the exchanged glances but I pretended not to see it. We looked like a happy family...but nobody would think that I am their son. His younger brother maybe and them as boyfriend and girlfriend but never their son. I am supposed to act cool right? But then, hell this might not happen again so I guess I have to enjoy it to the fullest.

On our way to our table, a guy not older than Tatay stopped us. He is with his young family. His wife who looks as young as Mama and their child a cute 5 years old girl. I learned he is an employee of Tatay.

"Sir, ginagamit namin yung napanalunan ko sa Christmas party na dinner at two days three nights stay dito. Thank you so much Sir nakatikim kami ng ganito. "

"Ganun ba? Wala yan, you deserve it. Oo nga pala, pamilya ko, si Christianne at anak namin si Matthew."

"Matt? Ikaw na yan? Ang laki mo na. Naalala mo ba ako? Ako yung pinapasama ni Sir sa yo na pakainin sa cafeteria. Ang laki mo na. Sabi ko  sa yo pinagbiyak talaga kayong bunga ni Sir eh, ayaw mo nun maniwala sa akin. Nice seeing you again. Ako si Kuya Lito remember?"

I remember him. Siya yung nangungulit sa akin na aminin ko na daddy ko si Tatay. Pero mabait siya sa akin. Nakikinig siya sa lahat ng kuwento ko. Hindi man lang niya ako pinagalitan once noon.

"Hahahahaha Kuya Lito. Oo I remember you. Tama nga, your guess was right, he's my Dad. I call him Tatay hahaha"

"Naniwala ka na ngayon?"

We greeted them we moved on to our table. We ate in silence with a casual this and that from them. I ate my food silently. Tatay was the one who asked me first.

"Matthew or would you rather be  called Matt?"

"Mama won't call me Matt cause he calls you Matt. I'll settle for Matthew. She wants to call me Thad, but Thad sounds like a jerk. I'll settle for Matthew"

"Okay! Okay! No worries anout that, Hahaha, we get the point. " then he looked at me. His face became serious.  "Now, let's ralk about college. Your Mama told me there are many scholarships offered by universities in Canada so you will play with them, What I want to know, we want to know is, do you want to play basket in college? Do you want to study on scholarship or what?"

"To be honest Tay, the only reason why I want to olay basketball is because I wanted to help Mama. I don't want her to pay too much for College. She does not want me looking for anpart time job kasi sayang daw my grades pag napabayaan."

"That's true. Apart from his ball playing, he is always on top of his class. His grades are always excellent. He has not come home with a B grade. The lowest was A-"

"So, if you ask me if Iwant to play basket when I will go to college, only to help not because I wanted it."

"How about School? Where do you want to go to school?"

" UCLA or in London."

"Okay. Take their entrance exams, if you pass no ball playing. If you don't, choose the university you like to attend, I'll pay your tution, don't worry about it. Tatay will send you to college, you don't have to worry about the gastos," and he whispered, "Galante ang Tatay mo anak, aside from guapo, mayaman pa." And he winked at Mama who giggled in return. Something is happening between this two and they are not telling me.

"That being settled, let's eat. I wanted you to meet some people. But before that, let's drop by my office and get something. I left it there this morning. Okay lang ba, sw...Ianne?"

She nodded. What was that he almost called her? Force of habit? Oh well, as long as I won't play ball in College, I'm happy. And my father will shoulder all expences? Why not? I don't see them fighting. It's okay with me.

We were done with lunch at 3 in the adternoon already. By the time we got on the road after dropping by the office it was already getting dark. Tatay said we will be having dinner with some inportant people. Maybe his employees or some friends who would accommodate us this Christmas eve. At the office elevator, I stood infront of them, and I saw Tay kissed Mama's head and gave her a quick hug, she did not pushed him. I think I even saw her lean against him. What they did not notice is I saw their sillhoutte on the elevator's door. When we were going down, in the elevator again, I saw them holding hands. Hmmmm something is really fishy with this two. Will Santa finally hive in and give me the gift I have longed for? To have Daddy back? Let's see.

After almost an hour on the toad, the traffic was that bad, we entered a very posh mansion. I mean, a palace. Grandpa's house is huge, I mean huge huge. But this one is larger and wider and bigger. There are cars parked outside and some men are outside...they all look the same, bodyguards?

"Good evening, Sir."

"Good evening, Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Sir, Ma'am, sir!"

We greeted them. And then I saw it. Tatay took Mama's hand and Mama did not pull it back. They walked before me and I was carrying the bags of gifts Mama ordered me to carry. Tay was carrying another bag of gifts. I wonder who bought them? Mama? Tay? Or both of them?

The house was full of people when we got in. It's spacious and everyone was surprised to see who just walked in. They all gawked at Mama. I mean they were looking at her. Some were whispering why is she here. Now I know why Tatay was holding her hand, so she won't bolt out. Mama said Tatay is an only child but has hundreds of cousins and relatives, so I guess these people are his relatives? We are at his relative's house? Why? Then a couple who looked like they are in their late 50s came to welcome us. The woman immediately hugged Mama. She was crying.

"Ianne, anak, we did not know. I am so sorry."

Mama hugged her back and told the older woman that it was okay and she said she was sorry she did it too. I think they used to be close. Those emotions that were shown were really genuine. The older man who looked like Dad was looking at me. And my Dad was no where to be found immediately. He took the bags from me and he was gone. Mama and the older woman were done hugging ang Mama gently pulled me near.

"Tita, this is Matthew Thadeus, our son. He's 17 now. Matthew say hello to your..."

The older woman gasped and turned to the old man standing there smiling and staring at me

"Honey, he looked exactly like Matt. Matthew, I am your Lola and this is your Lolo."

"They are my parents" said Tatay who silently wrapped his hand around Mama's waist.

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