Being Wet Behind Ears

T W E N T Y - N I N E

Isang gulat na Exton ang nakita ko. Nakita ko namang napailing si Alexus. This must be the reason why Martina kept on calling me earlier. She wants me to know that Exton is here.

"Daddy, it's really you!" Masayang tumatalon si Kairus at inatake nang yakap ang ama niya.

Habang ako? Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makaalis sa pwesto ko at makapagsalita. Napalingon sa akin si Neron at iminuwestrang aakyat muna siya sa taas. Hindi nakatakas sa akin ang masamang tingin ni Exton sa kanya.

While my son was hugging him, he was throwing daggers at me. Yumuko ako at hinayaan silang dalawang magyakapan.

"Palaging pinapakita ni Mom ang mga photos niyo po sa akin, Daddy." He informed Exton.

"Really?" He replied.

"She even told me that you're excited to see me. Bakit hindi ka po namin kasama sa LA? Sabi ni Mommy na you're working here, kaya hindi ka maka-visit sa amin. And it's my first time seeing you in person and hearing your voice! We haven't talk over the phone, Daddy. Why is that? Aren't you happy that I'm your son?" Walang prenong sabi ni Kairus.

"No, no, no... I am very much happy that you're my son, and I'm very lucky to be your Dad. Madami lang talaga akong kailangan gawin dito sa Pilipinas." Agap na sagot ni Exton.

"Kai, punta muna tayo sa taas. Mag-uusap muna silang dalawa." Sabi ni Alexus sabay tayo.

"But, Tito..."

"Kai, huwag pasaway."

Nakita kong tumango si Kairus at hinalikan muna sa pisngi si Exton bago sumama sa Tito Alexus niya. Exton looked at me coldly before he stood up. Naglakad siya papunta sa akin at bago pa siya makalagpas ay nagsalita muna siya...

"Let's talk outside." He firmly said.

I silently followed him. Nanginginig na ako dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Ang daming mga paliwanag na namumutawi sa utak ko pero parang hindi ko ito maisa-boses. Sa bakuran nina Alexus kami huminto at hinarap ako ni Exton.

"Ma'y anak tayo. At hindi mo sinabi sa akin! I don't even know his name! Fucking hell, Flynn!" Marahas niyang sigaw na nagpaigtad sa akin.

"I'm sorry, Exton. I was about to tell you about this last night but you shut me off."

Sinipa niya ang silya na nandito sa bakuran at sumigaw. I could see how angry and frustrated he is. Suminghap siya habang nakatalikod sa akin at ginulo ang sariling buhok. At nang humarap na siya sa akin ay namumula ang kanyang leeg.

"Anak ko 'yun, e..." Halos pabulong niyang ani. "Kamukhang-kamukha niya ako. And you deprive me from being a Father to him!"

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry talaga." I uttured repeatedly.

"What's his full name?"

"Kairus Maddox Calvento..."

Lumiwanag ng kaunti ang mukha niya nang sabihin ko ang ginamit na apelyido ni Kairus.

"Glad that you gave him my surname. But hell! Tinago mo pa rin ang anak natin mula sa akin! Paano mo nakaya iyon, huh? Limang taon! Limang taon! Now, tell me the fucking reason why, Guerrero!" He roared.

"N-Natakot a-akong hindi mo na ako o kami tatanggapin pagkatapos ng ginawa ko sa'yo." Humihikbi kong utas.

"I call bullshit on that! I waited, Flynn... I waited for you to come back. Because fuck, I would still forgive you for leaving me and welcome you with an open arms again. Sobra kitang minahal, Flynn! Pero anong ginawa mo!? You ruined me! You wrecked me! You broke me! Just because you thought Lorelei was carrying our child! Did you confront me about it? No. Ni hindi mo ako tinanong kung totoo ba o hindi! You were being fooled by her!"