The Stranger's Charade °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

Chapter Forty: PAINTING

Mirana

Five years passed too swift enough. I badly still wanted to keep carrying my little babies but I can't help them grow up. I'm not yet married if that's what you're thinking. The babies I'm referring to are my bestfriend's children who are in all ways so adorable.

"Tita Nana, can we go and see dad?"Chance asked. She talks a lot. Everyone is always so excited to hear her innocent stories she sees in her dreams.

"Chanchan, dad said he'll go to work. He'll be home."little Zacc answered. Siya naman 'yong suplado at seryosong bata. Minsan nga napapaisip ako kung may ibang kaluluwang sumasapi sa kanya. Kung magsalita kasi, akala mo may mapuputing buhok na sa ulo.

"You are so right, Zacchy. But you know what, baby, daddy won't mind seeing you. Who wants to come with me and see daddy?"I babytalked.

They both raised their hands. How could five-year-olds comprehend this way nowadays? Bago pumasok sa loob ng building, hindi ko maalis ang ngiting nakapinta sa labi ko. For five years, ang bilis na naibangon ni Zacc ang pangarap na 'to. He dreamed this for her.

Nahirapan pa nga kaming pumasok ng mga anak niya sa loob ng gallery dahil sa daming tao. Most of them are tourists who are supporters of his blog. After I showed Zacc the videos five years ago and told him everything about his wife when he's asleep, he was so determined to have her remembered. He fixed his life. He was even focused and more driven. He started a blog he entitled after his wife's name. People heard his stories and were so touched. In five years, Zacc has established the Chances Gallery. He even built the simple house that Chances has drawn. Yes, they lived there too.

"Daddy!"

Grabe. Sobrang bilis marecognize ni Chanchan ang daddy niya. Kahit nakatalikod pa 'yan o kahit tenga lang ang nakikita niya, sigurado siyang iyon ang daddy niya. This time, she was right again. Inilibot ko pa ang tingin ko para hanapin si Zacc. Guess where she found him? It's in the middle of the crowd. Kung hindi ko pa sinundan si Chance ay 'di ko makikita kung nasaan ang workaholic na daddy niya.

"Peanut! Hey, I'm glad you visit daddy."malambing na bungad niya sa anak niya. "Zacchy, come here."Lumapit naman rito ang anak niyang utak-tanda. Ewan ko ba, sobrang mature mag-isip ng isang anak niya.

"I'm sorry, dad. I told her not to come and bother you at work but she's persistent. Tita Nana spoils her too."sumbong niyang nagpatawa sa'kin.

"It's okay, Zacc. Dad wants to see you and your sister at work."

The crowd looked really happy watching him with his children. Before everyone in the gallery can gather to gird around them, I invited Zacc to go to his office. Honestly, I sent the message telepathically and great thing I'm his bestfriend, we still have that invisible connection. Haha.

"Hindi niyo yata kasama si Arlo?"tanong niya sa'kin nang nasa loob na kami.

"Busy sa buhay."tipid na sagot ko.

Naasar nga ako dahil 'di nagparamdam buong araw. Kahit simpleng text message na may period, wala. Bahala siya. Mas masaya naman kasama 'tong chikiting kaysa sa kanya. Lagi lang naman siyang nanlalandi. Pero nakakaasar, nakakamiss din kaya ang kalandian niya!

"Mirana, kailan ba kayo magpapakasal? Hindi ka na bata. You're 29!"

"Stop it, Zacc! Stop mentioning my age! That's offensive!"

"Chanchan, stop running around! You'll break things."pangaral ni little Zacc sa malikot niyang kapatid.

Sabay na napatawa kami ni Zacc habang pinapanood ang mga anak niya.