Gavin
"She got into a fight?! Lily? My baby girl got into a fight?!"
Emma could not believe it when she received the call earlier. The school administrator let her know that Lily was in trouble and wanted to speak to us.
She immediately called me and we were now headed to the school.
Our worries ebbed when we saw our daughter laughing with my mom at the waiting area of the Administration Office.
"Mommy! Daddy! Hi!" She greeted, running to us for a hug.
"Baby, what happened?"
She was asked the same question when we were with the administrator and the parents of the other child.
"Theo kissed me. He didn't ask first. So, I kicked him and ran. Lola Mimi said no one kisses Lily without Lily's yes. Mommy and Daddy also yun ansabe."
Emma seemed to find the situation a bit adorable, but not me. Walang hahalik sa anak ko! "Aba! Hindi tama -"
Before I could continue my tirade, Emma put a hand on me to calm me down. Turning to the rest of the group, "I won't apologize. My daughter did what she was taught and I won't take it back. But, Theo?" Emma asked the little boy. "Does it still hurt where Lily kicked you?"
"Just a little."
"Alright. Put some ice on it okay? Next time, please ask first before kissing? And if the girl says no, it means no. I hope you understand."
Turning to his parents, "I hope you understand where we come from as well. We want Lily to stand up for herself as early as now. Her personal space was violated and she defended herself."
The meeting ended amicably, largely due to Emma's handling.
"Ang galing mo naman!" I praised. "Thank you for making them understand."
"Mabait naman din sila eh. Maybe eventually we'll have to figure out another option how Lily can handle these things," Emma said.
When we rode the car, I asked, "Sweetheart, can we go to the mall first? Pasyal muna with Lily?"
Fortunately, Emma agreed.
"You want to go to the mall, baby?"
"Yes! Yes! Yehey! We're going to the mall. We're going to the mall," Lily sang a made up tune. "Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Did you ask permission from Mommy when you kissed her sa cheeks?"
I turned to Emma. I know that I asked her long ago, and she has agreed. But now would be a good time to check again. "Uy, sorry. Hindi ko naisip. Okay lang ba yun?"
"Yes. Oo naman. Walang problema," she said.
"Good job, Daddy! That's why Mommy likes you. Good boy ka eh."
"What's that, baby?" I asked.
"Mommy likes you. Good boy ka eh. And like daw niya when you kiss her."
Emma coughed. "Lily, hush."
"How do you know this, Lily?"
"Sabi niya sa picture mo last night."
I chuckled and Emma buried herself in her seat. "Mommy was talking to my picture?"
"Yes. She says you're pogi. And mabango."
My mom chimed in. "Daddy really is pogi."
"Yes, Lola Mimi. But he has soooo mabaho poops. I have to pinch my nose in the banyo after his poops."
"Jusko," I protested.
"But Mommy likes you with mabaho poops," Lily assured.
"Baby, wala naman kasing mabango na poops," Emma said.
"Okay, Mommy. Mommy, crush mo ba si Daddy?"
Emma's eyes widened and she blushed. "Baby, where did you learn that?"
"Lola Mimi!"
"Ma," I warned.
"What?! I just said you've had a crush on Emma for the longest time and she asked what it meant. I said you like Emma," she said and it made me blush.
"Bakit ba tayo na-hot seat?" I muttered to Emma.
"Mommy, can Daddy be your boyfriend?"
"Lily, enough na on crushes and boyfriends. Bata ka pa," I reprimanded.
"Yes, Daddy, bata pa... but I'm not naman kasali. You and Mommy lang. Right, Lola Mimi?"
As expected, mom sided with Lily. "Ang talino talaga ng apo ko!!! O, we're here na. Let's go to the play area."
To us, my mom said, "Iwan niyo muna kami. Bye!"
"Bye, Mommy! Bye, Daddy!"
After a few steps, Lily ran back. "You're the only boyfriend I want for Mommy," she said to me.
To Emma , she said, "Please don't fight with Daddy anymore. Lily's heart gets sad when sad si Daddy."
"Enjoy your date, Mommy and Daddy!"
"Ma! Baka kung ano na naman ituro mo kay Lily ha?"
My mom threw an innocent look. "Me?!"
