Tumunog ang kampana sa labas, tapus na naman ang misa.
Thank you for everything, for keeping me and Daniel safe. I apologize for disappointing you, Father God. If having Daniel is a sin, ako nalang po ang parusahan niyo, huwag siya.
Please, forgive me.
Tumayo ako sa pagkakaluhod at sinilip si Daniel sa stroller niya. He was sleeping peacefully, his eyes were slightly open tho.
"You sleep like your father."
I stared at him for a good 5 seconds before deciding to push him out of the church.
Pero bago pa kami makalabas ay nakasalubong namin ang pari.
He smiled at me. "It is good to see you again, Dennise."
"You too father." I opened the cover, "would you mind blessing my son?"
Masaya siyang lumapit sa anak ko. Blinesan nga kami ni father at saka niyakap ako bago kami lumabas.
Maaliwalas at mahangin sa labas. Summer na din kasi!
The weather is good for a family picnic. Kahit kami lang ni Daniel sa park, okay lang. Pwede din naming tawagan ang mommy.
"Baby, ang sarap na naman ng tulog mo. Bakit ba lagi kang tulog pag nasa labas tayo? Hindi mo tuloy nakikita ang araw."
Para siguro akong tangang nagsasalita mag isa sa pedestrian lane. I was waiting for the sign to turn green.
"Wake up ka na when we get to the park, okay?"
Sumilip ako sa cover. His eyes were wide open, staring at me.
"Yay! Did mommy wake you up?"
He smiled. I put the cover on and looked to check the sign.
Pero hindi sign ang nakita ko. Mga mata ni Daniel ang nakita ko sa kabilang side ng kalsada.
I shook my head. My baby started crying kaya napayuko ako at saka sinilip siya.
"Daniel, anak, what's wrong?"
He did not stop crying. I heard the sound from the post kaya napatingala ako. Mabilis kong isinara ang cover at itutulak na sana ang stroller pero tumayo ang taong katitigan ko kanina sa harapan namin.
"Auntie Michelle said I can find you here..."
"Tumakas ka na naman ba sa parents mo?"
She hold onto the stroller's handle and kissed the side of my head.
"They kicked me out this time."
"Good for you." Sagot ko lang at saka tumitig sa mga mata niya. "You have his eyes."
"Who? Anak ni tita? Possible."
"Anak ni tita?" I asked in confusion.
Bago pa siya makasagot ay mas lalong lumakas ang iyak ni Daniel.
Alyssa removed the cover. "Peek-a-boo! Hi there pogi!" Kumaway siya at saka ngumiti. "Oh, you are cute! Do you want tita to carry you?"
Daniel stopped from crying, and held his arms up. Nagpapabuhat.
I was in a daze when Alyssa took the baby from the stroller. She gently hugged him in her arms.
Natulala ako. Kahit nung kinakausap ako ni Alyssa ay para bang wala akong narinig. Daniel was giggling with her, the way they look at each other was so slow and gentle.
