My Ex, His Dad

Chapter 7

Matapos nilang pag-usapang dalawa ang gusto ni Camille, her ground rules ay pinayagan na niyang pumunta si Luke sa bahay nila to spend time with Aj. The next 3 nights ay pumupunta si Luke sa bahay ni Camille. Dinadalhan niya ng toys ang anak. He also brought cupcakes or brownies for Camille. He spends the whole time playing with Aj. Nare-recognize na siya nito dahil pagdating ni Luke ay nagpapakarga kaagad si Aj sa kanya. Parang walang kapaguran si Luke na kargahin, pakainin o makipaglaro sa anak niya.

Pinapanood ni Camille at Rochelle ang mag-ama na naglalaro." Ate, napapalapit ang loob ng dalawa sa isa't isa.What are you going to do when you go back to the States?" tanong ni Rochelle." What is Kuya Lu going to do when you and Aj goes back?"

" Hind ko alam. Hindi pa namin napapag-usap ni Lu. I didn't make it a secret that Aj and I are going back to the States. Yon din ang kinakatakutan ko Chelle. If he had a hard time, when I left, I think it will be doubled when Aj leaves,'sabi ni Camille." I need to figure out kung ano ang gagawin ko."

Hindi nagsalita si Rochelle." I think, he would have been a good father........"

Camille looked at her sister intently. Napansin yon ng kapatid." What?" defensive agad na tanong nito." I think he would be Ate. Regardless of what happened to both of you, he is here every night since he found out. Pwede naman na hindi e-acknowledge na anak niya si Aj, di ba. Why would he care? And you know I love Kuya Lu too kaya hindi lang ikaw ang nasaktan nong naghiwalay kayo. He was like a brother to me. And look at Aj,......lukso ng dugo Ate"

Hindi niya magawang magalit sa kapatid. Totoo nga naman na close ang kapatid niya kay Luke. She knows in her heart though that Rochelle was right. She need to talk to Luke about the future. She is not looking forward sa time na mag-uusap sila tungkol sa pagbalik nila sa US.

Napansin niyang papalapit ang mag-ama. "Mommy, can Aj have ice cream?'tanong ni Luke sa kanya. His son looked at her expectantly that she know she can't say no. His eyes has this pleading look like his Dad.

" Of course, but just a little bit okay. It's almost bedtime" sagot ni Camille.

"Yehey! Let's go get ice cream,"sabi ni Luke and started going to the kitchen na karga karga ang anak." Who are you sharing the ice cream with?" narining niyang tanong nito sa anak.

"Dad-dy"she heard her son said.

Her heart stopped. Tinawag ni Aj si Luke na Daddy! Nagkatinginan si Rochelle and Camille.Hindi alam ni Camille kung ano ang gagawin or sasabihin.

" Ate, Aj knows who Daddy is," Rochelle said quietly." I think you need to figure out the plan asap.

Palabas na si Luke ng pintuan when he suddenly stop." Elle......ummm, can I ask a favor?" tanong nito.
Biglang kinabahan si Camille kung ano na namang favor ang hihingin ni Luke. "W-What is it?'nagaalangang tanong ni Camille.

" Gusto ko sanang ipakilala si Aj kina Daddy and Mommy. I know you don't want me to just take him alone so I am asking permission if I can,"sabi ni Luke with the same pleading look as her son. Bakit ba ganito ang mag-ama na ito.

Ipapakilala kina Tito Andrew at Tita Elise! Mas lalong magiging complicated ito later on. She really don't want to do this. This is more than she can handle. Halos mahilo siya kung ano ang pwedeng excuse ang sabihin niya kay Luke.

" Please Elle. I really want them to meet Aj. He is their first grandson. Please,"Luke pleaded

Camille was looking at him. Kahit ngayon hindi niya kayang tangihan si Luke when he is like this. After all these years. She took a deep breath. For sure she is going to regret this.

" Alam ba nila ang tungkol kay Aj?"apprehensive na tanong ni Camille.

" No, I want to surprise them,"sabi ni Luke.

She probably looked undecided because Luke said." They will love Aj." he assured her.

'"That is not what I am worried about. If they get attached to Aj, it will be difficult for them once we go back to the US. They will just be heartbroken,"sabi ni Camille.

"Elle, I am sure that they will miss Aj when you guys leave but I am sure that they will find a way to communicate with him. Ayaw mo noon, more people to love Aj, to look out for him. Please Elle, wag mo namang ipagkait sa kanila na makilala si Aj." He pleaded again.

She was quiet for a bit."When are you planning on doing this?"tanong ni Camille na hindi pa rin sigurado.

" Dinner, this friday. I will tell them that  I needed to talk to them but will not give him any specifics," sabi ni Luke.

Pinag-isipan ni Camille kung papayag ba siya o hindi. Hindi niya sigurado ang magiging reaction ng mga ito sa kanya or kay Aj. Alam niyang mahal siya ng mga ito at gustong gusto nilang magkatuluyan sila ni Luke but that was a long time ago. Kahit naman siya may malapit na sa parents at mga kapatid ni Luke.

" Give me time to think about it. I will let you know my answer tomorrow,"sabi ni Camille

Luke's face brightened." Thank you,"sabi ni Luke smiled and left.

Nang umalis na si Luke at pinuntahan ni Camille ang kapatid. She knocked on her bedroom door.
"Come in" Rochelle answered.
Pumasok si Camille. Nakadapa ang kapatid sa kama nito. Nang nakita si Camille ay umupo ito sa bed niya. Umupo si Camille sa tabi ng kapatid.

"Did Kuya Lu leave?"tanong ni Rochelle.

"Yeah,"sabi ni Camille na parang wala sa sarili.

"What's wrong? You look troubled,"concern na tanong ni Rochelle na hinawakan ang braso ng kapatid.

" Lu wants to introduce Aj to Tito Andrew and the family. I don't know if I should say yes or not,"sabi ni Camille na nakatinging sa kapatid.

" Oh boy!"sabi ni Rochelle."Well.........if it was me Ate, I would probably say yes.......hindi naman kasalanan nila ang nangyari sa inyo eh.I think they would welcome Aj and you. You were like their daughter na when you and Kuya Lu  were together. They were expecting that eventually, ikaw ang magiging daughter in law nila."

"That's the problem chelle," sabi ni Camille." I am not. I am apprehensive seeing them. I don't know how they are going to react when they see me or Aj."

"Ate, everybody loves Aj. Kung di nila tanggap si Aj or ikaw, who cares. You guys wont stay long here anyway. But I doubt it Ate Elle. I think they will happy to see you and Aj. Pero the decision is still up to you,"sabi ni Rochelle na niyakap ang kapatid.