Nouvelle Vie (AM 2)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

SUNNY

"Daddy, this is my Mommy." she introduced me to her father "Her name is Mommy Sunny. Isn't she beautiful?"

"Yes, she is" Nouvie's Dad answered with a sly smile

"Mommy I want you to meet the best Daddy in the world and the most gwapo and macho Daddy. His name is Daddy Thunder" she smiled at me

"Hi, nice to meet you." he offered his hand for a handshake and I took it.

I suddenly felt something when our hands touched each other. I kinda felt nostalgic as if I have held his hand before. I could also feel the thousands of volts running through my system causing my heart to beat erratically. What is happening to me?

"Nice to meet you again." I said shyly as I remembered that night.

Bakas sa mukha niya ang gulat nang sabihin ko sa kanya iyon. He probably doesn't remember me.

I met him during my first exhibit in Italy. I remember the night when he just stood in front of my favorite painting which I called "Soulmates." I remember having a couple of shots that night. I needed the booze to keep myself together because I was so nervous. At ngayon na nakita ko ulit siya ay bigla kong gustong lamunin na lang ako ng lupa dahil naaalala ko ang sinabi ko sa kanya na ako ang other half niya. I blame the alcohol for giving me the courage to tell him that. But I'm not going to deny that I was attracted to him during that night. He was just so handsome and manly. No one has ever caught my attention like he did.

"You probably don't remember, but we've met before in Italy. You were at my exhibit-"

"Oh" he nodded slowly and gave me a dazzling smile

"Other half?" he smirked

Oh, God! I felt the heat creeping on my cheeks. I heard him let out a chuckle.

"I'm sorry. I was a bit drunk that night. Kaya ko lang naman nasabi 'yon dahil nakainom ako." mabilis kong paliwanag.

Tumaas ang kilay niya na parang hindi makapaniwala "You drink?"

"Not a habit" I defended "Noong gabing 'yon lamang dahil kailangan ko ng lakas ng loob. It was my first time doing an exhibit. Sobra akong kinakabahan kaya napainom ako."

"I understand" he nodded his head

"Mommy, Daddy let's eat!" Nouvie interrupted

Ipinaghila ako ni Thunder ng upuan. Habang si Nouvie ay nakaupo sa kandungan ni Thunder.

Nouvie owned the floor. She told her father everything that happened to her over the past few days that she was with my family. Kwinento nya kay Thunder ang mga ginawa namin at ang pagpunta namin sa mall. He patiently listened to her. Kitang-kita ko ang pagmamahal sa kanyang mga mata na para bang si Nouvie ang kanyang mundo. Maybe she is his world. After all, Nouvie is the closest he could have of his late girlfriend.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nag-aya si Nouvie na pumunta sa garden. Nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit wala akong makita ni isang myembro ng pamilya ko. Where did they go?

Naupo kami ni Thunder sa bench na malapit sa pinagawang playground ni Daddy para sa mga apo niya.

"I'm sorry" I blushed

"About what?" His forehead creased

"For letting Nouvie call me Mommy without asking your permission." I said

He smiled and shook his head "I should be the one saying sorry to you." Makahulugan niya akong tinignan

"Bakit naman?"

"Sigurado akong kinulit ka niya ng sobra kaya ka niya napapayag na tawaging Mommy." Minasahe niya ang kanyang batok "Pasensya ka na kung tinatawag ka niyang Mommy. It's just... She's been longing for a mother's love and affection."

Nanikip ang dibdib ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Wala sa sarili kong nilagay ang aking kamay sa kanyang balikat "It's okay. Napamahal na rin naman sa akin si Nouvie. I don't mind her calling me Mommy."

"Thank you." He looked at me straight in the eyes

For a minute, I felt lost and found at the same time. Pakiramdam ko, gusto ko siyang yakapin. I could see how sad his eyes are. I just want to comfort him, pero sino naman ako para gawin ang bagay na 'yon. I'm just a stranger.

Hindi sila masyadong nagtagal. Tinawag na rin niya si Nouvie para umuwi na. The corner of her lips tugged down when they approached Thunder's car.

"Why can't you come home with us." Her eyes misty

"I'll visit you tomorrow. I promise." I kissed her forehead

Inabot niya ang kanyang mga kamay para magpabuhat. Mahigpit niya akong niyakap at nakasandal ang kanyang ulo sa aking balikat. Nang haplusin ko ang kanyang likuran ay mas sumiksik pa siya sa aking leeg.

"Thank you again, Sunny." He smiled

"No problem" I smiled shyly

"So, uhm. I'll see you tomorrow?" He massaged his nape "I mean... We'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah" I nodded, blushing "Sure"

"If you want I can come pick you up tomorrow." Parang natataranta niyang sabi

"Yes!" Nouvie nodded furiously and pouted "Please, Mommy?"

I pinched her pink chubby cheeks "Okay. Just because I can't resist you." I kissed her cheeks

She leaned a little and whispered to her father "Daddy ask her number" she tried to wink, but failed because she doesn't know how to. Gusto kong magpakawala ng malakas na tawa dahil sa ginawa niya. She's oh-so-cute!

"Can I get your number?" Thunder asked and shook his head

"Sure" I smiled and typed in my number "You can text me anytime."

Hindi nagtagal ay pumasok na sila sa sasakyan at nagmaneho palayo. As I watch them drove away, I felt a pang of emptiness. I suddenly felt alone and sad. I started breathing heavily. Pinkit ko ang aking mga mata at pilit pinapakalma ang aking sarili.

THUNDER

"Daddy, do you like Mommy?" I looked at my daughter in the rearview mirror "Isn't she pretty?"

"Yes, baby. She's very beautiful." I answered

Mas mature na siya ngayon, pero hindi pa rin kumukupas ang kagandahan niya. She aged like fine wine. What they told me about her was true. When I looked at her eyes, I could see that she's lost her sun. Pero nakikita ko ang kasiyahan sa mga mata niya pag tinitignan niya si Nouvie.

I wanted to hug her then. I wanted to tell her that I want to be with her. I wanted to ask her to come home with us. Pero hindi ko gagawin 'yon. Hindi ngayon na nandito siya para hanapin at buoin ang kanyang sarili. But I will be behind her to guide her every step of the way.

"Can she be my Mommy forever?" She asked

"Did you ask her that?" I asked

"She said, she can be my Mommy until I want to." She smiled "So that's mean she can be my Mommy forever, right?"

"I think so, baby. I think so." I smiled back

"If she is my Mommy now, why can't she come home with us? Isn't a house should have a Daddy, Mommy, and a baby? How come in our house, there's only Daddy and Nouvie?" Inquisitive as ever.

"You want ice cream cake?" Pag-iwas ko sa kanyang tanong

Hindi pa niya maiintindihan ngayon, pero sa tamang panahon malalaman din niya. Right now, I want to preserve her innocence. Ayoko siyang saktan at malungkot.