Stonehearts 6: Alexandrite

Thirty Four

"Are you sure I can't come with you guys?" Gio uttered, almost pleading as he led us to the door of the house. I know this is hard on him, hell it's hard on everyone. Especially now that summer had hit the season. Mas napapadalas na ang pagkikita nina Sam at Clyde.

"Gustong-gusto kitang isama kaso hiling ni Sam 'wag na muna. Ayaw niya raw kasi malito si Clyde at alam naman daw niyang wala siyang laban sa'yo kung atensyon ang pag-uusapan."

I saw how his lips thinned as I reiterated that detail to him. It's already a little over the month ever since Sam magically appeared in the office that morning. Sa tingin kasi namin ready na si Clyde. I talked to him a lot about his Naynay Clare and Taytay Sam. At sa tingin namin, naiintindihan na niya ang mga bagay-bagay ng kaonti.

It wasn't a happy news when I told Sam about Gio. Though he said that he already anticipated that I am with someone, hindi niya lang daw alam kung paano niya tatapatan si Gio sa buhay ni Clyde. And we all know that my son adored his Taytay Gio.

"If he ever tries something funny, call me. Si Clyde lang ang pakay niya, hindi ikaw." Banggit ni Gio. His words deadly and lethal.

We watched Clyde as he marched towards one of Gio's car. Ipapahatid niya kasi kami sa driver ng mommy niya. Pati kasi paghatid sa amin ayaw ni Sam, baka raw hindi bumaba si Clyde ng sasakyan kung nagkataon.

"Sige, we better get going para maaga kami makauwi. Bye, hubby." Paalam ko saka ako humalik sa kanya.

I was about to join Clyde when Gio grabbed me by the waist making me yelp in surprise. "Kiss me properly so I'll have the will power to get through a day of missing you and my son."

He fisted the ends of my long, lilac hair, gave it a soft tug to tilt my head back. Without further ado, he leaned down and claimed my lips. The kiss was hungry and voracious. He feasted on my mouth as if it was the last time we'll ever kiss. He slipped in his tongue moved it to dance with mine. My brain floated away, my thinking getting murky as I slip into the Gio fog. I gave everything I have for that kiss. I tasted mint and bubblegum as I savor every bit of it.

He helped me regain my footing once he broke the kiss and released me. He smiled at me triumphantly, "I love you."

"I love you back, hubby."

Sam and I agreed to just meet at the entrance of a theme park an hour away from the city. Kinabahan ako, namamawis, parang natatae na ewan. Even though I know we did everything for Clyde to be ready for this, I still can gauge whether he is okay with everything or not.

He usually tells his therapist that I know what's best for him and that he knows I won't left him out for trouble. And that pains me. He has put his faith and trust on me and I'm afraid I might blow it. I'm so lucky to have a good kid like Clyde. He's smart for his age, a total goof, and a loving kid. I wouldn't trade him for another. Kaya kahit hindi ako sigurado kung maganda ba kakalabasan ng mga desisyon ko ngayon para sa amin, kailangan kong tatagan ang loob ko.

Inalalayan ko si Clyde bumaba ng sasakyan saka hinanap ng mata ko si Sam. He is standing by the booth with tickets, balloons, and two big paper bags in hands.

He smiled immediately when he saw us. Bahagyang nagtago si Clyde sa likuran ko nang nasa harapan na niya kami. I gave his shoulder a squeeze before I urged Sam to go talk to him.

Sam squatted in front of us, evidently clueless on what to say. He was holding out all the things he brought without saying anything. I pity the man.

"Taba, this is your Taytay Sam. Naalala mo kwinekwento ko siya sa'yo? Sila ng Naynay Clare mo?"

Tumango naman si Clyde pero nanatiling nakakubli.