Largesse

7. mga Marcelino

"Why is that there again?" Jared asked Sabina.

They were having breakfast. On the grand piano were their framed family photos. There was one old frame of Nadia's picture with Baby Sep.

"I think it's Kuya Sep's birthday. Mama said we're visiting today."

"Ah. Kawawa naman sya no?"

"Oo nga e. Sya na nga tong mabait, sya pa tong nadisgrasya." Sabina sighed.

---

"Mama, who's that?" 5-year old Jared asked Nadia when he saw her put the framed photo of her and Baby Sep on their mantle.

"That's your Kuya Joseph"

"Kuya Joseph? Diba he's dead na."

"I'm not really sure. Nawala kasi sya when he was only three years old..."

"Ahh...don't be sad na Mama...maybe Kuya Sep is your guardian angel na..."

Nadia just looked at Jared and smiled.

"I love you Mama...you and Sabina and Papa..." Jared said as he embraced Nadia.

---

From the very beginning, Nadia had been open to her children about her previous marriage to Gener and about her boy, Joseph. Even Javier, then the Vice Mayor of their town, tried to locate the missing child. But between his political career and other matters, Javier focused on trying to make Nadia happy. Soon, they had two children – Jared and Sabina.

Years went by with Nadia always bringing out Joseph's picture and placing it alongside the other family photos. She usually did this on the boy's birthday. In the beginning, Jared and Sabina wondered why their mom did this but they saw how happy she seemed to be seeing her children 'complete'. Nadia treated her children equally so both Jared and Sabina accepted 'Joseph' as part of their family.

Even if they grew up in a comfortable life, Nadia made sure that her children were respectful and kind to all people. There were many occasions when their helpers were invited to join the family for meals. If one of the helpers had a birthday, Nadia and Javier made it a point to have a party to celebrate. At Christmas time, they not only received bonuses but presents as well. As they grew, Jared and Sabina also contributed to these parties and even gave personal presents to their own yayas.

---

When possible, Nadia brought Jared or Sabina to the market with her. Jared saw and became attracted to Faith when once he was asked to pick up Nadia's orders from the market.