Ikaw At Ako

Kabanata 10

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Kabanata 10

"Hija," niyakap ako ng Mama ni Joaquin nang magkita kami.

"Mama," I smiled to her.

"Ngayon lang tayo makakapag-bonding. Naging busy kasi talaga ako sa mga charity works ko." she said.

I just nodded and smiled. "It's okay, Mama." I said. Ang dami palang natutulungan ng Mama ni Joaquin. No wonder why Joaquin's also helpful sa kapwa niya.

She smiled at me. "Let's go." Hawak niya ang kamay ko habang naglilibot kami sa mall.

Habang nag-s-shopping, I told her about my interest in joining her with her charities. "It would be great, hija!" aniya. At mukha namang natuwa sa kagustuhan ko rin tumulong.

Tumango ako at ngumiti pa. I enjoyed a day out with Joaquin's mother. She's nice to me. Hindi lang pag-s-shopping ang ginawa namin. We also went to pamper ourselves. Pagkatapos ay kumain na din kami. Kinukumusta niya kami ni Joaquin.

"For Joaquin?" nakangiting puna ni Mama nang makita akong may tinitingnan na panlalaking wristwatch.

I turned to her and smiled. "Opo, you think he'll like it?"

Tumango si Mama. "He will. It's a nice wristwatch, hija. You have a good taste, kanina ko pa napuna sa mga napamili natin. At hindi rin naman talaga mapili sa gamit si Joaquin." she said.

I nodded. Marami nang relos si Joaquin pero nang nakita ko talaga ang isang 'to ay siya agad ang naisip ko. Kaya binili ko na rin iyon.

"Halos para kay Joaquin yata ang mga pinamili mo." nakangiting puna ni Mama.

Ngumiti lang din ako.

"Mabuti na rin iyan at ang batang 'yon wala na talagang oras mamili rin ng mga kailangan niya."

Tumango ako. I bought Joaquin clothes and shoes. And other things. Lahat ng mga pinamili namin ng Mama ay bitbit ng mga bodyguards na nakasunod sa amin.

"It was a nice day with you, hija." Mama said nang hinatid na nila ako ng driver niya. Sila rin ang sumundo sa akin kanina.

"I enjoyed it, too, Mama. Thank you." I said, genuinely.

"Oh! Thank you, hija." And then she hugged me. "I am really glad that my son married a good woman. Thank you for taking care of my Joaquin." It was a heartfelt thing from a mother.

Bumaba na ako sa sasakyan pagkatapos at umakyat sa penthouse namin ni Joaquin. Hindi naman ako nahirapan sa mga dala dahil pinahatid din ako ng Mama. I also invited her na doon na sana mag-dinner pero may lakad pa rin siya. She said maybe next time and thanked me again.

"Hey, Bucky!" I greeted our dog.

Mukhang excited din itong sumalubong sa akin. "You missed Mommy, huh? I bought you some things, too. Hindi lang si Daddy." I became a dog Mom, too, since I lived with Joaquin. And Bucky's a really nice dog, too, kaya gustung-gusto ko rin siyang alagaan. Akala ko nga noong una mahihirapan ako because it's my first time to care for a dog but hindi rin naman mahirap alagaan si Bucky. He's lovable. Tama nga rin iyong mga sinasabi nila about Aspins. They deserve and worthy of the same attention as other dogs, too.