Perfect Mistake

CHAPTER 25

Nagising ako sa ingay ng ring tone ko. Tinignan ko muna ang oras and it's just 6:30 in the morning. I groaned at tinatamad na dinampot ang phone ko sa bed side table. I answered the call without looking at the caller's name.

"Yes?" Inaantok kong sagot

"DADDY!" A kind of tiny yet loud voice instantly woke me up. Damn, si Dwayne pala 'to. He's using Shar's phone.

Napabangon ako bigla, "Hey, son. What's up?"

"Good morning, dad." Sabi nya at saka sinundan ng cute nyang tawa.

I chuckle, "Good morning, son. Bakit ang aga mo magising?"

"Today's my birthday celebration, don't forget, okay?"

"Of course. Bakit ko naman kakalimutan 'yon?" I said

I can't miss this one. Sa dami ng pagkukulang ko sa kanya, walang wala pa 'to. Matagal pa ako bago tuluyang makabawi.

I heard a noise on the background while talking to Dwayne. "Is your mom there?" I asked

"Yes, dad. She's beside me." He said at pabulong na lang ang sunod na sinabi. "Still sleeping."

"Oh. Okay. Wag ka maingay at malikot, you might wake her up."

"Sure dad. Umuwi kasi si papa Turs last night kaya nandito ako sa room ni mommy natulog." He said

Kumunot ang noo ko. Bakit hindi sila magkatabi sa iisang room? Aren't they together?

"They never slept on the same room together, dad." My son said na parang alam nya ang takbo ng utak ko ngayon. "Oh! There are times pala. But they always make sure that I'm in the middle."

I don't know what to say because I am really comfused. Days ago, Shar told me that they are together. Pero taliwas na yun sa sinasabi ng anak ko ngayon. Is she lying? Bakit naman kung ganoon?

"Daddy?"

Napilitan akong sumagot, "Yes anak?"

I heard him sigh, "They never got married. Papa Turs were just always beside mommy. He's always supporting us in every way that he can. But they never had any romantic relationship. Mabait lang po talaga si papa Turs."

Lalo akong nawalan ng salita. Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong isagot sa kanya. Hindi ko masabi ang gusto kong sabihin. Dwayne is just a six year old kid. Kids at his age usually doesn't think that way. Parang instead of playing with friends, inuubos nya ang oras nya kaka-observe sa paligid nya. He really is a smart kid.

I tried saying something pero tanging buntong hininga lang ang nagawa ko. I can't find the words I want to say.

"Did mommy lie to you?" He suddenly ask

I don't want him to think that Shar really did lie to me. "No, anak. She did not."

"Daddy?"

"Yes anak?"

"I am rooting for you. Bawiin mo na kami ni mommy.." i heard a crack on his voice. "Please po."

"Hush, Dwayne. Don't cry." Wala akong magawa kundi ang sabihan syang tumahan dahil wala sya sa harap ko ngayon.

And it hurts a lot hearing your own son begging you na bawiin mo na sila. Because he doesn't have to beg. I am more than willing to do it.

"We've waited for you. We are always waiting for you to find us." He sob.

I sigh, "Stop crying now, son. Listen. We'll be complete again. I promise. Babawiin ko kayo ng mommy mo. Okay? Please stop crying. I can't wipe your tears because I wasn't there right now."

Natahimik sya ng ilang minuto at saka ulit nagsalita.

"That's a promise dad, ah?"

I nod as if he can see me, "I promise."

The call ended at para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib. Nabawasan ang bigat sa dibdib ko. What a great way to start my day.

Dahil sa naging usapan namin ng anak ko ay nakangiti akong bumaba sa dining table. Naabutan kong kumpleto na ang pamilya ko doon.

"Good morning, everyone!" Halata ang saya sa boses ko nang batiin ko sila.

"Hm? Anong meron?" Ate ella asked

"Kaya nga. Literal na good ang morning ni kuya, oh." Pag agree ni Hannah

Mom and Dad just smiled at greeted me a good morning too, ganun din sila Benj and Solana.

"But seriously kuya, anong meron bukod sa we'll meet baby Dwayne today?" Hannah asked

Right after I got home that day, sinabi ko sa kanila na bumalik na nga sila Shar and Dwayne. At first, they don't know if they'll be happy with the news or feel disappointed by Sharlene dahil sa panghihinayang sa dami ng taon na lumipas na dapat ay nasa tabi ko at pangangalaga namin ang bata. But they are the most kind and soft hearted people i know. Kaya kalaunan ay agad din nilang isinantabi kung ano man ang di nila magandang naramdaman towards Shar. Ang sabi pa nila ay kung magpapaliwanag si Sharlene, they'll try their best to listen and understand her.

"Sa akin muna 'yon, Hannah. Malalaman nyo din naman soon." I said

Pabiro akong tinarayan ng kapatid ko. "Fine."

"Sit down, Donny. Kumain na at para makapag simula nang kumilos. I'm so excited to meet my apo." Mom said that obviously excited too to meet my son again

Everyone is so happy and excited sa magaganap ngayong araw. Bakas ito sa mukha nilang lahat. I'm happy as well because despite of what Sharlene did, my family is more than willing to accept her again. Not just for me but also because of Dwayne.

As Dwayne's wish, his birthday celebration will be simple. He just want us to be there. Sa isang hapag. He's such a smart and sweet kid. I wonder kanino sya talaga nagmana. Not that sharlene is not sweet. She is but in her own unique way. Di ko napigilang mapangiti sa naiisip ko.

I'm also wondering, is her mom will be there later, too? Hindi sa ayaw kong nandoon sya. Ayoko lang ng gulo.  I want my son to celebrate his birthday nang puro lang saya. Walang awkwardness between his visitors.

"Kuya, how do I look?" Hannah immediately asked as soon as I opened my room's door. "Ang tagal mo lumabas. I've been knocking for a minute! How dare you to make me wait for 60 seconds!"

Napailing ako sa sinabi nya, "Hannah, wala ka pa ngang isang minutong kumakatok. And what's with your look? Sino ba ang celebrant? Is it you or my son?" I joked

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever kuya. I just want to look good. Not that I don't look good everyday."

I chuckled at my sister's boastfulness. Sabay kaming bumaba ni Hannah and I saw my other family members sitting on our long sofa, ready to go to Dwayne's birthday venue. I can't help but smile. Obviously, I am not the only one who's excited to meet my son.

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Gustong gusto ko na talaga 'tong tapusin at nang makapag umpisa na ulit ako sa isa so pls pray for my kasipagan. Sana balikan nya na ako. :(