YOU ARE MY HOME

Chapter 24

I looked out the window and the light coming from the streetlights and nearby establishments started to illuminate the town under the starless night sky. I helped Mylene to finish packaging other baked goods to be picked up tomorrow before closing the shop. It's already 8 pm.

Pagkarating ko ng bahay ay saktong 9:00 pm. Bumili pa kasi ako ng mga school supplies na bilin ni Kio sa akin kagabi. Buti nalang at may bukas pa na store para pagbilhan ng mga iyon. Nadatnan kong tulog si Kio. I kissed his cheek tenderly and as much as I wanted to wake him up to hear his story, I couldn't bear to interrupt his deep peaceful sleep.

The next morning, maagang nagising si Kio at maaliwalas ang mukha niya habang kumakain ng agahan. He can eat by himself now. I trained him to do the basics at an early age. He's a fast learner, I know. My Kio is smart charming kid. I smiled and continued eating without taking my eyes off him.

"Saan ko po iiwan si Kio mamaya, Ate?" Maggie asked as she opened the backseat door. Pumasok na silang dalawa ni Kio.

I got into the driver's seat and flung my handbag onto the passenger's seat.

"Mags, iwan mo nalang si Kio mamaya kay Papa ha. Pupunta ako ng city ngayon kaya wala ako sa shop," then I started the engine.

"Okay, Ate," sagot ni Maggie.

I glanced at the rear view mirror and saw Kio scrunching his face as he sifted through the pages of his book.

I cleared my throat. "What's the matter, Kio?" Binalik ko ang tingin sa daan.

"Ano ba iyang hinahanap mo, Ki?"malambing tanong ni Maggie. I heard the flutter of the turning pages.

"I found pictures of you yesterday, Mommy, and inserted it in my book so I can show you last night but I fell asleep. I'm sorry, Mommy," malungkot na sabi ni Kio.

He said sorry when I should be the one saying that to him. Kung maaga sana akong umuwi ay naabutan ko pa sana siyang gising. I bit my lower lip to keep the guilt inside me.

"I'm sorry too, baby. Hindi kita naabutang gising," saglit ko siyang nilingon at tinuon muli ang tingin sa daan. "What's in the picture by the way?"

"Your hair is very short in those pictures, Mommy like mine. Very different now," diretsong sabi niya.

Napatawa ako. Gayundin si Maggie na patuloy sa pag-scan ng pages ng libro para hanapin ang tinutukoy na picture ni Kio.

"Oh, really? Did you--- I mean, which Mommy's look do you like better? Then or now?" I asked in between my laughter. Pinasadahan ko ng aking palad ang aking lampas balikat na buhok.

"No difference, Mommy. You're beautiful, Mommy, whatever your hair is," ani Kio.

Parang may kung anong humaplos sa puso ko sa sinabi niya. He's so honest in almost anything. Kio never fails to make my day.

I wanted so much to keep my past self from him. He's still confused why some people call me Zac when my name's actually Azalea Marie. Well, I just said it's a nickname of mine and people who calls someone by his nickname love that person a big time. Umpisa noon hindi na niya gustong tawagin ko siya na Jann Keillor because Kio will do, according to him.

"Another one, Mommy. There's a picture of you with a boy who looks just like me," may bahid ng pagtataka sa boses niya.

Tumikhim ako para itago ang paghuhurumentado ng dibdib ko.

"Hala!" sabad ni Maggie.

Napalitan ang saya ko ng kaba. He has seen the face of his father! I don't know which picture he was referring to. Pictures of Marcus and I are quite a lot, I guess.