The Art of Letting Go

Chapter 110

"Yes Ma. Mga after lunch po siguro nasa bahay na kami." Jake said to his mom on the phone. Nilalaro-laro niya si Bela at that time dahil nasa banyo si Bea at nag-aayos para sa kanilang pag-uwi ngayong araw.

"Gusto mo pumunta ako dyan sa hospital? Para may mag-alalay kay Bea. Papahatid ako sa kuya mo." Alok ng matanda.

"Wag na po Ma."

"Sure ka? Okay lang naman sa akin."

"Salamat Ma pero promise okay lang kami. Kaya naman po naming dalawa ni Bea. Kita na lang po tayo sa bahay mamaya." Paninigurado ni Jake sa ina.

"O siya sige." Pumayag na din ito. "Mag-iingat kayo ah. Dahan-dahan lang ang pagda-drive."

"Opo. Thanks Ma. See you later."

Pagkatapos ng tawag, agad namang bumalik ang atensyon ni Jake sa anak. Gising na gising ito at tahimik lang na nakahiga at sumisipa-sipa ng mahina inside her bassinet. He leaned closer to her and tinuloy ang naudlot na pag-uusap nila dahil sa tawag.

"That was Lola Lena." He said to Bela. His voice was a little soft and singsongy. "I think she's excited to see you again. Are you excited to see Lola, too?" He continued. Bela, obviously didn't respond, but she continues to make little movements with her hands and feet. And Jake happily took it as a yes. "Yes, you are. Are you ready to go home? Are you excited to see your room?"

"Para pong ikaw ang mas excited Daddy." He then heard as Bea jokingly answered his questions for Bela, while doing her own baby voice. Kakalabas lang nito ng bathroom at bihis na.

Napangiti si Jake sa kaniya. "Ayan na pala si Mommy oh." Sabi nito.

"Ang dami niyo na yatang napag-usapan dalawa ah." Sabi naman ni Bea at lumapit sa kinaroroonan ng dalawa. At nilaro-laro ang kamay ng bata.

"Oo nga e. Sarap kausap ni Bela. Sobrang behave lang."

"Very good talaga yan e. Pag busog." Biro ng dalaga.

"Parang ikaw lang. Masamang ginugutom." Baling naman ni Jake kay Bea.

"Ah ganun." Sagot naman ni Bea at pabirong inirapan ang binata.

"Joke lang." Bawi naman agad nito sabay akbay sa balikat ni Bea at hinigit ang dalaga papalapit sa kaniya para mahalikan ito sa noo bilang lambing. Yumakap naman si Bea sa kaniya ng tuluyan at siniksik ang ulo sa dibdib ng binata. Jake smiled and hugged her back tightly. "What about you? Are you ready to go home?" Tanong nito.

Bea lifted her head up to look at him. "Super."

Jake smiled at her answer. "I have to go to the cashier and settle the bill, then we can go."

"Okay." She agreed.

"Okay." He repeated. But neither one of them moved, still hugging each other. "Should I go right now?" Jake asked.

"Yeah." She simply said.

"You've got to let me go then." He smilingly said.

"Una ka." Sagot naman ni Bea sa kaniya.

"Ayoko nga." He refused.

"Eh ayoko din." Balik naman ng dalaga.

Napatawa na lang si Jake sa kanilang dalawa. Pero agad din itong naudlot nang marinig nilang umiyak si Bela. Pareho tuloy silang naalarma at napalingon dito. Bea had no choice but to break out of the hug and gently caress her daughter to calm her down but it didn't work. So she just carried her to her arms, close to her chest. And after that, the crying instantly stopped.