Life After Lies

FIFTY: HOME

I was packing our clothes for a week. Yes, we're going home pero di rin kami mag tatagal. Masaya na ko rito, malayo sa lahat.

"Are you sure you're leaving?"

Bahagya akong tumigil sa pag aayos ng gamit at nilingon si Ate. "Yup, but we'll be back after a week"

She's helping me to assemble Vrai's clothes and stuffs. "How about Cleo?"

I just shrugged and faked my smile. "We'll see. I don't have plans yet"

She chuckled and tapped my shoulder. "I wonder what will be Chandler's reaction if ever"

Noon ay inis na inis lang ako sa kanya pero di nag tagal ay naging mabuti rin ang pakikisama ko. Mabait sya at maalaga lalo na kay Vrai. Naalala kong sya rin ang kasama ko kapag nag papa-check up hanggang sa manganak ako. Madalas din ay napag kakamalan kaming mag asawa ng ibang tao. He's like a father to my son. Pero of course, he isn't.

"Chandler loves you, Sis. Why not give it a try?"

I know that. Kahit di nya sabihin ay pinaparamdam nya sakin na mahal nya ko, kaya lang may kulang pa rin and I'm pretty sure that he's aware. "I love him too, but not in a romantic way"

"Still him?" she predicted and I just sighed and continue doing my things. She tapped my shoulder once again and helped me. "Whatever it is, as long as you and Vrai's happy then I'll support you"

Huminto ako sa pag aayos at sumandal sa balikat ni Ate. "I love you, Ate. Thanks for guiding and accepting us"

"I love you too, Lil sis. Now, let's stop this drama, I might cry," I laughed nodded. "Anyway, Mom and Dad agreed?"

"Yup. But you know Mom, she's hysterical," naiiling kong sabi habang natatawa. I used to call Tita that way though.

"She's afraid that you might not come back. Knowing them, they always want to play with their grandsons," she said as a matter-of-fact.

Napangiti na lang ako at napailing. After packing up ay nag paalam na si Ate with his sons. She even insisted na sila ang mag hahatid sa amin sa airport bukas. I can't imagine Mom, Dad, Ate, and her sons are going to the airport just to wave their hands.

"Mama, I'm sleepy," he said while rubbing his eyes and yawning. My baby's tired.

"Come here," I carried him at marahang tinapik ang kanyang binti. This is my routine every night.

+

Nagising ako sa mga tawanan. I opened my eyes and looked at my alarm clock. It's quarter to seven, maagap pa naman. Bukas na ang pinto ng kwarto ko at wala na sa tabi ko si Vrai. Bumangon ako at sumilip kung saan nag mumula ang tawanan. I saw Vrai and Chandler na nang gugulo sa kusina. Napangiti ako at bumalik na sa kwarto para maligo.

Nang matapos ay lumabas na ko ng kwarto at dumiretso na ng kusina. Nakita kong nag hahain na ng pagkain si Chandler habang si Vrai naman ay taga tikim ng pag kain na niluto nya.

"What's happening here?" I asked and raised my eyebrow at nakita kong mukhang kinabahan na si Vrai. Bumaba sya sa upuan nya at lumapit sakin.

"Good morning Mama! We made  pancakes," he hugged and smiled at me.

"You did? How's the taste?" I asked while hugging him and wiping his cheeks.

"Delicious"

Binuhat ko sya at iniupo ulit sa upuan nya bago bumaling kay Chandler. "Ang agap mong mag kalat sa kusina ko Mr. Sy"

He laughed at tinapos na ang ginagawa nya. "Well I'm just a bit excited to see Vrai and you of course," he said at tinalikuran nya ko at nag linis ng kalat nila ni Vrai.

"Ako na dyan kumain na kayo," pamimilit ko.

"No, ako na. Baka mamaya ay ipakain mo sakin itong lahat ng kalat ko," naiiling na sabi nya habang tumatawa.

"Dalian mo na dyan at sumabay ka na. Kailangan natin bilisan para di tayo ma huli"

"Copy that"

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay naki ligo na si Chandler using my bathroom. Oh well, he's prepared. After preparing ourselves ay nag byahe na kami papunta airport. Papa texted us na nandoon na raw sila. Gosh, they're excited!

After hours ay nakarating na kami. Tinupad nga Vrai ang sinabi nya na mag papakabait sya. Chandler's carrying him habang sya ay nakatanaw lang sa paligid.

"Finally!" Mom exclaimed, niyakap at hinalikan ko rin sya sa pisngi. "Take care hija, alright?"

"I will," I smiled at her at napalingon ng tawagin ako ni Papa.

"Frances, come here," tawag ni Papa kaya lumapit ako sa kanya. "Tu devrais être ici après une semaine. Mettez-nous à jour à tout moment"

(You should be here after a week. Update us anytime)

Tumango ako at yumakap kay Papa. "Sis! Call me alright"

Bumitaw ako kay Papa at humarap kay Ate. "Sure, I'll update you"

Nakita kong hinihila ni Billy ang suot kong Cardigan habang naka-pout. Aw, this cute little kid. "Bye-bye, love you"

"Tante, achète-moi des livres," bilin naman ni Bastien.

(Aunt, buy me books)

I pinched his cheeks and nodded. "Je vais t'acheter des tonnes de livres, Bastien"

(I'll buy you tons of books, Bastien)

I saw Vrai's nervous expression as he saw an airplane. Sumakay na kami at napansin kong tahimik talaga sya.

"Are you alright, son?" I asked and looked at his reaction.

He nodded and looked at me. "It's big, I'm scared"

I chuckled and get my phone. I took a photo of him while looking at the window, my baby's first flight. I sighed and leaned on the backrest while smiling. "I'm going back"