Caring Alternatively

The phone rang in my boss' office. I immediately lifted up the extension from my table since he is currently out of office and in a meeting with the higher bosses. 

"Mr. Mendez' Office, Good morning," I greeted. A girl answered back from the other end looking for my boss. "I'm sorry but he isn't available at this time. Just leave your message and I'll pass it onto him,"

"Oh! This is from his sons' school. I am their Home Room Teacher. I know that he's probably busy but I hope he can come to school today. I am also calling their mother but she seemed unavailable at this time. We sent them a notice that there will be a mini program for our students today. We asked for their parents presence since the twins will be receiving some sort of award. And the twins have just informed us that no one is coming for them," the teacher explained. 

Natigilan ako. Nakaramdam na naman ako ng awa para sa mga anak nila. Their mother was still on a trip. And we have no idea when will she come back. She have probably received the memo but must've forgotten about it. 

"Don't worry, I'll let their father know about this. What time will the program starts?" By hook or by crook, kailangan ko siyang mapapunta doon. 

"At lunch break, around 12nn," the teacher answered. I looked at the clock it's way past half 10 o'clock. I think I have enough time to think of ways to pull him out in a meeting. 

"Ok, copy on this. I will make sure he will be there," I said confidently kahit pa malabo pa sa sabaw ng pusit kung pano ko gagawin yun. 

As soon as I hang up the phone, I immediately dialed his number. I have no idea where are the bosses' meeting at this time. I just know he was being called early today for a discussion with the higher ups. Dalawang beses kong dinial ang number niya yet he isn't responding. He's probably busy at the moment. 

I texted him instead. 

'Boss, I'm heading to your children's school. Please get there as soon as you can.' 

I may not be their parent but I feel I have the responsibility to atleast guide the kids in this complicated relationship. Wala silang kasalanan and it isn't fair to make them suffer. So kung di siya darating, atleast I am there to support them. Probably take pictures to cherish the moment atleast. 

Nakarating ako sa school half past 11am. I still have enough time to atleast meet the kids. I went to the admin office and asked them about the kid's classroom after I introduce myself. They gave me the room number and headed there immediately. I peeped in the windows of the classrom and saw my boss' twins inside. Nakita ako ng Home Room Teacher. She stepped out of the room to greet me. 

"Hi, May I help you?"

"Oh! Am I distracting?" I apologized and introduced myself. I told her why I am there. "I am his assistant."

"Oh! Is he coming?" Tanong ni teacher. 

"He will. But he might be late for he is still in a meeting. That's why he sent me first," I informed the teacher. 

"Good to hear that! The boys will be probably happy. Oh, let me just call them," pumasok ulit siya sa loob and called in the boys. 

The boys was eager to see me. They actually smile from ear to ear as they saw me. They even gave me a warm big hug. Ever since the baby sitting day, I never get to baby sit them again. My boss hired a help to look after his kids while he works and he stayed with them everyday. 

Nabawasan man ang oras namin sa isa't-isa for he's taking care his son after office hours, naiintindihan ko naman yun. At times, ako pa ang nagreremind dito na umuwi na lang ng maaga because of his children. May mga araw na sumasalisi pa rin ito sakin but he still keeps his responsibilities. 

Seeing them again is comforting. I did missed them as well. Kahit pa gusto ko ng panindigan ang pagiging nanay sa mga ito, I have to keep it lowkey muna. Paunti-unti lang muna siguro. For now, I need to be simply just their father's assistant. I can just take care of them from afar. 

"Happy to see me?" I asked. 

"We thought you'll visit us on weekends but Dad said you are busy," Rain said. 

"I'm sorry. I'm actually quite busy. But I heard you'll be getting an award today and I wouldn't want to miss it for anything else," I genuinely said happily. 

"Nah! It's just a small award. But our teacher insist to bring in our parents," Rion explained. 

"Dad is probably busy today. It is actually ok if he can't come. Anyway, you're already here. You can act as their representative or something," turan ulit ng pangalawa. 

Deep inside, my heart is breaking. How sad these children's lives are? I can't cope up with it. They show toughness kahit pa ang hirap-hirap ng sitwasyon nila. They must've felt being neglected and left out, yet they still understand. I just wish they will outgrow all this. 

"I will make sure that your Dad gets here in time for your awarding." I insist more to myself. 

Magalit na kung magalit ang mga bosses namin. But nothing's more important than the welfare of his children. I really don't want them to get hurt in any way possible. 

I asked the kids to get back in their classroom and I'll just wait on the auditorium for the program. They gave me their last hug and went back inside. I immediately took my phone and started dialing numbers. 

"You better answer this, or I will drag you here kahit nasan ka pa!" ani ko in gritted teeth as I started walking away from the boys classroom. I became persistent to reach him. 

It took me almost 30mins. and a lot of contact to know where he was. I found out thru another Executive Assitant where the meeting has been held. It was from a private restaurant somewhere near the capitol. I immediately searched the net for the restaurant's contact number and called the restaurant itself. Ayaw niya ko sagutin sa cellphone then this is my option. 

"Hi. My apologies but this is somekind of emergency. There is a private business meeting being held at your restaurant at this time. I am trying to reach out one of the person in that meeting, can you please tell him that I needed to talk to him. I begging you, please this is urgent," I sounded desperate. 

Paunti-unti nagkakatao na sa auditorium. The students and teacher are starting to come in. Tila mag-uumpisa na ang program. Lalo akong nagmadali. 

Nagpakilala ako and gave his name sa kausap ko. Ilang saglit iyong nawala sa telepono and bumagsak ang panga ko sa sagot niya. 

"I'm really sorry but it was really a close meeting and we are not allowed inside. But we have disseminated your message to the guard at bay. They said they will let him know," anito.

I sighed in disappointment. Hindi ko alam kung aalis ba ko at susunduin na lang siya pero pag ginawa ko yun baka di ko maabutan ang awarding. 

"Can you just write a note for me please and hand it over to the guards, please tell them to slip it on immediately?"

"I'll see what I can do," sagot ng kausap ko. 

Natanawan ko ang kambal na pumasok sa auditorium. They are in line with their classmate. Kumaway sila sakin when they saw me. I waved at them back while on a phone. Napaupo ang dalawa sa designated seat nila as the program started. 

Nang maibigay ko na ang instruction ko from the other line, I hang up. But I didn't stop, mabilis ko siyang tinawagan ulit. It took 5 rings bago siya sumagot and I was so relieved. 

"I am heading there now, please save me a seat," sagot niya. He seemed driving. Probably, nakita na rin niya ang mesage ko on his phone. I sent him a lot. I don't know what did he do that he was able to get out of the meeting. I am just actually relieved that he is coming now. 

The program started. There are few performances and speaches. Panay ang tingin ko sa Auditorium entrance to see kung nasan na siya. But I didn't forgot to take some pictures para incase he wanted to know what happened while he's being late. Paumpisa na ang awarding when I saw him getting in sa Auditorium. I waved at hime vigorously so he can see me. He excused himself and nilapitan ako. 

"Thank goodness you made it!"

"Natawag na ba sila?" 

"Not yet. But there they are," turo ko sa mga anak niya. The boys we're attentively watching the program kaya hindi nila nakita ang pagdating ng tatay nila. 

One by one the awarded were being called in the stage to get their awards. The parents are getting on stage also to award their children. Hanggang sa tawagin na ang kambal for winning some sort of academic contest that they participated into. The twins walked in the stage but before they proceed, lumingon sila sa direksyon ko as if looking for me. Sabay kaming napatayo ng Daddy nila and walked towards them. Mabilis namang natanawan ng kambal ang ama. 

"Daddy!" They both exclaimed and rushed towards him instead. It was a beautiful moment. The boys throw themselves to their Dad. They exchanged hugs for a bit and started to walk again to the stage. Sumunod ako. They went up the stage held by their Dad while I took pictures. Habang nagpopose na sila for a final photo op, Rion called for me. 

"Come up here!" He said. "Let's take picture together."

Medyo nailang ako. But I hand over my phone to one of the teachers and asked to take a picture of us. I rushed on the stage. My boss' smile was so wide that it really showed how happy he was. I smiled at him back. Tumabi ako sa kaniya saka nag-pose sa camera. Pasimple niyang inikot ang braso niya sa balakang ko and softly pulled me closer to him. Bahagya akong napahilig sa balikat niya. While I held on his eldest son's shoulder while his other arm was on his second son. We looked liked a true family. 

I don't know how many more shots did it get before we are guided off the stage. The boys is so happy to share their happiness with their Dad. 

"Daddy, you came!" ani ng pangalawa. 

"I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world," he said. 

"Thank you for making sure Daddy will be here today," ani ng panganay na sakin pa rin nakahawak ang kamay. 

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. "I told you I will make sure he will be here," turan ko as a pointed his nose. 

Nagtawanan lang ang dalawa and started rushing out when they saw a friend of theirs. Napatingin na lang kami sa dalawa as they started to play with their friend. 

"Thank you so much," bulong sakin ni Boss. Nilingon ko siya. Napatingin din siya sakin. "I literally had no idea about this. When I saw your messages, mabilis akong nakiusap sa mga boss if I can leave already. I don't want to miss my son's moment."

"What would you do without me? You just did it in time," ani ko pabiro.

Napabuntong hininga siya and looked back to his son's again. "God, I really need to call my lawyer. I want my divorce confirmed already."

Napalingon ako sa paligid. "You're too loud. Baka may makarinig sayo?"

Natawa lang siya. "Natatakot ka na naman. Let me see the pictures," he took my phone and scanned the gallery. "See, we just looked good together. Sinong magsasabi na hindi ikaw ang nanay nila? You just simply fit with us." 

Napangiti na lang ako. 

"And I know my sons like you too. Mukhang ginayuma mo rin ata. They are really fond of you," he added. 

"What can I say? I am literally adorable."

"Don't be too adorable at this time, missy! Baka makalimutan kong nasa school tayo at halikan kita diyan!" Banta niya. 

Napahalakhak na lang ako...