NEUF

KREIYA

EIGHT YEARS later...

"HOY KREIYA sigurado ka na talaga na sasama ka sa akin pagluwas ko? Ilang taon ka ding nagtago dito tapos ngayon? Aalis ka ng dahil sa akin? Baliw ka ba?!"

Naikot ko ang aking mata sa aking kaharap na si Wyran, asar siya sa akin.

"Buo na ang desisyon ko Wyran sasama ako sa iyo. Oras na ring balikan ang lugar na matagal kong inabanduna, saka para rin sa iyo to. Kailangan mo kami Wy, hayaan mong ako naman ang tumulong sa iyo. Ilang taon mo akong tinulungan at hindi iniwan kaya its time to pay back the favor."

"Si Lolo naman kasi eh! Ililipat lang sa akin ang kayamanan niya kailangan pang may kondisyon! Ang matangdang iyon talaga sakit sa ulo!" He complained like a spoiled brat.

Binatukan ko nga. "Siyempre naniniguro yung may susunod na haciendero sa mga yaman niya!"

"Pa nagaaway ba kayo ni Mom?!" Agad kaming na patingin sa pinanggalingan ng boses. "Ang aga aga po kasi nagsisigawan na kayo!"

"Ha? Ah hindi! Naguusap lang kami ng Mommy pero as usual dahil sa lakas ng boses niya para syang may kaaway. No were good, kain kana."

"Sure Papa, pancakes?!" He asked in glee.

Agad nila akong iniwang dalawa at pumunta na sa hapag masama kong tiningna si Wyran na halatang umiwas ng kausapin ako.

Sumunod nalang ako sa kanilang dalawa, no choice... bahala na si batmen!!

SYDTRON

"DADDY!!!" She happily shouted as she runs near me.

I welcome her in my arms, hugging her tightly and kissing her temple as she envelope her small arms on my neck after.

"You miss me that much, little bling?" I cooed when she giggled and kiss my both cheeks. "Where's Mommy?"

"There.... she walks slowly that's why." She pouted cutely and pointed her Mom.

Napatingin naman ako sa babaeng nakangiting papalapit sa amin ng anak ko, she made a face and confronted our daughter. "Sabing huwag tumakbo, Sleiyax. Ang kulit mong bata ka!"

"But mamah you're so mabagal kaya!" She softly banters.

Pinangigilan ko siyang kurutin sa pisngi. "Dad! S-top, meshekit!"

"So cutie, let's go. Where do you want to go? Your hungry? Jolibee?" I asked her and she cheerfully nodded back. "Halika na Keith, give me your baggage."

Binigay ko sa kanya si Sleiyax at binuhat na ang mga bagahe ng mag-ina ko. Sinundan nila ako papalabas ng airport, I walk straight to my car.

"It's so good to be back Syd, ilang taon din tayong binuro sa istate, nakakamiss ang pinas." She said in glee habang nagmamasid sa tanawing aming nadadaanan.

That made smile a bit. "Yeah, finally were home. Kamusta ang flight niyo ng bubwit nato?!"

Tiningnan ko si Sleiyax sa mirror, she flashed her wide grinned.

Si Keith naman ay napailing. "Ang kulit, andaming tanong. Mabuti nga hindi to natakot noong nagtake off na kami. Hindi man lang natigil sa kakasalita, mabuti nga't nakatulog iyan eh."

"Well that's her, hindi nauubusan ng salita." I said while chuckling.

Madaldal talaga si Sleiy, she's only four but whenever she started talking it would be non-stop, ikaw lang ang mapapagod sa kakasagot sa kanya.

"Hey baby, you enjoy your ride in airplane?!" I asked her, she darted her attention to me.

"YES DADDY! IT'S SO BIG AND REALLY BIG THEN WHERE SUDDENLY FLYING HIGH."

She started her speech and narrate with so much excitement and action.

"Tapos po marami po akong nakausap kanina Dad, they also ride with us then super high po noong airplane namin kanina."

Nasapo nalang ni Keith ang noo niya dahil bumangka na naman ang anak namin habang nasa byahe kami. "Humihinga pa ba iyang anak mo?"

"Maybe." I laugh when Keith said that, she stares at our child and listen to her non-stop story. "Really baby?"

"Yes Dad, ang nice po view pero nakatulog po ako eh. I'm so sleepy then when I woke up Momma said where alredy near the Philippines- DAD JOLLIBEE, STOP STOP LET'S EAT!"

"Okay sweets calm down, daddy will park the car." I said calmly uttered and maneuvered the wheel.

"Kaya ang taba ng anak mo Syd, panay kain." Keith kidded bago niya inalalayan pababa ng kotse si Sleiy.

"Mana sa iyo, food is lifer di ba?" Sinapak niya ang braso ko bago kami pumasok sa loob ng Jollibee. "Aray naman, Keith."

"Tahimik! Mangaasar ka na naman!"

"Pikon ka kasi."

"Daddy why are you laughing? Mom seems so pissed though. Are you fighting?"

"Hindi baby, nagjojoke lang si Daddy."

"Joke daw, amp!"

That made him laugh again, I want to tease them both. "Baby, Momma said your mataba na."

Agad na nanlaki ang mata ni Keith sa akin at hinampas na naman ako, si Sleiy naman ay tiningnan siya ng masama.

"MOMMA, THAT'S BAD! I'M NOT KAYA! I'M NOT CHUBBY!"

Inalo ko agad ang anak ko para mas inisin pa si Keith na pareho na kaming binibigyan ng nagbabantang tingin.

"Yeah baby your not chubby your just beautiful and healthy." I pacify her.

Agad siyang nagpabuhat sa akin then she cupped my face. "Really? You also, your so pogi!"

"Geh, magutuan kayong mag-ama. Hanap na kayo ng seat, ako mag-oorder. HEP! Walang aangal!" She warns.

Napangiwi ako noong tinalikuran niya na kaming dalawa ng anak ko, patay tayo diyan. Ano na naman kaya ang pakakainin niya sa akin ngayon?

"Dad let's hanap na. I want to eat more fried chix and sweet spaghetti and fries then dip it in sundaes, hmmn yummy!!" Natatawang sumunod ako sa sugo ng anak ko habang karga ko siya.

"Okay okay. Where do you want to eat? Here or upstairs?"

"Upstairs Daddy."

Naghanap na kami ng mauupuan sa taas, nagpababa pa siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko, while she looks for a vacant seat.

"There po, there's no tao!" She squiled happily and run. Ang conyo ng anak ko. "Come na Dad!"

Napailing nalang ako sa sobrang hyper ni Sleiy, nakikipagusap na siya doon sa kaharap niyang table na may batang lalaki. I lazily walk near her, she seems to be enjoying her chitchat with the mother of the child now, she's giggling and grinning wide.

"Yes po Tita, Thy. I'm so happy kasi po kakain kami ng Jabi, I miss eating the masayang manok."

Mahina akong natawa sa pinagsasabi niya sa babaeng matamang nakikinig sa kuwento niya.

I heard her chuckles, weird. "Oh really? You also need to try sundae with fries. It so masarap!"

"Waaahh! You too?! I know Tita, Daddy also said that and it so good po, like super yummy!" Pumalakpak pa siya at nakipag apir.

"Baby, enough na. Your disturbing their meal." Pagpuna ko sa anak kong wala ng tigil sa pakikipag sagutan sa bagong kakilala niya.

Doon lang ako binalingan ng tingin ng babaeng kausap niya, she pales though upon seeing my face.

"Ohhh! Sorry po Tita, I'm so madaldal kasi. By the way po, Tita Thy meet my Daddy Syd. Dad si Tita Thy po and Sydrix Reid, my new friends." She introduce us.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila pero hindi nakatingin sa akin yong bata, kain lang siya ng kain. While his mother looks so disturbed and well, a bit shaken.

"H-hi, nice meeting you two, I'm Sydtron."

Akala ko hindi niya tatanggapin ang kamay ko pero nakipag handshake naman siya after a minute or so. Really weird.

"Uhhmn, hello. N-nice meeting y-you and your daughter S-Sleiy, I'm Thyriene." She flashed her tight smiled.

"You okay? You look so bothered and pale?" Puna ko noong hindi siya mapakali sa kanyang kinakaupuan.

Napatingin ulit siya sa akin, tila sinusuri ang mukha ko. "Yeah, medyo nabusog lang saka mainit dito."

"Okay, I taught your not fine."

"I'm good." She assures.

Napatango nalang ako at inayos na si Sleiyax sa kanyang upuan. "There, comfortable na?"

She flashed her grin. "Yes Daddy, thank you po."

"Mom, let's go Papa said his waiting for us. Oh he's here." Narinig kong sabi nong batang lalaki.

Nakarinig din ako ng papalapit na yabag. Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanila. May bago nga doong nakatayo at kinakausap niya si Thyrienne ng pabulong, must be the father.

"Hello po, Tito. I'm Sleiyax po!"

Napafacepalm nalang ako sa pagiistorbo niya sa mag-anak, bakit parang wala yatang hiya ang anak ko, she flash her smile and wave when he face her.

"Hi po!" Sleiyax greeted.

Napangiti naman ang lalaki at tinuon ang atensiyon sa anak ko. "Hi there, little girl. Your so cutie, I'm Tito Wy."

"Nice meeting you po, Tito Wy. Ako po si Sleiyax, I'm four. Well, meet po Papa ni Sydrix my Daddy Syd. My Daddy Sydtron." Again she introduced us.

I nodded. He looks so familiar though so I asked. "Have we meet before?"

That made him smirked at me, nakatingin sa'kin na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"Really? Iyan ang sasabihin mo?" He whispered pero siniko siya ni Thy.

"Maybe, you also look like someone I knew." Malabo niyang tugon at hindi tinangap ang kamay ko, he just darted his look to Sleiy and bid goodbye. "Baby girl, babye na. Aalis na kami ni Tita Kre - uhm Thyriene. Nice meeting you, bye."

"Babay din po, ingat po kayo sana po magkita tayo ulit, Kuya Sydrix, Tita Thy." She kiss Thy's cheeks and her Kuya Sydrix. "Byebye po!"

She happily wave her hand and her eyes sparks in glee. Napangiti na ulit si Thy and wave back. "Be a good girl, sweets. Byebye."

She answered. "I am na po. Babye, bye Kuya Sydrix, mwuah. Ingat po!"

Tuloy-tuloy lang sa lakad ang batang lalaki at hindi na binalingan ng tingin si Sleiy but he wave his hand in response. Nakita ko pang nakasalubong nila sa hagdanan si Keith na papaakyat.

"Momma!" Sigaw ulit ni Sleiy na naexcite sa bitbit ng Mommy niya at ng crew.

"Momma I meet my new friends po, sayang po they didn't meet you. Tita Thy looks so nice po, then Kuya Sydrix seems so snob, no maldito but he still wave at me. Tapos yong Daddy then po ni Kuya Sydrix po, si Tito Wy he's also nice and pogi like Daddy." Pagbabangka na naman ng anak ko sa Mommy niyang hindi pa nga nakakaupo.

Napapailing napangiti si Keith sa kadaldalan ni Sleiyax, she patted her head. "Huminga ka nga muna bhe."

"Momma, your not listening to my kwento, I met my new kaibigan here in the Philippines. Tapos they also like me, I also introduce Daddy Syd- oh you have the same name sound like Kuya Sydrix Reid, Daddy Sydtron Reage." She clapped her hands in glee when she realized that, so cute.

"Heh, kung ano ang napapansin mo. Dig in, your foods are waiting." Natatawang sabi ko nalang at hinimay ko na ang masayang manok niya, I deboned it first.

"Hmmmn, talap talap po ng speghetti!" She did the happy dance and we both chuckled after she did that. "My masayang manok Daddy, give it to me na!"

"Alright, alright here, careful." Siya na kasi ang gusting gumamit ng tinidor and minsan kinakamay niya pa. "Ang dungis mo anak!"

"Momma tissue!" She asked nicely kaya pinunasan din ni Keith ang bibig niya. "Thank you po Mommy, Daddy love you!"

That made me smile wide, so sweet. "Love you too."

"Hoy kumain kana Sydtron, huwag mong babyhin iyang anak mo, masiba iyang kumain hayaan mo na siya." I heard Keith's ordering tone.

Napangiwi tuloy ako nong tingnan ko ang food ko. "Oo na, eh kasi naman bakit burger steak ang sa'kin? I like masayang manok and fries. Pero you want me to eat these?"

"Geh mangasar kapa!" She grinned wickedly. I knew it, ganti niya to dahil inaasar ko siya kanina. "How you like that?!"

Napailing nalang ako, I sip my sprite but I much prefer coke, napangisi ulit si Keith. She's teasing me now, nang aakusa ko siyang tiningnan. "You know what I want right?"

She nodded mockingly. "And I also know what are your less favorites, that's why." She lightly shrugged her shoulder. "That's your punishment, Syd."

"So mature." I whispered bago inumpisahang kainan ang steak and lumpia.

"Daddy here, share po tayo ng masayang manok. Mommy must be bullying you again because she didn't order the foods you really like." She notices and gave me her chicken.

"Aba, nagkampihan na naman kayong mag-ama ha?" She raises her brow at us.

"Kasi you bully Daddy again, bad mama!"

"Hoy ako dapat ang kampihan mo bata ako nagluwal sa'yo." I laugh so hard when Keith said that.

"Still, your bad." She pouted and she feed me with her chicken I happily open my mouth. "Yum Daddy right? Si Mommy kasi dapat masayang chicken din ang inorder sa'yo emp, gave me your lumpia Daddy I want to taste." She lightly chuckles after I tickled her.

"Ayan, my hidden agenda pala talaga siya." Keith said teasing, while Sleiy took my plate and put it in the middle.

"Here Daddy share tayo ng foods natin, you can eat mine and I can also. Bawal ka Mommy!" She warns to her Mom na sinamangutan lang siya, she even roll her eyes. "Mommy is really a bully."

That made us laugh, she made face kasi while Keith has a hard time hiding her laughter to her child face. "That's enough you two."

"Okay Daddy!"

"Okay Daddy!" Keith's mock her again.

Agad namang nagsumbong ang anak kong pikonin din, mana sa nanay. "Daddy oh!"

Ako nalang ang napailing sa dalawa kong isip bata na kasama, they can't really end up a day with out pissing each other. Ako palagi ang referee sa mag-ina ko, I just laugh while their exchanging banters and teasings.

"Stop it you two!" Saway ko sa kanila pero binelatan lang ako.

*****

CLXG_DRGN

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