001

Kabanata 01

"SAAN si Mikaelle, my lovely wife?" Tanong ko agad sa kasambahay naming sumalubong sa'kin sa pinto. Pinagala ko ang mata ko sa sala ng aming bahay, wala siya dito sa baba. I darted my gaze back at our maid, nakatingin lang kasi siya sa'kin at hindi na sumagot.

So I ask again. "Where is she?"

But before she can open her mouth to answer I already heard heavy footsteps running fast my direction.

"DADDY! YOUR HOME I MISS YOU!" Ghert Drevxian or we call him GD, my son. He runs towards me and happily jump to cuddle.

I hug him back, laughing hard because he's so cute and really sweet. "Hey there kiddo, i miss you too. You've been good huh?"

I messed up his hair and he giggled. "Yes po Daddy Marc hindi po ako pasaway, behave po ako sabi ni Moma Kaele."

I playfully pinched his nose. "Very good then, GD. So where's Mommy Kaele? Have you eaten already? I am bit hungry though, come we'll call Mommy to have dinner together, I miss eating with you two."

He excited grap my hand and I held it tightly as we ascend in our staircase, hearing my son talks non-stop about everything. I listened well and laugh with him when he's cracking up some punch line and jokes.

Namiss kong kakwentuhan ang anak ko, I've been away for quite long, fixing some stuff in my plate yet they've been too much to handle. I'll just go with the flow and it eases my burdens a lot, it is much easier way to lessens my stress away. I finally decided to come home, to where my son amd my wife are patiently waiting for me to be back.

So here I am. I though as we took the step hand in hand.

I stared intently to GD, he's been growing so fast, really fast. Parang kailan lang kalong-kalong pa siya namin ni Mikaelle pero ngayon, heto nakikipaghabulan na sa'kin. Five years having him is pure joy and really a blessing. Mikaelle and GD are my source of strength, my treasures. My life is totally complete when I am with them.

"Daddy Marc your not listening to me." Nagtatampong saad ng anak kong nakatayo na pala sa pinto ng silid namin ni Mikaelle. Hindi ko napansing natigil na kaming dalawa sa kakalakad, hindi ko rin naintindihan ang kwenento niya sa akin. "Your idling Daddy, what's wrong po?"

I shook my head in response and flash him my wide grin. "Nothing, baby I just miss you so much that's why."

I messed his hair again but he dodge away then he tongue out and it made me throw my head back to laugh aloud.

So adorable kid I have. My head butted. I put my hand on his shoulder gently as I let him knock the door.

"Mommy Kaele..." he shouted when no one opens the door. I wanted to surprise my wife for my sudden arrival.

"I am at the bathroom, GD. Just open the door kiddo and wait for me in the bed." She replied clearly screaming, napabungisngis ang anak ko.

Wala kaming nagawa kundi ang buksan at hintayin ang asawa ko sa loob ng aming silid. Agad na tumalon si GD pahiga sa kama namin at napahalhak pa nong sinimulan ko siyang kilitiin. I barely laugh together with him, ayaw kong marinig ni Mikaelle ang tawa ko kaya pigil ang boses ko habang nilalaro ang anak naming nagpapalambing.

"HEY GD BEHAVE, BABY. DON'T HURT YOURSELF IN THERE, CAREFUL. DON'T YOU DARE CARELESSLY JUMP AGAIN IN OUR BED!" Exaggerated na paalala agad ng nanay niya sa kanya kaya natawa lalo ako.

Makulit na naman siguro to, mukhang naphobia si Mikaelle eh.

"You said you've been a good boy? Then why Momma—"

"SHHHH DADDY!"

He cut my words by putting his little palm on my lips, sealing.

"I only got hurt once, just playing I mean jumping here then I suddenly fell and hit my head on the side table that's why Momma scolded me real long that day but I still jump real high when Mom's not around, you know just chilling, Daddy Marc."

He even laugh while telling me that, mana yata to sa nanay niya eh. Daredevil, walang inuurungan, walang inaatrasan, walang hindi kayang gawin.

I pinched his chubby cheeks. "Pasaway ka talaga."

"Can't help it po, may pinagmanahan." He winked at me and it made me laugh hard dahil kuhang-kuha niya ang saying ng Nanay niya pag may kabalastugang ginawa. "Ahhh hahaha Daddy stop na po, your hurting my cheeks. Palagi niyo pong ginigigil si ako!"

Nakita ko ang pagsimangot niya kaya hinayaan ko na ang cheeks niya tabachoy, kagigil eh.

"Your so cutie kasi." I explained.

Napaayos kami ng tayo nong narinig namin ang pagbukas-sara ng pinto ng banyo, we darted our wide eye to that direction, not a minute pass when I saw a silhuiette, then finally she emerge from the door. Holding a small towel, drying her silky ling hair.

Oblivious of my presence in our room, GD screams to caught her attention.

"Mommy Kaele, look who's here?!"

Agad na napaangat at napabaling ang tingin niya sa gawi namin, nasaksihan ko sa aking mga mata kong gaano kadaling nagpago-bago ang ekspresiyon sa kanyang magandang mukha, unay sa pagtataka, then napalitan ng pagkamangha, biglang natulala at ngayon nga'y nanlaki ang kanyang mata sa pagkatitig sa akin, nagtagpo at naglaban ang aming titigan.

Her is for shock and mine is for longing. I flashed her my boyish grinned, I open my arms wide.

"Well, hey there beautiful, am I home?!" I softly uttered to her surprise state I added. "I miss you, babe."

After hearing that she hurriedly close the distance between us and hug me as tightly as she can. Ahh this is home, in here arms feeling her serene warmth. I held her tight, hugging and kissing her temple softly, I grip both of her tighs when she encircled it around my waist so that she can buried her face on the hallow of my neck, i chuckled softly.

"You miss me that much huh? Kaele babe?" I tease while caressing her silky hair against my palm, she nodded. "Well, i miss you too, very and so so much. I love you, Kaele. I do really love you both, Kaele and GD. You two are my salvation, my redemption."

"We miss you too, Daddy." GD replied and joined, hugging us both, Kaele and me. "Sana po hindi kana aalis, we always waits for you to be home."

Ibinababa ko si Kaele at hinarap ko ang anak namin, lumuhod pa ako para mapantayan siya, eye to eye. "I won't go anywhere, I promise I'll stay home. I will stay with you, forever and always."

"Forever and always." They replied in unison, I gave them both a kiss and share a hug together.

Pinalis ko ang luha sa mata ni Kaele, habang minamasdan kami ni GD kahit ako may kanina pa naluluha, I just can't contain the overflowing happiness inside my head and my chest, tears of joy, kumbaga.

I gently caress her rosy cheek, intently gazing at her teary-eyed look. "I won't leave you, again. I will be home, stay and spend my uncountable days with you and GD. Thank you for patiently waiting me to come home, kahit natagal your arw still here, I love you so much Kaele, always remember that."

I kissed her again and cage them inside my firm hug.

"I love you both, please don't leave me, too." I silently prayed at the same time pleaded.

"We won't. As long as we're together, happy and contented. We will remain and stay strong for this family, Marc." Hearing Kaele's promise made my heart appease and suddenly my head screams for happiness and happy life as long as we are living.

"Daddy, diba your gutom? Halika na may pagkain don na niluto si Yaya Lupe para sa'yo."

Natawa nalang kami ni Kaele dahil sa naiusal ng anak namin, ginulo naman ni Kaele ang buhok ni GD at pinangigilan ang pisngi niya.

"Aray Mommy naman eh, kanina pa po bi Daddy nilalamutak ang face ko, oh please spare me." Madamdami niya pang saway na mas lalo naming ikinatawa, ang drama.

"Oo na po, titigil na. Halika na let's joined Daddy Marc." Agad kong hinawakan ang kamay ni GD at sa kabila naman ay pinulupot ko ang braso ko sa beywang ni Kaele, helding them closely to me.

I sure miss them, my heart eratically beats as I both stare, palipat-lipat sa anak at sa asawa ko, it's been really awhile and I really wasted a lot of time not being this close and feeling them beside me.

"I love you, babe. Thank you for everything." I whispered again.

"Ayieehhhh...ang tamis-tamis." My son tease na ikinapula ng mukha ni Kaele, pangasar talaga minsan ang anak ko na'to eh.

Maloko talaga, mana talaga sa Nanay.

"Heh GD, huwag kang tawa ng tawa kita bungi mo oh!" Kaele tease back.

"YAH MOMMY! Your hitting me below the belt." He stomp his right foot.

Tumawa lang si Kaele sa paghuhurumintado ng anak niyang topakin. "Nyenyenye sumbong mo sa barangay kahit magkampihan pa kayo ng ama mo."

"Ang harsh mo My!" He pouted his lips, so cute. We both laugh because of his sour face. "Ikaw din Daddy, you laughing with her. She always bully me, eh hindi na naman na ako bungi, look may baby teeth na ako."

Doon na kami napahagpak ng tawa ni Kaele kasi pikon na ang anak niya sa kanya. Napailing nalang ako nong nagumpisa na silang maghabulang dalawa at muling umingay ang kaninang napakatahimik na bahay namin. Really, it's home sweet home. Walang makakatalo sa feeling na may pamilya kang mauuwian, that there is someone who's patiently waiting for you to come home, someone who cares and stays thru thick and thin, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health...'till death do us part.

I can proudly say that I finally have my better-half, the one who completes the missing piece of my puzzle-like life. I found my home in Kaele's arms first and now, together with my little warrior GD, they completed me as a man.

Kaele's in teasing voice shouted. "Hey Marc baby your foods are here, come. GD surely eat it all if you will idle there, ang taba-taba na ng anak mo! Napabayaan kasi to sa ref eh!"

"MOMMY YOUR SO BULLY!" I heard my child screams frustatedly, then Kaele's loud laughters boomed next.

Napangisi nalang ako, marahang naibulong. "Welcome home, self!"

____

I WOKE up early so that I can prepare foods for them, breakfast in bed. I just cook simple typical agahan. Hotdogs, bacon, eggs and ham. I toasted a bread and made a pancake for GD if he wants some. Fresh orange juice for Kaele and GD's warm non-fat milk.

I sip my glass of black coffee for my daily dose of caffeine.

I put it all in a tray and carefully bring it in our room's terrace. Nakadalawang balik pa ako sa baba, I want to make it perfect kasi. I put the plates and cuttleries I even put a red roses at the middle for Kaele. Okay na, I arrange it correctly. Tamang-tama hindi na masyadong mainit ang milk para kay GD, I excitedly took a final check then I go to my wife and son.

I planted them a soft kiss in their head. "Rise and shine, sleepy heads. Time to eat breakfast babies, I cook for you two."

I softly said pero hindi sila nagising, kaya sumampa ako sa gitna ng kama at pinagkikiliti ko silang dalawa, hitting their necks dahil don sila may malakas na kiliti pareho, mana-mana. 

"Ahh....hahhaa it tickles stop!" Kaele abnoxious laughters. "Hey, Marc baby. Inaantok pa ako, s-stop bwahahahaha!"

Hindi ko sila tinigilan hanggang hindi sila nagising dalawa, they're now cuddling to me. Si GD at Kaele ay pareho ng nakasiksik sa may balikat ko at bungisngis na. I kissed their temples again, caressing them both as I held them closer to my chest.

"Goodmorning Daddy!" GD utter in a dreamy state. "Ikaw din Mommy kahit bully ka."

Kaele made face. "Heh! Uumpisahan mo na naman akong bata ka, kiss mo ko dali." He obey his Mom, then bumalik ulit sa pagkakadutdot sa leeg ko. "Hoy GD, huwag na matulog ulit. Daddy made breakfast for us na, get up na baby."

Natawa nalang kami nong hindi sumagot si GD, antok pa yata ang loko.

"Hey, kiddo I thought we're going to swim? Diba iyon yung request mo kagabi? Wake up and eat your breakfast then after we will take a dip in our pool, how 'bout that?!" I bribe and successfully it work.

"Where's the food?!" He asked a bit disoriented yet he sit up then leave the bed. "Faster Dad, I want to swim!"

"Wash your face but fold your blanket and organize your pillows first." Kaele reminded him and he follows easily.

I grinned widely, he seems really excited to finally swim in the pool. Hindi kasi siya pinapayagan ni Kaele dahil delikado daw para kay GD, I know that Kaele doesn't know how to swim, maybe she fears GD might get drown or simply she's afraid that she can't rescue him if ever. Safety first for Ghert Drevxian, we don't want him to get badly hurt and put his life in line. Kaya ingat na ingat si Kaele sa kanya, it's their mother instinct that we men can't surpass. Iba ang alaga ng mga Nanay.

Hinayaan ko muna silang mag mirning routine at hinitay sila sa nakasetup ng table for us. I sip my coffee, pangalawa ko na'to actually. I focus my eyes in my surrounding, ganun pa din naman. It seem like nothing change, maganda parin ang garden nila Mommy and Kaele nahuhumitik sa mga iba't-ibang klaseng bulaklak. Doon ko nga rin pinitas ang roses tapos ang center piece namin ngayon.

I saw one of our maid, watering the plants. Tila ba naramdaman niyang nakamasaid ako kaya napatingin ang mata niya sa gawi ko, she smile and bow her head. I smile at her then just wave.

Nabalik ang tingin ko nong narinig ko na ang boses ng anak ko. "Wow! Pancakes hmmmmnn sarap my favorites."

Nilapitan ko silang dalawa at pinaghila ng upuan, GD then Kaele, I gave her the red roses.

"For you beautiful wife."

She involuntarily blushes. "Ala siya ang sweet!"

"Ala siya kinilig!" My son tease his Mom again. "Look Daddy oh, para siyang shrimp."

Pinandilatan na naman kami ni Kaele ng mata kaya natahimik kami pareho ng anak ko. "Hoy rosy cheeks lang talaga ako anak! Huh! Tawa-tawa kayo diyan?!"

"Daddy look she's like a beet root. Red and flushed." Pangasar ulit ng makulit kong anak na ikinalaki ng butas ng ilong ng Nanay niyang, hyper din sa umaga. "Dad, help she's mad na!"

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatawa dahil bigla rin naman siyang nagstep-back after observing his mother's pissed state.

"Enough bantering you two. Here eat nalang tayo. What do you want GD?" Mataktika kong inilihis ang palitan nila ng masasamang tingin.

"Pancake po, saka hotdog then ham, pati po bacon tapos damihan niyo po ang sinangag. Wala po tayong tomato ketchup? Yung kasing pula po nong face ni Mommy." He tease again while laughing.

"Mana talaga sa'yo Marc ang bata na iyan, ang alaskador!" Hindi alam ni Kaele kung matatawa siya o maiinis sa siniwalat ng anak niya.

I darted her my questioning gaze. "Talaga sa'kin?! Ba't parang hindi ako naniniwala?"

She rolled her eyes up. "Oh ayan! Ketams sayong-sayo!"

Pamimilit niya pa na ikinaling ko nalang bago ko siya nilagyan ng pagkain pagkatapos kong asikasuhin si GD.

"There, no bacons and plain rice." I said nong tapos ko ng lagyan siya ng food. I know what food she likes and dislikes.

"Thanks Marc, baby kumain ka na din." She said after giving me a peck on my lips, kinilig naman ako.

"Yuck Dad!" Minsan talaga panira ng moment tong anak namin eh. "Ang corny!"

Wala akong ibang ginawa kundi ang mailing at matawa nalang kay GD, he still childish, fun and maloko, lahat napapansin, sa lahat ay may sasabihin.

"Kumain ka na lang diyan, choy!" Kaele mummbled.

His face screams betrayal. "MOMMY NAMAN EH HINDI NGA AKO TABACHOY!"

Kaele smirked. "Ode hindi ba't ka nagsto-strong?!"

I just let them banter and pissed one another dahil narin sa hindi nagpapatalo ang mag-ina ko sa asaran. Magana ang aming agahan at puro tawanan ang naririnig mula sa amin, like how it was used to the old days, bago ko sila panandaliang naiwan.

"Mahal na mahal ko kayo." I stare at them lovingly with a wide happy grin. "Mahal na mahal." Hindi ko mapigilang hindi maluha dahil sa sobrang emotion sa loob ng dibdib ko.

"Love you too, Daddy Marc kahit ang corny mo!"

"Mahal na mahal din kita Marc, forever and always. Hinding-hindi iyon magbabago kahit anong mangyari. I love you, babe Marc."

Kinilig na naman ako sa ipinagtapat ni Kaele. Lalo tuloy nanagana ang pagdaloy ng mga luha sa'king mga mata. I held her hand and softly kissed her knuckles.

I barely whisper. "Miss na miss ko na talaga kayo, mahal."

*****

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