It was around four when I went out of my room only to see Andy drinking water in the kitchen.
Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay saka ngumisi sa akin.
"Nahuli tayo eh. Di ko naman alam na magkikita sila ni Charm. Mukhang mas imbestigador pa to sa akin eh." He whispered on my ear.
I rolled my eyes at him. "What are you doing here?"
"Just checking you out. Di na naman pala importante kasi nandito na ang tatay." He poked me while silently laughing.
Natigil ang pang-aasar niya sa akin ng makita naming nagliligpit na ng gamit ang mag-ama. He kissed Simon on his head and waved on us.
"I can hear wedding bells." May pakanta-kanta pang nalalaman ang gagong engineer na to.
Naging tahimik ang condo namin ng umalis na si Andy. I looked at Simon who's fixing his things.
"How was it anak?" I asked him while helping me arranged his books.
"It was fun, Mommy! Daddy's so good!" I was taken aback about how he called Gab.
Hindi ko alam kung nakapag-usap ba ang mag-ama. Seeing Simon smile so genuine makes my heart flutter.
I looked at Gab who's silently watching us. He gulped and looked at me for awhile.
"Can I have dinner here?" He slowly asked me.
Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot ay agad nang sumang-ayon si Simon.
"Will you also sleep here, Daddy?" Simon's voice was full of hope.
Tiningnan ako ni Gab. Maybe he's asking for permission.
"Mommy, please." Now, I can't say no to my kid.
I shrugged my shoulders and nodded at them. Tuwang-tuwa naman si Simon. Agad niyang tinanong ang kanyang Daddy kung kailan ito matutulog sa amin.
Nag-aral na lang ako ulit para makapag-bonding ang mag-ama. When I heard Simon's voice calling me ay saka ako lumabas.
Gab cooked sinigang for dinner. "I helped, Mom!" Proud na proud niyang wika sa akin.
I smiled at him and kissed his cheeks. "Eat more ha. This must be delicious!" I giggled at him.
Nawala lamang ang ngiti sa mga labi ko ng makitang nakatingin si Gab sa amin. He was smiling but his eyes are speaking so many emotions.
Nagsimula na kaming kumain. I let them bond while I'm washing our dishes. I did my night routine.
Saktong paglabas ko ay nakita kong tulog na sa sala si Simon. He was lying on our couch. Nakaupo naman si Gab sa may sahig at tahimik na pinagmamasdan ang anak niya.
"You should get going. Gabi na. You can...still see each other tomorrow." Agad na napalingon sa akin si Gab. He shook his head, not leaving his stares to Simon.
"My condo's just beside yours." My jaw dropped. Sinusundan ba kami nito?
Natahimik ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Gusto kong buhatin na papasok si Simon pero ayoko rin namang gawin iyon dahil mukhang nalilibang pa si Gab na panoorin ang anak niya.
"Thank you for naming him after me." His words...they are full of emotion.
Kahit hindi niya ako lingunin ay tumango ako sa kanya.
"He looked like you. When I have him...I can't think of anyone...just you." I silently wiped away few of my tears.
Dahil iyon ang totoo. Simon just looked like Gab. Kaya iyak ako ng iyak ng makita ko si Simon. Nasasaktan ako tuwing nakikita ko siya.
I saw how Gab's shoulders were slowly shaking. He keeps on shaking his head.
Dahan dahan akong lumapit palapit sa kanya. I tapped his shoulders...hoping that it could calm him down.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry ang duwag ko. I'm sorry I left you...Akala ko...akala ko wala naman...ang selfish ko." He said while sobbing.
This is the first time I saw him cry. He's crying his heart out.
"It's all done, Gab." I bitterly said. Dahil tapos na naman talaga. Hindi na namin iyon maibabalik pa.
"I let my fears ate me. I wasted five years without my son." Pinigilan ko ang aking hikbi.
"You can have all your time now. I'm sorry for hiding Simon. I thought you don't want him." Nanikip ang dibdib ko tuwing naalala ko kung paano siya mag react noon.
He shook his head. "I'll never hate my son, Donna." I nodded.
I kneel down and hugged him. Just this once. I want to hug him.
"Thank you...for not hating Simon. Thank you." I said in between my sob.
Just when I was about to let go of our hug, he pulled me even closer. I can feel the loud beat of his heart.
"I'm home. Finally, I'm home. For five long years, I am now home. You will always be my home, Donna." He whispered. It sent shivers on my spine.
Umiling ako sa kanya. I am scared. All these years, I am scared of being hurt...of being left behind.
"No. No. No." Paulit-ulit kong saad sa kanya. Naguguluhan akong tiningnan ni Gab.
"You can be here for Simon. You are his father. Just...just...don't be here for me...I..."
"Donna...I never love someone the way I love you. Please...don't say that." He hissed.
Tumayo ako at lumayo sa kanya. My hands are shaking.
"Ayoko na...I had enough...I had enough pain...ayoko na..." Hindi na ako maawat pa sa paghikbi.
"Sabihin mo lang na mahal mo pa rin ako. Kahit konting pagmamahal lang..." Pagsusumamo niya.
Napalunok ako ng makitang lumuhod ito. He hugged my legs.
"I know I've been a jerk but I followed you. I was there with you, Donna. Please...no..." Umiling ako sa kanya.
"You weren't there." Kung nandoon siya bakit hindi niya ako magawang lapitan.
"I was silently watching you while you're losing your father. I was mourning with you. I was...there...I went to your house...when I got there...they said you left...hindi ko alam saan ka hahanapin. I got lost...I got lost...the moment I lost you..." He was shaking while hugging me.
"Please...Gab...Please...stop." Bitiwan mo na ako, Gab. Hindi ko na kakayanin pa.
"Kahit kaunting pagmamahal lang...I just need to be stronger...I want to be with you...for the rest of my life...ayoko ng sumuko pa...just tell me...you love me a little..."