Chandler's POV
''Uncle Chan-Chan! I miss you!" My nephew, Channing said. And he hugged me.
"We miss you!" He said, his Dad carries Emerald. After he said that, he went straight to his Mom and kissed her.
Chandria's husband approached me, "Hey, Bro!" Then he patted my shoulder.
"Hey! Can I carry her?" He nodded and gave Emerald to me. Emerald is just a two year old girl. She's still sleeping in their arms. She's so heavy.
Hindi ko alam kung kailan ko sila last nakita na kasama si Ken, naalala pa kaya nila si Ken?
Then Channing spoke, "Hi, Tita Ken! Wake up already! Emerald and I miss you. Let's play in our house again!" Napalingon ako kina Chandria.
Binalik ko kay Emerold si Emerald at lumapit kina Channing. "When Tita woke up, do you want us to visit you in your house?" I asked.
"Yes, of course! I'm going to tell her I'm big enough to be a superhero!"
"You are just five. You ain't even going to school yet."
"Speaking of school, Mom just enrolled me in the school near our house. You should go to school, too Uncle. I haven't seen you gone in school to study." We burst out laughing. And when we stopped laughing, Chandria explained, "Your Uncle had finished school long ago. He's an engineer now, baby."
"Oh, sorry. But I think I made you all laugh, I am happy."
"Halika nga rito, Channing." Lumapit siya sa akin at kinalong ko siya, saka niyakap siya nang mahigpit.
"You miss Ken, how about me?"
"I miss you as well, Uncle. Don't be jealous! Uncle, can I ask?"
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Why is Tita Ken sleeping here and not in her house? Tell me, she's asleep right?"
"I can't explain it to you for now,"
I didn't expect what he would say, "Okay, maybe when I grow up."
***
After that, I decided to come with them. Because Chandria has a sudden date with her husband. At first I was hesitating but my niece and nephew have no guardians for tonight. They needed me just as Ken needs me, and I know Ken would want me to take care of them.
"I am so sorry but he rarely invites me to a date. You are not mad, are you?" Chandria asked while we are walking to their house.
"I am not. I am sure of this. Besides, I missed them. Just promise me one thing: Enjoy the night. Being a parent is not easy, I know."
"Thank You, Chan."
"You are welcome."
***
''Honey, what take you so long?" Emerold said.
"Just few minutes, I am almost done."
Emerold is like dancing, I can obviously say that he's bored and tired of waiting. Kanina pa siya nasa tapat ng kwarto ni Chandria naghihintay. Knowing my sister, she takes a lot of time to prepare. She's so lucky to have a patient husband. Or maybe not, "Chandria Emerson Dritë! I am giving you one more minute, if you will not emerged from your room, I will postpone our date!"
I looked at Channing and Emerold, they are playing safely, I can leave them for a while.
I approached Emerold, I patted his shoulder, "Bro, you can just wait beside your car, then you'll open the door for her. I'll accompany her and give her to you when she's finish."
"That's romantic, okay bro. Thanks." He patted my shoulder back and walked out.
I knocked on Chandria's door. "Faster, Sis." The door creaked open and I was almost hit by it (on the face).
"I am sorry! You should have said that you're there."
"I was knocking, Sis. Maybe I was knocking while I was on the settee." I sarcastically stated.
"That's impossible."
"That's the point. I'm here so you probably should be careful, right? Especially when your door is hard. That's all."
"Fine, fine. Sorry, sorry! Come on!"
"Wait! Loop your arm around mine. I'll accompany you to your husband."
She smiles sweetly, "Aww, that's so sweet of you. Thank you for everything you did tonight, brother. I really appreciated it." And she hugged me.
"You're welcome, Sis. Besides, you are supporting me when it comes to Ken, too. So, enjoy the night. I wish I would not be stress with your kids."
"I will, of course."
We started to walk, with her arm looped around mine. I opened the door and lead her to the garage.
After approximately 50 steps, we are near. Emerold has been waiting outside the door of the car when he turned, starstruck by this woman.
"You are still beautiful and in good shape, my wife." He praised.
She nodded at me and motioned to Emerold, then fixed Emerold's necktie. They're so sweet.
Naalala ko tuloy si Ken, inaayos niya rin ang aking bow tie o neck tie, then she would kiss me afterwards. I really miss her, I badly want her to wake up.
"But what if I am not beautiful and sexy anymore?" Chandria asked.
"I don't care at all. I would still say those words." He answered. Chandria just smiled. "Let's go!"
Emerold smiled back and opened the car's door for her. Before it was closed, she waved goodbye. "Thanks bro." Emerold thanked.
"No problem. Enjoy the date!"
And then, I headed back inside. Buti na lang kasi umiiyak na si Emerald. I carry her on and sway her carefully. She must have been disturbed.
She immediately fell asleep and I laid her back to the settee. I checked in on Channing. "Aren't you tired yet?"
"No, playing with Chase is fun." He means the puppy.
"All right, then. Please behave, Channing."
"Noted, Uncle."
I sat down on the settee and leaned my back. I am touching my pockets, looking for my phone. I want to hear from the hospital.
When I couldn't feel it in my pockets, I stood up. It must be a strong move 'cause the flower base fell on the floor and broke into pieces. I tried to hold a glass but it wounded me.
It is not a good sign when you broke something.
I remembered about that, it was told by Ken's mother. No-- "Uncle, tidy that up!" Channing commanded.
"Uncle, it was not your fault! I warned Mom that it could be break easily when she put that there. She didn't listen. So, it was an accident."
This kid must be right. I should not be worrying about it. Ken is fine.
"Chase, don't run outside!" Channing shouted and run outside.
I was terrified, I follow him. I suddenly stopped when I found it's raining. They didn't close the gates!?
Where is he!?
"Channing!" Tinuloy ko ang pag-takbo. Umaambon na may araw pa naman. Baka magkasakit pa kami nito, aish!
"Channing!" Tawag ko hanggang sa makarating na ako sa playground.
"Uncle!" Tawag sa akin ni Channing, nandito lang pala.
"Uncle, he ran out of the house because of the foods' scent brought by the car, but it didn't stop until here. So, we reached up here. I'm sorry, Uncle. Are we going to be sick?"
"Yes, but we won't if we fastly go home and take a bath. It's okay. Just don't do it again, okay?"
"Are you gonna tell Mom?"
"No, if you promise."
"Okay, I promise."
Ako na ang kumuha kay Chase at binuhat ito sa kaliwang braso ko. Hinawakan ko naman si Channing at naglakad na pauwi. Ang layo rin nito.
Sana ay 'di ako magkasakit nito. Malala akong magkasakit. And when that happens, I won't be able to monitor Ken.