Chapter 9
1024 Words
Tristan needed to talk to someone. Anyone would suffice as long as he would be willing to hear. Kaya naman at the end of his shift sa ospital, he dialed his two best candidates for the job. Alam niya manipis ang chansang makausap niya si Jhared dahil busy ito sa pagiging senior subspecialist ng cardiology department nila, but he dialed his number anyway.
He was trying his best not to look miserable, but not knowing that he has a son who would undergo a heart surgery within a couple of weeks proved him to be one hell of a loser. All those years ago, the urge of contacting Tabi was strong but he ignored it due to his ego. Kung nakinig lang siya sa kaniyang puso malamang he would have known her secret a long time ago. Jhared’s number was out of reach. Kaya naman he dialed the second best candidate to talk with, his cousin Michael.
It took three rings bago nito sinagot ang tawag niya. Michael had been sober lately, dahil pinagbigyan na ito ng pamilya ni Hellen na ligawan niyang muli ang dalaga. At least one of them has a hope of furthering their genes. Unfortunately for Tristan may anak nga siya, hindi naman siya kinikilala ng bata.
“Tris.” Bungad nito sakanya, halatang may ginagawa itong mabigat dahil sa pagkahingal. “Balita?”
“Mike. Pwede ba tayo magkita mamaya, beer?” halata sa boses niya ang bigat ng dinadala. He really need to unload himself of the burden. Alam kasi niya na nagkulang siya bilang isang lalaki sa buhay ni Tabitha. He wanted to be there for his son. Narinig niya ang biglaang pagkahulog ng mga bakal sa kabilang linya. It was unusual for Tristan to ask for Bro time, kaya naman inaasahan na niya ang magiging reaksyon ng pinsa. “Mike. Kailangan ko ng kausap.”
“Is it urgent? Ihahatid ko pa kasi si Hellen sa trabaho niya mamaya.” Saad nito. “Is eight o’clock tonight good? Ihahatid ko lang ng alas sais si Hellen then aayusin ko ang shop para dito tayo. Kung magwalwal ka man hindi tayo makakaistorbo sa ibang tao.” Halatang nakangisi si Michael habang sinasabi nito iyon. He was the one who ended up detained, dahil sa panggugulo niya sa ibang costumer sa bar na kanilang pinuntahan noon, he learned it the hard way. But that was months ago ng magkalaboan sila ng kaniyang dating fiancée. Surely he is a changed man after he found his high school paramour, Hellen.
“I’ll bring beer and everything. If you can drag Jhared to come, that’s a plus.” Saad ni Tristan na seryoso ang tono. Kaya naman na pagtanto din ng pansan niya ang bigat ng dinadala niya.
“Dude, ang everything else mo sounds like Ding dong at chicharon. Alam ko naman cheap ass ka. I’ll bring pulutan. May BBQ grill naman dto sa shop, we can cook while drinking. ‘Wag mo lang sunugin itong shop ko.” Sa magpipinsan kasi si Tristan ang kuripot. Kaya naman pag dating sa inuman kung magyayaya man ito dinadala nila ito sa mga high-end bars just for him to spend a little bit more. Dahil kung ang binata ang masusunod, sa mga putcho putchong inuman lang ni Tristan idadala ang mga pinsan niya who would usally be Jhared and Michael dahil sila ang mga kaedad niya.
Napangisi si Tristan, “Hindi naman ako nagwawala eh. Simpleng walwal lang. I just needed a break from all the s**t happening. It’s like a s**t storm in my head right now.”
“Is this about Brit getting married? I mean I thought you got over her already? You were invited as a guest remember?” saad naman ng pinsan niya.
He laughed but it was a hallow one. “I’m quite over her alright.” His smiled vanished thinking of the reason why his mind is in shambles. “Si Tabitha.”
“Yung Chubby na rebound mo dati?” tanong naman nito, “oh, kamusta sya? Balita ko doctor na din yun sa probinsya natin ah?”
“Nagkaanak kami.” He stated matter of factly.
Nagpakawala ng mahabang mura ang pinsan niya, “Siryoso? Papaano nya natago iyon? I mean sa probinsya pa natin na halos lahat alam ang buhay ng mga kapit bahay nila?”
“I’ll tell you about it later. Napapamura din kasi ako. I saw our kid. Alam mo yun. I loved him already, kahit di ko pa sya kilala.”
“Dude, save that for later. Kailangan ko na mag-ayus at baka bigyan nanaman ako ng tiger look ni Helen.” Natatawang sabi ni Michael. “Bye.” At agad na din iyon binaba ng binata.
Kakatapos lang ng kaniyang duty and he found himself walking towards the private room where in his son was confined. Alam niya na naroroon si Tabi, but the urge of wanting to see his son was more urgent. He wanted to get to know him. He wanted to play with him. He wanted to spend time with him. He was a reflection of him as a boy. His eyes was as mischievous as him when he started doing pranks on the older people around him. And most importantly, he wanted to see how Tabi would react on his eagerness to be near their child. He wanted her to realize that he wanted to be a part of his life, that he deserves it.
Bago pa man siya makarating sa bungad ng pintuan ay naririnig na niya ang hagikhik ng kaniyang anak. He was a happy boy. Kahit may sakit ito, makikita mo ang siglang nasa mga mata nito. To think Tabitha kept that happiness from him, it was unfair. He wanted to hate her, but as he enter the boy’s room he saw how Tabitha was playing with his son, their son. They were laughing and doing an action song. Nakita niya kung gaano kamahal ng mag-ina niya ang bawat isa. He dare not want to hurt his son when the two of them would start a custody battle over him.
- Writer
