The Single Teacher Mommy (Railen Jazz & Kiara Celestine)

Chapter 18

"Can we just make it some other time? 'Wag na lang tayong tumuloy." Nanginginig na sambit ko kay Jazz.

We are just meters away from our unit and it's not yet too late to back out. Paano ba naman kasi akala ko dadalhin niya kami sa kung saan dahil pinagdala pa niya ako ng extra naming damit ni Sophie, iyon pala ginulat niya ako na ipapakilala daw niya kami sa mga magulang niya na kararating lang kagabi.

It's been almost two weeks after that night that he confessed the side of his story six years ago.The night that he asked me to get us back together but I denied his request. Not to say atleast. He respected my decision on that taking things slow.

Ipinaintindi ko sa kanya na hindi na lang ako ang maaargabyado kung sakali. I don't want rush into anything especially now that my daughter is involved. But since that night a lot has happened and changed, but one thing who remained constistent was this overly gorgeous, grinning man holding my hand and his efforts.

Not once did he miss we would drop Sophie to her school saka niya ako ihahatid sa pinagtuturuan ko. Pinanindigan niya talaga ang sinabi niyang 'duty' niya. Siya rin ang sumasama kay Sophie sa piano lesson niya tuwing weekend. Kung tungkol naman sa mga trabaho ko paglabas ng ekswelahan halos sinasalo niya. I'd be lying If I say he didn't make things easy and lighter for me.

And little by little I know, he's almost succeeding to make me surrender and throwing all my reservations to welcome him again.

"Hun, si Mommy at Daddy lang 'yon. Nothing to be afraid of. I'm serious about you and our Sophie, so you'll be meeting my parents today. Sophie will meet her Granny and Grandpa." We stopped for a red light signal and he looked at me. He genltly squeezed my hand at kissed the back of it.

Hindi niya alam na iyon talaga ang rason bakit ako natatakot. Agad-agad naman kasi ang gusto niyang meeting sa mga magulang niya.

"B-akit kasi ura-urada? Di mo man lang sila pagpahingain alam mong galing sila sa mahabang flight. Tsaka di pa nga tayo nag-uumpisa ulit."

Umiling siya na may ngiti sa labi niya. Then he hit the gas again. "Do we still need that? I love you, we are or not back on tract. We can take any road we want, Hun, because in love there's no standard route. At tsaka marami na tayong taon na nasayang, ayaw ko nang madagdagan pa 'yon."

He's so blantantly and it's not the first time that he told he still loves me. At talaga naman pinapatunayan niya 'yon. Di lang sa salita maging kundi rin sa gawa. Napalingon ako kay Sophie sa likuran. Busy siyang maglaro ng Sophia the First talking doll niya na bili din Jazz at halatang wala siyang pakialam sa pinag-uusapan namin.

I stared at my daughter's face for awhile. Hindi siya ganito kasaya noong kaming dalawa lang. I know she's contented with only me and my family being whole family. Pero ngayong may Dydy na siyang tinatawag, iba ang galak niya. I envy how carefree she is on accepting our situation.. on accepting Jazz to be her father. Di tulad ko na may pag-alinlangan.

Umupo ulit ako nang maayos at tumitig ng diretso sa daan. "Okay. We're doing this." I wishpered.

He gently squeezed my hand again while

his eyes focused on the road. He pressed a kiss at the back of my hand, "Indeed we are, Hun. No turning back."

"Alam ba nilang may anak ako?"

"Correction, anak natin. Magiging anak ko si Sophie natin by hook or by crock. Itaga mo pa iyan sa ngala-ngala ng nakabuntis sa'yo." May nahihimigang iritasyon sa boses niya. "And to answer your question, yes, they knew." Dugtong nitong hindi ko maiwasang pansinin ang hindi niya mapigilang ngisi.

Gusto kong matawa sa sinabi niyang itaga sa ngala-ngala pero mas nangingibabaw ang kaba sa akin. Nervous is radiating now through my entire body. However, I still force myself to relax while he keeps his hand on mine. Binibitawan lang niya 'yon kapag kailangan niyang kumambyo pero agad naman niyang hinahawak ang kamay ko pabalik.

Tumaas na naman lalo ang tesyon at kaba ko na halos nararamdaman ko na ang pintig ng puso sa lalamunan ko nang lumiko siya papasok sa isang parang private compound. Medyo malayo kasi sa mga nadaanan naming kabahayan at napalibutan ito ng bakod na yari sa bakal. Parang malapit na ata kami sa destinasyon namin.

"You're cold, Hun." He stated.

I pouted. "I'm nervous as hell."

I didn't bother lying. Iyon naman talaga ang totoo. Normal lang na manlamig ako dahil sa kaba, isama mo pa na ito ang unang pagkakataon na makilala ko ang mga magulang niya.

"I'm so excited that you're meeting them! Finally." he gushed out before making a slow turn to the left.

Bumungad sa amin ang bungalow suburban-ish house. Ngayon mas lalo akong naniwala sa sinabi niya na di porket nasa abroad ka ay marami kang pera, dahil nag-abroad ka para mgtrabaho at kumita ng pera hindi mamulot ng pera sa ibang bansa. Na porket nasa abraod dapat malaki din ang iyong bahay. Ang simple lang knowing all them are in Canada. Nothing of the house shouts excessively expenssive. It's modest, simple, but cozy and homey to look at.

"Jazz, ayaw ko na ata ulit. Kinakabahan na ako nang sobra." tawag ko sa kanya ng pumitada siya bago pinatay ang makina ng sasakyan niya.

Natatawa niya akong hinarap. Inipit niya ang buhok ko sa tainga ko bago niya kinurot ang ilong ko. "Relax, Hun. I got you, so you don't have to be afraid, okay? Paninigurado niya sa akin bago niya liningon si Sophie sa backseat.

"We're here, Baby."

"Where are we Dydy?"

"Granpa and Granny's house. You're meeting them today." he said with a grin matching my daughter's.

As if in the cue, the wooden double door of their house opened and a gorgeous woman stepped out. It's like she called someone inside the house before she walks towards us where we parked.

Jazz didn't say anything. He unhooked his seatbelt and immediately went down. Inuna niya akong inalalayang bumaba sa sasakyan niya saka niya kinuha at binuhat ang anak ko.

Huminto naman ang babae na ilang metro sa kung nasaan kami. Ako naman ay napako sa kinatatayuan ko. Hindi ko magawang tumingin sa mukha ng mommy ni Jazz. He place his hand on the small of my back before he ushered me closer to his mom. I slowly raised my stare and I was shocked to see his mom beaming at me.

"Hello, dear. I'm so glad to meet you finally." she said and swooped me into a tight, welcoming hug.

Napaakap na rin ako sa kanya. "Hello, Ma'am. Welcome home po."

Kumalas siya ng akap sa akin at hinawakan ng mga kamay niya ang dalawang kamay ko. "Thank you and please cut the formalities. My JazzJazz been talking a lot about you for years. Sa wakas nandito ka na." she exclaimed with pure excitement and joy.

I looked back at Jazz, he only shook his head while smiling. "Mommy, don't embarrass me. 'Wag naman sa harap ng mag-ina ko." nangingiting sambit nito.

My heart beats eratically how he addressed us infront of his mom.

Minsan pa akong inakap ng mommy niya bago ako iwan saka siya lumapit kay Jazz na buhat ang anak ko.

"Hello, unica hija. Ikaw si Sophie? I'm your Granny Lillien." Pagpapakilala niya.

Sophie hide her face to Jazz shoulder, halatang nahihiya.

"She's only five ano, anak? She's such a tall baby." Napalapit ako kay Jazz. Agad naman niya akong inakbayan.

I gently caress the back of my daughter before I command her. "Say hi Sweetheart. Introduce yourself." I softly said.

She lifted her face to looked at Jazz's mom before she speak. "Hello po, Ma'am. I'm Cassandra Sophia A. Real but you can call me Sophie po. I'm five years old po."

Bakas naman ang pagkatuwa sa mukha ng mommy ni Jazz. "Aww. Magalang na bata marunong magsabi ng 'po' at 'opo' saka marunong makinig. You raised her well, anak." Pagbibigay-puri nitong sabi sa akin.

Hindi ko alam pero ang sinabi niyang iyon ay napakalaking bagay sa akin. Inaamin ko, natakot akong ayawan niya ako o maging ang anak ko. Natakot ako na ba baka ipagtabuyan niya kami palayo sa anak niya. Now I do realized to kung saan nanggagaling ang kabaitan ni Jazz. He got his charm and the way he smile to got from his mom.

Few seconds later, a man came out from their house. Kamukhang-kamukha ito ni Jazz. Mas matanda lang na bersiyon niya. Matangkad lang ng kaunti si Jazz sa kanya.

"Raiden, mahal! Nandito na sina Kiara at Sophie!" bulalas nang mommy ni Jazz, nahihimigan ang kagalakan sa boses niya.

"Alam ko, mahal. Nakikita ko sila." tumigil siya sa tabi ng mommy ni Jazz at inilahad sa akin ang kamay niya, "Hi, anak. I'm Raiden, Jazz's dad."

Kinuha ko naman iyon. "Hello po. Kiara, Sir and this is my daughter Sophie."

He immediately offered his arm to Sophie. "Hello, baby girl. Can you give Grandpa some lovin'?" it was as if he sang the words.

Sophie approved her way of introducing herself because she immediately transferred from Jazz's holds to his dad's.

"Napakalambing na bata." komento ng daddy ni Jazz na karga na niya ang anak kong nakaakap sa leeg nito.

"She is just like her Mymy, Dad." Jazz proudly said with a smile.

"Let's go inside, the food might be ready to serve. It's half ready before you guys arrived." then he looked at Sophie who's now enjoying his attention. "We came to know you're favourite food is pizza, apo? We requested to make them for you."

Tila nakarinig naman ang anak ko ng isang napakagandang-balita sa sinabi ng daddy ni Jazz.

"Really, Grandpa? I can eat homemade pizza for lunch?" excited na sabi ng anak ko. Alam kong nakangiti na ito kahit di ko nakikita ang mukha niya kasi nasa likuran kami na nakasunod sa kanila.

"Yes, you can eat how much you want. And your pasalubongs are waiting for you." sabi pa nito na nagpamahangha sa anak ko dahil sa sinabi niya ulit na 'really Grandpa.'

"We got all your fovourites. You'll see them later." dagdag naman nang mommy ni Jazz.

"Thank you plenty po."

"Your welcome, apo. You can come with us going back to Canada para mas marami pa tayong mabibili. Lahat nang gugustuhin mo, bibilhin natin." pag-iiba ng daddy niya usapan.

"Where is that po?"nagtatakang tanong tanong ng anak ko.

Kahit nakatalikod sa amin ang mag-asawa alam kong nakangiti sila parehas. "Doon na kami nakatira. Nandoon din ang tito't-tita mo, kasama ang mga pinsan mo."

Saya ang lumukob sa puso ko sa mga naririnig ko dahil sa gaan nang pakikitungo ng mga ito kay Sophie. Ngayon pa lang kinakabahan na ako na di na lang si Jazz ang mang-i-spoil sa anak ko.

Napaface palm na lang ako na ikinatawa ni Jazz habang hawak ang kamay ko nang makapasok kami sa malawak nilang living room. Their living room was neatly arranged the furniture without locking congested. It has a shelve that holds a numbers of medical books and a 42 inches flat screen television.

We turned left from the living room and were greeted by the sound of the cutleries and two middle-aged women organizing the food in a rectangular glass table.

"Maupo na kayo." Malambing na utos ng daddy ni Jazz. Pinaupo niya si Sophie sa tabi nito while he seats on the farthest end of the table.

Jazz pulled a chair for me and we took the seats opposite to Sophie.

Jazz's mom helped preparing the table and soon we dug on the food. True to his dad's words, they really prepared homemade pizza to Sophie which she commented 'delicious' many times. The light converstaion was flowing and I'm happy to have more inside kwowledge of Jazz's life, especially those six years that he went through. I came to know every sacrifices he did to his family. His parents keep asking questions about me and him and how we are doing so far. I was also under the spotlight. I was asked a lot of question about my job, how I raised Sophie and about my family. I answered them all truthfully.

When the early lunch was over, I instisted to helped with the aftermath. Nagpaalam naman sila Jazz kasama si Sophie dahil gustong gumamit ng toilet ang anak ko. Nagpilit pa ako na ako na lang ang sasama dahil ayaw kong maiwan kasama ang mga magulang niya, pero nakita ko ring sinenyasan siya ng mga magulang niya na iwanan nila ako.

Muli na namang umakyat ang kaba ko sa ulo ko na pakiramdam ko hihimatayin ako. Hindi ata sa sobrang busog ako mamatay kundi sa pinaghalong nerbyos at kaba.

"Anak, please, 'wag ka sanang maging aloof sa amin. 'Wag kang mahihiya na nasa paligid mo kami. We really want you for our son because he chose to live here near you. It's you he chose to love." sabi ng mommy niya nang maiwanan kami sa mesa.

She holds the hand of her husband and entertwined their fingers that relaxing above the table and she added some words to what she's saying to me. "Naiintindihan kong natatakot ka and that's okay. But, I hope you'll give my son a chance. He really loves you and your daughter and he wants the two of you to be his and his willing to work hard hard for it. We know our JazzJazz. Mahal niya kami dahil pamilya niya kami, pero iba ang pagmamahal niya para sa'yo. Sa anim na taong nasa Canada siya, wala siyang inatupag na iba kundi tulongan kami, lalong-lalong sa pag-aalaga sa biyenan kong lalaki. Kahit nung gumaling siya sa dahil sa aksidenteng natamo nila ng Daddy niya ganoon pa rin siya. Maghapong-nag-aalaga, at nagtatrabaho sa gabi. Minsan nga biniro siya ng Daddy niya na bigyan niya ang sarili niyang makipag-date pero sinagot lang niya kami na naiwan dito sa Pilipinas ang puso niya. Doon namin nalaman na may girlfriend pala siyang iniwan dito. And that's you."

His mom nodded her head and continued "He keeps on talking about you. Bukambibig ka niya sa mahabang panahon. Palagi nga niyang sinasabi sa akin na sana pagbalik niya dito may babalikan pa siya at single ka pa rin. That's why I'm so happy when I saw his f*******: post. I told my husband, it's time for him to chase his happiness."

Napalunok ako sa ako nagbaba ng tingin. "Natakot po kasi ako na mahusgahan niyo. Natakot po kasi na di niyo ako magugustuhan para sa anak niyo, lalo na't may anak ako at walang asawa."

"Oh, no! Don't say that, anak. Who we are to judge you? Being a single mom doesn't make you less a woman... doesn't make you not to be love. You don't know how strong you are for choosing a child to raise on your own and I want a strong and resilient woman for my son. I want you so much for my JazzJazz."

I don't know but I found myself pouring a tear because of her words. Mukhang napansin naman nila dahil natagpuan ko na lang ang sariling kong nakakulong sa akap nilang mag-asawa.

"Thank you po, Ma---" sasabihin ko pa lang sana ang Ma'am at Sir pero naputol 'yong nga salita na iyon.

"Mommy. Simula ngayon Mommy at Daddy na kami para sa'yo." sabi ng mommy niya.

Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko at nakita ko ang imahe ni Jazz na karga si Sophie. Hinayaan ko lang ang isipan na iyon na mag-sink in sa akin at natagpuan kong tumikwas ang aking labi ng nakangiti.