Reckless

Chapter 3

Hindi niya ako tinignan. He looks pissed and angry. Gio never gets mad at me and even if he does, I won’t change my mind.

"I'll be back. We'll text each other okay?" I tipped toe to reach him and kiss him on his lips.

Ngumiti ako ng makita na unti unti na siyang ngumingiti. I know his weakness very well.

"Promise me you won't look at other guys, alright?"

"I only have my eyes for you,"

When my schedule is not that hectic anymore finally! I have the chance to rest and enjoy two months of normal living. I miss baby Brion!

After a week full of meetings and paperworks, the day has come that I’ll meet my son again. Hinatid ako ni Gio sa airport. Pilit kong tinatago ang ticket ko dahil baka malaman niya na sa Iloilo ako pupunta. Ang sabi ko sa kanya ay sa Zambales ako at pupunta sa beach.

Sobrang tagal ko na din hindi nakikita si Brion. It’s been what? Seven months? I really can’t wait to see him. Hindi ako mapakali sa airport hanggang sa nakasakay na ako sa eroplano.

"Mommy!" The small Brion came to me and hugged my legs. I crouched a bit to pick him up from the ground God, he grew so much. He was smaller when I saw him the last time.

"You're getting heavier, Brion!" I groaned a bit. "You're here." A low and familiar baritone voice said.

I raised my eyebrow at him and looked at Brion again. I smiled at him and pinched his nose a bit.. I left my bags outside 'cause I know he'll carry it anyway.

Pumasok ako ng buhat buhat si Brion. "Katherine!" Masayang bati ni Tita Lucia sa akin, lola of Brion.

"Hello tita!" Nagbeso kaming dalawa. She sat in the couch in front of her and offered me to sit. Umupo din naman ako kasi mabigat si Brion. Parang dati lang kaya ko siya ng isang kamay.

"Ang laki na ni Brion, tita."

"Oo nga eh! Sayang at hindi mo nasubaybayan. Anyways, I'm glad you're here. Ilang weeks ka daw mag stay sabi ni lola mo Nana?" She knows I have so much work to do and I usually visit here and stay for one or couple of weeks.

I wonder where lola Nana is right now. If she didn’t visit me before, I could’ve ruined my life and also Brion’s.

"Yes po, but this time much longer."

"Really?"

"A month." Ngiti ko.

They’re rich. They bought this big house just for Brion. This is actually named after him. I wanted to raise Brion in Manila, but they think it’s better to raise him here in Iloilo which I didn’t oppose since they’ll be the one to take care of him.

"That's great! Have you seen Louis already?” Nawala ang ngiti ko.

"Yes po, inakyat niya yata yung maleta ko." I looked at Brion who's currently sitting in my lap. I smiled at him.

"Let's go, Brion! Help mommy fix her things." He nodded and raised both of his arms to hug me.

I moved closer and he hold me on my neck. I smiled and carried him up.

"Mag Ayos lang po ako ng gamit," Paalam ko.

Tumango sila at ngumiti kaya umakyat ako dala dala si Brion. The room is still the same as it was the last time I visited. Hindi nila binago ang ayos.

Okay na rin naman dahil hindi ako maninibago. Pagpasok namin sa kwarto naabutan ko si Louis na nag aayos ng iba kong gamit.

"Ako na." I said. I sounded cold, but I just don’t like his presence.

"Daddy!" Sabi ni Brion and reached for his dad.

Binigay ko naman siya kay Louis para makapag-ayos na ako. Naglaro silang dalawa sa kama kaya hinayaan ko nalang muna.

Nilingon ko yung dalawa nung tumahimik sila. Brion fell asleep on my bed, nagtama ang mata namin ni Louis.. I coughed fakely and looked away.

"You can leave him here..." I said in a very low tone. I doubt he'd hear that.

"Okay..." He did.

Narinig ko siyang tumayo ng kama, I thought he's going to exit my room pero tinulungan niya ako ayusin ang mga gamit ko.

"I can do this.” I said.

"I know you can. I just want to help." Natahimik ako.

This is so awkward. Binilisan ko nalang ang pag-aayos ng mga gamit. Lumingon ako sa phone ko na kanina pa tumutunog. It's beside Louis.

Napatingin din si Louis doon, kaya agad kong kinuha ang phone ko at sinagot ang tawag.

"U-Uh Gio…” Pabulong kong sabi.

I stood up and walk towards the balcony. Nilingon ko si Louis at naabutan ko siyang inaayos pa din ang gamit ko.

He knows about my relationship with Gio. I tell him that everytime he tries to get me back.

"I miss you." He said.

I chuckled a bit and said, "Isang araw pa nga lang eh, I'll be gone for a month." I heard him sighed.

Besides busy din naman siya at kung hindi ako mag leave magiging busy din ako and we won't have time to see each other that often. What I mean is I must choose wisely.

Better have a vacation than doing a bunch of workload. Wala din naman sila magagawa once I made my decision.

This is the only time I could spend with Brion. I spend too much time on my work to the point na hindi ko na siya na aalagaan. I didn’t even get the chance to watch him grow up. I can only be with him once a year.

Danicah doesn't know about this either. Only mom, Louis' family and our friends here in Iloilo think that we're married. Mabilis lang ang pag-uusap namin ni Gio dahil may mga kailangan pa siya gawin.

I sighed and went back inside. He's always busy ever since pero mas naging busy siya ngayon. Maybe because I’m not around. I’m sure Danica is trying to give him some of the workloads too.

I’ll talk to her about it later.

"Gio?" Calvin said and looked at me.

"Uh... yes." I have to act normal.

We have to. Things get awkward when we’re the only one talking. I got tired of arranging my things kaya umalis ako sa tabi ni Calvin at pinuntahan si Brion..

"I'll do the rest... you must be tired.” Hindi ako sumagot. Tumabi ako sa paghiga kay Brion at niyakap siya.