"Hindi ka naman naging bad while mommy's away, right?" Miracle asked Alistair while caressing his hair slowly. They're currently in his bedroom since her son requested if she could sleep with him tonight.
And she said yes. Of course. Miss na miss niya na rin ang anak.
"Yes, mommy. I've always been a good kid ever since you went to other country. I also get the highest grades in our school," pagmamalaking sabi nito at ngumiti pa sa kaniya.
Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ng anak at hinalikan ito sa noo. "Ang talino talaga ng baby ko, kaya proud na proud ako sa 'yo. And I'm sorry if mommy went gone for a month. May mga bagay lang ako na inasikaso sa Pilipinas, anak."
"Ano po?"
She swallowed hard. "Hindi mo pa pwedeng malaman sa ngayon kasi baby ka pa, eh. You won't understand even if I explain it to you. And I don't want you to hate that person."
"Why would I hate someone? You told me to never hate someone unless they're pain in the ass." Nanlaki ang nga mata niya sa term na ginamit ng anak.
"Alistair! Where did you learn that word?" hysterical niyang tanong rito.
"From tito Aundrei," sagot nito.
Miracle can't help but to stare at her son's eyes. Matagal niya nang napapansin ang mga mata nito at kung paano ito tumingin.
His eyes are always happy whenever she's baby talking him. Pero kapag seryosong usapan, napapansin niya na malamig itong tumitig, parang si Trigger lang.
And she's worried about it. Baka nagpapanggap lang ang anak sa ekspresyong nilalabas ng mga mata nito. She's worried that Alistair really got his eyes from his father.
Kilala niya ang mga mata ni Trigger at kung gaano ito kalamig tumitig na parang normal lang, gano'n na gano'n din ang anak niya.
Matagal niya nang naoobserba 'yon sa mga mata ng Knights. Their eyes are cold, dark, unexpressive, and dead. Kaya nga tuwing tumitingin siya sa mga mata ni Alistair ay bine-baby talk niya ito dahil maging siya ay natatakot sa mga titig nito.
Miracle cleared her throat. "Stop copying your tito's words, it's for adults only."
"I'm not a kid anymore, mom," malamig na sagot ng anak at peke siyang nginitian na ikinatawa ni Miracle.
He's really not a fan of smilling and laughing, he only does that only if she's around. Kaya naiintindihan niya ang anak kung hindi man ito ngumiti sa ibang tao. Minsan nga ay peke lang din ang mga ngiti nito sa kaniya.
Just like his father. Manang-mana, mula sa itsura hanggang sa ugali.
Labi lang yata at kutis ang nakuha sa kaniya ng anak. Trigger's a bit tan, and she has a smooth pale and white skin that Alistair got from her. The rest, kay Trigger na lahat.
"Pero hindi mo pa rin puwedeng gamitin 'yung mga words na ginagamit namin kasi hindi siya appropriate pakinggan. You're just four years old, Alistair. Not unlike us who can say anything because we're already at the right age," she explained carefully.
"Bakit hindi puwedeng gawin ng mga bata ang ginagawa ng mga adults? Age inequality?" malamig pa rin na tanong ng anak.
She wanted to laugh with his questions. "Age inequality? It's not like that, son. Kapag may mga ginamit kasi kaming words, understandable kasi we're at the right age to feel that way. If we're upset and say bad words, it's normal because adults are already aware of their emotions. Kahit hindi ka na bata mag-isip, you still need to stop yourself from saying bad words because people might wonder who taught you that. And it's inappropriate for a kid like you to cuss. Okay?" Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ng anak na ngumiti lang sa kaniya ng tipid.
"You're good at explaining mom. But why can't you tell me the reason of your sudden vacation in the Philippines? You don't want me to hate my father?"
Huminto ang kamay ni Miracle sa pisngi ng anak nang marinig ang sinabi nito.
"Alistair, where d-did you--"
"Tito told me about the situation we're currently in. And I totally understand if you don't want to introduce him to me," sagot ng anak.
"Paano mo nalaman? I mean, oh gosh, Alistair nakakakaba 'yang utak mo," frustrated niyang sabi sa bata.
"Why? You didn't think that I'll actually understand? I understand, but just like what you said, I'm still a kid, mom. Everyone's asking where my dad was and I couldn't give them answers because I respect your decision. But if you're thinking that I would hate him, and that's what stopping you from being with him again, then please know that I always want to meet my dad to have a complete family. I'll still love him even if he's a bad guy. I want to meet him and spend some time with him. Pero kung ayaw mo sa kaniya, ayos lang sa akin. I'm already happy with you by my side, mommy. With lola, tito and lolo also."
Naluluha na pinagmasdan niya ang anak habang sinasabi nito ang mga bagay na 'yon. Hindi siya makapaniwala na ganito kalawak ang isip ng anak niya.
She almost forgot how clever Knights are. At hindi imposibleng namana rin 'yon ni Alistair. Lahat na lang.
Miracle wiped her tears away before kissing his forehead. "I'm sorry for keeping secrets with you, baby. Wala pang lakas ng loob si mommy mag-explain sa 'yo ngayon, okay lang ba? Susubukan kong ipaintindi sa 'yo kapag matapang na ako."
He nodded his head as he flashed a genuine and sweet smile. "Don't force yourself. I love you, mommy."
Niyakap agad niya ang anak at hinalikan ito sa ulo. "I love you too. Mommy loves you so much."
"Do you think my dad loves me too? Does he even know about my existence?"
"Of course, he will love you."
"He will? It means he's not aware that he has a son, right?" Tumango naman siya rito.
Alistair should get upset and throw tantrums but he didn't do that. Tipid lang itong ngumiti. "I'll know the reason soon, mom. Don't worry, I'm not upset with this set up."
BINABASA MO ANG
KNIGHTS I-6: Pursuing Cinderella (Trigger Knights)
General FictionPUBLISHED UNDER IMMAC PPH In the world of married couple, Miracle Fortalejo is not one of the lucky wives to experience the joy of it. With all the traumas and painful words from her cruel husband and her parents, the woman she used to be vanished a...
