This is War (War Series #3)

Chapter 46

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Chapter 46

Remind

Sinusuklayan ko ang buhok ni Hanniel habang nakatayo siya sa isang upuan. He's wearing a black knitted vest with white linings on the hem over a white polo, a pair of dark pants, and white rubber shoes.

"Do you really want to see your papa?" tanong ko.

Tumango si Hanniel habang pinagmamasdan ako. His cheeks are flushed and his lips look rosy. He looks like his half-sister, Narisse. Gwapong-gwapo ang anak ko sa gupit niyang clean cut at sobrang bango rin dahil sa pabangong iwinisik ko sa kaniya kanina. His baby perfume and powder smells soft, like lavender.

"Do you remember the things I told you about him?" I ask. 

"He's Rylan Ise Avalos. He's half-Japanese. He's the same age as Mama," ani Hanniel na para bang nagre-recite sa klase. 

Tumango ako. "You can ask Mama anything now."

"Mama, now that Papa is back, does that mean we will be together in the same house po?" kuryoso niyang tanong. 

I purse my lips and I shake my head. "Is that what you want?" Natahimik si Hanniel. "Sorry, baby. Mama will explain it to you when you grow up, okay?" I brush his hair with my hand.

Umiling si Hanniel. "It's okay, Mama." He pouts. "Hindi ko po alam kung okay lang po na kasama natin si Papa."

"Bakit naman po?" I ask curiously. 

"Kasi, Mama, hindi pa naman po natin siya kilala, e," aniya. "Hindi pa po natin siya nakikita. 'Di ba, sabi po ni Tito Jadon, don't trust and talk to strangers."

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o makakaramdam ng awa para kay Ise. 

"Mama knows your Papa so it will be fine," I tell him. "But we can't live in the same house because Mama and Papa are not married."

Hanniel's eyes glimmer with curiosity. "Kailangan po, married, Mama, so we can all sleep in the same house?"  

"Yes." I smile at him. 

"Let's marry Tito Allon so he won't go back to Nueva Ecija!" excited na sabi niya at nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil hindi ko inaasahang si Allon ang maiisip niya. My cheeks immediately heat up. "Kawawa naman po si Tito Allon, Mama. He only has a house at Nueva Ecija."

Hindi ba nasabi ni Allon na may bahay siya rito sa siyudad? "Tito Allon has a house here, baby. Don't worry."

It seems like Hanniel is very fond of Allon. Hanggang sa makita tuloy namin si Ise, hindi ko matanggal sa isipan ko ang sinabi niya. 

Hanniel is shyly clutching the hem of my deep rose pink dress' skirt as he stares at Ise who's now squatting in front of him so their eyes can level. 

Hinawakan ko ang balikat ni Hanniel at pinagmasdan ko siya nang mabuti. Hanniel looks at me and I can see the fear in his eyes. 

"He's your Papa, Hanniel," malambing na sabi ko, dahan-dahan at inaalalayan ang magiging reaksyon niya. 

Hanniel looks at Ise. Nang tingnan ko rin si Ise, nakita ko kung paanong rumehistro sa mga mata niya ang sakit at lungkot. 

"Ise, this is Hanniel," I say.

"Hi, Hanniel," ani Ise, maingat at inaabangan din ang reaksyon ni Hanniel.