Exemplum (UNDER REVISION)

Chocolate

A very very short update again.

"Mama!"

Agad akong napalingon sa pinto nang bumukas ito. Tumakbo sa'kin ang five year old kong anak na si Inigo. Hingal na hingal pa ito, halatang kanina pa tumatakbo. Nagpigil ako ng ngiti habang sumulyap sa laptop ko.

"Mama, Forth ate your chocolates. He told daddy I ate one but I didn't.." Ngumuso pa ito.

"Why did Fourth tell daddy that you ate my chocolates?" I asked him in a calm tone.

"I don't know, mama.." Umiling pa ito at nagkibit-balikat pa. Natawa ako.

"Did Forth eat some of my chocolates?" Tumingin pa ito sa itaas habang nakanguso, tila nagiisip.

"Hmm.. yes, mama. He ate the one Papa gave you last night on your date.." Natawa ako dahil hindi ako naka-mute sa meeting at live kami. I heard ate Gretch and ate Ly's gasps.

"Are you sure you didn't eat one?" I asked her. Tumango ito at ngumanga pa, pinapaamoy ang hininga.

"Hmm? But you've been eating something.." Amoy crackers ang hininga n'ya. Malamang ay hindi tsokolate dahil wala namang kalat ng tsokolate sa gilid ng bibig n'ya. Madungis kasi siya'ng kumain ng tsokolate.

"Yes, mama. I ate biscuits.." Knew it. Rudy Baldwin, kabahan ka na!

"What flavor did you eat?" I asked him. He pursed his lips and chuckled. Natawa naman ako kahit walang nakakatawa.

"The guy flavor, mama.." Lalo akong natawa. Kung ano-ano siguro ang tinuturo ni Thirdy rito.

"What guy flavor?" I asked him again.

"Daddy said it's only for guys.." Natawa akong muli. Lagot ka talaga sa'kin mamaya, Ferdinand!

"Hey! I only fed you Rebisco.." Napalingon kami pareho sa pinto. Nakita ko si Thirdy at Forth na nakatayo. Si Forth ay ngumunguya pa at may chocolate sa gilid ng labi.

"Kung ano-ano kasing tinuturo mo sa bata," Pinanglakihan ko pa s'ya ng mata.

"Ako na naman? Ikaw talaga, Misis.." Mas lalo ko s'yang pinanglakihan ng mata dahil nadinig ko ang tilian ni ate Ly at ate Gretch. Nakalive nga pala ako.

"Oh my god.. hello, ate Ly, ate Gretch!" Kumaway pa si Thirdy at hinila ang upuan na nasa tabi ko.

"Forth, Inigo, say hi to your ninangs." Nagtago si Fourth sa likod ni Thirdy. Si Inigo naman ay kumandong sa'kin habang kumakaway.

"Hello, ninang gandas.." Humagikgik pa si Inigo.

"Anyway, going back.. ano nga ulit 'yong question?" I asked.

"Do you have plans to play volleyball again as a pro?" Ate Ly asked. Napaisip ako.

"Well, I'd be lying if sasabihin kong hindi s'ya sumagi sa isip ko.. But for now, kuntento ako sa pamilya ko. Kuntento ako sa pagdo-doktor. But Thirdy will return to Gilas naman as stated in the news," I answered. Napangiti si ate Ly.

"Pero, Bea.. Last question," Kinabahan ako bigla. Kalokohan 'to, panigurado.

"Bakit raw si Forth at Inigo, Ravena na? Ikaw, de Leon pa rin?" Ate Gretch asked.

"Sure ba 'yan?!" Thirdy asked. He was fighting for his life and trying to control his laughter.

"Hala, Ly may tinatago sila!" Saad ni ate Gretch na parang inapi.

"Well, it's not really a secret anymore.." Thirdy chuckled.

"Ah? E, we don't know what you guys are talking about rin," Ate Ly said. 

"Excuse you?! Anong 'I don't know'?!" Natatawa kong binitawan saglit si Inigo at kinuha ang laboratory gown ko at pinakita ang name plate na nasa kanang bahagi ng coat. Agad na nagulat at nagtilian sila ate Gretch at ate Ly. Thirdy was shy so he covered his face with his hands. Fourth and Inigo didn't know what was going on so they stayed silent.

Isabel Beatriz P. de Leon-Ravena, MD.

Cardiac Surgeon