"Dada, where are we?" Asked the little boy as he looked out of the car window. His dad was now parking their car in a villa which looked like a beach resort.
"Sa beach." Alex answered his son. He took his seatbelt off before tending to his little boy.
"Magsu-swimming tayo, hindi natin sinama sila Mama? Kawawa naman si baby Munti, baka gusto din nya mag swimming." The little boy continued as they got off the car.
Sinalubong naman sya ni Alex sa kabilang side at hinawakan ang kamay nya habang hawak naman sa kabila ang backpack ng bata.
"Nagpaalam naman po ako sa Mama mo." Naglakad na sila papunta sa beach side. "Atsaka, hindi naman mahilig mag swimming si baby Munti. Hindi sya mahilig sa tubig."
"Opo nga pala. Lagi sya tumatakbo and nag-iiyak pag papaliguan na sya ni Mama." Kumamot sa ulo ang bata bago tumingala sa ama nya. "Eh, Papa bakit hindi po natin sinama sila kuya Irom? O kaya si Toyang atsaka Buloy? Tsaka din pala sila kuya Eli at ate Indie? Diba po the more the merrier?" Tinutukoy nya ang mga anak ng kaibigan ng Dada nya.
"Eh kasi po, kuya baby Bubut, may event na inaayos ang parents nila."
"Ahhh... Yung para po sa birthday ni tita mermaid?" Nagliwanag ang muka ng bata sa laki ng ngiti nito.
"Yes po. That's today." Panatag naman na sagot ng ama.
"Eh bakit hindi tayo a-attend ng birthday ni tita mermaid doon?"
"Because we're celebrating here."
"Eh bakit tayo lang dalawa magce-celebrate, Dada?! Hindi naman masaya mag-celebrate na tayong dalawa lang. Dapat madami tayo."
Huminto sila sa paglalakad nang makarating sila sa dalampasigan. Alex stared at the sea that sparkled as rays of the sun hit wave after wave. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and smiled as he remembers her face. The keeper of his soul. The girl who led him to his happy ending. To forever and beyond. The girl who made the beautiful life he has, possible.He opened his eyes and looked at his son who was looking back at him curiously.
"Because we're celebrating with her here. Dito namin pinakawalan si tita mermaid. Right where she truly belongs." Alex explained to his son sincerely.
"Mermaid ba talaga si tita mermaid?" Bubut asked.
"Yes, she is." Alex nodded.
"May fish tail sya?" Nanlalaki pa ang mata ng bata.
"She's a mermaid at heart. Lahat ng imposible, nagiging posible sa kanya."
"Like magic?"
"Like magic." Alex patted Bubut's head. "We named you after her. Kasi, she made my and your Mama's paths cross. Tita mermaid made a bridge for your Mama and me, and she made sure that we'll meet in the middle. I brought you here because I want to finally introduce you to her."
Sumimangot si Bubut sa sinabi ng Dada nya.
"Ayoko po, Dada. Wag mo po ako papakawalan sa sea. Baka po malunod ako. Hindi ko na po makikita si Mama tsaka baby Munti! Dada, please po!" Naiiyak na pakiusap ni Bubut na nagpatawa naman kay Alex.
"Hay naku..." Inakap ni Alex ang anak. "Masyado pa nga talaga maaga para ipakilala kita kay Samuelle. Sige, anak, next time na lang. Pag malaki ka na at magaling ka na lumangoy."
