Hi, My Name is Science and I am your wife

One

SCIENCEINEA MONTEJO-DIZON

"Good morning!" masiglang bati ko sa kaniya.

"Where am I?" nakakunot-noong tanong niya habang nililibot ang paningin niya sa buong kuwarto namin.

Napangiti ako ng mapait nang dahil sa tanong niya.

Day 2,178 of being his wife. We're almost 6 years married. And still, I am here.

"You're in our house, Math," sagot ko.

Umupo ako sa tabi niya dala pa rin ang mapait na ngiti.

"Our house?" nagtataka pa ring tanong niya.

"My name is Science and I am your wife," pagpapakilala ko sa sarili ko. "Bahay natin 'to. Mag-asawa tayo."

Everyday, I keep on reminding him. Walang palya. The moment he fell asleep, his memories from a day will fade away and the moment he wakes up, he will keep on asking questions. The same questions. Everyday.

"How?" may halong pagtatakang tanong niya.

"5th of October, 9 years ago when we first met." nakangiting panimula ko sa kwento.

I glanced at him for a while. Seryoso siyang nakikinig at makikita mong enteresadong-enteresado siya sa kuwento ko. The look in his eyes are begging for me to continue my story.

"I was at the park that time. I was crying because my Dad left us. I was in middle of my dramatic moment when you suddenly interrupted saying 'Wag kang umiyak, papangit ka n'yan.'"

Unti-unti namang nag-unahan ang mga luha ko habang nagkukwento at inaalala ang lahat.

Akala ko sanay na ako. Hindi pa pala. Siguro, hindi ako sumusuko but it won't change the fact that I'm still not used in our situation.

"Shh..." he comforted while wiping my tears using his thumb. "Stop it. You're hurt."

"I'm damn hurt. Everyday. I am drowned in pain each day that I am with you. Being with you is like a hell but being in hell is my happiness and my only happiness is you. See? Sa huli, sa'yo pa rin ang bagsak ko."

"You're already tired. Aren't you?"

"Maybe, I am? Pero hindi ba, mapapagod lang at hindi susuko? Yakang-yaka!" pilit na nakangiting sabi ko.

"I love you."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. He forgets me. His memories are all gone. Araw-araw. But afterall, he does love me. Nakakalimot ang utak, pero hindi ang puso.

"I love you too," I repond, giving him a quick kiss on his lips. "Breakfast is ready. Philip's waiting at the dining room."

"Huh? Who's Philip?"

"Our son."

***

"Daddy! Let's play!" pangungulit ni Philip sa ama niyang tutok na tutok sa TV ang paningin.

"Later, Baby. Let's just watch cartoons first. Hmm?" sagot naman nito ng hindi man lang tinitignan ang anak niya.

Napailing na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa. Philip's attitude was from me. Makulit at hindi basta-basta sumusuko hangga't hindi nakukuha ang gusto. While Philip's physical appearance are all from Mathiu.

"Daddy! Kanina ka pa mamaya ng mamaya eh! Naka-ilang episode ka na ng Pokemon!" kamot ulong reklamo ni Philip kay Math.

Natatawa akong pinagmamasdan sila mula dito sa kusina kung saan naghahanda ako ng merienda para sa kanila.  Wife and mother duties.

"Here you go!" I announced as I finished preparing their snacks.

"Cookiessss!" sabay na sigaw nila.

Hindi pala lahat ng pag-uugali ni Philip ay sa akin, somehow, meron din naman sa ama niya.

"Opss! Wag mag-aagawan diyan ha! Both of you have three shares!" pagbabanta ko dahil panigurado ay mag-aagawan na naman sila kagaya na lang nung nakaraan.

"Yes Mommy!/Yes Wife!" they answered in chorus at nagsimulang kumain.

I sat on a single couch and watch them eating happily. So far, I'm contented of what I see and what I have. Both Math and Philip. They're my family. My life.

"Daddy, busog ka na? Akin na 'tong isang cookies mo ah?" bungisngis ni Philip.

"No. Give it to your Mom. Hindi pa siya kumakain," seryosong utos ni Math at nanunuod pa rin ng pokemon.

Bumaling si Philip sa akin dala-dala ang isang pirasong cookies na dapat ay kay Math.

"Mommy, akin na lang please?" pagpapaawa niya sa akin.

"Sure, Baby." nakangiting sabi ko.

"Yey!" he cheered and took a bite from the cookie.

"Bleh, Daddy!" pang-aasar niya sa ama niya at sinamahan pa ng mapanlinlang na tawa.

"Ipagluluto pa ako ni Mommy ng maraming cookies mamaya! 'Di kita bibigyan!" panggagatong naman ni Math.

"Mommy oh!" halos mangiyak-ngiyak na sumbong ni Philip sa akin.

"Hush, Baby. I'll bake more cookies for the both of you. Okay?"

"Okay!"

***

"Science, ayokong matulog," sabi pa ni Math no'ng isang gabi.

I know what he's thinking..

"Ha? It's late. Bawal kang magpuyat. Matulog na tayo." sabi ko at saglit pa siyang hinalikan sa labi.

"I'm afraid, Sci," pag-amin niya.

I sighed and smile to make him feel some relief.

"Kahit ako, Math. Kahit ako ay natatakot. Takot ako. Pero walang mangyayari kung laging takot ang paiiralin natin. We should face our fears. We should learn facing them."

Everyday, walang ibang bumabalot sa katawan, puso't isip ko kundi takot. Takot na sa katotohanang, kinabukasan, wala na naman siyang maaalala.

"I guess, you're right."

"I really am, Math."

"Good night, Wife. I love you."

"Good night, Husband. I love you too."