Man and Wife (Wifely Duties 2) - Published by PHR

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

*regrets in the end,

your character to bend,

a better you, the heavens intend. *

***

REEVE wanted to laugh like a mad man. Paanong naisip niyang mabilis lang maging magulang? He used to say to his colleagues that he enjoys fatherhood, when in fact, he's not yet able to experience the biggest part of it.

Akala niya, as long as he's a faithful husband, a hardworking man, a good provider--he's already considered a good father. Reeve thought that fatherhood is only having to provide all of your family's needs. Alam niya ring mahal niya ang asawa at mga anak. He has lots of family picture framed in his office—in corners, hanged in every wall, on his desk, shelf, and more of photos even inside his private room.

Ngunit minsan pala, kahit totoo ang damdamin at kaya mong ipakita sa ibang tao, nakakalimutan mo mismong patunayan iyon sa mismong minamahal mo.

"I don't wanna go to school! I was not able to study for my quiz!" Rainiel whined. "Daddy was not able to help me because of you!"

"S-Sorry, Kuya..." hikbi ni Riana hanggang sa tuluyan nang umiyak. "Please, go to school with me..."

"No! Gusto mo ikaw lang pinapansin ni Daddy! Bida-bida!"

"Daddy!!!" Adam cried, starving for some milk. "Daddy!!!"

Napangiwi si Reeve nang mas umingay nang sumabay na ang matinis na pag-iyak ng bunsong si Rade. Gutom na rin.

Mas binilisan niya ang pagkilos sa kusina. Damn, this is way harder than managing his hotels! Kailangan niya ng higit pa sa dalawang kamay at paa, o higit pa sa isang katawan!

Nagawa lang lagpasan ni Reeve ang unang araw niya kahapon kasama ang mga anak dahil dumating ang ama at biyenan niya eksaktong nagkakagulo ang mga bata. Pinuntahan siya ng mga ito upang may ikonsulta sa kanya tungkol sa hotels.

Daddy Philip took care of Adam and Rade who were fighting over the toys. Kinausap naman ng Papa niya si Rainiel na masama ang loob dahil hindi niya agad natulungan sa assignment nito. Inalo niya naman si Riana mula sa pang-aaway ng kuya nito dito.

Of all his children, si Riana ang madaling makausap. Wala siyang sakit ng ulo sa babaeng anak. Riana is... she's like his wife, Agatha. Kaya siguro mabilis niyang nakabisado ang anak. Riana's personality, her attitude, her way of thinking, it's all from her mother.

Akala niya ay hindi na mauulit ang ganoong tagpo. Ngunit ngayon—sa pangalawang araw niya ay nauulit na naman ang lahat.

"Be more patient with them, Reeve. They're kids. Normal ang pag-aaway at walang katapusang pag-iyak," his father-in-law said. "Hindi ko lang naranasan kina Johann at Agatha dahil magkahiwalay naman silang lumaki. Pero marami akong kapatid na babae, I know how worst sibling rivalries can get."

"Know your children first, Reeve. Para makuha mo ang loob nila," sabi naman ng Papa niya. "Alamin mo ang mga gusto, hulihin mo ang kiliti. By then, you can control them."

"Kuya Rainiel... pasok ka na sa school with me," Riana begged.

"No!" narinig niyang sigaw ng panganay. "Once Mommy gets home, isusumbong kita!

"Milk! Milk!" hagulgol na ni Adam. Followed by Rade's loud baby cry.

It's 6:30 AM in the morning and the noise is too much to handle for Reeve. Nagtatagis ang mga panga niya sa ingay ng mga anak. But, he can't get annoyed. Siya naman ang naglagay ng sarili niya sa sitwasyong 'to.