Stonehearts 6: Alexandrite

Eighteen

After that validating day we spent at his parents house, our days with Gio got into a flash. He's been very consistent and persistent in convincing me about his true intentions.

Naging routine na niya ang araw-araw na pagsundo sa amin ni Clyde. We would drop Clyde first at his school saka niya ako ihahatid sa bago kong pinagtratrabahuhan. Which is I'm super thankful, kasi sobrang layo at out of way na ng bago kong pinapasukan.

I kind of miss my old friends na naiwan ko sa Ped Communications. Pero masaya rin ako dahil super flexible na ng working schedule ko ngayon.

Clyde grew happier and happier with each passing day with his Taytay Gio around. Minsan nga nagseselos ako dahil mas hinahanap na niya si Gio sa akin, ultimo assignments niya mas gusto niyang si Gio ang tumutulong sa kanya.

That was our very first fight ever. Matinding selos sa atensyon mula sa anak ko ang pinagmulan. I just kind of lost in after dinner. Hinayaan ko muna siyang paliguan at patulugin si Clyde bago ko siya sinumbatan na 'wag inaagaw ang posisyon ko bilang magulang kay Clyde. Of course, he got surprised with my sudden outburst. Akala ko nga aalis siya or worse sasabayan niya ang galit ko. Pero laking gulat ko nang hinapit niya ang bewang ko saka niya ako inakap ng mahigpit hanggang sa makalimutan ko na lang kung bakit ba ako nagagalit. When I was calm enough to talk to, he let me sit down and told me that he wasn't routing for Clyde to be only his but was trying to raise him with me. I went quiet after that as I let the warm feeling in my chest invade my other senses.

As for us, I really don't know what we are. I never asked him for a label nor do I have the courage to put one on us. Basta masaya ako na nagsasama kaming tatlo tuwing dumarating siya sa umaga at bago siya umalis ng gabi.

Once in a while natatanong na rin si Gio kung ano raw ba ang opinyon ko sa paglilipat ng bahay. Lagi ko lang siyang sinasabihan na lilipat na lang kami ni Clyde kapag naka-ipon na ako. Sinabi ko rin na balak ko rin kasing ilipat si Taba sa mas magandang Private School sa next school year kung kakayanin ng sahod ko. He just nodded his head and left it at that.

Hindi ko naman maipagkakaila na mas naging maginhawa ang buhay namin ngayong nandito si Gio. But still, as much as possible, ayaw kong nanghihingi ng tulong sa kanya dahil nakakahiya. But you know him, mas mapilit pa siya sa tindera sa Divisoria.

"Maraming horses ang Tita Q mo sa Hacienda, anak. I'm sure you'll enjoy it there." wika ni Gio while he drives. I was mindlessly watching the greens passing by my window when he put his hand on my knees, giving it a gentle squeeze. I stopped my daydreaming and turned to look at him, "Wifey, it's been a month and a half. Kailangan mo na silang ma-meet. They are my friends and extended family." he whispered.

I closed my eyes. This has been an on-going argument between us. Ever since he introduced us to his parents, he went on a frenzy on the introduction. Gusto niya lahat ng tao kilala kami as 'mag-ina' niya. Ngunit nang sinabi niyang ipapakilala na niya ako sa mga ito, doon na umurong ang sikmura ko. I don't know why but meeting my bosses who are his friends seemed to trigger my fears. Ilang beses rin akong nagpalusot na hindi makakasama sa dalaw nilang dalawa ni Clyde sa bahay nila Mommy Flora at Daddy George sa tuwing alam kong nandoon si Q at ang pamilya niya. Dinelay ko nang dinelay hanggang sa nagsawa siya at na-corner niya ako. Kinausap naman niya ako ng maayos, kaya nga napapayag niya ako. Like I said, Gio is a very persistent man when he wants something.

"I know. Natatakot lang naman ako." sagot ko sabay patong ng kamay ko sa kamay niya na nasa tuhod ko.

Maya maya pa ay pinagsiklop niya ang kamay namin saka niya hinalikan ang likuran ng akin. "Wifey, trust me. They already know you from my stories. Wala ka naman dapat ikatakot sa kanila."