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TITLE: MMFY 2: Between Now and Forever

LENGTH: 361
DATE: Mar 23, 2014
VOTE COUNT: 3114
READ COUNT: 511018
COMMENT COUNT: 84
LANGUAGE: Filipino
AUTHOR: pajama_addict
COMPLETED: 0
RATING: 3
MODIFY DATE: 2014-08-11 11:25:14

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####################################
MMFY 2: Between Now and Forever
####################################

Dear Readers,

I know how everyone's excited about Fire and Ice's comeback. I am too. I get
goosebumps just thinking about it. The continuation of their love story is still in
my head. Ako na muna ang kikiligin. Chos. You will start reading their story on
Wattpad by the first week of April. I hope you'll welcome them back warmly.

♥ jennicka
####################################
The Beginning
####################################

I hold your hand and it feels like you're holding my heart.

My heart which only calls and beats for you.
For you, whose smile nourishes my soul,
My soul whose only weakness is your eyes.
Your eyes that hold my heart captive with your gaze.
Your gaze that made me believe in forever,

A forever that exists simply because I'm holding your hand.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy Zamora
####################################
Chapter 1: Fire
####################################

"John!" I heard her scream and I felt my heart jump to my throat. "John!" She cried
again and I started to tremble. Hindi ko maintindihan yung takot at kaba ko. Dinaig
ko pa ang nakaranas ng sabay-sabay na basketball championship, UPCAT at yung
panahong nasa ospital si Irina at nag aagaw-buhay.

"Irina." I whispered. Dali-dali akong tumayo para puntahan yung pinanggalingan ng

mga sigaw at iyak nya. Kaya lang nagulat ako sa sunod na narinig ko.

"Wag na wag kang magpapakita sa akin kundi papatayin kita!" I heard her shout as
someone laughed.

"Mas malala pa pala si Irina sa Mommy nya." Atty. Samonte, my father-in-law, said
with a shake of his head. "Umupo ka, halatado kang nanginginig." He remarked
smiling.

"John!" She called again and I took a swig from the bottled water that my father
handed me. My hands were visibly trembling and I felt slightly dizzy as my heart
thumped crazily.

"Okay ka lang?" Dad asked patting my back. "Ganyan talaga, welcome to the club."

"Was Mommy like this?" I asked.

"Mas malala. Nasa tabi nya ako nung nanganak sya and she sat up to box my ears.
Kaya medyo nabingi ako eh." He said and I stared at him in alarm. Di ko alam kung
nagbibiro si Dad o seryoso.

"Si Isabel naman sigaw rin ng sigaw at nagsusumbong dun sa mother-in-law kong
matagal nang pumanaw." My father-in-law said and I felt more nervous.

"John!" I heard my wife cry out again and I stood up.

"Papasok ako." I said. The doctor had asked earlier if I wanted to witness the
birthing but Irina had flat-out refused saying that she'd be uncomfortable
screaming her guts out while I'm in the same room with her. Ayokong makita mong
umiiyak ako sa sakit. She had said. I rubbed my sweating palms against my denim
jeans as I strengthened my resolve. Papasok ako sa loob. I thought.

"Ang kabilin-bilinan nya ay hindi ka pwedeng pumasok." My father-in-law spoke and I

sat down again, my frustration increasing.

"John!" She called my name for the fifth time and I stood up and walked towards the
door of the delivery room that doubles as an operating room.

"Hindi ko kayang nandito lang ako, kailangan kong pumasok." I said as I walked back
towards my seat to sit down. I stood up again and walked towards the delivery
room's door.

"She'll be fine, JFK." My father-in-law said. "Her doctors repeatedly reassured us

that everything will be well."
"Pero baka po may--"

"Don't think negative thoughts." He cut me off. "Alam kong kabado ka, ako rin. Pero
Irina being in danger again is out of the question. Hindi pwede." He said and I
noticed that he was jiggling his left foot -- a mannerism that shows whenever he's
nervous. "She'll be fine." He murmured to himself. Dumating kami sa ospital ng alas
nuwebe ng umaga and instantly Irina was given an ultrasound to confirm the position
of the twins. She was immediately given an IV and wide, elastic electronic disks
were attached to her abdomen to monitor her contractions and the babies'
heartbeats.

"Son, umupo ka nga at kinakabahan ako lalo sayo." My Dad whispered. "Matapang si
Irina, kayang-kaya nya yan." He stated and I expelled a heavy breath. Every time
she screamed, I felt a tearing in my gut that's hard to ignore. Hindi ako
naninigarilyo but I badly wished for a cigarette that instant.

"She'll be fine." Atty. Samonte repeated. "My daughter will be fine."

"Nasaan sina Mommy, Dad?" I asked my father as he nervously clenched and unclenched
his fists.

"Ha?" He distractedly asked.

"Sina Mommy po nasaan?"

"Nasa chapel nagno-novena kasama si Mommy Isabel mo at Ingrid." Sagot nya nung
biglang bumukas ang pinto ng delivery room. Agad-agad tumayo kaming tatlo.

"Mr. Zamora?" A nurse asked and Dad pushed me forward.

"Yes?" I said wetting my parched lips.

"Mr. Zamora, hinahanap po kayo ng asawa ninyo, sir." She answered smiling and I
nearly sighed with relief. Finally, hinanap din ako. Hindi na ako isang walang
silbing maghihintay na lang sa labas ng delivery room. I murmured, relieved and
worried at the same time. I followed the nurse towards the delivery room as she
opened the first door. "Pakisuot po." She said as she handed me a flimsy-looking
lab coat, a hair net and a mask. "Pakitapat po yung kamay ninyo sa nozzle." She
directed before she pressed a small plastic button. I felt the cold, slimy texture
of the alcogel and I quickly lathered it into my hands. "Dito po." She said as she
pushed a second door.

"Where the hell is my husband?!" I heard Irina scream and I nearly tripped in my
haste to reach her. "John..." She cried as soon as she saw me.

"Masakit?" I asked and she nodded her head. "Kaya mo yan, Kitten."

"Kitten mo mukha mo!" She yelled. "Last na to, ayoko na!" She cried and I inwardly
winced.

"You're doing great." I said as I tried to smile remembering what the coach told me
in one of our pre-birthing classes. "Inhale, exhale." I instructed as I watched
tears race down her face. Si Irina ang pinakamatapang na taong nakilala ko and she
must be under a lot of pain if she's screaming her lungs out.

"Irina, you have to push harder this time." One of the doctors said.

"Do not tell me to push harder because I am pushing the hardest push I can!" Irina
answered snappily.

"Relax and let's try again. Habang nagtatagal kasi ang labor nagiging mas stressful
sa mga babies." She added and I felt a crushing pain as Irina gripped my hand. I
was trembling so bad when she started screaming that I actually gripped the side of
the bed for support. Hirap na hirap akong makita syang umiiyak at sumisigaw dahil
sa sakit at ang nakakainis, wala man lang akong magawa.

"That's it kaunti na lang." I heard the doctor say as I was bathed in cold sweat. I
did not even realize it but I was breathing through my mouth imitating my wife.

"You can do this, Kitten." I whispered as she screamed sending hundreds of daggers
straight into my heart. Tangna, papakapon na ako. I thought as she closed her eyes
to get ready for another push. I silently recited a disjointed assortment of
prayers and promises as I helplessly watched her in pain. I made worthless pledges
like promising that a glass of warm milk awaits for her everyday as she eats
breakfast to really poignant ones like loving her forever and showing her just how
much I love every second. Kung alam ko lang na ganito to kasakit para sa kanya, I
would have avoided getting her pregnant like the plague. I muttered quietly. The
doctor had offered painless birthing but Irina wanted to go through normal
delivery. Sabi nya gusto nya daw ma-experience yung naramdaman ng karamihan ng mga
Mommies in giving birth. Ang tigas kasi ng ulo nitong asawa ko. I murmured to
myself torn between pride and agony.

"That's one great push, Irina." The doctor encouraged.

"Kaunti na lang, Kitten." I said.

"One more push in three." The doctor said. "One... two...push!" She commanded and I
felt the sound of my bones crushing as Irina's grip on my hand intensified. My eyes
widened when I saw the head of the baby come out. "Very good, kaunti na lang." The
doctor calmly said as she methodically suctioned my child's nose and mouth. "One
more push." She said as she slowly pulled the baby out of Irina. I felt like
fainting as I watched the baby emerge. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa kaba o dahil sa
tuwa. I did not even realize that I took a step back until Irina called my name.

"John!" I heard her say. "Don't you dare faint on me, sisipain talaga kita!" She
yelled. A few seconds later, I heard the baby cry and I felt my eyes water. I
averted my gaze as I hastily wiped my eyes with the back of my free hand.

"It's a girl." The doctor said as she put the baby on top of Irina's womb and dried
her up. I gazed at my daughter for the first time and my heart just swelled with
pride. They covered her with a warm blanket and put a cap on her head before the
doctor clamped the umbilical cord in two places.

"Wait for a few minutes before you cut the cord." Irina mumbled weakly as I leaned
forward to wipe her forehead with a large swab that one of the nurses handed to me.
We read over the internet that delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord is good
for the baby and I was surprised that despite the pain she must be feeling ay
naalala pa rin nya yun. A nurse stepped forward to take my daughter off my wife's
abdomen and she frowned as she tried to sit-up.

"Saan mo dadalhin ang anak ko?" She demanded, her voice firm.

"Irina, for the 5-minute Apgar score." The doctor answered for her. "Don't worry,
nothing bad will happen to your baby. Dyan lang sya sa tabi natin ichi-check. You
can actually see her from here." She added and Irina nodded her head as she slumped
back into the bed.
"You're doing great." I said. "I am extremely proud of you." I uttered and she gave
me a weak smile before she grimaced.

"Irina, may isa pa." The doctor said and my wife nodded her head. "Let me check the
position of the baby first." Sabi ng doktor. "The baby's head is near the cervix,
very good." She casually uttered. "Contractions?" She asked and Irina winced before
she nodded. "Ready na?" She asked.

"Yes." Irina replied.

"On three..." She instructed and Irina pushed again but the baby slid out of her on
the first try. "Naku, nagmamadali itong isang to." The doctor laughingly said as
she again cleaned the baby's nose and mouth. I felt my insides quiver as I heard
his first cry. "Say hello to your son, Mr. Zamora." The doctor said as my vision
started to blur.

"John!" I heard Irina's voice in the background and I turned my head to look at her
before I completely blacked out.

####################################
Chapter 2: Fire
####################################

I woke up dazed and confused. I gazed at the white ceiling above me. My hand
automatically flew to my head as I felt a throbbing pain on the left side of my
temple. I felt a bump and groaned closing my eyes again.

"Have you seen this? Look at Twinkle yawn. Such a cutie!" I heard Mom say and I
felt disoriented.

"The babies have their Mommy's dimples!" Oh shit. Babies. Nanganak nga pala misis
ko! I bolted upright and felt dizzy at the abruptness of my movement.

"The Dad has finally woken up." I heard my dad say and I looked up to smile at them
as I cupped my head with my hand

"Are you okay, son?" Mom asked and I nodded my head.

"Where's Irina?" I asked as I staggered to my feet. "Mom, I need to see my wife." I

uttered. Being a father feels great but my priority will always be as Irina's
husband. I realized early on that if I fail as a husband, I would probably fail as
a father.

"You fainted." Irina's Dad stated before he started to laugh and I felt my ears go
hot with embarrassment. Oo nga naman, spectator lang ako kanina pero ako yung
hinimatay. My father-in-law would probably harp about it until my ears fall off. I
thought with a grimace. "Aba, parang ikaw ang umere ah." He joked and I winced.
"Hon! Stop teasing JFK!" Irina's Mom admonished with a cluck of her tongue. "Okay
lang yan." She said. "Ang mga Daddy talaga mas kinakabahan, even Irina's Dad wasn't
immune to that. In fact, naihi nga yan nung pinanganak ko ang asawa mo. At
humagulgol yan ng todo." She confided and all eyes swiveled towards Atty. Samonte.

"That's nonsense." He murmured as he averted his gaze. "No such thing happened."

"The ignominies of being a first-time father." Dad good-naturedly said. "I'm just
glad na meron na tayong bagong makakalaro ng golf, Kumpadre." He added patting my
father-in-law's shoulder and immediately his expression changed.

"That's true." He answered smiling. I excused myself and headed towards the door.
"Saan ka pupunta?" Daddy Ireneo asked.

"To see Irina po, Dad."

"Do you even know what room she's in?" He inquired and I stopped walking as they
all laughed.

"Parati nyo na lang pinagtatawanan ang anak ko! Come here, son I'll take you to
your wife's room." Mom said as she pulled me with her towards Irina's room. We
quietly opened the door and the nurse stationed inside Irina's room looked up and
smiled politely at us before she left. "She's sleeping, sobra kasing nakakapagod
ang manganak, siguro ilang oras pa bago sya magising." Mom whispered. I looked at
Irina's sleeping form. She looked pale and fragile. And very young. I thought
suddenly feeling guilty. Para ko syang ninakawan ng kabataan nya. I thought with a
sigh.

"But she's fine, right? No complications? Is there anything that I should be

worried about?" I murmured as I gently held my wife's hand.

"She's doing great. Sa awa ng Diyos, maayos naman ang lagay nya." Mom whispered
back as I let Irina's hand go to pull the chair closer to her bed.

"Is she supposed to look this pale?" I asked in a whisper and Mom patted my
shoulder.

"She's fine, don't worry." She answered. "By the way, Irina's seventeenth birthday
is in a week, right?" Mom asked and I nodded my head.

"Opo. May 26." I answered.

"I'll leave you alone with her." Mom murmured and I nodded my head again as she
left, closing the door behind her. As a man, there are realizations that will haunt
you and one of them is the fact that your wife needs to put her life on the line to
make you happy. I was excited when I learned that she was pregnant and I can still
feel that excitement I felt then. Pero ngayon, it's blended with fear.

"Kitten, huli na tong kambal, ayoko na." I whispered as I guided her hand to cup my
right cheek. "Baka sa susunod di na lang ako hihimatayin, baka atakehin na ako sa
puso." I added. "Magpapakapon na ako para sayo, Kitten." I jokingly said.

"Loko, paano na tayo liligaya?" She whispered weakly, opening her eyes. "Ang drama
mo."

"Thank God you're awake." I said overflowing with relief. "May kailangan ka ba?
Tubig? Pagkain? Are you craving for anything?" I asked and she laughed softly.
"Mukhang sobra ang guilt mo sa pagse-seduce sa isang inosenteng dalagang tulad ko."
She kidded and I chuckled. "Mag-helmet ka next time ha, may bukol ka tuloy." She
said as she motioned for me to come closer. "Na-check up na ba to?"

"Oo, nothing serious naman siguro. Nasa loob ako ng hospital room when I woke up,
I'm sure our parents had this checked." I replied and she nodded her head. I
suddenly felt overwhelmed with pride, kahit ako ang Daddy ng mga bata feeling ko
wala akong silbi -- she carried them for nine months and gave birth to them
samantalang ako tagabili lang ng gusto nya at tagamasahe ng paa nya nung buntis
sya. "I love you." I said as I moved to hug her to my chest. "My respect for
mothers and all women just skyrocketed after I witnessed what you went through for
the twins." I said and I felt my eyes well up. Takte ka, Fire ikaw na nga tong
walang silbi, ikaw pa yung iyakin. I chided myself as I tried to hide my tears from
her. Pero knowing Irina, agad-agad napansin nya.

"Umiiyak ka?" She asked.

"Hindi." I lied. "Hindi ko sasabihin." I rectified and she laughed softly.

"Ito naman. Wag ka nang umiyak, makakaulit ka pa naman sa akin eh." She teased.
"Nakita mo na ba ang mga bata?" She inquired and I shook my head.

"Kanina nung lumabas sila pero ngayon hindi pa."

"They let me carry them in my arms after they cleaned them up. Ang daya mo, dimples
lang nila nakuha ko. Anong klaseng genetic distribution ang nangyari? Akala ko ba
50/50, bakit parang lugi yata ako sa hatian?" She asked teasingly.

"Ayaw mo bang kamukha ko sila?"

"Aayawan ko ba naman yang gandang-lalaki mo?" She asked and we both laughed as the
door opened to reveal our parents.

"Princess, you're awake!" Irina's mom exclaimed and I stepped back so she can hug
her daughter. "You did good, Princess. You did good."

"Congratulations, Irina." Mommy said as she came forward to embrace my wife. "I am
so proud of you. The babies are beautiful, I am so proud to be their grandmother."
She said kissing Irina on the cheek before she stepped sideways to allow my Dad to
hug my wife.

"You did great, Irina. Congrats." He said hugging her quickly before he stood
beside Mom.

"Princess." Atty. Samonte uttered as he moved forward to embrace his daughter.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you po, Dad." She replied as she kept hugging him. "Wag nyo na pong tuksuhin
si John, Dad dahil dun sa pagkahimatay nya, ha. Promise me." She uttered and her
Dad laughed before he turned to grin at me.

"Oo na, hindi na." He acquiesced before he let her go. "Hon, nasaan si Ingrid?" He
asked Mommy Isabel.

"Nasa nursery, binabantayan ang mga pamangkin nya. Kanina pa nga yun doon, she's
been taking pictures and videos of the twins, ipo-post nya daw sa FB nya. Teka lang
at iti-text ko, bilin nya kasi sabihan ko sya as soon as magising ang Ate nya." My
mother-in-law said as she took her phone out of her bag. A few minutes later,
Ingrid, hyper as ever, burst inside the room and shrieked.
"Ate!" She called as she ran towards her sister. "Ate akin na lang yung mga babies
mo, please! Kaya nyo pa namang gumawa ng iba eh! Sige na!" She excitedly said as we
all laughed.

"Wag ganun, baby. Nakita ko na ba yang bukol ng Kuya mo? Ganyan kahirap gumawa ng
bata." Irina retorted laughing.

"Ay,wait! I'll tell them ask if they can take the babies here kasi gising na si
Ate!" Ingrid exclaimed before she ran out of the room again.

"Nakakatuwa talaga itong si Ingrid." Mom said and Mommy Isabel laughed.

"Naku, Madeline may boyfriend na yata at nagpupuyat na sa kaka-chat. Dati nanunuod

lang yan ng Korean drama, ngayon puro skype na at Facebook ang inaatupag."

"Masyado pang baby si Ingrid para magka-boyfriend." Irina's Dad declared and my
parents gave him knowing smiles. "Kakapanganak lang ng panganay ko, wag naman
muna." He told them and Dad patted his shoulder consolingly. Minutes later, Ingrid
walked inside the room with two nurses in tow.

"Andito na sila!" Ingrid excitedly whispered as I felt my heart twitch at the sight
of my children. They let me hold my daughter first and I understood that instant
why my father-in-law reacted the way he did when he learned about Irina and me. A
father will never deem any boy worthy of his daughter. Ever.

"Naku, may naiiyak." I heard my father-in-law say and I smiled. "Tingnan natin how
JFK will fare kapag may aakyat na ng ligaw sa anak nya." He said and the smile
vanished from my face. Dadaan sa karayom na walang butas ang manliligaw sayo. I
thought staring at my daughter's face.

"Kuya! Ako! Ako kakarga!" Ingrid said and Mommy Isabel taught her how to hold her
niece as I took my son from the nurse.

"Blaze." I said and he looked at me. Or maybe I just imagined that he did but I
felt my heart squeeze. Holding your newborn daughter is different -- yung
protectiveness nagsu-surface agad-agad. Gusto mo syang protektahan, gusto mong
gawing matino ang mundo para sa kanya. Pero sa anak mong lalaki, iba ang dating --
gusto mong maging isang mabuting tao para pag lumaki sya, gugustuhin nyang maging
tulad mo. You want to be your daughter's hero but you want your son to like you
enough that he will want to be Superman... like you.

"JFK and his realizations." Dad teased after the nurses took the babies back to the
nursery. "Are you okay, son?" He asked and I looked up and nodded my head.

"Opo." I replied. "Kamukhang-kamukha ko ang mga bata." I proudly declared and saw
my wife frown.

"They have my dimples and my charm." She replied airily.

"Of course." I answered diplomatically. "They have their mother's formidable spirit
and superior intellect too." I added as I kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I know we agreed about naming your first daughter after your Mommy Isabel and me
pero let's rethink that decision." Mom said and we all looked at her. "Kambal kasi
sila, I want them to have matching names. Hindi ba, Isabel?"

"Oo, I think they should have matching names too. Yung susunod na anak na babae nyo
na lang ang ipangalan nyo sa amin. Besides, nagtatampo ang mga Daddy ninyo bakit
kami lang daw ang nakapangalan sa mga apo namin." Mommy Isabel confided with a
laugh.

"Hindi naman sa nagtatampo." Dad said.

"Nagtatampo ako." Irina's Dad announced. "Kahit sana unang letra man lang ng
pangalan namin ni Julio makasama sa pangalan ng mga apo namin."

"Kaya nga, para wala nang away, wag na nating ipangalan si Twinkle sa amin ni
Madeline. Mag-isip na lang tayo ng bagong names." Irina's Mom said as the door
opened.

"Good afternoon." Dr. Malbas, greeted and we greeted her back. "How's the new
mommy?" She asked smiling at my wife.

"Just peachy. Para akong nakipa-wresting at nakipag-boxing ng sabay." Irina

answered and her doctor laughed as she took Irina's temperature and blood pressure
readings.

"Ganyan talaga yan." She uttered as she wrote something down on Irina's chart. "But
don't worry, you're young so your body will recover quickly. Do you need meds for
the pain or is it tolerable?"

"Ayoko ng gamot because I want to breastfeed." She said and the doctor nodded her
head. "Congratulations ulit for the twins." She said looking at all of us. Nung
lumabas sya sa room ni Irina everyone talked at the same time suggesting names.

"Cool, Ate kapag seasons like Winter and Summer."

"I would prefer historical figures." My father-in-law said.

"Or inventors and scientists." Dad piped in.

"I need my phone." Irina suddenly said. I handed her phone to her and she started
tapping away. "How about this Ioann Ylli and Ioana Yllka?" She asked and we all
stared at her uncomprehendingly.

"Yo-ann Eli at Yowana Elka, ate?" Ingrid asked, voicing everyone's unspoken
question. "How do you spell that? She asked and Irina spelled it out for her.

"Ah, okay. It's unique and cute. Tsaka I at Y din yung start ng names parang sa
amin ni Ate." Ingrid said nodding her head in approval.

"What do the names mean?" Mom asked.

"They mean John's stars." Irina replied. That night as I watched her sleep, I
realized one thing -- I will never be worthy of Irina and I hope the day won't come
when she'll realize it too.
####################################
Chapter 3: Fire
####################################

I glanced at my cellphone as I felt it vibrate and read a text message from

Christian. Susunduin ko dapat sila lobby ng hospital. It's been two days since
Irina gave birth and the visitors came in droves. Earlier, some of our schoolmates
from St. Bernadette visited at ngayon ang mga kaibigan namin ni Irina ang naka-
schedule na dadalaw. I dialed Christian's number and it took three rings before he
answered my call.

"Teka, tumatawag si Fire." I heard him say.

"Tanga mo kasi eh! Bakit mo hinulog yung box ng cupcakes! Yun na nga lang gagawin
mo di mo pa magawa ng maayos! Alam mo bang alas kwatro ng madaling araw na ako
nakatulog para i-bake lang ang mga yun?!"

"Fire." Christian said. "Teka lang ha." He added. "Saglit lang, pwedeng tumahimik
ka nga muna kasi ang ingay-ingay mo, kausap ko nga si Fire at di na kami
magkarinigan!" He snapped and I laughed. "Hello, Fire."

"Okay lang kayo?" I asked and he sighed. "Napakabungangera nitong babaeng to." He
whispered. "Kanina pa to salita ng salita, nagtataka nga ako at di pa sya
namamaos!"

"Di bale na, mahal mo naman yan kaya tiis-tiis din." I joked and he sighed again.
"Nasaan na kayo? Malapit ako sa Vendo machines sa right side ng reception." I
spoke.

"Nasa kabila kami, teka lang. Ayun! Nakita na kita." He said and I turned my head
and saw him wave. I disconnected the call and waved back before I walked towards
them. Madami silang bitbit, Si Yvette may hawak-hawak na pink at blue teddy bears
at balloons. Si Christian naman maraming dalang mga kahon.

"Bakit di na lang kayo dumiretso sa room ni Irina?" I asked as I took three of the
boxes off his arms.

"Wala pa rin kasi sina Blessie tsaka papatulong ako sa pagbitbit ng mga to." He
sheepishly said and I smiled.

"Hi, Yvette! Wag nang mainit ang ulo. Ang ganda pa naman ng panahon, dapat maganda
rin ang mood mo." I joked.

"Hi, Fire." She replied. "Sino ba namang hindi iinit ang ulo eh hinulog nitong
isang to ang pinaghirapan kong i-bake na cupcakes para kay Ice? Kung saan-saan kasi
nakatingin sarap tusukin ang mata ng karayom!" She vehemently declared and I was
surprised at her outburst. That's harsh. I thought.

"Wag ganun." I uttered as I laughed to diffuse the tension. "Napakaliit na bagay

lang eh, hindi dapat pinag-aawayan. Sigurado akong hindi sinadya ni Christian yung
nangyari." I tried to pacify her but she glanced at Christian angrily before she
averted her gaze. "Salamat pala, Yvete at nag-bake ka pa ng cupcakes para sa misis
ko. I'm sure maa-appreciate ni Irina yung effort mo kahit na natapon yung
cupcakes." I said and she smiled thinly at me. "Anu-ano pala ang laman ng mga boxes
na ito?" I asked directing the question at Christian who looked so miserable it was
difficult not to take pity on him.
"Halu-halo laman nyan, Fire. May biko, halayang ube, leche flan at macaroons." He
answered quietly.

"Talagang pinaghandaan nyo pagpunta dito, ah. Salamat." I said and they both nodded
their heads.

"Sina Celine dumating na ba, Fire?" Yvette asked and I nodded.

"Oo, kaninang bandang ala-una. Nasa taas na kausap ni Irina." I replied. Ano kayang
nangyari sa dalawang to? Parang kailan lang hindi mo mapaghiwalay tong mga to nung
nag-baby shower kami para sa kambal. I thought as I glanced at the couple. "Teka
nga, ako'y nalilito na sa inyo. Anong meron at parang di yata maayos pakikitungo
ninyo sa isa't isa? May tampuhan ba?"

"Wala, Fire kaunting di-pagkakaunawaan lang." Christian retorted.

"Kaunting di-pagkakaunawaan?! Gago ka, pauso ka eh! Alam mo bang may text
girlfriend yan, Fire? Text girlfriend! Pakshet, ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng ganun.
May girlfriend na nga sa totoong buhay, may girlfriend pa sa text! Ang kapal-kapal
ng mukha!"

"Honeybabe--"

"Peste! Wag mo akong matawag-tawag na Honeybabe at itutulak talaga kita mula sa 4th
floor nitong ospital!" Yvette hissed and Christian sighed. Kahit sino naman
sigurong babae kapag nahuli kang may ibang girlfriend mapa-text man yan o sa kung
saan ay magagalit. I thought as I watched Christian's woeful expression. Sa isyu
nila, kay Yvette ako kampi pero hindi ko pa naririnig ang panig ni Christian kaya
ayoko syang husgahan. I consolingly patted his shoulder and he sighed again.

"Yvette!" I heard someone exclaim and the three of us looked at the direction of
the voice.

"Blessie! Hope!" Yvette replied waving her hand at the twins who were all smiles.
"Hi, Ken!"

"Hello, sa inyong lahat!" Ken greeted as we patted each other's backs in greeting.
"Kumusta ang bagong Daddy?" He asked and I smiled. "Nakita ko sa FB ang mga babies
ninyo at kamukhang-kamukha mo. Nadaya yata si Ice sa hatian." He joked and I
laughed.

"Yung nga rin sabi nya eh." I replied as the girls started to talk excitedly.

"Hoy, mahiya nga kayo, nasa ospital kayo at wala kayo sa mall, hinaan nyo naman mga
boses ninyo." Kenneth said and they threw dirty looks at him.

"Chura mo, labhan mo muna yang pantalon mo bago mo kami pagsabihan!" Blessie
snapped and Hope nodded her head in agreement.

"Bagong laba to, ano." Kenneth answered smiling. "Pinalabhan ko talaga tong lucky
pantalon ko para i-welcome ang babies nina Fire. Nakakahiya namang makita nila ang
ninong nilang hindi bagong laba ang pantalon." He added. Sabay-sabay kaming
naglakad papuntang elevator at patuloy na nagkwentuhan ang mga babae samantalang
kaming mga lalaki ay tahimik lang. We got off on the fourth floor and I led them to
Irina's room.

"Ice!" The girls exclaimed happily.

"My gosh! Hi mga mare!" Blessie said as Celine, Elizabeth and Maia stood up to
greet them. They exchanged hugs and began chattering animatedly. I put the boxes on
top of the table near the foot of Irina's bed before I went to the comfort room to
wash my face and my hands.

"Kumusta ang Mommy?" I asked as I sat down beside her.

"Na-miss kita." She murmured as I kissed her on the forehead.

"Grabe naman tong dalawang to, masusundan yata agad ang mga inaanak natin." Celine
remarked and the rest turned towards us.

"Ay, wala talagang respeto sa mga single tong dalawang to!" Blessie joked as Irina
and I laughed.

"Kumusta na kayo? Last nating kita sa baby shower which was more than a month ago."
Irina asked and the girls nodded their heads.

"Walang bago sa amin, aside from the fact na may pinsan kaming dumating galing
Australia."

"Babae?" Kenneth asked immediately.

"Hindi. Koala bear." Pabalang na sagot ni Hope.

"Nakakahalata na ako sayo, Hope. May crush ka sa akin ano?"

"Pahinging blade, maglalaslas na lang ako pag nangyari yun." Hope answered.

"Wag laslas, twin masyadong madugo. Bigti na lang. May lubid na akong hinanda sa
bahay." Blessie rejoined and we all laughed.

"Break na kami." Yvette suddenly said and we stopped laughing.

"Ha?" Irina asked looking at me.

"Bakit?" Celine inquired.

"Teka lang, kelan pa?" Hope questioned.

"OA nyo ha tapos na ang April Fools Day, kabanas!" Blessie added and Elizabeth and
Maia stared questioningly at Christian.

"Hoy, Christian magsalita ka." Maia prodded.

"Oo, friends break na kami kasi nahuli ko yang nambabae. Ang kapal ng mukha, nahiya
ako sa tangkad nya grabe!"

"Honeybabe--"

"Honeybabe ka pa dyan!"

"Baka misunderstanding lang." Kenneth butted in. "Alam ko kayang mahal na mahal ka
nito." He said grinning as he draped an arm around Chrstian's shoulders. "Di ba,
bro?" He asked and Christian nodded his head.

"Teka lang, naguguluhan ako. Paano pa nagkaroon ng time mambabae yang jowa mo eh
magkasama kayo araw-araw?" Tanong ni Elizabeth. "Di ba nga pag magka-text tayo
parati mong sinasabi na kasama mo si Christian?"
"Yun na nga masama dun eh, magkasama na nga kami araw-araw nakuha pa akong lokohin
ng gagong to!" Yvette angrily uttered as she took a handkerchief from her bag and
started dabbing her eyes. "Sorry, Ice. Sorry, Fire." She murmured looking
apologetically at us and we just mutely nodded our heads. "Ang drama ko, baka
umasim ang breastmilk ni Ice dahil sa akin." She said before she blew her nose. No
one said a word as a fresh batch of tears started spilling from Yvette's eyes.
"Sorry." She whispered before she ran out of the room. All the girls followed her.

"Ian, anong nangyari? Did you two-time her?" Irina asked and Christian clutched his
head with both his hands.

"Sorry, kahit naman anong paliwanag ko alam ko sa kanya ka kakampi." He murmured

and Irina's brows furrowed.

"Hindi ko naman kailangan ng explanation eh, but you owe one to Yvette. Isang
tanong lang, talaga bang nagkaroon ka ng ibang girlfriend?"

"Loko-loko lang yun, nothing serious." Christian answered and Irina shook her head
disbelievingly.

"What the freak, Ian!" She yelled and Christian excused himself and apologized
before he too left.

Later that night, I lay down beside her and she snuggled closer to me. Meron pang
isang bed kung saan pwedeng matulog ang bantay ng pasyente but I will never get
used to not sleeping beside Irina.

"Puppy, anong iniisip mo?" She whispered against my chest.

"Hindi lang ako makapaniwalang naghiwalay si Yvette at Christian. Parang kailan

lang ang saya-saya nila at inggit na inggit ako sa kanila sa Tagaytay noong
nagpapaalaman sila sa elevator."

"Ganun talaga not everything lasts." She murmured.

"Except you and I." I said and he looked up from my chest and smiled.

"Except you and I." She repeated and I hugged her tight.

"Are you comfortable? Baka nahihirapan ka na dito ako natutulog sa kama mo." I
asked and she shook her head.

"Hindi ako sanay na hindi kita katabi. Kaya nga gusto ko nang umuwi eh kasi I want
to sleep in our bed wrapped in your arms. This bed is too small for you."

"Uuwi naman na tayo bukas kaya malapit na yung gusto mong sleeping in our bed
wrapped in my arms." I said and she laughed softly before she burrowed her face
deeper into my chest.

"What's bothering you, John? I can sense that something is troubling your mind and
I want to know what it is."

"Just realizations."

"Like what?" She asked and I held her face with my hand. "While you were in labor,
I was so afraid of losing you. I was so afraid seeing you in pain and I blame
myself for repeatedly seducing you."
"I like that. Dapat nirerecord natin to. Sa wakas umamin ka na ding sineduce mo nga
ako." She teased and I chuckled.

"Aminado naman." I answered before I sighed. "Feeling ko wala akong naitulong sayo
even when you were pregnant. I remember you had a hard time every morning because
you were experiencing heartburn, your feet were swollen that you had difficulty
walking and you always had backaches. Alam kong marami kang dinadaing nun pero ayaw
mong sabihin sa akin kasi ayaw mo yatang maramdaman ko that I made your life
difficult."

"No." She said. "I'm not going to deny the swollen feet, the bloated feeling na
para kang kumain ng isang dosenang inflated balloons, the heartburn, the morning
sickness, the mood swings, the backache and all the aches that a human being can
possibly feel, lahat yun naramdaman ko but the real reason why I endured it all is
because I chose to. Pinili na kita, pinili kong magbuntis at pinili kong magsimula
ng pamilya ng maaga kasama ka kasi mahal kita."

"Kitten, ako yata ang nagpo-post partum kasi naiiyak ako." I mumbled laughing as I
wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

"John, I'm serious. Do not ever doubt how much you mean to me. Do not ever doubt
what I can do because of my love for you. Do not ever doubt how brave I am. I will
withstand everything basta alam ko na nandyan ka. I don't want you to undermine
your worth. My pregnancy would have been hell if not for you, you made the
experience beautiful for me." She murmured and I kissed her on the cheek.
"Gentleman ah." She kidded and I laughed.

"4-6 weeks pa daw eh, baka mapasubo tayo." I uttered and she laughed.

"Kaya mo namang tiisin di ba?"

"Oo naman, Kitten. Para yun lang." I answered. "Napakaliit na bagay kumpara sa
sacrifice na ginawa mo."

"Ang sweet naman ng Puppy na to."

"I love you Irina Ysobel Samonte - Zamora and that will never change."

"I love you, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Zamora, you are my one true constant." She
replied and I pinched her cheek.

"Matulog ka na, anong oras na kaya at kailangan mong magpahinga." I said and she
closed her eyes as I pulled her closer against me and I knew that whatever life
throws at us, we will be okay.
####################################
Chapter 4: Fire
####################################

We moved into our new home inside a posh subdivision near U.P. Diliman. I admit I
was unsure kung kaya naming dalawa na kami lang even with the battalion of house
helps that our parents sent. I'm not used to executing decisions and Irina's not
used to running a household at nakaka-disorient yung bagong responsibilities but
our parents thought that we should live on our own dahil meron nang mga bata.

"Hindi kayo matututo kung nakasandal pa rin kayo sa amin. May pamilya na kayo but
don't worry, we have your backs." My father-in-law said. Just hours after they
drove us to our new home ay balak na nilang umalis to give us a feel of married
life.

"Tsaka araw-araw kaming dadalaw dito to check how you're doing." Mommy Isabel
stated and although she looked reluctant to leave her daughter behind, she managed
to give us a cheerful smile.

"You're now the man of the house, son and you won't really know the weight of the
responsibility unless you bear it on your shoulders." Dad added. Weight of the
responsibility. Wow. Magagampanan ko kayang maayos to? First time naming bumukod at
natatakot ako na baka ma-realize namin na di namin kaya.

"We'll be fine." Irina declared in her usual confidently manner and I instantly
knew that we'll be okay.

"Yes, we'll manage." I seconded.

"Basta if you need anything just call us, okay?" Mom said.

"Ate! Kuya! Makikitulog ako dito paminsan-minsan ha?" Ingrid enthusiastically

requested and we both nodded our heads. We waved goodbye at them and watched their
cars leave.

"So, it's just you and me, Mrs. Zamora." I said.

"And it will be you and me for a very long time." She answered.

"Long time lang? Hindi ba indefinitely?" I asked and she laughingly agreed.

"Let's look around." She invited. Tsaka ko lang nalaman ang pagkakaiba ng lalaki at
babae pagdating sa bahay kasi ako ang una kong hinanap ay ang remote control ng TV
samantalang si Irina ay naglilista ng mga bagay na gusto nyong baguhin or i-
redecorate.

"I don't like the color of that cornice. I would prefer mahogany brown kesa kulay
na yan." She said and I stared blankly at her. "This room needs more color kasi
parang napaka-monotonous or we could keep everything pero dapat may accent." She
thoughtfully said and I felt more lost than ever. Para sa akin, as long as may TV,
may kama at refrigerator pwede na.

"Um..."

"Hindi ba? Mas maganda yung play of colors ng tiffany blue at Persian green,
malamig sa mata at nakakaganda ng ambiance."

"Ha?" I asked stupidly. I learned na magkaiba ang colors ng mga babae sa lalaki --
kung lalaki ka yung utak mo ang napa-process na kulay lang ay 8 basic colors ng
Crayola kaya kapag sinabi na ng asawa mong ecru, cyan, periwinkle, amber or fuchsia
ay hindi na kayo magkakaintindihan. Not because ayaw mo syang intindihan pero dahil
hindi mo talaga sila kilala. Ang blue ay blue para sa akin regardless kung light
man yan, dark or in-between. She wasted no time in calling the interior designer of
the house and for hours, they spent talking about shades, colors and accents. Via
and her team arrived on the second day and they immediately went to work.

"Now I need you to choose which color is better for Blaze's side of the nursery,
itong cerulean or Egyptian blue?" She asked and I stared at her in confusion. Cer
what? Teka, may sariling blue ang mga taga-Egypt? I stared dumbfounded at the
fabrics that looked identical to me. She smiled expectantly at me at alam ko I had
to pull it off.

"I think yung nasa kaliwa." I uttered lamely.

"I knew it! Egyptian blue looks better!" She exclaimed before she tiptoed to give
me a kiss. Okay, so what just happened? I thought but as I wrapped my arms around
her waist. Ako naman masaya na natutuwa sya sa bahay and she wants our home
personalized pero my motto has always been: If it's not broken, don't fix it.
Google became my best friend when she asked me if we should use Venetian blinds or
window blinds. Sa akin kasi blinds are blinds regardless of the size of the window,
the location and the angle of the sun's rays. But for Irina, it was like a matter
of life and death.

"The I-pod docks installed on every floor of the house are cute pero para saan
yan?" I made the mistake of asking and she went into a tirade about music and child
development, and the convenience of being able to play songs for the twins anytime
we want. After that hindi na ako nagtanong, puro oo na lang ginawa ko. Sa tingin
nya hindi bagay yung carpet sa second floor landing so she had it changed. At hindi
ko maintindihan kung para saan at para ano pang kailangang bagay sa kurtina ng
first floor and carpet ng second floor kasi aapakan mo lang naman yan. In the two
days na lumipat kami sa sarili naming bahay, I learned the basic rule in marriage
that husbands anywhere in the world know -- always agree with the wife.

"This is so much fun!" She would exclaim every time may natatapos na dun sa
pinapagawa nya at naisip ko, buti na lang tagatango lang ako at hindi ako mismo ang
gumagawa dun sa mga changes na gusto nya. She wants the interior designer to be on-
call 24/7 at kahit patulog na kami kapag may naisip syang idea, she would text her
or call her. Dinaig pa ni Via, na Verbano Santos Jr. ang tunay na pangalan bago nya
naisip na gusto nya palang maging babae, ang isang doktor sa sobrang demanding ni
Irina.

"Madam, mas bagay dito sa foyer itong painting na napili ko kesa picture ninyong
mag-asawa. The wall's paint is too light for a mostly-white photo that's why
kailangan i-accentuate natin yung paleness ng wall with the painting."

"Dyan yang picture na yan." Irina insisted.

"Pero, Madam--"

"Change the color of the wall para bumagay ang picture namin ng asawa ko. Not the
whole wall. I need you to create a large frame-like effect para pag tiningnan nila
ang wall yung wedding picture namin ni John ang una nilang mapapansin."

"Change the color of the wall, Madam?"

"Oo. Magkano ba?" Irina asked and I had to hide my smile. My wife has a vision in
her head on how the house should look like mula sa mga roses sa garden, position ng
lounge chair sa pool at hanggang itsura ng kwarto namin kapag naka-on ang ceiling
dim lights. "I want everything done in three days."

"Three days, Madam? Hindi yan possible!"

"Nanunuod ka ba ng TV? Buong bahay nga nare-renovate nila within one week tapos ang
minor lang ng changes hindi mo kaya ng tatlong araw? I thought you're the best in
your field kasi kung hindi mo kaya I'll ask Roni--"

"Kaya ko, Madam." Via replied with determination helpless against the debating
prowess of Irina Ysobel Samonte-Zamora.

"Are you okay, Kitten?" I asked on the third day that we're home. "Hindi mo naman
kasi kailangang bantayan ang mga yun. It's alright to check their progress every
once in a while, hindi mo naman sila kailangang tutukan.

"Kung hindi ko sila babantayan, hindi sila matatapos. Di ba dito nga natin isi-
celebrate ang birthday ko? I want all renovations finished by then." She said as I
sat down beside her. "Ang lakas nyang dumede." She remarked touching Blaze's chubby
cheeks.

"Ganyan daw kapag lalaki." I replied. I find breastfeeding poignant kasi matagal na
syang hindi nauuso and considering that Irina's young, she could have opted not to
breastfeed the children. However, she was adamant and she had everything prepared
mula sa meal plan nya everyday to maximize what the children can get from her
hanggang sa vitamins na iniinom nya.

"You're just turning seventeen." I remarked and she glanced sideways at me.

"Yes. Now stop feeling as if you've taken something away from me. Masaya ako,
John."

"Sana patuloy kang maging masaya."

"Ito naman eh, ilang weeks na lang naman pwede na tayo ulit kaya wag ka na
magdrama." She joked and I laughed. Irina takes everything lightly at hindi ko alam
kung bakit biglang naging sobrang seryoso ako sa buhay, para akong tumanda ng
thirty years. "You should loosen up." She said. "Parang takot na takot kang mag-
fail, at some point we will fail as parents, I will fail you as your wife and you
will fail me as my husband pero the good thing is we're young and we can bounce
back."

"Hindi option sa akin ang mag-fail."

"John, no one's perfect. I am not perfect and you're not perfect too but that
doesn't mean that we'll mess up big time. Kahit nga parents natin nagkakamali pa
rin and there should always be room for improvement."

"No matter how badly I mess up hindi ka naman aalis di ba?"

"Hindi. Pero wag mong sadyain, black belter ako." She announced and we looked at
each other and laughed. It took 4 days bago sya na-satisfy sa itsura ng bahay, sa
arrangements ng appliances at muebles. I understood why Via nearly ran out of the
house when Irina gave her the check. Mahirap nga naman baka may ipabago pa.

"Happy?" I asked as she gazed around our home. She looked at me and eagerly nodded
her head.

"I totally love it! When I first walked inside this house, I though it's beautiful
but it lacked personal touch, pero ngayon... just perfect!" She said as she
regarded the black and white framed photos of the twins that adorned the walls
leading to the second floor. "Ang cute ng mga anak ko!"

"Anak mo lang?" I kidded and she smiled.

"Mga anak natin." She corrected. "I look fab." She said and I enfolded her in a
hug.

"Oo naman." I said.

"I was talking about our Vegas wedding photo." She retorted. "But thanks." She
added flippantly. "Anyway, nagustuhan mo ba ang bagong bahay?" She eagerly asked.

"Yes." I answered truthfully. "Good job, Kitten." I murmured as I kissed the top of
her head. Iniiwasan kong maging intimate kami kasi baka hindi ako makapagpigil and
knowing Irina kahit ayaw nya kung ramdam nyang gusto ko ay ipipilit nyang gawin
namin.

"I'm so relieved you like it. Akala ko nung una hindi mo magugustuhan yung changes.
She enthused as she pulled me to sit on the plush sofa before she sat on my lap.

"Kelan ko naman hindi nagustuhan ang mga gusto mo?" I questioned as I encircled her
waist with my arms while she draped her arms around my neck.

"Puppy..."

"Yes?"

"Nagugutom ka? Gusto mo ng meryenda?" She asked and I smiled kasi isa lang ibig
sabihin ng sinabi nya -- tumayo ka at ipagluto mo ako.

"Anong gusto mong kainin?" I inquired. "What do you want me to cook for you?"

"Gusto ko ng baked ziti na may meatballs at white sauce."

"Hm.." Matrabaho to. I thought. "Sige." I said. Matrabaho to pero wala kang choice,
Fire kaya tumayo ka na.

"Let's eat out na lang." She suggested. "Although I find it sexy kapag naka-apron
ka, hindi pa kita pwedeng i-molest." She added and instantly I got a boner. Ito na
naman. It's been months since we were last intimate and I was craving for her.

"Kitten, stop talking dirty." I whispered. "The word molest sounds so promising
coming out of your mouth."

"Mahaba-haba pa titiisin mo." She said.

"Para saan ba ang mga kamay ko?" I asked and she laughed before she murmured
something in my ear.

"Ayaw mong gamitin ang kamay ko?"

"Mrs. Zamora, seriously I'm turned on so stop."

"Mr. Zamora, seriously I'm offering my services." She retorted and I groaned.

"Kitten, ayoko ng ganun. Ako lang ang matutuwa? Hintayin na lang natin."
"Ayokong maghintay." She uttered before she stood up and pulled me to my feet.
Hindi sa ayoko, sino ba namang lalaki ang may ayaw dun, pero ayokong maging unfair
sa kanya. Pareho kaming my needs pero yung sa kanya hindi posibleng i-satisfy
because she just gave birth so I thought mine could wait but I guess my wife had
other things on her mind.

"Kitten, you don't have to do this." I objected weakly as she unzipped my pants.

"Ayokong tumingin ka sa iba."

"Kitten naman, hindi ko yun gagawin at hindi yun mangyayari kahit kelan." I said.

"I know but let's make sure." She whispered as I felt her palm my length. "Ako lang
ang pwedeng magbigay sayo ng ganitong pleasure." She whispered and I nodded my head
before a moan escaped my lips. She watched me avidly and I had no time to be
embarrassed as my hand joined hers to guide her movements. And I realized two
things: regardless of the circumstances, Irina will always find ways to give which
makes me one hell of a lucky man indeed.

####################################
Chapter 5: Ice
####################################

Marriage is complicated. It is such a complex structure that I get dizzy at the

thought of all the rules that's supposed to go with it -- ang lalaki ang
magtatrabaho, ang babae ang mag-aayos ng bahay, ang lalaki ang magdedesisyon, ang
babae ang magdidisiplina sa anak. The list could go on and on it would probably
frustrate the bejesus out of me. So during our first week as husband and wife, we
both decided to forget the rules of marriage and just follow love -- mahal mo ako,
mahal kita at dahil mahal natin ang isa't isa we will do things for this marriage
that will make each other happy. For example, he wouldn't mind changing the babies'
diapers while I watch my favorite soap opera on TV or I can put them to sleep while
he talks to our Dads about golf. We decided to do these things to please each other
and not because we're obliged to do them.

"Are you going to play golf with our dads later?" I asked as we were having
breakfast. Mag-iisang linggo na kami sa bagong bahay at hindi pa rin lumalabas si
John. "Okay lang sa akin kung aalis ka."

"Sasama ka ba?" He asked back and I frowned.

"Bakit ako sasama eh boys' day out yan?"

"Kitten naman, do not demote me. I am now just a mere boy? Am I not a husband and a
father?" He questioned and I arched a brow. "It's called husbands' day out. Gawin
mo namang macho pakinggan." He said and I laughed.

"Sorry po." I said. "Pero, seriously pwede kang lumabas, bakit ka ba hindi
lumalabas ng bahay? Tumawag sina Christian kahapon di ba at nagyayang maglaro daw
kayo ng basketball but you declined. Bakit?"

"Bakit mo ba ako pinagtatabuyan?"

"Hala, Mr. Zamora hindi kita pinagtatabuyan. Ang sa akin lang you should go out
with your friends."

"But what if I'd rather be with my family?"

"Naku, yung mga ganyang banat eh, parang gusto ko nang hilain ang mga araw para six
weeks na agad." I teased and he chuckled as he leaned towards me and gave me a
kiss.

"Sabi ko nga sayo, pwede naman kitang--"

"Wag mo nang ituloy, alam mo ba kung anu-anong kulay ang lumalabas dun? Red, pink,
yellow, at brown pag yun naging green pa ewan ko na lang. It's freaking gross."

"What's so gross about that? Besides sabi ng doctor mo normal daw yun."

"Oo nga, normal man yun pero gross pa rin. Tapos may binabalak ka pa talaga dyan."

"I won't be grossed out."

"Baka ikaw hindi pero ako, oo." I said and he stood up to wrap his arms around me.
"Ilang weeks na lang eh, let's just wait."

"Oo naman, naghihintay naman ako." He murmured against my neck. "Ang bango mo
naman. Kitten." He whispered against her ear.

"Matagal na, in-born yan." I kidded and he laughed before he bit my ear. "Don't
start, Mr. Zamora." I warned and he laughed.

"Sorry." He said. "I cannot wait for your 18th birthday. I want to get married for
real and I want you to carry my name."

"Oh well, laws are laws." I said. "But we've already filed an appeal so hintayin na
lang natin ang result." I told him. Even if we married abroad, hindi sya recognized
sa Pilipinas since I am still a minor so I remain as Irina Ysobel Tan Samonte and
not Irina Ysobel Samonte-Zamora. We expected it because Dad explained it to us pero
nakakaasar pa rin.

"You'll be seventeen tomorrow so isang taon na lang." He said and I smiled.

"Ikaw talaga, babakuran mo pa ako. Ito na nga, pinanganak ko na ang wedding

certificate na habol mo." I joked as he nuzzled my cheek.

"Syempre iba pa rin yung sa mata ng lahat ay akin ka."

"Bakit, kaninong mata ba ang hindi nakakaalam na hindi ako sayo at hindi ka akin
nang matusok ko?"

"Napaka-bayolente ng asawa ko."

"Let's just be grateful that the twins carry your name, okay? Papel lang yung
hinahabol natin, we and the people who matter know that we're married. Let's not
stress ourselves over it."

"Sabi ko nga." He said smiling.

"Pero, Puppy kung gusto mong lumabas with your friends, okay lang sa akin."

"Ang kulit eh ayoko ngang lumabas. When the kids are old enough at pwede na silang
ipasyal, that's the time na lalabas tayo ng bahay."

"We've called everyone, right? Meron bang hindi nag-confirm para sa party ko
bukas?"

"Wala. Our friends will be there to celebrate your birthday with us tomorrow." He
announced. "Dalaga na ang asawa ko." He jested. "Seventeen na eh."

"Nang-aasar ka ba? Anong dalaga? May mga anak na nga ako." I asked and he laughed
as he pulled me to my feet. "Ikaw kasi eh, di ka nakapaghintay, ang aga mo akong
sinadlak sa kamunduhan." I murmured against his chest as he wrapped his arms around
me.

"May pagsisisi?" He mumbled.

"Wala. Pasalamat na lang talaga ako na sixteen ako nung nagpakilala ka, paano na
lang kung ten lang ako."

"Pagkareglang-pagkaregla mo buntis ka agad." He jibed and I pinched his arm. "I'm

just glad we're finally together, Irina. I'm just glad that you're finally mine to
protect."

"Isn't it ironic that you want to protect me yet we never used protection?" I
kidded and he burst out laughing.

"You're right." He whispered. "Isn't it ironic that your protector can't protect
you against himself?"

"Oh well, the protectee doesn't want to be protected from the protector." I
murmured as I tiptoed to give him a kiss.

Our parents and Ingrid arrived at around 6 PM para dun na matulog sa bahay. Ayoko
na sana ng party for my birthday, kahit dinner lang with our families okay na but
they wouldn't hear any of it. Nasa nursery kami ni Mommy para patulugin ang kambal
at naawa ako sa mga anak ko kasi ang kulit ng Tita Ingrid nila na wala nang ginawa
kundi kurutin yung mga pisngi nila o kaya ay halikan.

"Akala yata ni Ingrid manyika yung mga pamangkin nya." Mommy remarked.

"Oo nga po eh, hindi nya ma-contain yung gigil nya." I replied.

"Ganun ka rin naman kasi nung bata pa kayo, hindi mo pinapatulog halos si Ingrid
and in the middle of the night, your Dad and I would wake up to find you inside her
nursery watching her."
"Ganun siguro talaga kapag may bagong baby, irresistible." I said and she smiled.

"Kumusta ang buhay may-asawa, princess?" Mom asked and I looked at her.

"Hindi ko ramdam at this point yung kaibahan, Mommy. Kasi di ba matagal kaming
magkasama ni John sa iisang bubong, ang pinagkaiba lang meron nang nanggigising sa
amin ng madaling araw. Pero other than that very small change, I still feel the
same. Para nga lang kaming nagbabahay-bahayan."

"Good for you because you got married with your family's full support kaya hindi
nyo naranasan yung hirap ng pagsisimula but your Dad and I never had that luxury."
Mom divulged. Mom's pure Chinese kaya ayaw ng mga lolo at lola ko kay Daddy at
tinanggap lang nila sya nung pinanganak na ako. Iniisip ko pa lang ang buhay may-
asawa kung saan wala sa tabi nyo yung pamilya nyo parang ang hirap na.

"Was it difficult for you, 'Mmy?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Your father made sure na mas maginhawa ang buhay ko sa piling nya. He didn't want
me to regret my choice so he worked doubly hard to provide me with what I need.
Besides, full support ang family nya sa kanya kaya wala rin kaming naging
problema."

"Salamat, 'Mmy ha kasi nandyan kayo."

"Oo naman. Walang magulang na hindi tatanggapin ang desisyun ng anak. Parte ng
pagiging magulang ang yakapin mo lahat ng kabutihan at pagkakamali nila."

"Mommy naman, ang drama naiiyak tuloy ako!" I murmured and she laughed.

"Tulog na si Blaze, si Twinkle ba tulog na?"

"Kanina pa po."

"Let's put them inside their cribs." Mom suggested. Bumaba kami agad sa sala where
everyone was watching a movie and based on Ingrid's shrieks ay sigurado ako na
horror ang pinapanuod nila.

"Kitten, wag kang manuod!" John said as he ran towards me to cover my eyes.

"Ano ba yan, bakit?"

"Di ba sabi nila umaasim daw yung milk ng Mommy kapag upset sya?"

"Mas mapamahiin pa tong si JFK kesa lola ni Irina." Dad said laughing and everyone
joined him.

"Son, you're too cute." Mommy Madeline said as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Hindi ba totoo yun?" He asked me.

"Sino naman nagsabi sayo nun?" I asked back.

"Sabi nina Blessie at Yvette."

"At saan naman daw nakuha yun nina Blessie at Yvette?"

"Hindi ko alam." He answered grinning. He pulled towards the sofa and sat down
before he pulled me to sit on his lap.
"Ang sweet nyo naman, Ate!" Ingrid exclaimed. "Sana ako din makahanap ng katulad ni
Kuya JFK!"

"Ingrid, ang bagay sayo seryosong mag-aral." Dad said and Ingrid frowned.

"Gusto ko tulad ni Kuya JFK!"

"Dad, binibiro mo na naman ang bunso mo." Mom uttered laughing.

"May boyfriend na ba si Ingrid?" Daddy Julio asked. "Kumpadre, good luck." He said
as he turned to pat my Dad's arm.

"Pinagbo-boyfriend ko na nga yan baka sakaling tumino." Dad said and Ingrid pouted.
"Wala nang ginawa yan kundi humarap sa computer nya para mag-Escape."

"Skype, hon." Mom corrected and we all laughed.

"Ingrid, don't go looking for love. Kusa yang dadating." Mommy Madeline said.
"Tingnan mo si Ate at Kuya mo..." She trailed off. "You kids are not a good example
to Ingrid." She murmured with a shake of her head.

"Mom, we're a great example to Ingrid." John retorted laughing. "We're a great
example on how true love looks like." He added.

"Yun yun eh!" Ingrid cracked up as she kneeled to high-five with John. "Yan gusto
ko sayo, Kuya eh kaya kita idol!"

"Syempre." My husband replied.

Later that night when everyone went to bed I stayed awake and watched him sleep. I
used to find it weird na pinapanuod nya akong natutulog, parang creepy para sa akin
dati but I realized now na kapag tulog pala ang tao doon mo nakikita how he truly
feels since his guard's not up.

"I love you." I murmured as I traced the bridge of his nose with my finger. He
looked at-peace and I felt relieved. Sa aming dalawa, sya ang pressured na gawing
tama ang lahat maybe because he needed to prove himself to my family kahit hindi
naman necessary. Sa akin kasi, I'm excited about our journey together and that's
how I would have wanted him to feel.

"I love you." He whispered as his eyes fluttered open. "Bakit gising ka pa?
Nagugutom ka ba? May gusto ka bang kainin? Nauuhaw ka?"

"Hindi, gusto lang kitang panuorin."

"Mrs. Zamora, baka naman lalo kang main-love sa akin nyan." He teased as he hugged
me to his chest. I lay my head below his chin and snuggled closer.

"Wala nang lunas, in love na in love na." I replied, using the same line that he
used on me barely a year ago.

"Sabagay, lovable naman talaga ako." He said laughing softly as he threw a leg over
mine encasing me in his embrace.

"John..."

"Yes?"

"We have each other, you have nothing to worry about." I muttered. "Masyado mong
siniseryoso ang pagiging asawa at Daddy, not that I don't want you to take those
roles seriously but let's not forget that we got married because we want to enjoy
life together."

"I know, but I can't help it." He mumbled with a sigh. "Kitten, you won't leave my
side, right no matter how tough things might get?"

"Oo naman."

"Pangako ba yan?"

"Oo, pangako."

"You don't carry my name yet, baka pag nagsimula na ang pasukan madaming aaligid-
aligid sayo."

"I may not carry your name yet but I am carrying your children in my arms." I
replied as I tilted my head to look at him. "Is this what it's all about? Takot
kang maagaw ako?"

"Hindi. Alam ko namang di ka papaagaw eh."

"Yun naman pala, bakit ang drama mo?"

"My fear has always been losing you."

"Your fear will never happen, trust me. Ako din naman, iniisip ko pa nga lang na
may maglalandi sayo kapag nagsimula na ang klase gusto ko nang manapak."

"Selosa."

"Parang sya hindi."

"Aminado naman."

"So anong problema?" I asked smiling and he grinned.

"Wala lang nagpapa-cute lang." He replied with a grin. "Four to six weeks daw di
ba?" He asked and I nodded.

"Bakit pumasok na naman yang four to six weeks sa usapan?" I inquired.

"Pinaghahandaan ko lang." He answered with a grin and weeks later he showed exactly
what he meant.

####################################
Chapter 6: Ice
####################################

I woke up at the sound of my children crying. I frowned at the baby monitor on top
of the bedside table and the empty space beside me.

"John?" I called as I opened the door that connects our room to the twins' nursery.
Yung asawa ko di na magkadan-ugaga at hindi alam kung alin sa kambal ang uunahing
buhatin.

"Sorry nagising ka." He said as he picked our daughter up. I immediately went to
Blaze's crib and picked him up.

"Okay lang, ano ka ba." I murmured as I started to sway. My mga yaya kami pero we
chose to take care of the children. Sabi nga ni John malapit na ang pasukan so he'd
rather that we take advantage of the chance na alagaan ang mga bata.

"Are they hungry?" He asked and I sat down to feed Blaze.

"Hindi, ayaw nyang dumede." I said as I felt my son's diaper. "Hindi rin naman
basa." I said. "Si Twinkle?"

"Hindi rin, yun ang una kong chineck." John replied.

"Kung ganun, isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito."

"Ano?"

"Welcome to parenthood, Mr. Zamora." I answered and he laughed softly.

"I am embracing parenthood with open arms." He said and I winked at him. It took
nearly two hours bago sila nakatulog ulit at sa sobrang ngawit ko sa kakasayaw at
kakakarga sa anak ko ay halos di ko na maramdaman ang braso ko.

"Magkaka-muscles talaga ako nito." I said as John massaged my arms. "Let's unpack
the rockers. Parati kasi nating nakakalimutan."

"Nasa basement den, natabunan na ng mga kung anu-anong regalo. I'll ask Manang Lina
later to look for it."

"Ako naman." I said. "Let me massage you."

"Hindi na, hindi naman ako nangangawit." He mumbled yawning as he lay down beside
me. "Matulog ka na, may party pa mamaya." He said as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Bakit kaya ganyan, paiba-iba yung schedule nila ng paggising?"

"Yan ang kapalit ng walang-humpay na sarap." I joked as I closed my eyes.

"Kasi Kitten eh violet na nga kinulit mo pa ako." He whispered closing his eyes
too.

"Ako pa daw ang nangulit sayo."

"Oo, di ba sa Baguio? Sabi mo, it's violet today but I miss you." He replied
chuckling and I laughed.

"Na-miss kita talaga eh, sorry ha."

"Biro lang, Kitten baka magtampo ka nyan at napakamatampuhin mo pa man din."

"Hindi kaya." I murmured as I turned towards him and burrowed my face against his
chest. "Ang bango mo naman, John amoy gatas ka." I said and he laughed.

"Amoy gatas nga ako?"

"Oo." I retorted as I opened my eyes to look at him. "Ang sexy nga eh." I murmured
and he held my face with both his hands and kissed me noisily on the lips.

"Ang asawa kong hindi nauubusan ng lambing sa katawan." He said. "Kitten, bawas-
bawasan mo muna lambing mo kahit ngayon lang baka di ako makatiis."

"O sige hindi na kita lalambingin kahit kelan." I mumbled as I turned away from
him.

"Nagtatampo agad." He whispered against my neck. "Mrs. Zamora..."

"Matutulog na ako."

"Kitten naman." He murmured as he burrowed his face on my neck. "Mommy Ice..." He

whined. "Pansinin mo ako, di ba ako ang first baby mo?" He grumbled and I couldn't
help but laugh.

"Ikaw ba?" I asked as I turned to face him. "Ikaw ba ang panganay ni Mommy Ice?" I
teased as I cupped his face with both my hands. "Ang gwapo naman ng panganay ko."

"Happy 17th birthday, Kitten." He murmured as the alarm sounded and I arched my
brow as he reached up to turn the alarm clock off.

"Talagang nagpa-alarm ka?"

"Oo." He answered before he hugged me to his chest. "Kitten, we'll be celebrating

your birthday together from this day onwards. I will strive to make each birthday
memorable for you."

"Dahil sa birthday sex?" I kidded and he chuckled.

"Liban dun, may gagawin tayong kakaiba every year."

"Tulad ng birthday sex in public?"

"Kitten, tigang na tigang ka na." He muttered and we doubled over in laughter.

"Puro sex na lang ang lumalabas sa bibig mo. Gusto mo bang pasayahin kita gamit ang
aking mga kamay at dila?"

"Ang halay mo, Puppy!"

"Okay lang naman maging mahalay tayo sa isa't isa di ba?" He murmured against my
ear and I laughed. "Ano, game?"

"Ayoko!"

"Bakit?"

"I want the real deal." I replied and he groaned. "Ano ka ba, malapit na. Yung
ibang couples din kaya may ganitong problema?" I asked before I tilted my face
towards him. He kissed me lightly on the lips as he mulled over my question.
"Hindi ko alam. I read on the internet that after giving birth ayaw ng mga babae sa
ganun. Siguro na trauma because of birthing, which made them shy-away from making
love."

"So hindi ako normal?"

"Kitten naman, when did you settle for normalcy? You've always been lovably
unique."

"Grabe mambola yung asawa ko. Pero, Puppy wag na muna nating sundan sina Blaze at
Twinkle ha."

"Ayoko na nga silang sundan tama na yung dalawa."

"Gusto ko marami, bakit dalawa lang?"

"Ngayon, ikaw na ang gusto ng marami samantalang nung mag-boyfriend pa lang tayo
ang gusto ko walo tapos sayo dalawa lang?" He teased.

"Iba yung joy na dala ng motherhood eh. Ewan ko, basta iba. I cannot even justify
the feeling with words. I somehow felt complete as a woman because I gave birth to
them and I'm somehow complete as a human being because I'm married to you."

"Wag na muna natin silang sundan, pregnancy is intricate. Hindi naman simpleng
lulubo lang ang tyan mo tapos ilalabas mo na sila. Sabi ng ng doctor mo, a lot of
things happen inside the woman's body when she gets pregnant and I want you to
recuperate completely, Kitten. I'm extremely happy that I am now a Dad but I won't
risk you for that happiness."

"I love how you use simple words to express very complex thoughts. Mas magaling ka
talaga sa akin magsalita."

"Pag ikaw lang ang kausap ko. Hindi kasi nahihiya, hindi ako nag-aalala na may
masabi akong mali kasi alam ko regardless kung walang sense yung sinabi ko mahal mo
pa rin ako."

"Puppy talaga, masyadong confident sa pag-ibig ko sa kanya." I jibed and he laughed

softly.

"Hindi ka rin ba ganun sa akin?"

"Ganun din."

"Yun naman pala eh di parehas lang." He uttered as I snuggled closer to him. "The
rest is irrelevant, our family and our love for each other are the only ones that
are real."

I would have preferred an intimate dinner but my parents are into grand birthday
parties. I just turned seventeen but I am already married with two children, I
thought a cozy dinner would have been more appropriate but Mom wouldn't hear any of
it.

"Ice!" I heard Blessie's distinctive yell and I turned to wave at them.

"Happy Birthday!" They greeted in unison.

"Buti nakarating kayo!" I said after I gave the girls a hug. I waved at our male
friends and they shook John's hand.

"Parang debut ah." Kenneth teased.

"Escort ko nga pala." I joked as I wrapped an arm around my husband's waist. "Ang
gwapo di ba?" I added and they all laughed.

"Parang mag-boyfriend pa rin kayo ano?" Cel remarked. "Siguro hanggang ngayon
nililigawan ka pa rin ni Fire."

"Oo nga, nakakainggit." Maia said.

"Ganun talaga, may isang babae sa bawat isang milyon ang maswerte." Liz announced
and the girls nodded their heads.

"Parang ang gloomy naman ng mga pinagsasabi nyo. Hindi ba kayo nakahanap ng summer
love?" I teased and they all shook their heads.

"Summer heartache lang ang meron." Yvette uttered with a sigh.

"Wag kasing maghanap kasi maiinip lang kayo lalo." John piped in. "Tingnan mo itong
si Irina, hindi ko naman to hinanap, ini-stalk ko lang." He said and I arched a
brow at him.

"So aminado ka ngayong ini-stalk mo nga ako?"

"Kitten naman, matagal na akong umamin." He replied.

"Alam nyo bang may nililigawan daw si Dave?" Hope muttered and all eyes swiveled in
her direction.

"Si Dave, as in si Dave ko?" Maia demanded. "Teka lang paano mo naman nakilala si
Dave ko?"

"Sa ISYC, Maia." I answered. "Di ba si Dave ang kasama ko nung second year kasi
nagkasakit nun si Jaime, yung student council president, that time?"

"Oh my God, patayin nyo na ako please. So si Dave ko ang may nililigawan?! Teka
lang, is he here? Invited ba sya?"

"Lahat ng classmates natin invited. John sent them an invitation via our FB group."
I replied and Mai's eyes glazed over with unshed tears. "Hala, naiiyak ka?" I
asked.

"Maia, ano ka ba para kang brineak dyan eh hindi naman kayo." Cel uttered as she
patted Maia's back consolingly. "I'm sorry for being harsh pero yun ang totoo."

"Maia, marami pang bisugo sa dagat wag ma-depress." Blessie said.

"Trulabels." Hope seconded.

"Wag kang iiyak, Maia. Make him regret for being a fool and choosing someone else
over you." John declared. "Believe me, yang luha mo wala lang yan sa kanya at kung
totoong may niligawan syang iba, hindi nya ikaka-guilty yang pagiging depressed mo.
Find someone else who's worthy of those tears."

"Ang dali namang magsabing find someone else, kahit nga kalahati wala akong
mahanap!" Maia mumbled before she took her handkerchief out of her pocket to wipe
her tears. "Hay naku, bayaan nyo na nga, who you talaga yung gagong yun sa akin."

"Okay ka lang?" Kenneth asked and Maia nodded her head.

"Oo ngayon lang to. Magpapaganda talaga ako ng bongga para pag niligawan nya ako
diretso basted sya sa akin."

"That's the spirit." Christian said.

"Tama na ang iyak, dapat masaya tayo kasi dalaga na si Mommy Ice!" Yvette uttered
and they all cheered.

"Dalaga na talaga? Nakadalawang anak na nga ako." I said.

"Girl, hindi halata. I'm sure pag nasa college na tayo eh hahabulin ka pa rin ng
mga lalaki!" Blessie said and John instantly stiffened so I moved closer to him and
wrapped both my arms around him.

"Tama na, nagseselos na ang escort ko." I smilingly said.

"Ay sorry, Fire! Peace tayo ha!" Blessie exclaimed grinning as she flashed John a
peace sign.

The whole party was a haze of greetings, familiar faces and endless stream of
people at kahit na paulit-ulit na ni-reassure ako ni Mommy that my twins are in
good hands, yung utak ko nasa kanila pa rin. Feeling ko naririnig ko ang mga anak
kong umiiyak which is illogical because the nursery was sound-proofed.

"What's wrong?" John asked as I glanced towards the house for the nth time.

"Parang naririnig ko yung mga bata." I answered. The party was in full swing and I
saw my sister, Ingrid, and some of her friends dancing near the pool. A DJ was
keeping the party alive with his remixes.

"Akala ko ako lang." He said. "Parang naririnig mo rin pala sila?" He questioned
and I nodded my head. "Do you want to check how they are?"

"Tara." I said as I pulled him towards the house. "Mukha pala tayong pupuntang
prom." I mumbled when I saw our reflection on the mirror. I was wearing an off-
shoulder ice-blue gold and John was wearing a tux.

"Actually, I feel silly wearing this tux." He murmured and I laughed. "But Mom
insisted kaya sinuot ko na."

"Don't worry, I feel silly wearing this gown too. Gusto ko ngang mag-pambahay
lang." I confessed grinning. We took the stairs to the second floor and quietly
opened the door to the nursery.

"Tulog na tulog naman pala sila." John whispered and I nodded my head.

"Do you want to go back to the party?" He asked and I shook my head.
"Masyadong maingay."

"Rinig natin yung party from our bedroom kaya hindi ka rin makakatulog."

"Let's sleep here." I said.

"Good idea." He replied. We quickly took a bath and piled comforters in the middle
of the nursery's carpeted floor. "Comfortable?" He asked as I lay pillowed against
his arm. I sidled close to him and threw my leg over him.

"Oo. Are you comfortable?" I asked back and he nodded his head.

"Happy Birthday, Mrs. Zamora." He whispered before he handed me a small box.

"Ano to?" I excitedly asked as I sat up. He sat up too and laughed when I eagerly
tore at the wrapping. Inside the box was a gold, heart-shaped locket.

"Open it." He said and I gingerly undid the clasp holding it together. My eyes got
teary when I saw the imprinted images of my twins. "Halika, kinakabit yan dito." He
whispered. He undid my couple necklace and attached the new pendant to the old one.

"Bakit sa akin lang? Nasaan yung sayo?" I asked and he pulled his necklace from
under his shirt and showed me the identical locket.

"Kinabit ko na, I was excited." He professed and I threw my arms around his neck.
"I love you much, Mrs. Zamora." He whispered as he tightened his arms around me.
"Happy Birthday."

"Thank you, Mr. Zamora. I love you so much too." I whispered back. We lay down on
the bed and I fell asleep listening to his steady heartbeat contented and secure
with the idea that my world is holding me in his arms.

####################################
Chapter 7: Ice
####################################

I'd like to think that John and I are secure in each other -- wala nang selosan,
wala nang duda at lalong walang lokohan but I learned that no matter how in-love
you are ay hindi nyo kontrolado ang mga nasa paligid nyo na karamihan ay walang
habas kung maglandi. I found this out on our first 'date' together after I gave
birth. We were bored and decided to go malling.

"Gusto kong bumili ng yarn because I want to knit baby booties for Twinkle and
Blaze."
"Kitten, marunong ka bang mag-knit?"

"Hindi." I replied. "Pero kung kaya koong mag-solve ng mathematical equations

siguro naman I won't find knitting a daunting task." I added haughtily and he
laughed as he pinched my cheek.

"Knit a sweater for me." He murmured. "I swear parati kong isusuot."

"I'll knit a bow for you at gusto ko yun lang isuot mo." I answered winking at him
and he burst out laughing.

"Tigang ka talaga, Kitten."

"Bakit, ikaw ba hindi?"

"Tigang din."

"O, anong nirereklamo mo dyan?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Hindi ako nagrereklamo, I'm just excited. Nakaplano na nga kung saan tayo." He
whispered.

"Hindi ba tayo sa bahay?"

"Gusto mo bang magising ang mga kapitbahay. Kung okay lang sayo, okay lang din sa
akin."

"Bakit naman magigising sila? Dahil ba sa kakasigaw mo?"

"Hindi. Sa kakasigaw mo." He retorted grinning and I laughed.

"Puppy, yumayabang ka na. Confident na confident ka talagang sisigaw ako?"

"Oo naman." He replied self-assuredly.

"At bakit?"

"You'll scream if I'll ask you to." He answered and I couldn't help but agree with
him.

"Tama ka." I said. "Pa-kiss nga." I murmured and he dipped his head to place a kiss
on my lips. Alam ko ma-PDA kami pero wala akong pakialam if they find our displays
of affections scandalous. We took the escalator to visit one of the crochet
specialty stalls inside the mall. Now, I'm used to people staring at my husband but
I will never be used to the murderous feeling that grips me every time.

"Sir ano pong kulay ng yarn?" The sales lady asked as she batted her eyes
coquettishly at John. Gusto ko syang ilampaso sa sahig, buhusan ng gasolina at
sunugin.

"Kitten, anong gusto mong kulay?" John asked looking at me as I arched my brow at
the sales attendant.

"Ang cute naman po ninyong magkapatid." She said giggling like an idiot.

"She's my wife." John stated and the woman stared at us in shock. She turned to
look at me before she lowered her gaze.

"Sorry po." She murmured. "Anong kulay po ng yarn ang hinahanap nyo? Pasensya na
po, magkamukha po kasi kayo kaya akala ko po magkapatid kayo." She added. I was
about to retort but John spoke first.

"It's okay, ganyan talaga pag nagmamahalan nagiging magkamukha. Thank you for the
assistance. Tara na, Kitten." He said before he guided me out of the store.

"Nakakabwisit ang mga babaeng ganun!" I hissed and he chuckled.

"Magkamukha daw kasi tayo, Kitten and although I know you're pissed but I'm glad
that we're starting to look like each other."

"John, ayokong matawag na sister mo."

"Kitten, nagkakamukha talaga ang mag-asawa. Mom told me this. Sabi nya habang
tumatagal kayong magkasama, since nai-imbibe ninyo yung mannerisms at habits ng
isa't isa ay eventually you'll start to look and sound like each other." He
explained. "Kinikilig ako na napaaga yung sa atin." He whispered against my ear and
I laughed.

"Ito ka naman sa kinikilig ka."

"Bakit? Kinikilig naman talaga ako." He stated with a boyish grin before he stopped
walking and enfolded me in a tight embrace. "Ayaw mong kinikilig ako?" He asked
teasingly.

"Gusto pero ang weird kasi ikaw lang yata ang kilala kong lalaking kinikilig."

"Teka lang, Mrs. Zamora ilang lalaki ba ang kilala mo?"

"Mr. Zamora, madami kayong kilala ko pero syempre ikaw lang ang mahal ko." I
replied as I stuck my tongue out at him and it was no surprise when he held my face
to kiss me thoroughly.

"Sabi ko sayo dati di ba, wag mong ilalabas yang dila mo kung di mo ipapasok sa
bibig ko?" He whispered after he placed a chaste kiss on my lips. "Kitten, parang
first time mong nahalikan in public at gulat na gulat ka." He joked.

"I actually wasn't surprised." I said. "But I'm turned on big time." I replied and
he groaned.

"Kitten naman, do you know how difficult it is to hide a boner in public?" He asked
and I couldn't help but laugh. We ended up buying clothes, booties and toys for the
twins and I wasn't able to convince John not to buy the mini basketball court set
for Blaze because he looked too cute for my convincing powers.

"I can't wait to play basketball with Blaze." He uttered enthusiastically. "I'll
teach him my moves." He proudly added.

"Puppy, turuan mo muna ang anak mong gumapang tapos ay maglakad bago mo sya turuang
mag-basketball."

"Malapit na yun, Kitten ilang taon na lang." He answered ardently. "Pero syempre
turuan mo din silang mag-aral at mag-solve ng Math equations habang nakapikit para
complete package."

"Complete package? Bakit gusto mo ba silang pag-asawahin agad?"

"Hindi!" He answered. "Hindi pwede!" He repeated and I laughed.

"Ang daya mo. Tingnan mo tayo ang aga-aga nating naglandi tapos sila ayaw mong
payagan?"

"At least tayo sigurado tayong mahal na mahal natin ang isa't isa. Pero yung mga
anak ko? Paano kung lolokohin lang sila? Makakapatay yata ako."

"Masyadong advanced, di pa nga nagsasalita eh girlfriend at boyfriend agad?" I

asked grinning and he sighed.

"Wag muna nating pag-usapan, nagseselos na ako ngayon pa lang."

"Ang aga naman ng separation anxiety mo." I told him as I laughed pero tama sya,
iniisip ko pa lang na magkaka-girlfriend at magkaka-boyfriend ang mga anak ko
natatakot na ako. Mamaya maaga din silang mag-asawa tulad namin ni John and I don't
think I will ever be prepared.

"May gusto ka pa bang bilhin?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Wala na. Tara uwi na and I can't help but always check my phone at baka nag-text
ang mga yaya." I replied. We drove home and checked on the twins as soon as we
arrived pero as usual tulog sila. Minsan gusto ko silang gisingin kasi gusto ko
silang panggigilan pero nakakaawa naman kaya tuloy pag nanggigigil ako yung asawa
ko na lang nilalambing ko which frustrates the living daylights out of us dahil
hanggang dun lang ang pwede. I took a bath first at kahit gusto nyang sumabay
umayaw ako kasi nagkakabitinan lang. I've already changed into a pair of cotton
shorts and shirt when I received a text from Blessie and I arched my brow as I read
her message.

Blessie Jade Buencamino:

Ice, check Fire's FB bilis!

"Ano na naman to?" I mumbled as I sat in front of our mac and powered it on.
"Puppy, I'm logging your FB account in." I called since nasa banyo sya.

"Ano yun, Kitten?" He asked as he opened the bathroom door, his hair still soapy.

"I'll log in your FB account, may titingnan lang." I repeated.

"Go ahead, bakit ka nagpapaalam?" He asked and I smiled. I logged into his account
and ignored the notifications dahil sa sobrang dami.

"Wala namang kakaiba." I murmured as I picked up my phone to call Blessie. "Girl,

anong meron? Naka-login na ako sa FB using John's account." I said over the phone.

"Ano ka ba, di mo ba nakita yung nag-tag kay Fire?"

"Saan?"

"Tingnan mo yung notifications. Kailangan yata ng approval para mag-show sa wall ni

Fire pero nakita ko kasi friend yung girl friend ng friend ko." Blessie answered
and I frowned.

"Ang daming notifications, ayoko nang halungkatin. Ano ba kasi yun? Sabihin mo na
lang kaya sa akin ng diretso."
"Wait, ipasa ko sayo ang link." Blessie replied and a chat window popped up. I
clicked on it and clicked on the link she attached. It was picture of John with a
girl. The caption read: Ako ang mahal nya. Ayokong maasar kasi ang babaw at utang
na loob talaga sa kanya, mas maganda pa ang paa ko sa mukha nya at nahiya naman ako
sa pagmamahal ng asawa ko sa kanya, halos isang metro ang layo ni John sa picture
nila. It was obviously just another assuming froglet but I didn't know why I felt
homicidal. Parang gusto kong hablutin ang keyboard at itapon sa labas ng bintana sa
init ng ulo ko.

"Who the fuck is she?" I asked Blessie.

"Hindi ko rin kilala pero taga ibang school yan. Naku inaway na nga namin yan
kanina pa. Grabe ang feeler, ang sabi nya sya daw ang first girlfriend ni Fire! At
ang sabi nya di daw totoong nagpakasal kayo sa Vegas at gawa-gawa mo lang daw yun!"
Blessie divulged. Alam ko hindi dapat patulan kasi alam ko naman kung gaano ako
kamahal ng asawa ko but I couldn't control my annoyance.

"Bwisit yang babaeng yan--" I started to say.

"Kitten?" John asked and I turned to look at him. He was only wearing a towel
around his waist and he looked questioningly at me. "Ano yun, bakit ka
nakasimangot? Anong nangyari? Is there a problem?"

"Sino to?" I asked and he moved closer to the monitor to look at the picture.
"Bakit may picture kayong dalawa?!"

"I don't know her." He replied as he looked at my flushed face.

"Then why the hell do you have pictures with her?!" I snapped, irritated and he
looked at me in surprise.

"Kung sinu-sino di ba ang nagpapa-picture kasama ako dahil sa basketball di ba?" He

remarked as I stared at the monitor angrily.

"Nakakaasar ka! Kung sinu-sino na lang kasama mo!"

"Kitten, nagseselos ka? Seryoso ka ba? Yan, pagseselosan mo?" He asked in

disbelief.

"Hindi! Bakit ako magseselos?! Kapag nagalit ako agad-agad ibig sabihin nun
nagseselos na ako?!" I asked angrily. I was surprised at my vehemence or the fact
that my argument did not make sense.

"Kitten..." He said as he put his arms around me. "Marami ka pang makikitang
ganyan. Marami pang dadating na ganyan. If you have an issue about it, I would
prefer na ngayon pa lang pag-usapan na natin. Pero alam ko pinag-usapan na natin to
dati kaya nagtataka ako bakit nagagalit ka."

"Kontrolado ko ba naman kung anong nararamdaman ko? Naiirita ako, John! Ano ba yan,
what do you mean by marami pa akong makikitang ganito at marami pang dadating na
ganitong issue? Mag-iisang taon na tayo pero ngayon may nangyaring ganito? Bakit
ang lakas ng loob ng babaeng yan?!"

"Hindi ko sya kilala, Kitten. Pag may laro kami may mga lumalapit para kumuha ng
pictures--"

"Oo na! Mababaw na ako kasi naiimbyerna ako sa babaeng yan!"

"Hindi ko naman sinasabing mababaw ka--"

"Naasar ako!" I mumbled as I stood up and left. He followed me out of the room and
our house helps averted their gazes because John was only wearing a towel.

"Kitten." He called but I ignored him. Bumaba ako at pumasok sa isa sa mga kwarto
and I was about to lock the door but he pried it open. "Wag mong piliting isara,
please at ayokong sirain itong pinto. Malas daw kung ang may-ari ay sinira ang
kahit anong parte ng bahay." He calmly said and I rolled my eyes at him but stepped
away from the door. I heard the door click close as he sat down on the bed beside
me. "Anong problema?" He asked as he draped an arm around my shoulders. "Anong
kinaiinisan ng asawa ko?"

"Kailangang tanungin? Di ba sinabi ko na?!" I angrily retorted and he chuckled as

leaned towards me to kiss me on the forehead.

"May ibang rason yan eh at yun ang gusto kong malaman. You're always level-headed
at di ka basta-basta nagagalit. I think I know the reason kung bakit may ganitong
moments ka but I want to hear it from you."

"Ang galing mo naman kung alam mo kung ano ang totoong rason bakit ako inis
samantalang ako hindi!"

"Mrs. Zamora, we're not really having this conversation about that girl. Besides
ang daling magtanggal ng friends sa FB at mas madaling mag-block. The reason kung
bakit mainit ang ulo mo ay tigang ka."

"What?!"

"Kitten naman, aminin mo na."

"Tigang ako kaya ako galit?!" I asked and he nodded his head sagely. I growled at
him in annoyance as I made a move to stand up but he pulled me into his lap and
wrapped his arms around my waist before started nuzzling my neck.

"John, ano ba! Lalo akong naasar!" I grumbled heatedly as his hand found its way
under my shirt.

"Oo nga, kaya nga ginagawa ko ng paraan." He murmured as he quickly unbuttoned my

shorts.

####################################
Chapter 8: Ice
####################################

Golf bores me. But I can't even speak against it because the men in my family are
such fanatics of golf -- from my father to my husband to my father-in-law lahat
sila walang bukam-bibig kundi ang golf. So kahit hindi ako masyadong fan ng sport,
I went with them one Saturday kasi yung asawa ko dinaig pa ang kambal ko sa pagka-
clingy at ayaw sumama kapag hindi daw ako kasama.

"Ice!" Albert happily greeted as soon as he saw me. "You look great!
Congratulations, I heard you gave birth to twins!"
"Thanks, Albert. They're such bundles of joy." I replied and he smiled dotingly.

"Heya, Ice!" Julius, Albert's younger brother greeted, and I smiled at him too.
"Hindi ka mukhang may-asawa."

"Is that a compliment?" I asked laughing and he laughed along.

"It is a compliment, Ice. Where's JFK?"

"Kasama nina Dad naglalaro na." I answered.

"Kanina pa ba kayo dito?" Albert inquired.

"Wala pang isang oras. Bakit late yata kayo?"

"Hindi nga kami dapat pupunta but we were bored so we decided to play golf." Julius
retorted. "Anyway, gusto mo bang maglaro?"

"Hindi. Okay na ako dito. You boys, go ahead and play."

"Sure?" Albert inquired.

"Oo." I said and waved goodbye at them when they left. Wala pang ten minutes ay
dumating si John and I raised a questioning brow at him. "Tapos ka nang maglaro?" I
asked.

"Hindi. Dito na lang ako para samahan kita."

"Mr. Zamora ha, naloloka na ako kasi parang ayaw mong mawalay sa akin." I teased
and he chuckled before he moved his chair closer to mine and wrapped his arms
around me.

"Bakit ba ayaw na ayaw mong nakadikit ako sayo parati?"

"Hindi sa ayaw, but I want you to enjoy your life as a man. Ano ba naman yung
makikipaglaro ka ng basketball or golf every once in while?"

"Bakit ikaw nasa bahay lang parati?"

"Kasi never naman akong naging mahilig lumabas. I've always been a homebody at
kuntento na akong nasa bahay lang."

"Ganun din naman ako, Kitten."

"Kaya pala nung una tayong nagkita ay nasa Starbucks ka at nakikipaglandian sa

barista kasi homebody ka?" I teased and he immediately frowned.

"Ako? Nakikipaglandian? Never ko yan ginawa kaya!"

"Weh wag na mag-deny." I joked and he shook his head.

"I was there to ask for her number kasi nautusan lang ako nina Felix but then I saw
you, you were talking to someone over the phone at nakalimutan ko yung sasabihin ko
dapat."

"Puppy talaga ang galing magpakilig."

"Totoo lahat ng sinasabi ko. Kung kinikilig ka man, bonus na lang yun." He retorted
laughing. "Kalong ka nga sa akin, na-miss kita bigla."

"In public? Nagiging mas adventurous ka na ha."

"Kalong lang. Kung sinabi kong hubad, dun ka na magtaka." He added chuckling and I
stood up to sit on his lap.

"Kilala mo si Aleph Santiago di ba?" I asked and he nodded his head.

"Oo, I talked to him to try-out para sa team but he declined."

"Sya yung boyfriend ni Ingrid ngayon."

"Ha? Paano nangyari yun? Paano si Calvin?"

"Naguguluhan nga rin ako sa batang yun, alam mo naman yun ang hyper kausap na
tipong di mo na maintindihan kasi paiba-iba yung subject ng kinukwento nya.
Papupuntahin ko sa bahay after ng district exams nang makausap natin ng maayos."

"Ask her to take Aleph with her kasi gusto kong makausap." He said and I laughed.

"Mas protective ka pa talaga kesa akin." I teased.

"Mas protective ang mga Kuya kesa mga Ate kasi syempre lalaki kami so our
protective instincts are sharper." He said and I arched my brow. I was about to
refute what he said when a group of men and women sat on the nearby table. Maingay
sila kaya tumahinik kami ni John. We ignored them as John took out his phone and
played the twins' video. Actually wala naman silang ginagawa at nakatingin lang sa
camera but we find them so cute. Bias yata talaga ang mga magulang sa mga anak
nila. "Look at Twinkle follow my finger with her eyes." John proudly said.

"Mga kabataan talaga ngayon, ang aga-aga maglampungan at pag nabuntis iiyak!"
Someone from the other table said. I wasn't sure if she was referring to us kaya di
namin sila pinansin.

"Mabuti nga yung mga dalaga ko, nadisiplina ko ng maayos at hindi mo sila
makikitang kumakalung-kalong sa mga boyfriends nila in public!" Another seconded
and immediately my temper shot up to Pluto. I turned to look at them and arched my
brow. They were about Mommy's age and they looked disdainfully at me.

"Excuse me po, I forgive your rudeness and the fact that you judged us even if you
don't know us since I can tell you're obviously experiencing early signs of
dementia. I just hope that you won't be so quick to judge next time and if you do,
I suggest that you keep your opinions to yourselves. You won't be interested, I
guess, in knowing that we're actually married and we do not appreciate being the
subject of two ugly old ladies' bored discussion." I said and their mouths gaped
open. "And another thing, if your daughters have boyfriends and you don't see them
express their affections publicly, it is because they're doing it in private.
Believe me, unlike you I'm young and I know." I added before I stood up and pulled
John to his feet. He held my face with both his hands and kissed me soundly on the
lips.

"I love you, Mrs. Zamora." He whispered laughing and I winked at him.

"At tsaka, abogado po pala ang Daddy ko, anong mga pangalan ninyo para alam namin
kung sino ang kakasuhan just in case I get bored one day and entertain myself by
suing you for moral damages?" I asked them sweetly and they looked at each other
before they tried to smile at me.
"We're sorry, Iha pero we were not referring to you. Meron lang kaming nakasabayan
kanina sa bus." One of them said and I continued to smile.

"Bus? You took the bus? I have nothing against people commuting pero naiinis po
talaga ako sa mga taong nagkukunyaring mayaman just because nakaapak sila ng Wack-
wack." I continued and the smiles froze on their faces. "Mauna na po kaming umalis,
the air in here is starting to smell rotten." I uttered before I pulled John with
me.

"Kitten, na-miss kitang magtaray." He said laughing.

"O sige, gabi-gabi akong magtataray sayo." I said and he laughed harder.

"Wag naman pero alam ko naman kung paano ka pinapaamo eh." He whispered and I
rolled my eyes at him.

"You and your perverted ideas, Mr. Zamora."

"No. It's you and my perverted ideas, Mrs. Zamora." He corrected.

When we got home we took a bath first before we visited the twins' nursery. Tulog
na tulog ang mga bata samantalang ang mga yaya naman ay busy sa kanilang mga tab.

"Mam Ice, Ser Fire." They greeted. We don't mind na maglaro sila o kung ano man ang
gawin nila basta tulog ang mga bata at tapos na lahat ng gawain. In fact, it was
John's idea to give them and the other househelps an android tab each para naman
daw nakakasabay sila sa uso and for a week, ang ingay sa first floor ng bahay kasi
hibang na hibang silang lahat sa Flappy Bird. But if there's one thing I learned
from Mom in running a house hold it's this: generosity goes a long way. Kaya ayun
tuloy kahit day off naman nila ng Sunday wala nang lumalabas kasi parang nahihiya
sila at mas pinipili nilang pumirmi na lang silang lahat sa bahay kahit ilang beses
na naming sinabing okay lang na lumabas sila.

"Kami na po dito, Manang." My husband said and they bowed their heads and left the
room.

"Alam mo bang may facebook si Manang Lina?" I asked John and he laughed softly.
"Did she send you a friend request too kasi nag-send sya sa akin?"

"Hindi ko pa nachi-check, alam mo namang hindi ako mahilig magbukas ng Facebook

pero nung nakaraang linggo sabi nya i-accept ko daw sya."

"Nakakaloka lang di ba? Mamaya magkaroon pa sila ng fan page."

"Si Manang Concha gumawa ng fan Page para kay Nora Aunor." John said.

"Hindi nga?" I asked laughing and he nodded his head.

"Oo, narinig kong pinag-usapan nila sa baba kasi ini-invite nya yung iba na i-like
daw yung Fan Page nya." He uttered and I wasn't able to stop myself from laughing.
"Bakit ba tulog ng tulog tong mga bata? Kelan pa sila magsisimulang maglaro?"
"Wala pa silang one month!" I protested and he grinned. "Ang taas naman ng
expectations mo sa mga bata."

"Hindi naman pero di ba ang cute kasi kapag may toddler tapos hahabol-habulin mo."

"Akala mo lang cute but I read over the internet na hindi mo na kailangang mag-
cardio exercises kapag may toddlers ka at sobra daw syang nakakapagod."

"Di bale na, rewarding naman." He answered and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Puppy..."

"Ano?"

"Bakit ang bango-bango mo?"

"Kasi amoy gatas ako?" He asked and I laughed. "Sa ating dalawa dapat ikaw ang amoy
gatas kasi ikaw ang nagbi-breastfeed."

"Bakit bini-breastfeed din naman kita ah." I retorted and he burst out laughing
waking the twins up. "Bakit kasi ang ingay mo!" I chastised.

"Ikaw kaya." He replied as we picked them up. "Si Mommy o, Blaze ang halay." John
said as he started to sway.

"Wag kang maniwala dyan, Blaze. Mas mahalay si Daddy." I answered and we both
laughed. "Twinkle dapat mahinhin ka tulad ni Mommy ha."

"Mahinhin?" John asked.

"Bakit, hindi ba? Ikaw lang naman yung nagbukas ng pintuan ng kahayukan ng laman sa
aking murang edad." I said and we laughed again.

"Kitten, may magagawa ba naman ako kung isang ngiti mo lang nakikiliti na ang mga
dapat makiliti sa akin?"

"Hoy, tama na." I objected giggling. "Ang bastos mo. Naririnig ng mga bata."

"Hindi naman kabastusan yun, lambingan yun." He retorted. Someone knocked and the
door creaked open.

"Mam Ice, mommy nyo po nasa phone." Manang Luisa said.

"Pakisabing tatawagan ko sya mamaya, pinapatulog lang po namin ang mga bata."

"Sige po." She said before she closed the door again. As soon as the twins fell
asleep, we headed downstairs and I called Mom. I sat on John's lap as I waited for
Mom to pick the phone up.

"Princess."

"Hello, Mommy! Bakit po kayo napatawag kanina?" I asked over the phone.

"Remember Zeny, yung anak ng kapatid ng Daddy mong si Tita Florence?"

"Yeah, I remember pero di po ba they migrated to Canada years ago?"

"Oo, twelve years ago. Now your Tita called at parang may problema yata kaya
pinapauwi nila si Zeny ng Pilipinas." She uttered. I remember Zeny, mas matanda sya
sa akin and she's very competitive. Lahat yata ng laruan ko nung bata kami gusto
nyang angkinin at lahat yata ng damit na meron ako ay gusto nyang meron din sya.
She even went as far as hiding my favorite pair of shoes kasi gusto nyang maging
kanya.

"Problema? Anong klaseng problema? Are they okay?"

"Oo, okay lang sila pero parang si Zeny may kinalolokohang lalaki kaya
pinagbabakasyon nila dito."

"Oh, okay. Zeny is two years older than me. Hindi ba dapat payagan na nilang mag-
boyfriend yun?"

"I'm not sure about the details but according to your Dad, married daw yung
lalaki." Mom divulged and for some reason my heart suddenly beat like crazy. Call
it instinct, call it paranoia but I suddenly had a bad feeling about Zeny's
arrival. I looked at John who was busy placing kisses along my arms and I gripped
the phone tightly.

"She fell for a married guy?" I asked and John stopped what he was doing to look at
me.

"Oo. She tried to kill herself daw because of that married guy kaya sabi ng Tita mo
ay gusto nilang malayo sa lalaki si Zeny." Mom said. Now, she's my cousin and I
didn''t want to judge her but I seriously have a very low opinion of women who fall
for guys who are already committed.

"Saan sya titira?" I asked.

"Dito sa bahay temporarily. And that's the reason why I'm calling, baka pwedeng
ipagamit yung room mo sa kanya kasi ipapaayos pa namin yung isang guest room."

"Bakit, kelan po ba sya dadating?" I asked.

"Sa susunod na araw." Mommy replied. "Is it alright kung hiramin nya muna ang
kwarto mo?" She questioned and I didn't know what came over me because I said no
immediately.

"Bakit?" Mom asked in surprise. "Of course okay lang naman kung ayaw mo pero gusto
ko lang malaman kung ano ang rason." She added.

"She can't borrow what's mine." I replied looking at my husband.

####################################
Chapter 9: Fire
####################################

I can always sense when my wife's in distress. Call it insight; call it

perceptiveness or call it whatever you want pero alam ko agad after the call ended
na hindi maganda ang timpla nya. Her brows were knitted together and she had the
far-away look in her eyes.

"Ano yun, Kitten?" I asked and she turned to look at me.

"My cousin's going to live with us."

"Dito sa bahay?" I asked. Hindi ako madamot pagdating sa ibang bagay but I wasn't
ready to share my wife and my children yet with anyone else. We just started a
family at gusto kong kami na muna. "Bakit dito?"

"Hindi dito. Sa bahay namin." She answered and I smiled.

"Ah, okay. Yun naman pala. Akala ko naman dito. Gusto ko muna kayong masolo ng mga
bata." I uttered. She remained fazed so I pulled her towards me for a kiss. "Ano
yun, what's bothering you?"

"I think I'm paranoid, John."

"Ha?"

"Alam ko namang mahal na mahal mo ako pero feeling ko aagawin ka sa akin ng ibang
tao."

"What? Sino naman? Sa tingin mo magpapaagaw ako? Kitten, we've talked about this.
Besides, ganun din naman ang pakiramdam ko kaya nga gusto kong mag-eighteen ka na
so you can use my last name."

"I haven't seen Zeny for years but my memory of her isn't filled with fondness at
hanggang ngayon naasar pa rin ako sa kanya. Ang babaw lang kasi ilang taon na ba
ang nakalipas?"

"Zeny is your cousin who'll be living with Mom and Dad?"

"Oo."

"I'll steer clear of her path if that will make you feel better." I suggested and
she laughed.

"Ano ka ba, hindi sa ganun. Basta masama lang feeling ko sa babaeng yun. Or maybe
kaya lang ganun kasi yung circumstances kaya sya pinapauwi sa Pilipinas ay hindi
maganda. According to Mom, she fell for a married guy."

"Even if she did kung ayaw ng lalaki, walang mangyayari. Hindi mo naman kontrolado
yung feelings at actions ng ibang tao pero yung feelings at actions mo kontrolado
mo." I said and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Bakit kaya napakaselosa ko na, Puppy?"

"Dati ka pa kayang selosa pero hindi ka lang umaamin." I teased and she pouted.

"Hindi ah! I've always been secure of my place in this universe."

"Oo, but not when I'm concerned. Pero wag kang mag-alala, mas malala ako. May
tumingin lang sayo gusto ko nang mambugbog."

"Malala nga yan." She answered laughing. She turned to sit astride facing me and I
always love it when she's playful. "Puppy..."

"Yes?"

"Wag kang maglalandi sa iba ha." She uttered sweetly.

"Oo naman." I replied as I pulled her close. Minsan nakakalimutan naming may ibang
tao sa bahay, mabuti na lang yung mga katulong namin sanay nang naglalambingan kami
ng asawa ko kaya iniiwasan nilang pumunta sa mga lugar sa loob ng bahay kung nasaan
kami parating naglalagi.

"Kasi pag ikaw naglandi sa iba." She continued, her voice saccharine in its
sweetness. "Lahat ng pwedeng putulin sayo puputulin ko." She whispered against my
ear and I burst out laughing.

"Ang saya naman yang puputulan ka na nga may halong lambing pa." I joked and she
laughed. "Gamitin na natin to baka mamaya bigla na lang maputol." I said as I
pushed against her.

"Hindi pa pwede." She said. "Besides mapuputol lang yan pag ginamit mo sa iba."

"Kitten naman, nakapadlock to di ba at ikaw ang may hawak ng susi?" I kidded and
she laughed.

"Ang halay mo talaga." She said but she ground herself against me.

"Hindi pa ba talaga pwede?" I whined and she shook her head.

"Excited ka na, Puppy?" She taunted.

"Bakit, ikaw ba hindi?"

"Secret." She whispered as she pulled my face towards her for a kiss. May tinatawag
ang mas nakakatanda na honeymoon period sa isang relationship. Ang sabi nila all-
roses daw itong period na to at walang masyadong away, puro lambingan daw. Usually
daw ay isang taon lang ito nagtatagal but I refute that. I don't see myself and my
wife acting less sweeter than we are acting now. Hindi normal sa akin ang hindi sya
nilalambing at lalong hindi normal sa akin ang hindi sya naglalambing.

"Akyat tayo." I whispered against her lips. "Tara." I said and she made a move to
get off me. "Ganyan ka lang." I whispered as I stood up and carried her with me.

Hindi kami nakisundo sa pinsan nya but my father-in-law insisted that we should at
least be present pagdating ni Zeny sa bahay nila kaya pumunta kami ni Irina. I hate
leaving my twins kaya ayokong lumalabas.

"Iwanan natin sila para hindi natin kailangang magtagal dun." My wife said. "At
least we can tell them that we'd like to be with the kids and we can go home early.
Pag dinala natin ang mga bata, ayaw na tayong pauwiin nina Mommy nyan." Irina had
said.

"Okay. Ikaw ang magaling mag-plano." I had replied grinning. Hindi rin nakisundo si
Ingrid kaya nagkukulitan kami habang hinihintay ang parents nilang dumating
together with Zeny.

"Ganun? Set-up? Kunyari-kunyarian lang na kayo?" Irina asked.

"Basta mahabang kwento. Ate naman, I want your support now. No, I demand for your
support now. Broken-hearted kaya ako kaya you better be nice to me."

"Parang pumasok ka sa isang problema kung ganyan."

"Hindi yan, besides Aleph is harmless tsaka di ba kilala mo yun?"

"Oo kilala ko kasi member ng debating team, student council at school paper yun."

"Eh yun naman pala."

"Naku, Ingrid. I have a feeling that you'll fall for him. Di ba, John?"

"Hm.."

"Ate naman eh! Di ako mahilig sa matatalinong tulad mo, mas mahilig ako sa mga
athletic na tulad ni Kuya JFK. Nakakaasar naman bakit wala pa kayong pasok? Bakit
ang aga nung sa amin?"

"Buti na yan, tingnan mo ang aga mo ring nagka-boyfriend." I kidded and Irina
laughed as Ingrid scowled.

"Sige, ganyan ka, Kuya hindi na tayo kampi."

"Kampi pa rin syempre." I said. "First day high? First day ng school may boyfriend
agad? Dalhin mo nga sa bahay yan si Aleph at kakausapin ko."

"Hindi nga kami serious, Kuya."

"The more na dapat ko syang kausapin. Bakit hindi kayo serious? Laru-laro na lang
relationships ngayon?" I asked.

"We're here!" I heard my father-in-law's voice at tumayo kaming tatlo. I expected

Zeny to be near Irina and Ingrid's physique and I was surprised when I saw her. Her
hair was dyed blond, she was shorter than my wife and Ingrid and she was wearing a
lot of make-up. But what surprised me more was her clothes. Hindi ako conservative
pagdating sa pananamit ng mga babae. I've always believed na dapat sinusuot mo kung
ano ang komportable para sayo. Well, my wife's an exception because I've never been
fond of seeing her wear anything that's above the knees and without sleeves when we
go out.

"Hi, Zeny." I heard Irina say and I pasted a smile on my face. Si Ingrid, dahil
siguro mas bata, ay mas vocal sa feelings nya.

"Cousin Zeny, may protesta ba ang mga textile factories sa Canada at parang
nagkulang kayo sa tela?" She happily asked and my father-in-law cleared his throat.
"Mabuhay! Welcome to the Philippines!" She added. I hid my smile as they moved
forward to give her a hug.

"Thanks! Grabe, it's so init here!" Zeny said.

"Yeah, it's a tropical country kasi that's why it's so init. But don't worry we
have what they call aircons here naman so you don't make pawis-pawis all the time."
Ingrid answered and I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Zeny looked at me and
smiled.

"You must be JFK. I heard so much about you and I wonder if everything I heard is
true." She said as she extended her hand. I clasped it briefly and smiled.

"There are only three things that you need to know about me, I'm Irina's husband, I
am a father of adorable twins and I have an equally adorable wife." I said smiling
and she laughed as she continued to look at me. Sanay ako sa mga babaeng tumititig,
you always get that when you're an athlete but Zeny's gaze made me feel uneasy.
Napa-praning na yata ako. Bakit feeling ko may kakaiba dito sa babaeng to?

"Tara na, let's eat. For sure gutom na gutom na si Zeny." My father-in-law said.
Nauna silang tatlo nina Zeny na pumuntang dining at naiwan kami nina Ingrid.

"Is it just me or malagkit ang tingin ni Zeny kay Kuya?" Ingrid whispered. "What's
with her? Crush nya yata si Kuya JFK."

"Naku, wag syang magkakamali." Irina replied. "Pero ang sweet ng sinabi mo kanina,
Puppy." She added as she wrapped an arm around my waist. Dinner was unpleasant; I
hate being gawked at and I hate being the subject of flirtatious innuendos
especially if they're not from my wife.

"JFK, be a sweetheart and please pass me that catsup." Zeny said and Ingrid moved
to give the catsup to the older girl. Gusto ko tuloy syang ilibre sa tuwa.

"Ito po." She said and Zeny's smile slipped. I glanced at my wife's murderous stare
and I knew anytime soon, she'll just burst into flames and destroy anyone in her
path.

"Kitten, do you want to go to the mall later para makapamili na tayo ng school
supplies?" I asked and she glanced briefly at me.

"Saan ka mag-aaral, JFK?" Zeny inquired.

"Sa UP Diliman kami ng asawa ko mag-aaral." I replied politely.

"Saan yun? Baka maisipan ko na ring mag-enrol dun if the guys are half as hot as
you." She uttered giggling. I'm sure Irina's parents felt the tenseness in the
atmosphere because my mother-in-law called Zeny's attention.

"Nagustuhan mo ba ang luto ko, Zeny?" She asked and Zeny laughed as she turned to
look at me again.

"Oo nga po eh, ang sarap." She said. I lowered my gaze and stared at my plate.
Pusang gala naman tong babaeng to. Nakakakilabot.

"Bakit ka pala pinalayas sa inyo?" Ingrid questioned and Zeny threw her head back
and laughed.

"Ang harsh naman ng pinalayas. May hindi pagkakaunawaan lang." She said. I could
feel her eyes on me and I was tempted to stand up and leave. "Ganun kasi ako pag
may gusto akong makuha, ginagawan ko ng paraan. Ganun ka rin ba, JFK?" She asked.

"So hanggang kelan ka dito, Zeny?" Irina's Mom inquired.

"Nothing definite, Tita." Zeny replied before she turned to look at me. "JFK, could
you please pass me the apples?" She asked at since ako lang ang malapit sa fruit
basket I moved to hand it to her. "Thanks." She said looking at me. "Depende, Tita
if something interesting comes up." She added. taking a bite from an apple. She
shrieked in surprise when a knife flew towards her at bumaon yun sa mansanas na
kagat nya.

"If you do not stop flirting with my husband, sa noo mo na ang susunod na tarak
nyan." Irina murmured. Zeny looked very frightened as she stared at the steak knife
on her apple. She recovered quickly as she put the apple down and smiled at my
wife.

"There is a misunderstanding, Ice. I wasn't flirting--"

"Oh please, don't give me bullshit because I just gave birth to twins and I have
the right to act like a bitch and I can turn full bitch on you anytime."

"It's just that he looks like someone I know." Zeny stuttered. Walang nagsalita
because there's always something about Irina's anger that shuts you up.

"That's the dumbest pick-up line in human history. But then you're dumb so you're
excused." My wife replied. My father-in-law looked on but he didn't dare to talk.
"And please, Zeny stop leaning over at baka bumulwak sa pinggan mo yang boobs mo,
nakakahiya naman sa boobs kong mas malaki kesa sayo pero hindi ko
pinangangandalakan!"

"I wasn't flirting --" Zeny started to say. But Irina shook her head. "I'm sorry
but --"

"Of course you should be sorry because you're flirting with a relative's husband!
Ayoko nang kumain baka umasim pa yung gatas ko dahil sa pagkabwisit sayo at kawawa
naman ang mga anak ko!" She declared. "I'm only going to say this once. I don't
care who's husband you're after but you cannot take mine at baka magkandaletse-
letse talaga yang buhay mo kapag nagtangka ka! Halika na, Puppy." She said as she
stood up. I stood up as soon as she did and Irina turned to look at her Dad. "I
don't want her here at wala akong pakialam kung saan nyo sya ilalagay pero wag dito
sa pamamahay na to!" She spat. We left the table and Ingrid followed. "My God, that
woman is unbelievable!" Irina mumbled.

"Oo nga, Ate. Pero I'm unbelievably hungry too." Ingrid complained and my wife
looked at her sister and laughed.

"Bakit ka ba kasi sumunod?"

"Kasi supportive ako?" Ingrid replied. "Ilibre nyo ako. I demand for my right to
eat."

"Saan mo gusto?" I asked as I draped an arm each around their shoulders. That
wouldn't be the first time that I'll witness Irina's wrath.

####################################
Chapter 10: Fire
####################################

Hinatid namin si Ingrid sa bahay pagkatapos kumain and Irina wasn't too keen on
going back dahil nandun pa rin si Zeny.

"Naku baka malampaso ko sya sa sahig ng wala sa oras at hindi lang kutsilyo ang
ibato ko sa kanya, granada na!" She mumbled as Ingrid laughed.

"Di bale, Ate abogado naman si Daddy at dahil ikaw ang kanyang princess ay for sure
ipagtatanggol ka nya."

"Naaasar ako kay Daddy! Bakit ba sya pumayag na sa atin tumira si Zeny? Wala na ba
tayong ibang kamag-anak? She could have stayed with lola para kada-oras
makapagdasal sya at nangangailangan sya ng matinding patnubay ng kalangitan." My
wife said, much to my amusement. I've met Irina's lola and the experience was very
memorable. She was against us not getting married properly in a church and she went
on and on about sinners and quoted bible verses until my ears nearly fell off.
Dalawang beses pa lang kaming nagkita and on both occassions she whispered
'fornicator' under her breath the moment she saw me.

"Ayoko nga rin sya, Ate eh. Feeling ko babarahin ko na lang sya parati kung sa
bahay sya titira. Basta Ate at Kuya kapag hindi pa sya umalis, makikitulog ako sa
inyo ha?"

"Oo naman." I readily replied. "Pabisitahin mo si Aleph sa bahay, sabihin mo

kakausapin ko sya."

"Kuya naman eh! Wala nga yun. Chika-chika lang. Pang-status lang sa FB."

"Ingrid, ha ayoko na yang pagiging hightech mo. Pati relationships, hanggang FB

lang?"

"Basta, may usapan nga kasi kami." Ingrid mumbled. When we reached their house,
hindi na kami bumaba ng asawa ko.

"Ingrid, tell Mom and Dad na next time na kami dadaan kasi nagmamadali kaming umuwi
at nami-miss na namin ang mga bata." I said.

"Opo!" Ingrid replied waving at us.

"Tell Dad that if he's not going to kick that idiot out of the house, he's never
ever going to see his grandkids again!" Irina said and I looked at her in surprise
pero ayokong magsalita kasi alam kong kumukulo ang dugo nya sa pinsan nya. I
totally understand where she's coming from pero iniisip ko rin na anak si Zeny ng
kapatid ng father-in-law ko at hindi nya kasalanan kung ganun ang asal ng pamangkin
nya.

"Makakarating, Ate!" Ingrid happily replied before she waved goodbye at us. We
drove home in silence and I decided to broach the subject.

"Kitten..."

"Yes?"

"I know you're mad and you'll probably get angry at me because of what I'm about to
say pero gusto ko lang sabihin yung thoughts ko regarding sa matter na to. Di ba
may usapan tayo not to keep things to ourselves?"

"Okay." She said as she turned to look at me. "Anong sasabihin mo?"

"Promise me first na hindi ka magagalit."

"Hindi ako magagalit..."

"Thanks, Kitten."

"Kung wala akong ikakagalit." She added at hindi ko mapigilang matawa. Ang asawa ko
talaga. "Pero alam mo naman sigurong mahal na mahal kita kaya magalit man ako sayo,
magpapa-cute ka lang, mawawala agad."

"I know, that's why I love you." I uttered and she leaned towards me to kiss me on
the cheek.

"Not as much as I do." She answered. "Ano yung sasabihin mo?"

"First of all, I love how feisty you were earlier. Sana lang hindi dumating yung
panahon na sa sobra mong galit sa akin ay babatuhin mo na ako ng kutsilyo." I joked
as I glanced sideways at her and saw her smile.

"Dapat mag-aral ka nang umilag." She said grinning.

"Kitten naman..."

"Bakit naman kita babatuhin ng kutsilyo kung halimbawang mambababae ka?"

"Salamat." I retorted smiling.

"...kung pwede naman kitang putulan?" She added before she burst out laughing.
"Kaya ikaw wag kang mambababae ha."

"Sa ganda at sexy ng asawa ko, baliw na lang talaga ako kung mambababae pa ako."

"Puro bola eh. Sige na nga pagbigyan. Ano ba ang sasabihin mo?" She asked.

"I'm on your side but..."

"That but better be good."

"It isn't right to threaten Dad that he won't see the kids again if he doesn't kick
your cousin out of his house." I slowly said.

"Kasi napakabastos nung babaeng yun! Sa harapan ko pa? Sa harapan ng pamilya ko?
How dare she!"

"I know, I know. Pero walang kinalaman sina Dad dun. Ramdam mo naman siguro how
tense the atmosphere was earlier because they can sense that Zeny was flirting pero
hindi nila kasalanan yun, Kitten."

"Oo, naiintindihan kita but I don't want her there!"

"Sa tingin mo ba ikakagaan ng loob ni Dad yung binilin mo kay Ingrid? Blaze and
Twinkle are their first grandchildren, Kitten. Wag naman ganun."

"Oo na, maldita na ako at ikaw na ang mabait!" She grumbled and I sighed.

"Tayo at ang mga pamilya natin ay magkakampi. Hindi naman kailangang magkaroon ng
samaan ng loob lalo na't ibang tao ang involved."

"So what do you want me to do?" She asked.

"Call Dad and tell him that they can visit the children anytime but you're serious
when you said that you don't want Zeny to live with them. Mahal ka ng Daddy mo at
alam ko, ngayon pa lang he's already thinking of ways how to ditch, Zeny. Ayoko
lang kasing nagbibitiw ka ng ganung klaseng salita sa kanila. Matanda na sila,
mabilis na magtampo at ayokong magkatampuhan kayo dahil lang sa ganung bagay."

"Fine, I'll call him later."

"Call him now." I said and she frowned at me. "Please. Kasi for sure nasabi na ni
Ingrid yung pinasabi mo kaya sigurado rin akong nagsisimula nang magtampo si Dad."
I said as I smiled at her and she rolled her eyes. "Please?" I said and she
expelled a heavy breath before she reached for her phone. "That's my girl."

"Hello, Dad." I heard her say. "Dad pinapasabi po ng son-in-law ninyo na pwede daw
po ninyong puntahin ang mga bata anytime." She said and I had to smile. "Wala eh,
talo ako kasi malakas kayo dito sa asawa ko." She added and there was laughter in
her voice. "Okay, I'll tell him. I'm sorry about earlier, Dad I was just pissed. I
know it isn't your fault, nag-preach na sa akin si Fr. Zamora. Talaga po? Good. I
love you and Mom to pieces. Bye! See you tomorrow!"

"What did he say?" I asked as soon as she ended the call.

"Mahal ka daw nya." She answered and I laughed. "Talaga naman nagkakasundo ang mga
lalaki."

"Di naman sa ganun--"

"Alam ko. I'm glad maayos ka sa parents ko, John. I'm really happy na kahit may
times na brat ako sa kanila, you always remind me to be a good daughter. Anyway,
according to Dad, Zeny will be using one of our condo units for the whole duration
of her stay here."

"See? I told you. Gagawan at gagawan ni Dad ng paraan yan kasi alam nya na galit ka
dun. Pipiliin ba naman nya ang pamangkin nya over you?"

"Masyado lang akong asar kay Zeny, pati tuloy sina Dad nadamay pa. Thanks again,
Puppy."

"You're welcome." I said. "Pero may kabayaran yan in a few weeks." I kidded
laughing and she turned to me to arch her brow.

"Ano ka, ako ang maniningil ano." She retorted and we both laughed. When we reached
home, naligo muna kami bago pumunta sa nursery ng kambal. Irina has this weird idea
na may dala kaming germs galing sa labas at baka daw magkasakit ang mga bata kapag
hindi kami naligo bago sila kargahin. I'm too smart a husband to question his
wife's wisdom kaya hindi ako nagrereklamo. "Bakit kung kelan gusto ko silang
kargahin tsaka naman sila tulog?" Irina asked as we watched the sleeping twins. "At
kung kelan tulog na tayo tsaka naman nila gustong magpakarga?"

"Sabi mo nga, kabayaran sa sarap." I whispered against her ear and she laughed
softly. "Kitten, I think that's your phone." I remarked. Bukas kasi ang connecting
door papunta sa kwarto namin kaya rinig na rinig ko.

"I think that's yours."

"Phone mo." I insisted.

"Bakit ba kasi pareho tayo ng ring tone? Hindi tuloy natin ma-identify kung
kaninong phone ang tumutunog."

"Ako nang kukuha." I said laughing. I nuzzled her neck before I stood up to check
the phones. "Phone ko, Kitten." I said as I swiped the screen to check the message.
"Kanino to galing?" I murmured to myself.

Hi, is this JFK Zamora? The message read. Walang nakakaalam ng telepono ko kundi
families namin ni Irina at yung mga kaibigan namin.
"Weird." I mumbled. Hindi na ako nagreply. Kung hindi nya alam na sa akin nga yung
number, baka isa sya sa mga taong ayokong bigyan ng contact number ko. Bumalik ako
sa nursery and lay down beside my wife.

"Kanino galing?" She asked as I wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Hindi ko kilala. Tinatanong nya kung yung number na yun ay number ko daw."

"May ganun?"

"Baka prank lang. Baka walang magawa sina Christian at Kenneth. Kilala mo naman
yung mga yun, ang lakas mag-trip minsan."

"Ayusin nila yang trip nila kasi pag ako ang nag-trip dadanak ang dugo."

"Mrs. Zamora, ang violent mo." I whispered against her neck. She sighed contentedly
as she tilted her head to the side to give me more access.

"Ito na naman tayo sa lambingang bitin." She remarked before she pulled my face
towards hers for a kiss. As usual, the kiss turned heated as I moved to lie in
between her thighs. "Bibinyagan din ba natin tong nursery?" She asked and I
grinned. My hand was already inside her shirt when one of the twins cried. We
sighed in unison as I rolled off her and stood up to help her to her feet. Niyapos
ko sya agad.

"Miss na kita." I murmured and she hugged me back.

"Alam ko kung anong klaseng pagka-miss yan." She whispered and I chuckled. We
parted when another cry joined the first. "Tahan na. Tahan na." Irina chanted as
she picked one of twins up. "Bakit ba napaka-iyakin nitong si Blaze? Kanino kaya
nagmana to?"

"Hindi sa akin." I said and Irina laughed.

"Defensive masyado." She teased. "Buti na lang talaga may naka-imbento ng rockers."
She said as we placed the twins on their rockers. "Hulaan ko babae sya o kung hindi
man ay lalaki sya at meron syang asawa who bullied him into inventing one." She
added and I laughed.

"Masakit ba ulit mga balikat mo?"

"Hindi, pero baka mamaya magka-muscles na ako."

"Bakit ayaw mo, Kitten? Yung iba ngang babae naggi-gym pa magka-muscles lang."

"Hindi bagay sa akin may muscles."

"Kahit naman ano bagay sayo." I said.

"John, tama na nga. Hindi naman erotic yung usapan pero natu-turn on ako sa mga
pinagsasabi mo. Malala na to."

"Ayaw mo kasing pumayag na--"

"Ayoko nga sa ganun. I want to feel you inside me." She replied candidly and I felt
my manhood jump to life.

"Tama ka wag na nating pag-usapan." I uttered and she turned to me and arched her
brow.

"May nagising?" She ribbed.

"Medyo."

"Di bale, ilang linggo na lang pwede ka na uli magsawa sa katawan ko."

"Hinding-hindi ako magsasawa sa katawan mo, Mrs. Zamora."

"Aba dapat lang." She answered and I chuckled. It took nearly an hour before the
twins fell asleep and Irina and I initially decided to watch TV but changed our
minds. "Tulog na lang tayo kasi for sure gigising na naman ng madaling araw yung
mga bata, at least makaidlip tayo ngayon." She said.

"Tara."

"Inaantok ka ba?"

"Hindi pero maya-maya aantukin din ako."

"Anong gagawin mo?"

"Papanuorin kita habang natutulog ka."

"Ang sweet mo naman."

"And I'll imagine all the exciting things I'll do to you while you sleep..."

"Hindi pala sweet." She mumbled and I laughed. She snuggled against my chest and
closed her eyes. I love watching my wife sleep - I love the gentle droop of her
lips; I love how peaceful she looks and I love how she sighs contentedly when I hug
her close.

"I love you." I whispered and her eyes fluttered open.

"I love you." She answered. I kissed her on the forehead and rhythmically patted
her back until her breathing evened.

"Mahal na mahal na mahal kita, Irina." I whispered. I was getting sleepy too when I
heard my phone ring again at tumayo ako, careful not to disturb my wife. "Sino ba
tong lokong to." I murmured. The message was from the same number.

I've accepted the challenge.

"Loko talaga to sina Christian." I mumbled seeing that there was an attachment. I
touched the icon to view the picture and nearly dropped my phone. It was a picture
of a woman touching herself.

.
.

.
####################################
Chapter 11: Fire
####################################

"Ang bastos nitong mga gagong to." I mumbled angrily as I dialed Christian's
number. He answered on the fifth ring and clenched my fist when I heard his voice.

"Fire! Kumusta? Bakit ka napatawag? Basketball tayo kina Kenneth bukas, bro grabe
ang boring dito sa bahay." I heard him say. "Batung-bato na ako dito, sawa na ako
sa kakalaro nitong Devil May Cry na to, kabisado ko na lahat ng mazes at clues o
baka pwedeng pasyal na lang kami sa inyo?"

"Ian, may pinagbigyan ka ba ng number ko?" I asked trying to control my temper. "O
pinagti-tripan nyo ba ako kaya nagpapadala kayo ng malalaswang pictures dahil
masyado kayong bored?"

"Ha?" Christian asked his voice filled with puzzlement. "Wala akong pinagbigyan ng
number mo, Fire. Ako? Magpapadala ng malalaswang pictures? Nanunuod ako ng porno,
oo pero hindi naman ako walang-modo na ipapasa ko pa sa mga kaibigan ko ang
kadumihan ng utak ko. Besides, ang tagal ko nang kaibigan si Ice at alam ko kung
paano magalit yang misis mo. Mahal ko buhay ko, ano." He said and I knew he was
telling the truth which made me feel very uncomfortable dahil iisa lang ibig
sabihin nun -- may nangugulo sa amin ni Irina.

"Pasensya na, Ian." I sighed. "Meron lang kasing walang magawa sa buhay na nagti-
text at nagpadala sa akin ng malaswang picture."

"Sino naman yan? Di ba ang sabi mo kami lang ang binigyan mo ng number mo at yung
families nyo? Sino kaya yan? Imposibleng magpa-prank ng ganun ang mga girls, kilala
nila si Ice at may kapatiran yang mga babae, mas matindi pa sa sorority ang samahan
ng mga yan."

"Yun nga din naisip ko. Malamang hindi sa kanila galing at imposible rin namang sa
pamilya nam--" I said and stopped in mid-sentence. Could this be Zeny? Pero paano
naman nya nakuha ang number ko? I thought growing uneasy. Ayokong tingnan ulit yung
picture to check kung kaninong mukha ang nandun kasi feeling ko nagkakasala ako sa
asawa ko.

"Fire? Nandyan ka pa?"

"Ian, oo. May iniisip lang. Sige, bro pasensya na sa abala. Sorry kanina, dalawa
lang kasi kayong lalaki ni Kenneth na nasa contacts ko maliban kina Dad. Pasensya
na ulit, Ian."

"Wala yun at ngayon pa lang sasabihin ko rin sayo na sigurado akong hindi si
Kenneth ang nagti-trip sayo kung meron mang nagti-trip sayo. Kung sino man yang
gagong yan, good luck sa kanya, sana mala-pusa sya at marami syang buhay kasi pag
si Ice bumigwas sa kanya dapa sya agad." Christian uttered laughing. Nakitawa na
rin ako and apologized again before I ended the call. Nagdadalawang-isip ako kung
idi-delete ko ba yung message o hindi. I want to show it to my wife pero
nalalaswaan ako. Lalaki ako pero I don't find it sexy when women sell themselves
cheaply. Besides, kahit sino pa yang maghubad dyan, I will always choose my with
over her. In the end, I decided to create a contact for the number and wrote PRANK
as the name before I deleted the messages and the picture. I was tempted to wake
Irina up pero kilala ko sya, alam kong kapag sya ang nagalit kahit anong oras
susugod yun and I wanted her to take a rest. Ayoko ring sirain ang gabi nya dahil
lang sa isang taong obviously ay malungkot ang buhay. May mga tao taalgang walang
magawa. I mumbled to myself.

"Puppy..." I heard my wife whimper as she groped the vacant space beside her. I
turned my phone off and immediately got on the bed with her.

"I'm here." I whispered. She turned towards me and I embraced her tightly. "Go back
to sleep." I added. "Nandito lang ako, hindi ako aalis."

"Saan ka ba nagpunta?" She sleepily. "Ikaw ha pag natutulog ako siguro nag-i-
internet ka at nanunuod ka ng kung anu-ano." She murmured and I chuckled.

"Kitten, last na nuod ko porn kasama kita, remember? At bakit pa ako manunuod ng
porn eh nandyan ka naman." I teasingly said and felt her soft hands under my shirt.
I involuntarily shivered.

"Saan ka nga galing?" She asked.

"Tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya tiningnan ko kung sino ang nagtext." I said as I
felt her hand on me. "Kitten--"

"Shh..." She murmured as she continued to touch me. Sino ba namang lalaki ang ayaw
na hinahawakan ng asawa? Sinong lalaki ang tatanggi sa grasyang nangyayari sa kama
but I didn't want it to be one-sided. Ayoko na ako lang. I know I'll feel bad that
my needs were met while hers weren't.

"Are you still bleeding?" I whispered. I know how many days, hours and minutes
exactly since she gave birth, not because I was counting the days when we can
resume being intimate but because I was drawing a timeline for our twins --
painstakingly taking pictures and noting their daily progress.

"It stopped four days ago." She replied and I nodded my head. It's been 26 days and
I wasn't sure if she's ready. I read over the internet that couples can resume
intimacy as early as three weeks.

"Ayokong sumugal." I said with a groan as I wrapped my arms around her. "Baka
mapano ka, ilang araw na lang naman." I murmured kissing the top of her head. The
desire is there, hindi naman nawawala yun pero iniisip ko pa lang na may mangyari
sa asawa ko dahil sa desire na yun, namamatay na lang ng kusa.

"I will know if something's wrong." She said as she sat up.

"No. Ayoko." I said as she started taking her clothes off. "Ayoko. I don't want to
risk it."

"Katawan ko to, kilala ko." She insisted as she pulled at my boxer shorts.

"Irina. Ayoko."

"Ano ba, should I resort to marital rape?" She kidded and I laughed.

"Natatakot ako na baka mapano ka, Kitten." I said, my tone serious. "Magsasarili na
lang ako kesa may mangyari sayo."
"We will stop kapag may naramdaman akong kakaiba." She said as she sat naked
astride me. No matter how noble my intentions are, pag naghubad na ang asawa ko
lahat ng pwedeng magising sa akin, nagigising. I sat up and piled pillows behind me
before I leaned against them.

"Are you comfortable?" I asked and she nodded her head. I pulled her face towards
me and we started kissing. She was more responsive and she reacted to my every
touch with delicious mewls.

"John..." She groaned as I placed open-mouthed kisses along her neck. I leaned
forward and nuzzled the valley between her breasts. I love how her breathing
hitches and I love the sound of her heart beating excitedly inside her chest every
time I touch her. "Do you want me to lie down?" She asked and I shook my head.

"Sa taas ka so you have full control." I answered. I love her hands on me. I love
how sure she is of her touches and I love how bold and confident she is when it
comes to giving me pleasure. I pulled her up and latched my mouth on her breast.
She moaned in delight as she held my head in place. "I want to go down on you." I
whispered and she trembled.

"Tama na foreplay, I'm dripping." She whispered in my ear before she playfully bit
it. She moved as she positioned herself and my worries returned.

"Hihinto tayo kapag masakit, no matter how bearable the pain is, okay?" I stated
and she rolled her eyes at me.

"Opo, mahal na hari." She replied naughtily before she slowly impaled herself on my
erection.

"Careful." I whispered as I held my breath. I watched her face for any sign of
discomfort because no matter how turned on I was I would stop right there and then
if she showed any indication of pain. "Okay ka lang?" I asked and she nodded her
head as I felt her flesh slowly swallow my hardness. "Oh, shit." I gasped as I
fisted the bedcover to quench my urge to surge against her.

"Welcome home, John." She whispered as soon as I was fully seated inside her. It
ceases to be sex when I'm with her, it's too poignant to be called that.

"Our poetry in motion." I whispered back and she smiled before I hugged her close.
Kahit gusto kong gumalaw, pinigilan ko ang sarili ko because I was still anxious
for her so I let her set the tempo. It was long, sweet and torturous as our fleshes
melded repeatedly with her unhurried movements and it took every ounce of my
strength to remain motionless as I relinquished full control of our passionate
dance. "Kitten--" I called her name because I was nearing my release.

"I'm almost there too. Move with me." She replied as I gently surged up against
her. She bit her lower lip as she trembled above me and I followed her a few
seconds after. I caught her as she slumped forward and held her to my chest.

"I love you." I said. "I love you so much, Irina Ysobel Samonte-Zamora." I murmured
against her neck.

"I love you, John." She answered simply but the words meant the world to me.

.
.

I do not like waking up without her beside me at alam nya yun. At alam ko rin na
isa lang ang makakapagpalis kay Irina sa tabi ko -- ang iyak ng mga bata. I went
straight to the nursery and watched as she swayed in place with Blaze in her arms.

"Good morning, Mrs. Zamora." I said as I wrapped my arms around them. "Umiiyak na
naman si Blaze?" I cooed at my son. "Bakit napakaiyakin ni Blaze?"

"Nagmana sa Daddy." Irina answered in a singsong voice.

"Kitten naman, wag ganun baka maniwala si Blaze na iyakin nga ako."

"Bakit, hindi ba totoo?" She playfully asked and I grinned.

"Ikaw lang naman iniiyakan ko." I said and she laughed softly. "Di ba, Blaze si
Mommy lang iniiyakan ni Daddy?" I cooed again and heard another cry.

"Ayan na, nagselos na." Irina stated laughing. "Napakaselosa ni Twinkle. Naawa na
ako sa kung sino man mapapangasawa nya."

"Hindi mag-aasawa to." I said as I picked my daughter up. I felt her diaper.

"Dry yan, kakapalit ko lang." Irina uttered.

"Mana sa Mommy, selosa." I said and I kissed my daughter's chubby cheek. "Pero di
ba hindi ka mag-aasawa, Twinkle? Dito ka lang sa bahay at hindi ka magbo-boyfriend
kahit kelan di ba?"

"That sounds very wrong." Irina muttered and I laughed. "Mas malala ka pa pala sa
Daddy."

"Now, I know how he feels. Ililibre ko nga si Dad bukas." I said grinning and Irina
laughed. "Ibalik na natin sa rockers para makaligo ka na. Di ba papadedehin mo pa
sila?"

"Oo." She answered. "Sure kang kaya mo na sila?" She questioned.

"Kaya ko na, naka-rockers naman. Go take your shower so you can feed them. Gusto
sana kitang sabayan pero walang magbabantay sa mga bata." I added with a grin after
we put the twins on their rockers. She moved behind me and wrapped her arms around
my waist.

"Parang hindi ka natuwa kagabi, Puppy. Bitin pa rin?" She murmured sweetly.

"Hindi naman ako bitin pero alam mo namang araw-araw, oras-oras at minu-minuto
akong sabik sayo." I said as I turned to face her and enfolded her in a hug. "Okay
ka lang ba? Wala bang masakit sayo?"

"Wala." She answered.

"Mabuti naman. If you notice any slight change o baka biglang mag-spotting ka, tell
me, please para maipatingin natin kaagad."
"Wala nga, ang kulit mo. Sige na, liligo na ako." She said before she tiptoed to
give me a kiss. I love playing with my twins kahit ang larong nagagawa lang naman
namin at yung sundan nila ng tingin ang daliri ko o yung toys na hawak ko. I heard
a cellphone sound and I stood up to check.

"I'll get it." I heard Irina say and I lay down on the bed beside the twins'
rockers again.

"John, tumatawag daw si Mommy Elaine sa phone mo at nakapatay daw."

"Baka low batt, Kitten." I answered.

"I'll charge it for you." She replied. "On ko na rin ba?"

"Please do, Kitten. Thanks!" I retorted. A few minutes later, I heard the nonstop
ringing of a cellular phone and I frowned.

"Ang dami mong messages." Irina said.

"Sino ba naman yang magti-text ng ganito kaaga?" I murmured and stopped. I secured
the twins inside their crib and ran to back to our bedroom. "Kitten--"

"Who in the deepest bowel of the devil's anus is PRANK?!" She yelled.

####################################
Chapter 12: Fire
####################################

"Sino tong PRANK?!" She bellowed and I hurriedly closed the connecting door leading
to the nursery. She was glaring at me murderously and I felt my pulse race in fear.
Iba talaga ang asawa ko pag galit. "Why is this imbecile sending you these lewd
images. My god! It's like looking at a train wreck! katawan tawag nya dito?!"

"Kitten--"

"Who in Hades' realm is this, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Fournier Zamora?!" She
screamed. Naku, patay buong pangalan ko na. Bugbog talaga ako nito. "I better hear
a satisfactory answer from you or else BOTH your heads will roll!"

"I don't know kung sino yan." I replied as I tried to push my nervousness away. She
was huffing like a wounded rhino as she gripped my phone tightly in her right hand.

"How the freak did this moron get your number kung di mo sya kilala?!"

"I received a text from that person yesterday and I thought it was Ian, akala ko
they were pulling a joke on me so I ignored it. Remember, I told you may nag-text
sa akin at tinanong ako kung sa akin daw ba ang number na yan? Hindi ko lang
pinansin kasi akala ko nga joke knowing na wala namang ibang nakakaalam ng number
ko kundi families at friends natin."
"Joke ang tawag mo sa malalaswang pics na to?! Aba, Mr. Zamora, kakaiba yata ang
sense of humor mo!" She asked harshly and I felt sweat trickle down my back kahit
naka-aircon naman ang kwarto.

"No, wala pang pictures. Text lang ang natanggap ko sa kanya, Kitten..."

"Wag mo akong matawag-tawag na Kitten baka kalmutin kita!"

"Kitten, naman..." I murmured as I moved towards her to hug her but she stepped
away from me. I sighed and I looked pleadingly at her. "Last night before I went to
bed, I received a text from the same number, ang nakalagay lang dun I've accepted
the challenge tapos merong photo attachment which I immediately deleted." I
answered calmly. Pag si Irina talaga ang galit pati talampakan ko kinakabahan kahit
alam kong wala naman akong ginawang mali. Note to self, kapag may nag-text na
kakaiba kahit anong oras ay kailangang sabihin sa misis kundi sa presinto ka
magpapaliwanag. I murmured to myself. She glared angrily at me and I bowed my head
in defeat waiting for the guillotine to fall.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" She asked in an even tone and I raised my head to
look at her. "Ano to, surprise? Pampagana ng araw?"

"No. Kitten naman. Sorry na kung nilihim ko sayo pero kilala kita. I was supposed
to tell you pero alam kong hindi ka na makakabalik pa ng tulog sa galit at alam ko
rin na kung sino man yan susugurin mo even if it's an ungodly hour and I want you
to rest."

"Sino pang nakakaalam ng number mo?"

"Wala nang iba, families lang natin at tsaka yung mga kaibigan natin. Wala akong
ibang pinagbigyan, Kitten. Alam mo naman yun di ba? Meron nga tayong extra number
that we use when it is necessary to give our number."

"I'm going to kill that bitch." She murmured as she took her phone and dialed a
number. "Ingrid." She said. "Was there a time na hiniram ni Zeny ang phone mo,
phone ni Dad or phone ni Mommy?" She asked as she paced like an angry lioness in
front of me. Pumasok sa isip ko si Zeny pero I was certain hindi ibibigay ng family
ni Irina ang number ko sa kanya. But, as usual, Irina thinks one million light
years ahead of me at di man lang pumasok sa isip ko na baka nga nakuha nya sa ibang
paraan. "Wala naman. Sige, salamat." She said before she put her cellphone down.

"Kitten..."

"Nakakainis ka!" She screamed and I unintentionally took a step back. "Bakit ba
kasi ang gwapo, gwapo mo?! Bwisit!" She shouted. Hindi ko alam what to make of what
she said -- ngingiti ba ako? Iiyak? Luluhod? Magpapasalamat?

"Hindi ko nga sinabi sayo kagabi because I know you'll be upset. Nawala lang sa
utak ko kaninang umaga pero sasabihin ko naman talaga sayo."

"Bumili ka ng ibang telepono! Ang laswa ng demonyang to! Makikita nya! Tingnan
natin kung makakapag-picture pa sya ng mga parte ng katawan nya kung paghihiwa-
hiwalayin ko ang mga yun! I am sure this is Zeny! Freaking, desperate, bitchtard
from hell!"

"Kitten--"

"God, I have to control my temper or else hindi ako makakapag-isip kung paano
gagantihan yung malanding yun." She murmured as she stopped pacing. I watched her
as she closed her eyes and started breathing deeply. "Shit, it's not working!" She
hissed as she started pacing again. She suddenly looked at me. "Hubad. Kama." She
said and I blinked at her in surprise.

"Ha?"

"Anong ha? Maghubad ka na! I need to relax!"

"You mean...? Ah... okay..." I mumbled as I walked towards our bed. Di ko alam kung
matatawa ba ako o ano. Kakaiba talaga tong asawa ko. I thought as I tried to
maintain a straight face. Nakadalawa na kami, isa kagabi at isa kaninang madaling
araw, hindi kaya makakasama sa kanya to?

"Mabango pa rin naman tayo di ba because we took a bath at around 4:30 AM." She
said as crawled on top of me.

"Mabango ka naman parati." I replied getting hard fast.

"Kaya nga gusto kong ligo tayo ng ligo eh because I can't stop the urge to jump
your bones." She said before. "Or should I say boner?"

"Kitten, I'm getting hard."

"Dapat lang." She replied grinning. Irina is the type of woman who loves being in
control but she is the type of wife who loves to give. "Mr. Zamora, pwede ba kitang
molestyahin?" She whispered and I started to pant. I sat up to take my shirt off
and instantly her mouth was on my chest as she started to lick her way towards my
navel.

"Mrs. Zamora, you are too much for my sanity." I groaned as she pulled my boxers
off me before she started stripping.

"Ikaw kasi, Puppy eh nakakaasar ka, parati mo na lang pinahihirapan ang pagkababae
ko." She said before she moved on top of me again. My hand moved to feel her core
checking for her readiness and I moaned aloud when I felt how ready she was for me.

"Pwede bang ako ang mang-molestya sayo ngayon?" I asked huskily and she nodded her
head as she got off me to lie down beside me. I moved to cover her nakedness with
mine and she sighed in contentment. I slid into her and my breathing hitched when I
felt her warmth welcome and surround me. "Sabihin mo sa akin pag may masakit--"

"Masarap nga." She cut me off and I couldn't help but smile. I wanted to take it
slow but she bucked against me and my resolve was dissolving fast.

"Kitten, I don't want to get too excited baka mamaya mapano--"

"Shut up and make love to me, Mr. Zamora." She whispered...and I obeyed. We reached
the precipice at the same time and she held me tight as I slumped tiredly against
her. "Pagod ka?" She asked and I nodded my head. "Aba, this early ang bilis mo na
agad mapagod? Kailangan mo na yata ng balot." She murmured against my ear and
laughed when I started driving into her again. "I was kidding!" She exclaimed and I
stopped moving.

"Gusto mo pa ba?" I asked after I rolled away from her and gathered her in my arms.

"Hindi na. You've satiated my needs perfectly, Mr. Zamora." She replied as she
nuzzled my neck.

"Siguro pwede na tayong mag-usap?" I asked as I tilted her face upward using my
forefinger. She moved so her gaze was at eye-level with mine. I cupped her cheek
and gave her a quick kiss. "Gusto kong pag-usapan natin si Prank."

"Iinit na naman ulo ko, John."

"Well, may natitira pa akong lakas para pakalmahin ka ng mga tatlong beses kahit na
uminit ulo mo ngayon." I kidded and she laughed. I waited for her to finish
laughing before I held her face with both my hands. "Okay lang sa akin na magalit
ka, sumigaw ka, magwala ka as long as you don't leave this house ng hindi tayo
nagkakaayos. Kung gusto mong gamitin ang katawan ko para mawala ang init ng ulo mo,
I'm all yours."

"Parang sex-starved lang ako di ba?" She asked grinning and I chuckled.

"Pareho lang naman tayo. At tsaka promise me, whatever our issue is hinding-hindi
natin ipagkakait ang katawan natin sa isa't isa. That's one of the basics of
marriage, Kitten. Kahit nagkatampuhan tayo kung gusto mo, isang kalabit mo lang
maghuhubad na ako agad. Making love is not meant to be used as a weapon against
each other and I want both of us to be the only ones to satisfy our baser needs."

"I know, napag-usapan na natin yan. Never ko pa namang pinagkait ang kaligayahang
hinahanap mo, ano."

"Good. Gusto lang kitang i-remind just in case you forget. Ako rin, baka sakaling
may makalimutan ako sa mga pinangako natin sa isa't isa, feel free to remind me."

"I will." She replied.

"Now, about that text. I will change my phone and I will change my number. Lahat ng
gustong kumausap sa akin dadaan muna sayo pero ang worry ko baka ikaw naman ang
guluhin at wala akong pakialam sa iba pero ayokong uminit ang ulo mo at ayokong
mag-away tayo dahil lang sa isang text. I just want to make it clear that I really
planned to tell you about that PRANK person, after breakfast sana pero sa totoo
lang, nawala sa isip ko. Whoever she is, if you think that was Zeny, I want you to
remember that you are my wife and therefore I forbid you to stoop down to her
level. Kung aawayin mo sya okay lang pero tatandaan mo na walang naagaw. Sayo pa
rin ako at sayo lang ako, Kitten."

"Kung takot kang magwala ako in public, that's not going to happen pero hindi ako
mapapakali kung hindi ako makakaganti sa babaeng yun."

"I know. I would have gone berserk had our situations been reversed. Kung
gagantihan mo sya gusto kong nandun ako baka mamaya may gawin sya sayo, at least
ako nang papatay sa kanya."

"Aw, si Puppy mananakit ka ng babae?" She asked batting her eyes at me. Which I
found extremely cute kaya hinalikan ko na naman sya ulit.

"Ang cute, cute mo."

"I know. Thanks." She replied roguishly.

"Mananakit ako ng kahit sinong magkamaling manakit sayo." I said and she moved to
hold me tighter. "Ayokong husgahan ang pinsan mo kasi hindi naman tayo siguradong
sya."

"Sabi ni Ingrid, hiniram daw ni Zeny yung phone ni Dad to call her family in Canada
kaya naisip ko na sa ganung paraan nya nakuha ang number mo. Besides, sino naman
ang mangdi-dare sa mga kaibigan nating magpadala sayo ng kalokahang ganun kahit
biro lang?"

"Kelan ba babalik ang pinsan mo sa Canada?"

"Ay, teka lang hindi sya pwedeng bumalik muna kasi sasampalin ko muna sya!" My wife
angrily muttered and I laughed before I kissed her on the forehead. "Puppy, wag na
wag kang magpapaagaw kundi lagot ka sa akin, babalatan talaga kita ng buhay tapos
bubudburan kita ng asin bago kita paliguan ng suka."

"Kitten naman, kinikilabutan ako sa sinabi mo."

"Dadagdagan ko pa ng sili."

"Kitten! Magtatampo na ako."

"May tampo ka pang nalaman, isang hagod lang naman nawawala rin agad." She said as
she palmed my length. My breathing instantly became ragged but I was more concerned
kung pwede pa ba sya.

"Kitten, nakatatlo na tayo, let's not overdo it. Pahinga ka muna." I murmured and
she pouted. "Next week, dighay lang pahinga mo." I added and she rolled her eyes at
me. "Anong plano mo dun sa pinsan mo?" I asked.

"Sigurado kang gusto mong malaman? It's so devious, it's beyond words." She stated
and I smiled.

"Sounds exciting." I said. "Pero kung bibili tayo ng bagong phone ko, gusto ko
pareho pa rin tayong ring tone."

"Ano ba talagang obsession mo sa ringtone, Mr. Zamora at parang gusto mo

magkapareho tayo parati?"

"Kasi di ba nung hindi pa tayo, pareho tayo ng ring tone kaya nasabi ko nun, para
ka talaga sa akin."

"Ang corny." She replied laughing. "O sige, pareho na tayo ng ringtone." She
agreed. "I need to catch, Zeny red-handed pero tingin ko hindi sya ganun katanga to
use the number she uses to contact Dad para mag-send sayo ng mga kabaliwan nya."

"How do you plan on catching her?"

"Tinatanong pa ba yan? Sayang naman itong utak ko kung di ko pagaganahin. Pero,

Puppy I'll be the one to use your old number."

"Okay lang."

"Great. Then let the games begin." She announced, her eyes gleaming. She got off
the bed and returned with her phone before she typed a message.

"Who are you, texting?" I curiously asked.

"Dad. I am asking for Zeny's number under the guise of humanitarian goodwill." She
said and I laughed. Her phone sounded and she smiled. "Got it." She said before she
dialed a number. "Hello, Zeny!" I heard her say and I actually frowned as she
touched her phone's screen to activate the speaker function.

"Hi, Ice! What a surprise!" I heard Zeny reply. "Bakit ka pala napatawag?"

"Wala naman, related talaga tayo, ano?"

"Ha? What do you mean?"

"Come on, Zeny don't play dumb with me although with you, I can't really tell if
you're just playing dumb or being naturally dumb."

"Wait. What?"

"I also love challenges but unlike you I don't merely accept a challenge, I ram it
down someone's throat, pull it out of that person's ass and ram it down her throat
again."

"What are you say--"

"I think you get the picture, Zeny. But just in case the image isn't very clear to
you, I'd be more than happy to allot a time out of my hectic schedule to give you a
demo. For free. And while I'm at it, I could break all two hundred and six bones of
your body, cut off your saggy boobies and feed them to you."

"You're crazy!"

"And you're dead!" Irina answered. "Siguraduhin mo lang na kaya mo itong gulong
pinasok mo kundi uuwi ka ng Canada na paunti-unti. Anong parte ng katawan mo ang
gusto mong unahin kong ipadala sa pamilya mo?"

"Hindi mo ako matatakot!"

"Hindi kita tinatakot, I'm giving you fair warning."

"Isusumbong kita kay Tito!"

"Go ahead my, dear. Make my day." Irina answered and laughed when Zeny disconnected
the call. "Tanga." She mumbled before she turned to me and pouted. "Puppy, I'm
upset give me a hug." She said and I couldn't help but laugh as I wrapped my arms
around my wife.

####################################
Chapter 13: Ice
####################################

Hindi ako dating selosa. In fact, as a girlfriend, I used to rank myself as cool in
the cool meter pero there are girls who just can't take a hint. Hindi ko alam kung
ano pang kailangang isuot na ng asawa ko, aside from his wedding ring, for girls
like Zeny to back-off.

I got a call from Dad, he said umiiyak daw si Zeny dahil sa harassment na ginagawa
ko sa kanya. My gosh, seriously kung harassment ang tawag nya dun, ano na lang ang
pwedeng itawag dun sa pambabalahura nya sa phone ng asawa ko? I thought furiously.
Kakaiba na ang mga kumakabit ngayon, sila na ang may ganang mag-astang nasasaktan.

"Kitten, I trust your instincts pero alam nating hindi aamin si Zeny na sya nga
yun."

"Alam ko. I was just bored that was why I threatened her. Alam ko ring hindi sya
ganun ka-bobo but I'm banking on her being makati to lure her into my trap."

"Paano yan ngayon pinapatawag ka ni Dad?"

"Puppy naman, kelan ba ako takot kay Dad? Besides, tama ka, he won't take Zeny's
side because I'm his daughter and he knows that I'm unforgiving." I uttered calmly.
Papunta kami ng bahay kasi daw pag-uusapan namin yung incident with Zeny dahil
gusto ni Dad na magkaayos kami. Like I give a freak.

"We're here." John announced as the electronic garage gate opened to let our car
in. He helped me out of the car and draped an arm protectively around my shoulders
as we walked towards the house. Mommy was waiting for us and hugged me tight when I
greeted her good morning.

"Be prepared." She whispered in my ear and I nearly arched my brow.

"Be prepared for what, 'Mmy?" I asked and she winked. Anong meron? Don't tell me
may dala pang props itong si Zeny sa pagpunta nya sa bahay?

"Ate! Kuya!" Ingrid happily shrieked as she gave John and me a hug. "Welcome to the
Samonte Film Production's audition for the leading role of Luha: I'll Cry Because
I Can." She said and Mom shushed her before they giggled like two crazed girls.

"That's still bad, baby Ingrid." Mom chastised laughing softly.

"Gosh, she's so OA, 'Mmy. Dinaig pa nya ang acting capabilities ko and to think
member pa ako ng drama club nyan ha." My sister replied and I got more curious.

"Bakit? Nag-iiyak sya?" I inquired and they both nodded their heads.

"Wala pa akong ginawa sa kanya sa lagay na yan." I muttered as we all headed

towards the basement den.

"Dito na lang daw mag-uusap-usap para hindi marining ng mga katulong." Mom answered
my silent question as we descended the stairs. Lo and behold, nandun si Zeny at may
dala syang blanket. Actually, hindi naman blanket, more of napakalaking scarf.

"I've never felt so insulted in my whole life, Tito! Am I a monster to lay hands on
a man who's married to my cousin? Bakit nya ba ako ginaganito? No matter how I look
at it, hindi ko po talaga alam kung bakit ako ang pinagdududahan ni Ice." She
stated before she wailed.

"Let's just wait for her." Dad replied. He was grimacing as Zeny dabbed at her
tears using her giant scarf. "Ang gusto ko lang naman ay magkausap kayo para
matapos na to."

"She totally hurt my feelings when she alluded that I was the one who was sending
messages to her husband! She totally insulted our family's name when she hinted
that I would stoop so low as to resort to sending JFK nude photos of me!" She cried
and I rolled my eyes. Ang tanga nitong babaeng to.

"Hi, Dad." I said.

"Princess." Dad said as he stood up. I went up to him to give him a hug and to kiss
his cheek.

"Good morning." I said.

"Good morning, Dad." John greeted too.

"Good morning. Go take your seats." Dad said and the four of us sat down.
"I would rather na tayong tatlo lang ni Ice ang mag-usap, Tito." Zeny murmured, her
head bowed as she glanced at Mom and Ingrid. "I won't be able to stand the
humiliation kung nandito si Tita at JFK and Ingrid's too young to hear her older
sister's accusations." She added before she sniffed. Feeling ko sasabog ang ulo ko
sa asar. Ang kapal ng pagmumukha ng babaeng ito. I murmured to myself as Mom and
Ingrid looked at each other before they made a move to stand up.

"No, they're staying." I said in a calm voice and they sat back down. "Ngayon ka pa
nahiya eh nakita na nila ang pang-FAMAS na performance mo? Besides, may utak yang
sister ko and she knows kung alin sa mga nakikita nya ang hindi nya dapat sundin.
She witnessed how you flirted with my husband but I don't see her going after other
people's husbands and act like a cheap, moron in front of them." I said and Zeny
looked up to stare at me. Her tears rolled down her cheeks and I squelched the
sudden urge to yank her hair and slam her face repeatedly against the glass-covered
center table.

"Bweno, nandito na rin lang tayong lahat ay pag-usapan na natin to para matapos
na." Dad said and Zeny wailed loudly.

"It's so unfair just because may ganoon akong history doesn't mean na ako na ang
gumawa nun! I know you're all judging me. I can sense it pero hindi ako ganun. I
have my values--"

"Yung values mong naka-sale." I couldn't help but cut her off as I felt John rub my
back with his hand.

"You don't even have proof na ako yun! How dare you sit there and insult me as a
person!"

"If you find my remarks insulting, be glad because I'm so close to letting you find
my remarks painful, and that happens, dearest cousin when I slap you and insult you
at the same time."

"Tito! Will you just sit there and do nothing while Ice threatens me?!" She snapped
at my Dad who looked like he's grown ten years older in the last hour.

"Irina, how did you come up with the conclusion that it was Zeny who sent JFK the
messages and pictures? I understand that you have every right to be angry but I
want to know why you think it's her." Dad serenely asked.

"Dad, we didn't grow up together so it is safe to say that she doesn't know me at
all. Kaya sya lang ang mangangahas to test my temper."

"What?! Just because hindi tayo sabay lumaki ako na agad nagpadala ng pictures at
texts sa asawa mo?!"

"Pangalawa, I did not tell her about the pictures and the messages so paano nya
nalaman?" I asked and Zeny froze. I arched a brow at her as she stammered.

"You... mentioned... I mean... the pictures... na ano..." She haltingly said.

"No, she didn't." I heard John say. "I was listening to your conversation because
my wife activated the speaker function on her phone when you two were talking."

"Na-mention nya! Sinasabi nyo lang yan para palabasin na masama ako! All of you had
this planned from the very beginning!"

"Baka nga we were bored and we have a lot of time in our hands kaya siguro napag-
usapan naming pagkaisahan ka. Baka si Daddy walang businesses na inaasikaso aside
from his law practice and he woke up one evening and called a married man in Canada
to seduce you because he knew na papauwiin ka dito if that happens. Baka naman si
Mommy suddenly realized that running this household and taking care of her family
is not time-consuming enough and she casually suggested to Dad na gawan ng paraang
pauwiin ka sa Pilipinas ng mga magulang mo para pag-tripan ka naming lahat because
we don't have lives of our own."

"Why do you hate me? Dahil ba mas maganda ako sayo? Dahil mas may sex appeal ako
sayo?"

"Sex lang meron ka, wala kang appeal. Stop dreaming." I said. "Ikaw maganda? Ano na
lang ang tawag mo sa amin ni Ingrid? Dyosa?"

"Ay kabog! I like that, Ate!" Ingrid giggled.

"You're insecure!" She spat as she stood up. "Isaksak mo sa baga mo yang asawa mo!
Yan lang ba ang lalaki sa mundo?!"

"Nakasaksak na ang asawa ko pero hindi sa baga ko." I replied standing up too. "Wag
mo nang itanong kung saan at baka mas lalo kang maglaway."

"You're sick!"

"And you're terminally ill! Wala nang lunas yang landi mo! Anong nakukuha mo sa
paghahabol sa asawa ng iba? Does it give you a different kind of high na makasira
ka ng pamilya? Magpasalamat ka na hininto ko ang tangka mong pag-ahas sa asawa ko
dahil kung tinuloy mo yun, hindi na lang challenge mo ang isasaksak ko sa ngala-
ngala mo kundi yang pagmumukha mo pa!"

"As if you can scare me! Sayo na yang asawa mo!"

"Akin lang talaga sya! Kahit dulo ng buhok nya hindi mo pwedeng hawakan! Kahit
anino nya hindi mo pwedeng tabihan! At kahit pawis nya wala kang karapatang amuyin!
Magsalamin ka naman! Hindi ka ba nahiyang subukang agawin ang asawa ko sa ganda
kong to?!"

"Okay, that's enough." Dad said as he stood up.

"See, Tito? Nakita nyo na kung gaano kamaldita yang anak nyo?! Nakita nyo kung
anong manners meron sya?!"

"Excuse me! Do not talk to me about manners because I was raised to have one!"

"Okay, fine! I was the one who texted him! Bakit ka takot? Akala ko ba mahal ka
nya? Pero takot kang may nagti-text sa kanya? Takot ka bang tigasan sya sa iba?
Insecure ka ba-- OUCH!" She screamed as I moved and yanked her hair.

"Ikaw na lang kaka-insecure-an kong malandi ka?!" I yelled as I pulled her towards
the wall ang banged her head repeatedly against it. "Ayan, kahit hindi mo na
hawakan yan matigas na yan kaya magpakasawa ka! Gusto mo ng matigas?! Ano, masarap
ba?! Is this hard enough for you?!" I shouted as I pulled her screaming and kicking
with me.

"Irina!" Dad called my name in alarm.

"No one move until I'm done!" I bellowed and they stood frozen as I dragged Zeny
towards the electric fireplace that we rarely used. "Ito mas matigas to, sabihin mo
sa akin kung kulang pa ang tigas nyan at maghahanap pa ako ng mas matigas para
sayo!" I screamed as I banged her head against the concrete wall. "Wag mo akong
susubukan, malandi ka! Nagpo-post partum ako!" I shrieked as I repeatedly slapped
her.

"Tama na, Ice!" She screeched as she tried to fend off my attacks. "Tama na
please!"

"Ngayon, tama na pero kanina ang tapang mong bwisit ka!" I asked as I hit her
again.

"Sorry!" She cried and I let her hair go. She stumbled backwards. Her face was
bloodied but I was too angry to take pity on her.

"Bwisit na bwisit ako sayo, hayop ka--"

"Sorry na!" She wept, as she lay curled near my feet.

"You have no right to come in-between me and my husband! You have absolutely no
right! At kung ang ibang mga asawa ay iiyak lang kapag inagaw ang mga asawa nila,
ibahin mo ako! Ibuburol muna kita bago kita iiyakan!"

"Tama na please." She sobbed as she sat up. I glared angrily at her. "Aalis na ako,
babalik na lang ako ng Canada." She cried.

"Hindi ka pa pwedeng umalis!" I retorted. "Make her sign an agreement, Dad

absolving me from whatever injury that she incurred today due to her stupidity!" I
said looking at my father. "Our whole conversation is recorded so do not ever think
of suing me because I have provocation as an excuse to my actions at pag ginawa mo
yun bumili ka na rin ng kabaong dahil papatayin kita!" I lied.

"Hindi, Ice." Zeny fearfully said as she glanced at me. "Hindi ako magsasampa ng
kaso." She murmured hastily shaking her head. I stared at her for a long time and
she bowed her head.

"I'm done." I said before I walked towards where everyone was seated. I kissed Dad
on the cheek. "I'm sorry for the mess, Dad. I think she peed on the carpet." I
observed seeing the water stain near where she was huddled. "Send us a bill for the
cleaning, my husband will pay for it." I said and he sighed before he nodded his
head.

"Inuuna ang init ng ulo." He murmured.

"Malamig pa actually ang ulo ko nyan, Dad." I said before I moved to kiss and hug
Mom.

"Sa susunod dahan-dahan at baka mabinat ka." She uttered smiling and I smiled back.

"I'll keep that in mind." I replied.

"Ate, give me a little of your awesomeness!" Ingrid uttered sniggering and I kissed
her cheek.

"Hindi tayo mapagbigay lalo na sa mga bagay na hindi dapat binibigay. Bear that in
mind." I said and she nodded her head.

"Okay ka na?" My husband asked as he hugged me and I nodded my head as I hugged him
back. We said our goodbyes and drove home.

"John..."
"Yes?"

"Wag na wag kang magkakamaling lokohin ako ha."

"Oo naman." He replied. "Mahal na mahal na mahal kita at takot na takot na takot
ako sayo." He answered laughing.

"Buti naman." I replied smiling at him. "Kasi ayokong mabyuda." I added and he
laughed harder.

.
####################################
Chapter 14: Ice
####################################

I've already calmed down when we reached home and just like what we usually do, we
bathed first before we visited the twins in the nursery. Call me paranoid, I don't
really care. Sinisigurado ko lang na walang sakit na makukuha ang mga anak ko dahil
galing kami sa labas. Mommy said dapat daw na ini-expose ang mga bata sa kaunting
dumi to build-up their immune-system pero I cannot risk them getting sick this
young.

"Good morning po." Bati sa amin ng mga yaya nila.

"Kami na muna ang magbabantay sa kanila." John replied smiling and they exited the
room.

"Tulog na naman?" I asked in a whisper as I peeked inside Blaze's crib.

"Si Princess Twinkle tulog din." John replied.

"Kelan ba sila hindi tulog pag umaga? At kelan ba sila matutulog pag gabi kasi
feeling ko isa na akong vampire sa sleeping schedule nila.

"Di ba sabi ng doctor nila, Kitten magchi-change din naman ang sleeping pattern ng
mga bata?"

"Oo pero ang tagal. Gusto ko silang kinukulit kapag ganitong oras." I said and John
immediately wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Ako na lang kulitin mo."

"Mamaya na, kukulitin kita ng hubad." I whispered and he chuckled.

"Gusto mo bang manuod ng TV, Kitten?" He asked and I nodded my head.

"Sa kwarto na lang, wag na tayong bumaba." I said. "Ang lapit na ng pasukan, I'm so
excited." I told him as he piled pillows against the headboard.
"Excited ka ba parati sa pasukan?" He inquired.

"Oo. Hindi ko alam kung anong meron
excited. And we have this tradition
started to say and stopped. Ano ba,
For some reason, nanikip ang dibdib
sa unang araw ng pasukan.
sa first day of school pero I really get
na sina Mommy and naghahatid sa amin--" I
Ice wala ka na sa bahay nyo! I scolded myself.
ko sa idea na hindi na ako ihahatid nina Mommy

"Magkasama naman tayong papasok. Ako ang magda-drive sayo sa school." John uttered
as he enfolded me in his embrace.

"Gosh, ito na ba yung pagpo-post partum?" I asked as I wiped my eyes with the back
of my hand. "Bigla-bigla ka na lang nagdadrama na para bang wala nang bukas." I
tried to joke but ended up sobbing.

"Gusto mo bang yayain ko sina Mommy na ihatid tayo?" My husband inquired and I
shook my head.

"Hindi na. Don't mind me. Must be my hormones kaya medyo artistahin ako ngayon." I
said and he laughed softly as he guided my head to lie below his chin.

"Sana masaya ka pa rin kahit ako lang ang kasama mo pagpasok mo ng school."

"Oo naman, ano ka ba." I mumbled. "Masyado lang akong emotional dahil siguro dun
kay Zeny kanina."

"Kitten, akala ko papatayin mo sya. Natakot ako for you."

"Bakit ko sya papatayin eh di nakulong ako?" I asked. "I just want to teach her a
lesson. Nakakadiri ang mga babaeng tulad nya, ang sarap ihampas ng paulit-ulit sa
pader."

"Nabitin ka pa, halos di na nga makatayo si Zeny earlier."

"Ang kapal ng mukha eh, next time talaga parati akong magdadala ng liha para
mabawasan ang kapal ng mukha ng ibang tao. Hindi ko maintindihan, Puppy kung bakit
may ganung mga babae. Anong makukuha mo kung lalandiin mo ang boyfriend o asawa ng
iba? Hindi mo naman yun ikakaganda."

"O tama na, hanggang dito ba naman. Baka uminit na naman ulo mo. Sabagay, pabor
pala sa akin kapag umiinit ang ulo mo kasi ganadong kang molestyahin ako." He
remarked and I actually laughed.

"Dream come true kaya sayo na molestyahin kita."

"Oo naman, bago pa nga lang ako sa St. Bernadette may mga hentai scenes na ako sa
utak ko involving you. Di ka ba nagtataka kung bakit parati tayong nagkikita sa
labas ng banyo ng lalaki at babae?"

"Akala ko coincidence lang pero oo nga parati kitang nakikita noon kapag nagbabanyo
ako."

"I'm actually hoping that you'll make one of my fantasies come true." He confessed
laughing and I sat up to look at him.

"Kadiri ka, sa banyo?"

"Syempre hindi natin dun gagawin, dadalhin kita sa sasakyan ko tapos--"

"Gosh, Mr. Zamora. You are a pervert!" I exclaimed and he laughed harder. "Pero one
of these days gawin natin yang fantasies mo." I mumbled as I sat astride him.
"Gusto mo simula na natin ngayon?" I asked as a cellphone rang.

"Teka lang, kunin ko yung phone." He said as I moved so he could sit up and stand.
He went to the bureau and picked both our phones up. "Sayo, Kitten. International
call yata." He said as he handed my phone to me. I frowned at the unfamiliar number
and swiped my screen to answer it.

"Hello." I said.

"Is this Ice?" Someone replied.

"Yes, this is Ice. Who's this?"

"Si Tita Irene mo to, Ice." The caller replied and I frowned. I know who Tita Irene
is, she's Zeny's mom.

"Hello, Tita bakit po kayo napatawag?" I asked. I braced myself for her rants and
I've already formulated a rebuttal in my head but what she said caught me off-
guard.

"Ice, I'm sorry about Zeny. Nagkausap kami ni Kuya Ireneo and he told me about what
Zeny did. Humihingi ako ng pasensya, pamangkin ha. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganyan
yang pinsan mo, ang hilig sa gulo."

"Sorry din po, Tita because I was rather harsh with her. Hindi lang po kasi ako
martir na ito-tolerate lang ang pang-aahas ng sarili kong pinsan sa asawa ko."

"I know and I understand. Sabi nga ni Zeny gusto na daw nyang bumalik dito sa
Canada pero nagdadalawang-isip kami ng Daddy nya. Alam mo naman siguro ang story
behind our decision to send Zeny back to the Philippines?"

"Naikwento po ni Mommy but I don't really know all the details."

"She had an affair with her professor na Daddy ng best friend nya. She was just
fifteen when they started. I am not making excuses for your cousin at hanggang
ngayon I blame myself for her plight. I was too busy making a future for my
children at hindi ko na sila nasubaybayan. But please, wag nyo muna syang pauwiin
dito. She'll just resume her illicit relationship with that man." She said and I
frowned in confusion.

"But Tita, isn't it your responsibility as her mother to make sure that she doesn't
go astray? Bakit po sa amin ninyo sya papabantayan? She needs you now." I asked,
unable to hide my annoyance. Ano ba naman klaseng Mommy to?

"I know, Ice pero madami lang kaming inaasikaso ngayon kaya hindi namin sya
mabantayan ng maayos. Kaya naman ni Kuya at ni Ate Isabel na bantayan si Zeny."

"I'm sorry po, Tita pero as I said, Zeny needs the support of her own family now.
You know and understand her better kasi po anak ninyo sya kaya po hindi ko
maintindihan kung bakit nyo naman ipapasa yung responsibilidad na yun sa iba."

"Hindi naman sa pinapasa namin ang responsibilidad sa sa parents mo, Ice pero hindi
ko nga sya kayang tutukan ngayon dahil madami akong ginagawa."

"Hindi po ba dalawa lang pong magkapatid sina Zeny? At yung kapatid nyang si Zeus
ay five years younger lang sa kanya so hindi na nangangailangan ng attention ninyo
24/7."

"Hindi ko kaya ang ugali ng batang yun, hindi kami magkaintindihan. I hope you
understand, Ice."

"I don't understand you at all. Magulang na din po ako ngayon at kung sakaling yung
anak ko po ang magkamali, hindi ko po sya ilalayo sa akin. On the contrary, I will
make sure that she knows that she has a mother to run to. I don't know what
happened to Zeny but I'll be honest with you po - I don't have fond memories of
her. When we were younger masyado na syang papansin, to the point na maninira na
sya ng laruan ng iba para mapansin lang. That's how she was and that's how she
still is. I disliked her when we were younger and I hate her now for what she tried
to do with my husband pero kayo po ang ina nya, dapat sa inyo po sya tumatakbo."

"Ice, easy for you to say kasi bagong ina ka pa lang, you have your ideals, you
have a naïve expectation about being a mother pero hindi ganyan sa totoong buhay. I
know kasi mas may experience ako sayo so it is safe to say that I have more
authority about raising--"

"I'm so sorry for cutting you off, Tita pero kung tama yang iniisip nyo tungkol sa
kung paano pinapalaki ang isang anak, paki-explain po sa akin kung bakit ganyan ang
anak ninyo?"

"That's rude, Ice--"

"No, it's not. It is a wake-up call. I'm going to make her leave. Pauwiin nyo na
sya dyan at disiplinahin po ninyong mabuti. Hindi yung iaasa nyo sa iba yung
pagpapalaki sa kanya. Zeny's an adult pero ganun pa rin sya kung ano sya dati, yung
gagawin lahat mapansin lang and I'm sorry to say that regardless kung meron syang
isyu sa utak or kulang sya sa pagmamahal ng ina, I'm not going to tolerate her
flirting with my husband. Kung wala na po kayong sasabihin, I would rather that we
end this call." I said and heard her sigh.

"Okay, Ice. You've always been opinionated even as a child, hindi ka pa rin pala
nagbago. Pero gusto ko lang sabihin sayo na hindi ka ganun katalino para malaman
kung ano ang mga pinagdadaanan ni Zeny at ng pamilya ko."

"Nirerespeto ko po yun, pero gusto ko rin pong i-remind sa inyo na hindi po

kailangan ng IQ para ma-realize na may mali sa utak ni Zeny. Goodbye po, maraming
salamat sa pagtawag." I said before I ended the call.

"Who was that?" My husband asked as he rubbed my back with his hand. "Are you
okay?"

"Okay lang. Nakakabwisit yung Tita ko na yun. Yung Mommy ni Zeny nga pala yung
tumawag. Tama ba namang itapon sa amin yung anak nya kasi hindi nya madisiplina eh
sya ang nanay. Kaya lalong nagkakasaltik itong si Zeny eh kasi hindi nila
pinapansin ever since."

"Wag mo na yang problemahin. Hanggang dito ba naman pag-uusapan natin yan si Zeny?
Do you want me to massage you naked?" He whispered and I turned to look at him.

"Perv." I said and sighed. "Natatakot ako, Puppy."

"Natatakot ka saan?" John asked as he made me lie down. I turned towards him and
wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Look at Zeny, kakaiba ang mga trip nya sa buhay. What if I fail big time as a
mother? Eh di sinira ko ang buhay ng mga anak natin?"
"Why would you fail as a mother? You're one spanking great wife kaya sigurado akong
magiging mabuting ina ka rin. Besides, nandito naman ako at tayong dalawa ang
magpapalaki sa mga bata."

"Hindi mo ba naisip na bata pa tayo kaya baka mamaya we don't have the right
experience to raise the children?"

"Bakit, kapag mas matanda ka bang magka-anak, pag labas ng baby may kasama syang
manual? Di ba wala? Di ba pareho lang ang lahat ng magulang na nangangapa sa
pagpapalaki ng anak kasi walang tamang formula para dun. Hindi naman sila test
subject na kaya mong i-control. Children have their own personalities kaya there's
no surefire way of raising them."

"I love your optimism." I said as I burrowed my nose into chest. "Sana pag dumating
ang oras na kailangan ko ang kapangyarihan mo bilang Daddy ng mga bata ay
susuportahan mo ako. I have a feeling na kunsintidor ka." I said and he laughed.

"Kitten naman, hindi ah."

"Naku, ngayon pa nga lang your daughter has you wrapped around her little fingers.
Tapos kahit sabi ko tama na ang laro ninyo ni Blaze nakikipaglaro ka pa din sa
kanya kaya tuloy puyat ka parati."

"You have to spend as much time with them as you can. Mabilis lumaki ang mga bata
mamaya magising na lang tayo tapos nag-aaral na sila ng college."

"Puppy naman, masyado kang advance, magka-college pa lang tayo eh." I stated
laughing. "Aagad-agad, magka-college na ang mga bata?" I asked and he laughed
along.

"Ako din naman, natatakot na baka hindi ako magiging mabuting Daddy sa kanila pero
alam ko rin namang hindi mo pababayaang maging ganun ako. Alam kong nandyan ka
naman parati para itama ang mga mali ko kaya I'll be fine."

"Of course we'll be fine--" I said and stopped when my phone rang again. "Ano ba
naman tong nagmo-moment tayo tapos ang daming tumatawag." I mumbled and arched my
brow when I saw Dad's name on my screen. "Hi, Dad! Bakit po kayo napatawag?"

"Irina, I need you at the hospital."

"Ha? Bakit po?" I asked as I immediately sat up.

"Zeny tried to kill herself. Nasa hospital sya ngayon and she's looking for you."

####################################
Chapter 15: Ice
####################################
I overthink. Yung utak ko gumagana 24/7 kahit tulog ako. I have such an active mind
and an extra active imagination that I sometimes get dizzy with my thoughts. Hindi
ko maintindihan kung bakit kailangan ako ni Zeny, it's not as if she suddenly
mistook me for her mother. Impossible din namang hihingi lang sya ng tawad because
she already apologized. A hundred scenarios were buzzing inside my head -- merong
nagmakaawa sya na ibigay ko sa kanya ang asawa ko, lumuhod sya para pumayag akong
dito muna sya tumira, nagalit sya kasi sinira ko mukha nya kaya di nya natanggap na
lalo syang pumangit at meron ding kunyari nakikipagbati sya pero papatayin nya
naman pala ako. Ano ba naman to, kahit kelan pambwisit talaga yung babaeng yun. I
thought to myself as I took my phone and dialed our home's telephone number.

"Manang Tering, wag kayong magpapapasok dyan kahit kanino, ha. Pakitawagan yung
guard ng Village at pakisabi na hindi kami tatanggap ng bisita." I instructed and
ended the call after I made her promise that she'd follow my instructions. John
glanced questioningly at me and I smiled. "Just to make sure that the kids are
safe." I replied to his silent question.

"I just don't understand kung bakit ka nya hinahanap?" John asked for the fourth
time. "Kung magpapakamatay sya, bakit kailangan ka nyang idamay?" He queried and I
laughed.

"Puppy, pabayaan mo na. Baka akala nya pari ako and I have the power to annoint the
sick." I joked but John was still grumpy. I understand his extreme aversion to
hospitals, there's just something so gloomy about them.

"Masyadong papansin yang pinsan mo. Dapat kasi pinauwi na lang yan nina Dad dun sa
family nya sa Canada kesa nandito pa yan parang manggulo." He murmured and I
touched his arm.

"Tama na, Puppy. She's not worth the stress. Bakit mo sisirain ang araw mo sa
kakaisip tungkol sa loka-lokang yun. Pero since si Dad na mismo ang nagrequest
dahil hindi daw humihinto sa kakaiyak si Zeny eh sundin na natin."

"Nasa bahay na tayo kanina at malapit na ang playtime ng mga bata pero kailangan
nating umalis." He grumbled and I pinched his cheek.

"Si Mr. Zamora and adik sa mga anak nya."

"Adik sa pamilya ko." He said. "Kasi pati sa asawa ko adik din ako."

"Naks naman." I teased and he smiled. We reached the hospital in less than an hour.
Buti na lang patay na oras kaya hindi masyadong ma-traffic. "Anong room nga ba
nya?" I asked my husband.

"3128 yata." John answered as I checked Daddy's message.

"You're right, 3128 nga." I retorted as we took the elevator. My parents were
already waiting for us outside Zeny's door when we arrived.

"Pasensya na, Princess." Dad said as I kissed his cheek and gave him a hug. "She
continuously looked for you and she wouldn't stop crying. Nung tinanong ko naman
kung anong kailangan nya sayo hindi sya sumasagot that's why I decided na tawagan
ka kanina."

"Okay lang po, Dad." I said as I hugged Mom. "Where's Ingrid?"

"Nasa bahay. Ang sabi nya mag-aaral na lang daw sya ng Chem at wala sya sa mood
maka-witness ng drama." Mom whispered and I couldn't help but smile. Si Ingrid
talaga. The door opened and a nurse stepped out. She smiled politely at us and we
smiled back.

"Excuse me po, pero sino po sa inyo si Ice?" She inquired. "Hinahanap po kasi sya
ng pasyente." She added.

"Ako yun." I said as I stepped forward. John stepped forward too as he grasped my
hand.

"Sasama ako sa loob and I don't want to hear a single word of protest, Mrs.
Zamora." He told me before he turned to ask the nurse. "Is she mentally stable? Why
is she looking for my wife? I want to make sure that it is safe for my wife to go
inside."

"Stable naman po sya, Sir. She was evaluated by our resident pyschiatrist
earlier--"

"Psychiatrist? May sakit sya sa utak?" John asked and I nearly laughed.

"SOP po kasi yun na kapag may suicide attempt kinakausap po talaga ng

pyschiatrist." The nurse replied. "Pero ang recommendation lang naman po ng
psychiatrist ay papagpahingahin ang pasyente pero may second evaluation pa po sya
bukas."

"Rest lang?" John asked incredulously. "Hindi ba dapat nilalagay na sya sa mental
hospital?" He questioned and I laughed.

"Ano ka ba, Puppy?"

"Bakit? Mamaya nakapanakit pa sya--"

"Sir, tulad po ng sinabi ko stable po sa ngayon si Ma'am, in fact humingi na po sya

ng pagkain kanina." She reasoned and I smiled at her.

"Salamat." I told her and she smiled before she excused herself.

"Hinding-hindi ka pwedeng pumasok sa loob ng hindi ako kasama, sinasabi ko na sayo

ngayon." John repeated and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Sino bang nagsabing hindi kita isasama?" I questioned and he smiled. Not that I
need protection pero alam kong hindi mapapakali si John kapag hindi kami magkasama.
"Paano pala sya nagpakamatay, Dad?" I asked curiously.

"She took 26 sleeping pills." Dad answered and I arched a brow.

"But how did you know that she tried to kill herself? Don't tell me nakalagay yun
sa status ng FB nya because that's just sick."

"She actually called me." Dad replied and my brow shot up higher.

"She did? Para magpaalam?" Napaka-absurd talaga nitong ideas ni Zeny.

"Tumawag si Zeny, Princess to apologize at ang sabi nya sa Daddy mo ay

magpapakamatay na lang daw sya by overdosing with sleeping pills so we immediately
hurried over to the condo and true enough, there was an open plastic bottle of
sleeping pills and she was unconscious."

"Kaya dinala namin sya dito sa hospital and they pumped the pills out."

"That's in a span of less than four hours." I uttered in disbelief. Kakaiba din
tong babaeng to, ang lakas magpapansin." Sya nga pala, I got a call from Tita
earlier, ang sabi nya ayaw nya daw munang umuwi si Zeny sa Canada." I informed them
and Dad sighed.

"She told me the same thing. Pero hindi naman pwedeng pabayaan nya ang anak nya
dito, Zeny needs her now."

"Ewan ko ba sa kanila. Hindi ko rin maintindihan si Tita." I said. "Sige po, we'll
go inside para matapos na to at gusto na naming umuwi agad kasi gising ang mga bata
ng ganitong oras."

"Dito na lang kami ng Mommy mo sa labas kasi kailangan kong tawagan ang Tita mo to
inform her about Zeny's situation." Daddy announced and John and I nodded our
heads.

"Good luck, Princess. Mag-ingat ka." Mom whispered and I gave her a smile. John
opened the door and gently pulled me inside.

"Ice, is that you?" Zeny croaked from under the blankets covering her.

"Yes." I answered and she sat up. She frowned at John who returned her stare.

"I want to talk to Ice alone, please." She said but John held my hand tighter.

"I am already letting you talk to my wife, do not ask for any more favors." He
stated calmly and Zeny suddenly burst into tears. Nagkatinginan kaming mag-asawa
but I shook my head at him and he sighed. "Sige, dito lang ako sa upuan malapit sa
pinto." He murmured before I stepped towards Zeny's bed.

"Ice!" Zeny cried when I was close enough for her to hug me. "Ice, I'm sorry." She
said, her tears pouring endlessly down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry." She repeated.
Hindi ako mahilig sa madrama, mapa-movies, television shows, books o totoong buhay
man yan.

"Tama na ang iyak, you're making me feel uncomfortable." I spoke and she cried
harder. "What happened to you? Bakit mo naman naisip yun? Kung gusto mo ng
makausap, pwede tayong mag-usap at pwede mo ring kausapin si Mommy." I suggested.
Hindi ko binanggit ang pangalan ni Ingrid kasi alam kong magtataray lang ang bunso
kong kapatid sa kanya.

"I'm so sorry." She sobbed again.

"Look, tapos na yun." I told her. "Snap out of it." I commanded and frowned when
she held me tighter.

"Irina Ysobel Samonte." She whispered and John stood up but I motioned for him to
sit down again. "Don't you know that I've always been jealous of you?" She asked.
"Anong meron sayo, Ice at mahal na mahal ka ng lahat? Sina lolo, lola, Tito
Rainier, Tita Anne, Tita Celeste and even my own Dad and younger brother."

"Mahal ka rin naman nila--" I started to say but she cut me off.

"No, they don't. Ikaw lang ang nakikita nila, kayong dalawa ni Ingrid. Every
reunion, kayong dalawa lang ang pinapansin."

"That's not true, Zeny--"

"It is." She murmured. During lolo and lola's wedding anniversary, I volunteered to
play the piano and I practiced day and night just to give them a perfect piece."
She divulged.

"Yes, I remember." I said. "You were great." I added and she laughed bitterly.

"I was a total failure. Isipin mo ilang buwan kong prinactice? I thought I've
perfected the song." She mumbled hugging me tighter. Zeny was wrong, it wasn't a
failure, it was actually a disaster. Siguro sobra syang kinabahan kaya naihi sya sa
sobrang takot. Everyone laughed then. The adults tried to shush us but ended up
laughing along.

"Tapos na yun, kalimutan na natin." I said and felt her shook her head again.

"After that time, takot na akong mag-perform in public and it hurts kasi I've
always loved playing the piano."

"I know. You were actually good at it." I said.

"But you were better." She murmured. "While my Mom scolded me in front of everyone,
you went to the piano and played the piece that I was supposed to play." She said
and I frowned.

"I was trying to make your Mom stop reprimanding you in front of everyone. Ang
akala ko noon kaya sya nagalit sayo kasi hindi mo natapos tugtugin yung piece mo
kaya tinapos ko para hindi ka na nya pagalitan." Anong kayang balak nito? I quietly
asked myself as I pretended to pat her hair in place and put my hand on either side
of her head.

"Ganun ba, Ice?" She asked as she smirked.

"Kitten, are you okay?" John asked and I nodded at him.

"Hindi kasi naging ganun ang dating sa akin, Ice. Para kang isang malaking bwisit
na nakabuntot parati sa akin para sirain ang buhay ko." She murmured and I felt
something against my back. "Lahat na lang gusto mo nasa sayo. Lahat ng attensyon at
pagmamahal kinuha mo, kinuha nyo ni Ingrid. Hindi naman kayo nagtira para sa mga
tulad ko."

"Zeny, it wasn't intentional." I uttered calmly as I appraised our position. May

hawak sya at nasa likod ko so I can't step away from her.

"Kitten." John said.

"I'm fine." I said as he stepped towards me.

"Wag kang magkakamali!" Zeny exclaimed.

"Puppy, don't worry about me." I said and I saw him clench his fists. "So ito ang
plano mo? Ang patayin ako?" I asked my cousin and she laughed harshly.

"Damay-damay na to, Ice. You have such a perfect life -- you have a family who
loves you, you have a sister who practically worships you, a husband who adores you
and you even have twins. Masyado ka namang pinagpala."

"Ganun talaga, lahat daw kasi nadadaan sa ganda." I replied. I knew I should remain
calm pero nanggagalaiti ako sa galit. Tarantado ba tong babaeng to? Gagawin nyang
drama sa TV ang buhay ko? "Ano yan, may dala ka nang kutsilyo pagdating mo ng
ospital?" I asked trying to buy time.

"Wala, this came with the meal I had earlier. I just bribed the nurse and pretended
to be upset so she got me this. Ang smart ko di ba?" She asked laughing. "Balak ko
naman talagang magpakamatay kasi wala na akong mapuntahan. My parents don't want me
to go home and your family wants me out of their sight kaya naisipan kong tapusin
na lang lahat."

"Sayang hindi natuloy." I said. "Kahit kelan talaga bobo ka, pagpapakamatay na nga
lang di mo pa magawang tama." Sabi ko at diniinan nya ang patalim na nasa likod ko.
"That's rather blunt." I said. "Kasing purol ng utak mo. Alam mo bang bago mo pa
ako masaksak nyan ay mapapatay na kita?" I asked. "You do realize, right that it
will take me less than 2 seconds to twist your head while you have force, impact,
location and sharpness of the knife to consider? Pwede mo akong masugatan pero
sisiguraduhin kong patay ka." I uttered.

"You're lying."

"Try me." I said as I held her gaze. We stared at each other for nearly a minute
until she lowered her eyes and starting crying. I heard the metal clang of the
knife as it dropped to the floor. I stepped away from her and my husband pulled me
to him.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded my head. "Let's go." He murmured as we walked
towards the door.

"Ice!" Zeny called. "Wala akong ibang mapuntahan." She wept. Bigla akong naawa. How
does it feel not to be needed by your own family? But I have a family to protect
too. I thought as I opened my mouth to say something but John spoke first.

"You can go to hell, Zeny." He said before he draped an arm around my shoulders and
we stepped out of the room.

####################################
Chapter 16: Ice
####################################

Everyone was apologetic -- my parents, the doctors, the nurses, the rest of the
hospital staff. The hospital immediately reprimanded the nurse and she's been
crying ever since but my husband couldn't stop his ire.

"Who in her right mind would give someone suicidal a knife just because she wanted
to eat toast and butter and was upset that there was no butter knife around?" He
yelled angrily. "Nag-iisip ka pa ba?! Paano kung nasaksak nya ang asawa ko, are you
going to take responsibility?!"

"Sir, sorry. Bago po kasi sya--" The head nurse tried to pacify John but I've never
seen him so angry.
"I don't care if she's new! That patient could have hurt my wife! Anong gagawin nyo
kung sakaling may nangyari sa asawa ko?!"

"Sir, as I said we--"

"Stop explaining! Do something about this nurse!"

"Puppy, tama na." I whispered. Even my parents looked guilty as John continued to
rant.

"I will sue this hospital for negligence!" He furiously uttered. "Dapat yang mga
ganyang pasyente hindi nyo na pinapatanggap ng bisita! She's obviously deranged!"
He said. Dad put a hand against my husband's back and John calmed down a little.

"It's my fault, son. I shouldn't have asked Irina to come." He quietly said. "I
didn't expect na magagawa ni Zeny ang ginawa nya and I'm sorry." He muttered and
even Mommy bowed her head.

"Hindi naman namin alam na aabot sa ganito, JFK. Pasensya na." She said.
"Naiintindihan kita kasi alam ko naman how much you love your wife so your anger is
justified."

"Dad, Mom, I'm not blaming you. Please don't misunderstand. Wala namang nakakaalam
na magagawa ng pamangkin nyo yun but that... girl being given a knife is beyond
stupid." He said. I tiptoed to give him a kiss.

"Wag na mainit ang ulo." I whispered as he enfolded me in his embrace. He kissed

the top of my head and inhaled deeply.

"God, I was so scared." He murmured holding me tighter. Dad dismissed the hospital
staff and the four of us were left by ourselves.

"Okay lang naman ako at kaya ko yun. Wala ka bang tiwala sa asawa mo?" I asked
smiling.

"Kahit na kaya mo, do you think I can get-over seeing you get stabbed right in
front of my eyes?" He asked as he kissed me again. "Dadalhin ko yung eksenang yun
sa utak ko habambuhay."

"Puppy, I'm fine. Really. Hindi mo naman kailangang mag-alala kasi wala namang
nangyari sa akin."

"Pwede ba yung hindi ako mag-alala?" He asked and I sighed.

"Umuwi na kayo, Irina at kami na ang bahala dito." Dad said. "I'll buy a ticket for
Zeny as soon as we get a go signal from her doctors that she's clear to travel." He
added.

"Paano po kung hindi sya bigyan ng clearance to travel, Dad? Does that mean that
she will have to stay here? Hindi na ako papayag nyan. Ngayon hindi nya naituloy
yung balak nyang saktan ang asawa ko. Pero paano kung mabaliw na naman sya ulit at
saktan nya ang pamilya ko?" John asked and Dad expelled a heavy breath.

"Ako nang bahala, JFK. Don't worry, I will make sure na makakauwi sya. I am now
aware of the danger that Zeny poses on everyone kaya gagawan ko ng paraan para
makabalik sya sa Canada."

"Please do, Dad. Hindi ako makakatulog ng mahimbing hangga't alam kong nandito ang
pamangkin ninyo." John said.

"Dad, Mom, mauna na po kami." I said as I hugged them both.

"Pasensya na ulit sa nangyari kanina, Princess." Mommy said kissing my cheek and I
smiled at her.

"Bakit ba kayo ang humihingi ng sorry? Tsaka tapos na yun, okay lang ako." I said
and she glanced meaningfully at JFK. "Ako nang bahala sa kanya, 'Mmy." I whispered
and she nodded her head.

"Mauna na po kami." John said before he kissed Mom on the cheek and shook hands
with Dad.

"We're really sorry about what happened, JFK."

"Okay lang, 'Mmy. Hindi naman po ako galit sa inyo. Pasensya na rin po if I ranted,
that anger isn't for you and Dad." My husband retorted. We drove home in silence at
naiilang na ako kasi sobrang tahimik nya.

"Puppy--"

"Sa susunod makinig ka sa akin. Kapag sinabi kong lalapit ako kasama ka, wag ka
nang makipag-argue."

"Wala namang nangyari eh--"

"God, Irina. I nearly lost you and I don't want to repeat that experience. Alam mo
bang napapanaginipan ko pa rin yun and I would wake up sweating and crying every
damn time. Ganun ako katakot. You cannot blame me for reacting like this!"

"I'm not blaming you."

"I hate your cousin! Wala akong pakialam kung ano ang pinagdaanan nya. Kung ano man
ang awang naramdaman ko nung narinig ko what she went through ay nawala lahat when
she held that knife against you."

"Puppy, tapos na yun. I'm fine."

"I'm not fine." He replied. When we reached home, he wouldn't leave my side as he
followed me around.

"Puppy, ano ka ba nandito na tayo sa bahay." I uttered laughing as he followed me

to the bathroom. "Ano yan, kahit na iihi ako sasama ka?"

"Para namang di pa kita nakitang umihi." He said as he took his clothes off. "Ligo
na rin ako, sabay na tayo."

"Sabi ko na may binabalak ka eh." I teased. "Akala ko pa man din gusto mo lang
akong bantayan. Yun pala may iba kang iniisip gawin." I said and he smiled.

"Kanina wala pa pero since ni-remind mo ako, meron na." He replied. We bathed for
nearly two hours because John suddenly became insatiable. He carried me to the
bedroom because my knees felt so shaky that I was unable to stand without him
supporting me. "Mr. Zamora, what happened to you?" I asked laughing as he put me
down on top of the bed. He covered my body with his as he nuzzled my neck. "Don't
tell me gusto mo pa?" I asked and I noticed that he was shaking. "John?"

"I was so scared earlier." He admitted as he held me. "Bumalik sa utak ko ang mga
hindi dapat bumalik." He whispered against my ear and I turned towards him to give
him a kiss.

"Walang mangyayari sa akin." I murmured.

"Walang mangyayari sayo kasi mauuna muna ako."

"Romeo and Juliet lang ito?" I kidded but he didn't smile as he hugged me tighter.

"Ayoko ng Romeo and Juliet, napaka-tragic ng ending."

"Kaninong love story pala?" I asked.

"Kay Fire at Ice." He replied and I couldn't help but smile.

School was about to start and I was so excited. Tulad dati kapag magpapasukan na,
hindi ako nakatulog sa sobrang excitement. Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa first
day of classes at hindi ko maintindihan ang saya ko. But the idea of leaving my
twins at home dampened my spirit and I cried silently while John was fast asleep.

"Para kang tanga, Ice." I murmured and held my breath when I felt my husband stir.

"Kitten?" He asked as he gathered me in his arms. "What's wrong? Bakit ka umiiyak?"

He asked, his voice filled with concern. "May masakit sayo? Are you hurting
anywhere? What is it?"

"Wala. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naiiyak ako kapag naiisip kong hindi na natin
kasama ang mga babies buong maghapon." I confided.

"That's normal. Ako nga rin ganyan. Nasa bahay lang naman sila at sa kanila naman
tayo uuwi pero parang nalulungkot ako na iiwanan natin sila every time papasok
tayo." He said. "Matulog ka na, maaga pa tayo bukas." He whispered.

The alarm sounded at 5 AM at sabay na kaming naligo. naka-ready na ang mga bags
pati ang mga isusuot namin dahil yun ang nakasanayan ko.

"Teka lang, ang mga bata. Hindi ba gising na sila ng ganitong oras?" I said as he
led me towards the garage. "John, ano ba! Hindi ba tayo magpapaalam?" I asked and
was surprised when he opened the Lexus RX 350's door and I saw the twins with their
nannies.

"Mr. Zamora, ano to isasama mo sa school ang mga anak mo?" I asked laughing and he
smiled.

"Panibagong tradition. Di ba sabi mo, buong pamilya mo ang naghahatid sa inyo sa

school? Ito na yung buong pamilya natin." He stated.
"Paano sila uuwi?" I asked as he closed the door and opened the passenger's door
for me.

"Susunod si Manong Peter na may dalang van para makauwi ang mga bata."

"Lalo mo lang akong paiiyakin nyan, nagkaka-separation anxiety na nga ako

dadagdagan mo pa."

"Sorry na, Kitten pero ngayon lang naman. I just want to start this tradition. In a
few years, tayo naman ang maghahatid sa kanila sa school pero sa ngayon, tayo muna
ang ihahatid nila." He retorted grinning. Our classes will start at 7 AM kaya
ihahatid nya muna ako sa class ko bago sya pupunta sa class nya. We said goodbye to
the twins at around 6:20 and I suddenly felt like crying.

"Manang ha, itong mga anak ko ingatan nyo." I said. I was holding Blaze and John
was holding Twinkle.

"Opo, wag po kayong mag-alala." Their nannies replied.

"Any change in their behavior, temperature o kapag umiyak sila ng matagal ay

tawagan nyo ako agad. Hindi nyo sila pwedeng painumin ng gamot without my
permission." I instructed and they nodded their heads. "Kung hindi nyo kami ma-
contact ni John, pakitawagan ang mga parents namin. Kapag may emergency tulad ng
sunog, iwanan nyo na yung bahay at ang lahat ng gamit pero siguraduhin nyong dala
nyo ang mga anak ko."

"Opo." They answered smiling. Alam ko namang OA na ako but i can't help it, I'm a
mother.

"Wag kayong magpapapasok sa bahay. Parents lang namin at si Ingrid ang pwedeng
bumisita." John uttered. "Kahit sino pa yan."

"Opo." They replied again.

"O, sige na at baka ma-late na si Mommy at Daddy." John said as he handed Twinkle
to her yaya. Ako naman para akong tanga, parang ayokong ibigay yung anak ko.
"Kitten..."

"Teka lang." I murmured as I gave Blaze to his yaya before I held my daughter. Ten
minutes later, we waved at the van as it drove off. "Ano ba to ang sakit sa
dibdib." I said as I wiped my eyes with my handkerchief.

"Masasanay ka rin. Until 4 PM ang class mo di ba? Mine will end at 2:30 PM kaya
hintayin na lang kita."

"Sit-in ka na lang para sabay na tayong umuwi." I said.

"Sige. We have each other's schedule kaya diretso ako sa class mo after matapos
yung last class ko."

"Okay." I said. Parehong sa AS or Palma Hall ang first classes namin pero sa second
floor ako at sa 3rd floor sya.

"Kitten, wag kang papaligaw ha, pag may lumalapit-lapit sayo sabihin mo agad na may
mga anak at asawa ka na." He suddenly said and I couldn't stop myself from
laughing.

"Nakita mo ba yung notebooks ko? Hindi ba puro pictures natin kasama ng mga bata
ang cover?" I asked. We had a collage of pictures printed and which served as our
notebooks' covers kasi napa-paranoid si John dahil hindi Zamora ang gamit kong
apelyido. "Napaka-seloso mo."

"Baka lang may lumapit." He said grinning. "Sampalin mo agad at ituro mo sa akin
para mabugbog ko." He added and I laughed harder.

"Ikaw wag kang maglalandi at wag kang magpapalandi. Kilala mo ako pag nagalit,
sisirain ko talaga yung building kung nasaan ka."

"Ako pa. Loyal ako."

"Loyal ka nga pero maraming babaeng kung mangati parang nangangailangan ng calamine
lotion."

"Hindi ako maglalandi at hindi ako magpapalandi." He declared and I smiled. "Bukas,
mas mauuna kang matatapos kesa akin, sit-in ka rin sa last class ko."

"Sige." I retorted. We reached my classroom and he kissed me repeatedly on the

cheek. "Ang exhibitionist mo." I murmured laughing.

"Buti na yung makita nilang may asawa ka na." He whispered before he gave me a hug.
"Text me after your class ends para alam ko kung nasaan ka."

"Opo." I answered. "I love you." I said as I hugged him back. Pinagtitinginan na
nila kami pero wala naman kaming pakialam.

"Not as much as I do." He answered. "Alis na ako, I only have twelve minutes."

"Sige. Ingat ka." I said as he kissed me on the lips. I was waving goodbye at him
when I heard someone call my name. Napalingon ako at napatingin rin si John.

"Miss Irina Ysobel Samonte." Prof. Canlas said. "I was excited when I saw your name
listed as one of my students. He uttered smiling. "As usual, nakabantay na naman
ang boyfriend mo." He muttered.

"I'm her husband." John stated and Prof. Canlas stared at us in disbelief.

"Is that so?" He asked smiling.

####################################
Chapter 17: Fire
####################################

"Is that so?" He asked and I nearly hit his face with my fist. The way he said it
parang napaka-imposibleng maging asawa ko si Irina and although alam ko namang
napaka-illogical ng anger ko, hindi ko pa rin mapigil.

"Yes, it is so." My wife replied before she turned to me. "Wag mo na syang
pansinin." She murmured.
"You've taken this love story of yours very far, Ms. Samonte."

"My love life or married life, for that matter, is none of your business, Sir
unless it is indicated in your syllabus?" Irina asked and Prof. Canlas laughed.

"Ikaw talaga, Ms. Samonte you never fail to amuse me."

"Well, I'm sure if you continue to find me amusing, the dean would be interested to
know." Irina answered and the smile vanished from Prof. Canlas' face. "And I assure
you, my father who's a lawyer will be more than amused to hear how amusing you find
me." She added.

"I'm just curious, Ms. Samonte." He replied.

"Curiosity kills, Sir or can cost you your job." Irina replied. "Are you okay?" She
asked and I nodded my head.

"Don't worry, okay lang ako." I responded and she smiled. Habang nag-uusap kami ay
nandun sya at nakikinig sa amin. Anong klaseng tao ba itong tarantadong to?

I never really liked Prof. Canlas. His presence was bearable last time kasi ilang
araw lang namin syang nakasama but the idea that he will be Irina's teacher was
enough to drive me crazy with jealousy. Alam kong gusto nya si Irina and although I
trust my wife, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang magselos. Hindi ganun kataas ang tingin ko
kay Prof. Canlas as a person, I think he is the type of man na kahit alam nyang may
asawa o kaya ay may boyfriend ang isang babae ay popormahan pa rin nya because he
has no regard for other people's relationships.

"How can you be married when you're both minors?" Prof. Canlas asked smiling. His
smile was pleasant but my blood just boiled with rage. Ano naman sayong gago ka? I
wanted to shout.

"That's really something that we don't care explaining to people who don't matter."
I heard my wife reply and I grinned. I had to give it to Irina, kahit na bwisit na
bwisit na sya ay ang galing pa rin nyang mambara. "Sige na po, pumasok na po kayo
sa loob. There's nothing interesting in here, it's just two people madly in love
with each other." She said. Prof. Canlas smiled again before he excused himself and
went inside the classroom.

"Naasar ako sa taong yun." I murmured. "May gusto sya sayo, Kitten!"

"Sya na lang ba ang rason kung bakit masisira ang araw mo? As if di mo sya kilala.
Lahat ng nakapalda lalandiin nya pero wag syang magkakamali sa akin baka tadyakan
ko sya sa mukha." She muttered and I hugged her tight. "O sige na Puppy. I'll see
you later. I don't want you to be late for your first class."

"Okay." I answered as I smiled at her. She tiptoed to kiss my lips and I kissed the
top of her head. "Mag-ingat ka." I murmured and she laughed softly.

"I love you, Mr. Zamora." She said.

"I love you, Mrs. Zamora." I answered. "See you later." I added as I bent my head
to kiss her on the lips.

"I love you and the twins!" She waved goodbye as I ran to my class. Naiinis man ako
sa professor nya, I know she can handle him herself. Wag kang magkakamali, Canlas
at baka ilibing ka ng asawa ko ng buhay. I thought proudly.
I sprinted towards the third floor and stepped inside the classroom, meeting my
blocmates for the first time. Ang ingay nila but they stopped talking when I got
inside the room. I smiled at them and they resumed their chatter.

"Hi!" A girl greeted, magkatabi lang kami ng upuan and I turned to smile at her.
She was noisily chewing a bubble gum and I found it weird and distracting.

"Hello. Wala pa ba ang prof?" I asked.

"Wala pa eh. Di bale, kung wala pa rin sya in a few minutes pwede na tayong umalis.
Nasa rules ng university yun." She said. "Pero hindi naman tama na first day ng
classes eh hindi sya magpakita! Sayang yung pwede nating matutunan ngayong araw na
to. I'm itching to learn and I want to prove to myself na kaya ko nga dito sa U.P.
and that I can conquer this university at hindi totoong mahirap dito!" She uttered
as she continued chewing. Kaya mo talaga itong subject na to kasi G.E. lang to. I
thought.

"Okay." I answered instead. According to Irina's Dad, sa course ko daw, I should be

wary of the Physics series and Math series because they weed students out. And of
course nandyan yung majors ko at ang legendary ES 12 na kinakatakutan ng lahat.
Mabuti na lang nandyan si Irina na I'm sure ay mas maiintindihan pa ang mga lessons
ko kesa akin.

"Wait lang, you look very familiar." She said. "Pero hindi ko alam kung saan kita
nakita." She remarked. I just smiled before I looked away from her and took my
phone out of my pocket to text my wife.

Kitten, nasa class na ako. Wala pang prof. I miss you.

I pocketed my phone. I didn't expect for her to reply kasi alam kong nagka-klase na
sila so I was surprised when I received a text from her.

Puppy, all of me misses all of you. I can't wait for our classes to be over so I
can show you just how much.

I smiled as I reread her text message. Fire, para naman kayong di nakatira sa
iisang bubong ng asawa mo kung ma-miss mo sya. I murmured to myself. Sanay na lang
siguro akong parati kaming magkasama kaya naninibago ako na magkahiwalay kami.
Irina, bakit hindi ko naisipang kunin ang course mo eh di sana magkasama tayo? I
sighed. But knowing my wife, hindi rin sya papayag kasi alam nyang hindi yun ang
interest ko.

"Excuse me...?"

"Yes?" I asked turning to my head to look at the girl beside me. "Bakit?" I
questioned. Hindi talaga ako mahilig makipag-usap, pakiramdam ko it's a waste of
time. Hindi naman ako anti-social pero I think it's pointless to engage in empty
talk dahil sa totoo lang, I'm not interested in other people's lives.

"Saan ka nag-high school? Pisay ka ba? I think I saw you during one event." She
queried.
"Hindi ako Pisay." I replied politely. Bakit ba ang tagal ng professor namin? At
kelan ba tatahimik tong isang to?

"Saan ka nag-aral ng high school? Don't I look familiar to you?"

"St. Bernadette." I said. "And no, hindi ka familiar sa akin." I added.

"St. Bernadette ka?" She asked and I nodded my head. "Really? Yung Valedictorian
dyan kilala nya ako!" She exclaimed. "Actually, rival ko sya pagdating sa academic
contests ng private schools." She announced proudly.

"Okay." I responded.

"Maraming nakakakilala sa akin sa school nyo." She added. Talaga? Bakit hindi kita
kilala? I wanted to ask pero ayoko syang barahin. Baka nga naman maraming
nakakakilala sa kanya sa St. Bernadette and since transferee ako ay hindi ko sya
kilala. "Hindi mo ba talaga ako kilala?" She queried and I shook my head.

"Hindi." I told her and her face fell for a few seconds before she perked up again.

"Ay, paano mo pala ako makikilala when I haven't told you my name yet, I'm
Christine Janina Manlapaz." She said and I glanced at her and smiled.

"Nice meeting you." I mumbled before I opened my phone's photo gallery to look at
pictures of my twins. I was hoping she'd get it and leave me alone pero salita pa
rin sya ng salita.

"Si Ice ba dito rin nag-aaral? Ay, sorry bakit naman kita tatanungin as if naman
alam mo yung mga ganung bagay." She giggled. "Anyway, I'm just so happy na nakapasa
ako dito, alam mo bang sa buong school namin ako lang ang pumasa sa Diliman. I'm
not really surprised since I graduated Valedictorian."

"Ah, okay." I said not looking at her.

"Nakakainis lang kasi yung lalaking buntot ng buntot sa akin since time immemorial
na taga ibang school ay nandito rin sa Diliman. Talagang sinundan nya ako,
nakakainis. Some people are just so desperate!"

"Ah." I mumbled. Why the hell am I hearing all of these? Do I look like I'm
interested in your life? I wanted to ask but I kept my mouth shut. Iti-text ko sana
si Irina pero ayoko syang abalahin habang nagka-class sila.

"Although naiintindihan ko naman sya kung bakit sya ganun, syempre dahil siguro
gusto nya ako--" She wasn't able to finish her sentence since she started giggling
again. Gusto ko sanang lumipat ng upuan pero I didn't want to appear rude.

"Ganun siguro talaga." I muttered.

"Ganun kasi ako, I easily lose interest. Siguro for a day or two medyo I found him
interesting pero after ilang araw ay ayoko na sa kanya. Parang he's too bland,
walang excitement. Alam mo yun?"

"Um..."

"Pero feeling ko magiging exciting ang college life ko, nakilala kasi kita." She
said smiling invitingly at me and I nearly frowned but I kept my face blank. "Let's
make college memorable together." She murmured.
"Magiging memorable talaga itong college sa akin because of Irina." I spoke and she
looked surprised at what I said. Hindi ko na sya pinansin and I closed my eyes as I
feigned sleep.

"Alam mo bang parati kaming nagkakabangga ni Ice sa contests?" She uttered. "I
consider her my greatest rival pagdating sa acads."

"Alam ko kasi walang rival si Irina pagdating sa acads, she's in a league of her
own." I stated and she scowled.

"What do you mean she's in a league of her own. Natatalo ko sya ano!"

"Talaga?" I asked as I turned to look at her. She seemed pleased that I did.
"Kelan?"

"Ha?"

"Kelan mo sya natalo?" I couldn't help but ask. She blinked at me before she smiled
and hit my arm with her notebook.

"Ikaw naman, hanggang ngayon ba naman yung school rivalry ng St. Claire at St.
Bernadette pa rin ang topic?" She answered laughing and I frowned. St. Claire? Ibig
sabihin nasa ISYC rin to? Bakit hindi ko yata to nakita dun? Gusto ko sana syang
tanungin kung kasama sya sa ISYC last year pero ayoko nang makipag-usap at baka
lalo lang syang ma-encourage na magsalita.

"I'm not talking about whatever school rivalry that you have in mind, I am merely
stating a fact kasi ang pagkakaalam ko wala pang contest na sinalihan si Irina na
di sya nanalo." I said and she glared at me.

"Ikaw, naging representative ka na ba ng St. Bernadette sa kahit anong contest?"

She questioned, her voice sharp. "Ako kasi I even represented my school at the
NMASO. Most probably you don't know what NMASO is kasi yung representatives lang ng
schools ang nakakaalam kung ano yan!" She lectured and I nearly laughed. Ito na ba
ang sinabi ni Dad na iba't iba ang uri ng taong makakasalamuha namin sa U.P. at ang
lahat ng estudyante ng U.P. ay may baong kayabangan?

"National Math and Science Olympiad, right?" I asked and her scowl deepened.

"I'm sure hindi ikaw ang representative ng St. Bernadette dun!"

"Ah, oo. I won't be so stupid as to compete with Irina who represented and won the
NMASO four times in a row."

"She just got lucky."

"Maybe, but we can't deny the fact that she's really smart." I muttered and she
made a face.

"Are you one of those guys na nagpapakatanga kay Ice? Na sumusunod-sunod sa kanya
as if she's interested in boys. The way she left boys hanging, I wonder baka mas
prefer nya ang mga girls." She retorted laughing.

"I assure you she's all woman."

"And how in the world would you know this?" She asked and I could no longer hold my
laughter.

"Because I'm married to her." I said as I showed her my wedding ring. I pulled my
wallet out of my pocket and showed her our wedding photo in Vegas. "We have twins."
I added as I showed her a photo of our children. She looked like a fish out of
water as she opened and closed her mouth to form words. "So tell me, kelan at saang
contest mo natalo ang asawa ko para maitanong ko sa kanya?" I asked and she
suddenly stood up.

"CR lang ako." She whispered before she ran out of the classroom.

"First day pa lang, interesting na." I muttered to myself as I shook my head.

####################################
Chapter 18: Fire
####################################

Hindi nawawala sa first day of school ang introductions and I never really liked
that part. Minsan lang akong natuwang ipakilala ang sarili ko, nung first day ko sa
St. Bernadette because I wanted to catch Irina's attention.

"Don't just say your name; tell us an interesting fact about yourself." Mr. de
Guzman, our professor, said. "I don't want to hear about your favorite color, your
favorite food and your favorite subject, those things are too juvenile. You're
already in college; I dare you to be daringly creative." He added and our classroom
was abuzz with excitement. "Any volunteers?" He asked. Akala ko walang tatayo o
magtataas ng kamay but U.P. is really different, lahat ng estudyante nagpapakabibo.

"Sir!" A girl stood up. I winced at how pink she looked -- mula sa ponytail,
rubberbands ng braces hanggang sa t-shirt at shoes. "Hi!" She greeted everyone
excitedly. "My name is Sarah Faye Lagayun, I am from Cebu City!" She said.

"Hi, Sarah." Our professor greeted and my classmate beamed. "So tell us an
interesting fact about you."

"I'm a Kpopper and my greatest dream is to marry my bias!" She said and I frowned.
Okay, ano ang Kpopper at ano ang bias? I thought in my head. Ako lang yata ang
hindi nakaintindi because most of my blocmates laughed.

"Interesting." Our professor said as the girl sat down. I was getting bored,
introductions bore me at mas gugustuhin ko pang magsuot ng name tag sa klase kesa
magpakilala sa harap ng mga taong sure ako ay hindi naman matatandaan ang pangalan
ko. "The guy in striped blue shirt." Our professor said and all eyes were on me.
"You kept on glancing at your watch, nagmamadali ka ba?" He asked smiling and I
smiled. "Introduce yourself." He said and I stood up. Hindi daw uso ang tumatayo sa
U.P. habang sumasagot sa teacher but introductions must be an exception.

"I'm John Fitzgerald Kennedy Zamora. You can call me Fire. I have a gorgeous wife,
her name is Ice and equally gorgeous twins named Blaze and Twinkle." I recited.
They started whispering as soon as I sat down.

"You're married?" A girl asked and I nodded my head. "Bakit, ilang taon ka na ba?"
She added frowning.

"Old enough to get married." I replied. "I'll be nineteen in a few days and my wife
is seventeen. We got married in Vegas." I answered and they oohed.

"Wow, mas matanda ka pala sa amin? Bakit ngayon ka lang nag-college?"

"Taga U.P. din ang wife mo, Kuya?" Someone asked and I nodded my head.

"Di ba ikaw yung nagba-basketball?"

"Di ba Kuya, nasa cover ka ng magazine dati? Crush ka ng Ate ko eh."

"Anong college ang wife mo, Kuya?" They asked. I was getting uneasy and my
professor must have noticed my discomfort because he spoke.

"O tama na yan, masyado nyo nang ini-interview si Fire." He said as he smiled at
everyone. The questions ceased at once and I breathed a sigh a relief.

"This is Philo I, Philosophical Analysis. We will tackle application of basic

concepts, skills & principles in this class." He said as he wrote Philosophical
Analysis on the board. "What is philosophy?" He asked and I realized na walang
first day petiks mode sa U.P. Na-realize ko rin, na hindi nagkulang sa self-
confidence ang mga kaklase ko as around 8 of my blocmates raised their hand.

"Ang tindi." I murmured to myself as I started taking down notes. Alam kong ibang-
iba ang college sa high school but I didn't expect my first day of school to be so
hardcore. After our class we all trudged to the second floor for History I.

"This is just to measure what you already know." My History I professor said after
she announced that we will have a short quiz. What?! I wanted to ask, yung iba sa
bloc namin excited sa test pero meron ding hindi natuwa tulad ko pero dahil siguro
freshmen kami, walang nangahas nag-voice out ng protest. I got 17/20 and I knew I
should be pleased pero lima sa blocmates ko ang naka-perfect. Langya naman,
mapapaaral yata ako ng matindi nito. I murmured. I ate a sandwich for lunch para
lang magkalaman ang tyan ko. I wanted to eat lunch with Irina pero may class sya ng
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.

Kitten, I miss you. Kumain ka ng lunch. I love you. I texted. My last class starts
at 1:00 PM and I was already bored. Tatayo na ako dapat para tumambay na lang sa
kotse when someone occupied the seat fronting mine.

"Hi, Fire!" She greeted.

"Uy." I said. Hindi ko matandaan ang pangalan nya so I just smiled.

"You don't remember my name?" She asked and I laughed.

"Hindi eh, sorry." I said and she laughed along.

"Sabi ko na eh, you weren't really paying attention when I introduced myself kaya
hindi mo tuloy matandaan ang pangalan ko." She uttered. "Emily Castrence." She said
and I nodded my head.

"Hi, Emily." I said. "Mauna na ako sayo, may pupuntahan pa kasi ako." I said as I
stood up.

"Saan?" She questioned. "Pwede bang sumama sayo? I'm bored." She said as she smiled
beguilingly at me. I was confused. Hindi ba nito alam na may asawa't anak na ako?
Hindi ba ilang ulit ko nang sinabi sa class? I asked myself as she patted her hair
in place. "I really find you interesting, Fire." She said and I frowned.

"And I find it weird that you're interested when you know that I'm married." I said
and she laughed uneasily.

"Grabe ka naman. Bawal na bang magka-crush sayo kasi may asawa ka na? Eh anong
magagawa mo kung attracted ako sayo? Alam naman siguro ng asawa mong gwapo ka kaya
dapat handa sya na may mga babaeng magkakagusto sayo." She said as she held my
gaze. "Unless umaamin ka na Takusa ka, takot sa asawa."

"I am madly in love with my wife and my twins. And I'd like to give you fair
warning that Mrs. Zamora turns into a ninja at the blink of an eye when she sees
another girl flirting with me." I said.

"I'm not flirting with you--" She objected blushing and I sighed.

"You are." I answered. "You're flirting with me. Baka hindi mo lang alam o hindi mo
lang sadya pero iba ang dating sa akin. Call me assuming but I'd like you to know
that I'm not interested." I said before I excused myself and left her sputtering
indignantly. Kung may mga babaeng ganun, ibig sabihin kaya may mga lalaki ring
naglalandi kay Irina kahit alam nilang may asawa na sya? I asked myself getting
angry at the thought as I walked towards the parking lot. I took my phone from my
pocket and sent my wife another text message.

Kitten, I hope no one dares to flirt with you because I won't think twice about
breaking a couple of bones in his body. I typed before I got inside my car.

Puppy, stop sending me these sweetly possessive messages. This Kitten is getting
horny. She replied and I laughed.

Kitten, I'll see you in a few hours. Puppy loves to play with a horny Kitten. I
texted back. I stayed inside the car for nearly an hour and just listened to music.
Twenty minutes bago magsimula ang klase ko ay bumalik na ako ng AS. The girl I
talked to earlier glared angrily at me but I ignored her.

"Kuya Fire, ilang taon na po yung babies nyo?" The girl in pink asked as she sat
down beside me.

"Ilang weeks pa lang kaya nga ang hirap iwanan." I answered.

"Ah, okay." She said. "Yung wife nyo, Kuya UP din po?"

"Oo, dito din sa Diliman." I retorted and she nodded her head.

"Bakit nyo po naisipang mag-Computer Engineering?"

"To support the family business." I replied with a smile and she smiled back. She
looked curiously at me.
"Alam nyo po bang kayo lang ang kilala kong freshman na may asawa na?" She said and
I chuckled.

"Ipapakilala kita sa asawa ko para dalawa na kaming kilala mo." I retorted and she
giggled.

"Sige, Kuya aasahan ko yan. Sige po dun po muna ako." She said as she stood up. I
wanted to text our friends kasi Diliman din sila pero inisip ko na baka nasa class
sila at ayokong maka-istorbo.

"Siguro dyosa ang asawa mo, Fire." Someone said from behind and I turned my head to
look at her. Limang babae sila at kasama nila yung Emily kanina.

"Maganda ba ang wife mo?" One of them asked and I just smiled. Ayoko na silang
patulan. I must have bruised Emily's ego that's why she asked her friends for back-
up. According to Dad, may mga babae daw talagang nacha-challenge kapag may asawa o
committed ang lalaki.

"Patingin nga ng picture." Emily said and I felt annoyed.

"Para saan?" I asked.

"Titingnan ko kung maganda sya." She answered and I laughed. "Bakit ayaw mong
ipakita?" She questioned haughtily.

"Because I don't need your opinion." I answered pleasantly and she scowled.
Dumating na ang professor namin but she did not ask us to introduce ourselves and
immediately started with her lecture. My mind was elsewhere and I wondered kung
saan tumatambay si Irina since free period nya. I was excited to leave as our class
ended but our bloc handlers arrived. They told us that we need bloc officers so we
will have to hold an election of sorts.

"Kailangan nating bumalik sa Eng'g para sa election ninyo."

"Hindi ba pwedeng dito na lang? Mukhang wala namang gagamit nitong classroom at
walang mga naghihintay sa labas." One of my blocmates suggested.

"Or kung gusto ninyo bukas na lang, magkita-kita tayo sa second floor lobby ng
Eng'g."

"Ngayon na para makapag-organize na tayo ng bloc party!" Some of my blocmates

insisted and the rest nodded their heads in agreement. Ako, gusto ko nang umalis
kasi magsi-sit-in pa ako sa klase ng asawa ko. Sana mabilis lang to. I murmured as
I took my phone out of my pocket to text my wife.

Kitten, I'll be late kasi may bloc election of officers pa daw kami.

"Simulan na." Someone said and I pocketed my phone.

"Let's start with the bloc head, ito yung parang president ninyo." Our handlers
explained. "The floor is open for nomination."

"I nominate Kuya JFK for bloc head." The girl in pink said and I shook my head.
"Sorry but I will have to refuse." I told them.

"Bakit?"

"I don't have the time." I said. "Ibigay nyo sa iba na deserving at kayang maglaan
ng oras para dun." I explained. In the end, it was Sarah, the friendly girl in
pink, who was elected as bloc president. Natapos din kami after nearly thirty
minutes and we all agreed na kinabukasan na planuhin yung bloc party. I was eager
to leave and I was the first one to stand up and head to the door.

"Fire!" Ano ba naman tong babaeng to. I grumbled.

"What?" I asked as I continued walking but she grabbed my arm. Mas malala pa to dun
sa isa ah. I thought as she smiled at me.

"Bakit ka ba nagmamadaling umuwi, magbabantay ka pa ba ng mga bata?" She taunted.

"Sayang ka naman nagpapikot ka lang. Eh di sana kung mas nauna mo akong nakilala?"
She said.

"Look, I really have no time for you--"

"Takot ka talaga sa asawa mo." She laughed and stopped when a very familiar bag
flew to her face. "What the hell!" She exclaimed as she staggered backward, the bag
hitting her squarely on the face. I turned and saw Irina calmly standing beside me.

"Ikaw ang dapat matakot sa asawa nya." She said and everyone stopped what they were
doing to watch the scene unfold.

"Kitten--"

"Who the fuck are you?!" Emily demanded. "Is this your bag?!"

"Yes, that's mine. And this is my husband." She announced. "I am Irina Ysobel
Samonte-Zamora, ikaw higad ka may pangalan ka ba?" She asked serenely and I heard
whispers erupt at her announcement.

"Excuse me--"

"No, you're not excused. But your underdeveloped breasts are. Instead of working
your way between me and my husband why don't you work out and aim to grow some
breasts?" She asked and Emily's jaw dropped as some of my blocmates started
sniggering. Irina grabbed her bag off Emily's hand before she ran her gaze from the
other girl's head down to her toes. "Pathetic, ambitious, flat-chested whore." She
muttered under her breath before we turned to leave.

"Bye, Kuya Fire! Bye, Ate Ice!" I heard Sarah say and I turned to wave goodbye at
her. Emily was being comforted by three of our girl blocmates and it looked like
she was crying.

"Pinaiyak mo, Kitten." I chuckled as I draped an arm around her. "Wala kayong
prof?"

"Wala." She retorted frowning. "Argh! Naiinis ako!" She grumbled as she snaked an
arm around my waist.

"Alam ko kung paano mawawala yang inis mo." I said. She arched her brow at me and I
grinned.

"That idea better be good, Mr. Zamora." She answered as we laughingly ran down the
stairs and headed towards the parking lot.

####################################
Chapter 19: Fire
####################################

"Sigurado ka dito?" She asked looking around. We were on the backseat of our car.
"I'm excited but suddenly nervous." She said. She was sitting astride me and I
chuckled.

"Kung natatakot ka o hindi ka komportable wag na nating gawin. Hindi naman tayo
kita from the outside kasi heavily tinted to."

"But the car's going to move, John. Uuga to and everyone's going to know that we're
doing the dirty." She uttered and I laughed. She laughed along before she leaned
down to give me a kiss. "Na-miss kita." She whispered and I pulled her closer
against me.

"Not as much as I miss you." I replied as I buried my face into the crook of her
neck. Noong bago lang kami ni Irina, I couldn't get my hands off her... at wala pa
ring nagbago. Pero ngayon, I've mellowed down. Nandun pa rin yung excitement, yung
need, yung longing pero kuntento na akong kayakap lang sya. Sexy time for me is no
longer just about sex, it's also about cuddling and talking. That's gay, Fire. I
humorously thought to myself

"Tara na?" She asked as she held my face with both her hands. "Naghihintay na ang
mga bata." She said and I nodded my head. She made a move to get off me but I
tightened my arms around her. "Gusto mo ba?" She asked and I shook my head.

"Isang minuto lang." I answered as I hugged her to my chest again. "Na-miss lang
talaga kita."

"Gawin na nating dalawang minuto." She teased before she kissed me. I let her took
control of the kiss, it excites me more when she takes over. It makes me feel very
wanted and very desirable. I've turned into a full-pledged perv.

"Uwi na tayo." I whispered against her lips.

"Wala pang two minutes." She retorted grinning as she glanced at her watch.

"Sa bahay na natin ituloy." I winked and she laughed softly.

"Mr. Zamora ha, parang gusto ko yang naiisip mo." She naughtily rejoined and I
laughed. She got off me and we got out of the car. "Pinagtitinginan nila tayo." She
observed.

"Galing kasi tayo sa likod."

"So iniisip nilang may ginawa tayo kahit wala? Dapat pala tinuloy na natin."

"Ano, balik tayo sa loob?" I asked chuckling and she rolled her eyes at me. I
opened the door for her before I ran to the other side of the car to get in.
"Kumusta pala mga klase mo, Kitten? Mine was interesting." I told her as I
maneuvered the car out of the parking lot.

"Mine was boring. Napagod ako sa kaka-recite ng pangalan ko, pangalan mo at

pangalan ng mga anak natin." She responded and I laughed as we drove off.

"Nag-exam kami agad. I got 17/20."

"Good job." She beamed. "Ang galing-galing talaga ng asawa ko."

"Pero meron akong classmates na naka-perfect."

"I don't care, basta ang alam ko matalino at gwapo ang asawa ko." She stated
beaming at me.

I expected na sobrang traffic pauwi pero buti na lang mas malala ang expectations
ko kesa reality and we were able to get home in less than an hour. Kahit hindi
namin pinag-usapan, we immediately jumped out of the car and ran to the bathroom to
take a bath before we headed to see the twins.

"Good afternoon po." Their yayas greeted before they exited the nursery. Kinarga
agad ni Irina si Twinkle kaya ako ang kumarga kay Blaze.

"Hello, Twinkie babe." She cooed before she leaned towards Blaze to give him a
kiss. "How's my baby Blaze?" She asked before she burst into tears.

"Kitten?"

"God, na-miss ko ang mga bata." She sobbed. I moved towards her and kissed the top
of her head. "Ang OA ko, nakakaasar!" She said and I laughed softly.

"I feel the same way, hindi ka OA. It's the first time na malayo tayo sa kanila ng
matagal kaya ganun."

"Paano na lang kung sila na yung mag-aaral? Eh di mugto na ang mga mata ko pag-uwi
nila galing school?" She asked and I couldn't help but laugh.

"We'll get used to it, Kitten." I said. "Tama na iyak."

"Hindi ko mapigil eh!"

"O sige, iyak ka lang." I joked and she pouted at me.

"Napaka-supportive mo talaga, Puppy." She spoke as I gave my daughter a kiss. "Nag-

text pala sa akin si Mommy kanina, she was asking kung meron na tayong final na
listahan ng mga ninong at ninang."

"I-finalize natin later. Yung relatives ko sa side ni Mommy will attend and they
all want to be godparents."

"Parang sa amin lang pala. Ang swerte naman ng mga anak natin pag pasko."

"Kahit hindi pasko maswerte sila because they have you as their Mommy."
"Naman. Pa-kiss." She puckered her lips towards me and I bent down to kiss her.
"Mom wants to talk to us about the theme of the party. Pupunta daw sila dito
ngayong Saturday."

"Okay. Nag-text ba sayo sina Kenneth?"

"Si Blesssie, oo. Until 5:30 PM yung class nila today pero sabi nya bukas daw
magkita-kita tayo sa CASAA for lunch kasi pareho lahat yata tayong walang class ng
11:30 - 1:00."

"That's great." I said. "Tulog na yung hawak mo." I added as I chuckled.

"Yang hawak mo rin." Irina countered. Nilagay namin sa crib nila ang mga bata
before we headed to our bedroom and lay down on our bed.

"May kilala ka bang taga St. Claire? I forgot her name but she was claiming that
she's your greatest academic rival. Blocmate ko."

"My greatest academic rival?"

"Nakalimutan ko name nya at nakalimutan ko syang ituro sayo kanina because of all
the excitement." I grinned and she laughed. "She was boasting that she represented
her school at the NMASO, nabara ko yata."

"Barahin mo lang." She flippantly replied before moved to sit astride me.
"Puppy..."

"Ano yun?" I asked, sitting up, as I linked my hands behind her waist. "Anong
kailangan ng asawa ko." I muttered and stopped talking when she pulled her shirt
over her head.

The following day everyone was looking weirdly at me, parang lahat sila takot akong
lapitan. Not that I cared, I actually embraced the peace.

"Kuya JFK!" Sarah, the bloc president, greeted as soon as I sat down. "Kuya! May
meeting later, sabay-sabay tayong magla-lunch kasi pag-uusapan yung bloc party
natin!" She said. Sobrang hyper nitong batang to.

"Naku, Sarah pasensya ka na pero may prior commitment na ako. Hindi ko kasi alam na
ngayon ang meeting."

"Ay, ganun po?"

"Oo, next time na lang. Kahit ano man yang mapagplanuhan nyo, I'm all for it, basta
wag lang overnight kasi hindi ako pwede. At sana I can invite my wife kasi di ako
sanay na di kami magkasama."
"Okay!" She said before she waved goodbye and ran off.

"Kuya JFK." Someone called my name and I turned to look at him. Ano nga bang
pangalan nito? I thought as I smiled at him. "Marco po." He supplied and I laughed
softly.

"Pasensya na Marco, hindi kasi ako magaling magtanda ng names. Ano yun?"

"Okay lang po. Ano po sana, yung Kuya ko po kasi member ng basketball team ng U.P.
at naikwento kita sa kanya, baka po gusto daw po ninyong magtry-out?"

"Pakisabi sa Kuya mo na salamat sa invitation pero pakisabi rin na sorry. Alam ko

kasi kung gaano ka time-consuming at ka-demanding ang mapabilang sa varsity and I
have my priorities."

"Ganun po ba? Sayang naman po."

"Pasensya na ulit." I smilingly told him. I love playing basketball, it paved the
way for me para makilala si Irina dahil siguro kung hindi ako naging si Fire Zamora
sa basketball court ay hindi ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na lapitan sya. But I
have her and the twins now and I don't need anything else.

"Ang tagal naman ng teacher!" Someone said and I couldn't help but agree. Math 17
namin at kanina pa kami naghihintay sa prof.

"Two minutes na lang pwede na tayong umalis!" Another excitedly announced and the
room was filled with cheers. A group started to count loudly and I couldn't help
but count silently with them. Kahit saan pala at kahit anong level, excited pa rin
ang mga estudyante sa prospect na walang klase. I murmured to myself.

"Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one.... YEHEY!"
They chorused as we all stood up to leave.

"To your seats." Someone said and we all turned to look at him. Hindi ko alam kung
blocmate ba namin sya but he looked about a year or two older than me pero alam
kong kanina pa sya nakaupo malapit sa bintana.

"Bakit?" A brave soul dared to ask.

"I am Mr. Joven de Guzman, your Math 17 teacher." He revealed with a smile and we
all just stared at him. Walang bumalik sa upuan. Walang naniwala na teacher sya
kasi ang bata pa nya. "This is Algebra and Trigonometry--"

"Ang lakas ng trip mo, Kuya." One of the girls said and the guy smiled as someone
peeped inside the classrom.

"Sir Jov, nakalimutan mo to sa baba kanina." She said as she handed him a folder.
She turned to us and spoke. "Ang swerte nyo at kayo ang kauna-unahang class ni Sir
Jov, summa cum laude ng Math yan." She announced and we all scrambled to go back to
our seats.

I was eager for lunch as I rushed to the CASAA which, I just learned, stands for
College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Association Food Center. Bakit nga ba ako ulit
nag-U.P.? I asked myself. Second day pa lang ang toxic na agad paano na lang kung
exams na? I searched the crowd and saw my wife. Ayun, ayun ang sagot sa tanong ko.
I hurried over to her. I was less than two feet away from her table when two boys
sat down beside her.
"Hi." I heard one of them say and I moved closer and cleared my throat. They looked
at me, saw my murderous scowl and left. Lokong mga bata to. I thought as Irina
laughed.

"Hello, Puppy." She greeted. "Wag na mainit ang ulo."

"Sino mga yun?"

"Ewan." She answered before she leaned towards me to kiss me on the lips. "Mali-
late daw sina Blessie at may pinapa-photocopy pa sila."

"Lovers!" Someone said and we turned to find Kenneth and Christian waving at us.

"Kumusta!" Irina exclaimed as they took their seats. "Nasaan si Yvette?"

"Ice!" Hindi pa man ako lumingon, alam ko na agad na si Maia sa tinis ng boses.

"Mare!" I heard Celine and Elizabeth's excited voices.

"Mai! Liz! Cel!" Irina eagerly stood up as they exchanged hugs.

"Parang ilang taon nang hindi nagkita tong mga to." Kenneth observed and the three
of us laughed as the girls sat down.

"Nasaan ang iba?" Elizabeth inquired looking around. "Nasaan si Yvette, Christian?
Sina Blessie at Hope nasaan?"

"Sina Blessie may pina-photocopy muna, si Yvette naman..." Irina's voice trailed
off and we all turned to see what caught her attention.

"Oh my gosh." Celine murmured as she glanced nervously at Christian.

"Hi, guys!" Yvette happily greeted. "Si Ramil, boyfriend ko." She added. It was
funny how we were all silent for a split-second before we started to talk all at
once.

"Uy, nice! Congrats sa inyo!"

"Hi, Yvette!"

"Hello, Yvette and Ramil!"

"Upo kayo!"

"Hello, Ramil!"

Hindi ko alam kung ngingitian ko ba yung bagong boyfriend ni Yvette o hindi ko na

lang papansinin. Kung ngingiti ako, parang trinaydor ko si Christian pero kung
hindi ko naman sya papansinin, parang ang bastos ko naman. Kenneth looked like he
was in the same dilemma as his mouth was slightly curved upward as if he was about
to smile but thought better of it.

"Mga friends!" I heard Blessie's voice and we watched her and Hope saunter to our
table.

"Anong meron at bakit parang may namatay?" Hope questioned frowning at all of us.

"Upo kayo. Ang tagal nyo!" It was Irina who recovered first. "Si Ramil nga pala,
boyfriend ni Yvette."

"Boyfr---ohhh--" The twins uttered in unison.

"Ganyan talaga sa panahon ngayon, bawal magkasakit." Blessie mumbled smiling

broadly at Ramil. "Hi, Ramil!"

"Hi." Ramil answered shyly.

"Umupo na tayong lahat!" Hope exclaimed and they took their seats.

"Muffin, umupo ka na." Yvette sweetly told her boyfriend and our gazes swiveled
towards Christian whose fists were tightly clenched on top of the table. It was the
most awkward lunch I've ever experienced.

"Naaawa ako kay Christian." I told Irina, hours later, as we were walking towards
the parking lot.

"Hindi ko alam yung totoong story kung bakit sila naghiwalay. Sa sobrang in-love ni
Yvette kay Christian, I'm sure di yun makikipaghiwalay ng ganun-ganun na lang."

"Misunderstanding daw dahil sa text sabi ni Christian." I said.

"Misunderstanding lang, masisira na kayo? Dapat pinag-uusapan."

"Yan ang gusto ko sayo, Kitten eh." I said as we reached our car.

"Ano yan?" Irina asked pointing at a piece of paper inserted between the wiper and
the windshield. "Anong nakasulat?" She inquired as I stared at the paper in my
hand, my jaw clenched in anger.

Ice, magiging akin ka rin.

####################################
Chapter 20: Fire
####################################

Seloso Ako. Aminado naman ako dun. Kahit nung hindi pa kami ni Irina, may kumausap
lang sa kanya ay gusto ko nang manapak. Kaya nga binakuran ko na agad kasi ayoko
yung idea na may makakaagaw sa kanya. Pero kahit anong bakod ko, may mga tao
talagang walang magawa sa buhay at balak manira ng relasyon ng iba.

"Puppy?"
"Yes?"

"What's wrong? Don't tell me iniisip mo pa rin yung note kanina. It's just a prank,
don't fall for it."

"Kanino kaya galing yun? Kay Canlas?"

"Pwedeng sa kanya, pwede ring hindi. The truth is hindi naman talaga natin alam and
all we can do is guess. But regardless kung kanino galing yun, don't let it bother
you. Yun ang hinahanap ng taong yun, ang guluhin ang isip mo, ang asarin ka at ang
painitin ang ulo mo. Hindi ako magpapaagaw, Puppy. Besides, may pamilya na tayo at
hindi ako papayag na may makasira sa atin."

"I know." I answered as I kissed her hand. Nasa kwarto kami and we already ate
dinner. The twins were already fast asleep at dapat matutulog na kami but I was
restless. "Hindi mawala sa isip ko. Who would be so bold to write that note knowing
kung gaano ako ka-seloso at kung gaano ka ka-maldita?" I grinned and she rolled her
eyes at me.

"Talagang maldita ako?"

"Oo naman. Maldita ka sa iba kaya nga flattered ako kasi mahal na mahal na mahal mo
ako."

"Puppy ha, habang tumatagal tayo ay mas lalong tumataas ang self-confidence mo."

"Ayaw mo?"

"Gusto. It makes you more sexy." She said as she pulled my face towards hers. We
kissed pero hindi talaga mawala sa utak ko ang note. In broad daylight at that.
Sino kayang gumawa nun? I sighed.

"Sorry." I told her. "I'm not like you, I can't push these thoughts aside. Hindi
ako threatened sa note kasi alam ko namang akin ka lang pero--"

"Pero ano?" She asked. "Kahit naman anong buntong-hininga ang gawin mo ay hindi
natin alam. Wala lang magawa sa buhay yun. Di ba sabi nga ni Mommy, kahit saan tayo
magpunta meron at merong gustong umeksena but if we remain faithful to our vows,
kahit sino pa man yan hindi uubra."

"Alam ko, gusto ko ngang isiping si Canlas na lang yun at least alam kong iisa lang
at kilala ko sya kahit asiwa ako kasi professor mo sya sa isang subject."

"I can take care of myself. Pwede ba, wag syang magkamali, ano."

"You'll tell me, right if you feel something odd? Kung may advances man sya or
anything. Ayokong pumupunta ka sa Faculty Room nya mag-isa. Kung may kailangan ka
sa kanya, sasamahan kita."

"Of course. Hindi mo ako kailangang sabihan. Besides, wala akong makitang rason
kung bakit kailangan ko syang puntahan sa Faculty Room, ang dali ng subject nya."

"Do you think it's him?"

"Possibly. Maybe he was angered by my words, ininsulto ko kasi sya di ba? Naasar
kasi ako sa kaepalan nya. But we're not 100% sure kaya we need to be alert and
observant. We need to watch each other's backs at hindi naman mahirap yun kasi
magkasama naman tayong pumapasok, magkasama rin tayong umuuwi at naghihintayan
naman tayo so hindi ko alam kung sa paanong paraan sisingit yung gagong yan."

"Don't say bad words, Kitten." I kidded and she smiled.

"Sorry oo nga pala, bawal magmura kasi maririnig ng mga bata."

"Okay lang, hindi pa naman sila nakakarinig pero ayokong masanay tayong nagmumura
at baka makapagmura tayo sa harap ng mga bata."

"Oo nga naman, dapat maingat tayo, why teach the children how to cuss when they can
learn it in school?" She asked laughing and I wrapped my arms around her.

"Mrs. Zamora..."

"Bakit, Mr. Zamora?" She tilted her face up to look at me.

"Makakapatay ako pag may umagaw sayo."

"Puppy, walang maaagaw kung walang magpapaagaw, kahit anong bantay mo sa ibang tao
kung determinado syang lumandi sa iba ay maaagaw sya. Kaya maswerte tayo sa isa't
isa kasi pareho tayong hindi magpapaagaw. Don't ruin your day thinking about that
note, okay? Sayo lang ako, same as sa akin ka lang."

"Gusto ko nang makasal tayo dito, Kitten."

"Ilang months na lang, pwede ko nang isulat ang Irina Ysobel Samonte-Zamora sa
papel kaya wag kang mainip. Nasa iisang bahay na nga tayo naiinip ka pa. Ito na nga
ako, nasa kama kasama mo, inip ka pa rin?" She teased.

"Mainipin ako eh."

"Hindi ka naman mainipin dati, hinintay mo kaya ako ng nine years."

"Kitten naman, stop teasing me." I complained as I pulled her closer against me.

"I love you, John and I know exactly what and how you feel right now. In fact,
you're calm compared to how I would react if I was the one who received that note.
Baka nagwala na ako sa parking lot kanina at nagbasag na ako ng gamit pagdating sa
bahay. But I can say this, kahit magalit tayo it's not going to achieve anything."

"You're right."

"Habang praning na praning tayo, I'm sure tuwang-tuwa kung sino man yun. Kaya if we
act unaffected, gagawa sya ulit ng bagay to shake our equilbrium but we're one step
ahead because we are totally expecting that person's actions, di ba?"

"Do you have a plan in mind?"

"Ako pa?" She asked grinning and I laughed.

"I love how great a tactician you are, Mrs. Zamora." I whispered against her neck
as I started to unbutton her pajama top. She sighed.

"And I love how you managed to take my pajamas off while we're having a
conversation, Mr. Zamora." She replied.
I never had a friend na kakahiwalay lang sa girlfriend kaya hindi ko alam kung
anong ipapayo ko kay Christian. The guy turned into a mess overnight at hindi namin
alam ni Kenneth kung anong tulong ang pwede namin ibigay sa kanya. It's been a week
since I received that note and I had to hand it to my wife kasi magaling syang mag-
isip. She had cameras installed inconspicuously inside and outside the vehicle.
Mabuti na lang may kakilala si Daddy who specializes in that kind of technology.

"Makikita natin kapag may lumapit dito sa kotse kahit saang angle at narerecord pa
sya. Yun nga lang we had to delete the videos recorded every two days." She had
told me after the cameras were installed. "Kahit na supposedly ay para sayo yung
note at may gusto kuno sa akin yung nagsulat, let us not discount the fact na baka
mini-mislead lang tayo ng taong behind nun, baka ikaw pala talaga ang gusto nya at
ginagamit nya lang ang pangalan ko para magselos ka."

"Wag na syang umasa na maagaw nya ako sayo." I had told her. I felt more at ease.
At least hindi na ako mapa-praning sa kakaisip. But unfortunately, wala na ulit
naglagay ng note.

"Ganun kadali nya akong palitan?" Christian asked for the nth time. Nasa CASAA kami
kasi lahat kami walang in-apply-an na organization kaya dito kami tumatambay.

"Ano ba kasing nangyari sa inyo, bro? Akala ko nga kayong dalawa na ang susunod na
magkakaanak after ni Fire at Ice." Kenneth asked and Christian sighed.

"Kasalanan ko rin eh."

"Totoo bang may iba ka?" I inquired.

"Medyo."

"Tangna ka pala eh." Kenneth blurted out. "Gago ka, kunyari nasasaktan ka pa dyan
tapos niloko mo pala si Yvette. Kaibigan ko rin kaya yun!"

"Paanong medyo?" I queried. "Plano mo pa lang tapos naudlot? Ano?"

"Di ba naglalaro kami ni Yvette online?"

"Oo, alam namin."

"One time, ako ang gumamit ng character nya. May nag-message sa kanya, lalaki yung
character kaya nagselos ako. I would discreetly log her account in kasi feeling ko
may iba sya. Hindi ko na-realize na alam pala nung kausap ko na hindi ako si Yvette
kasi nag-iiba daw yung personality ng character so tinanong nya ako kung sino ako.
I told him na ako ang boyfriend ni Yvette tapos nagpakilala sya na babae daw sya."

"At niligawan mo? Hayop ka." Kenneth murmured. Ang alam ko mas naunang kaibigan ni
Kenneth si Yvette dahil sa iisang kumpanya nagtatrabaho ang mga parents nila kaya
bata pa lang sila ay nagkakasama na sila sa events ng kumpanyang yun.

"Alam kong kasalanan ko, alam kong hayop ako at alam kong bobo ako." Christian
groaned dropping his head into his hands. "Hindi ko naman niligawan eh."
"Bakit nagalit si Yvette kung hindi mo niligawan?" Kenneth asked again.

"Nagkasabihan kami ng Facebook noong una tapos naging magka-text kami. She was
sweet."

"Christian, alam kong nasasaktan ka ngayon pero sarap mong upakan, bro. What do you
expect? Bakit kailangan mong makipag-text sa ibang babae? Pareho naman tayong
lalaki dito at alam nating lahat ng kung tayo ay may interest sa isang babae
paglalaanan natin ng panahon. The mere fact pa lang na nagkaka-text kayo isa lang
ang ibig sabihin nun." I said and Kenneth nodded his head.

"I was just curious, okay!"

"So nabasa ni Yvette yung mga texts exchanges ninyo?" Tanong ko sa kanya at tumango
sya. "Buti buhay ka pa, kung si Irina nakabasa ng ganun sa telepono ko, isa-isang
hahanapin na ng mga magulang ko ang nagkalat na parte ng katawan ko buong lupalop
ng Pilipinas."

"Anong gagawin ko, Kenneth, Fire? I want her back."

"Wag na, Christian. Kung sasaktan mo lang din naman pala yung kaibigan ko ay
pabayaan mo na sya dun kay Ramil. Ang akala ko dati simpleng misunderstanding lang
talaga, hindi ko alam na klaro naman palang intensyon mong lokohin sya." Kenneth
murmured.

"Sorry nga, okay. Sorry, tao lang ako. Hindi na yun mauulit."

"Ang tanong dyan, Ian kung yung girlfriend mo ay mahal ka pa ba? Paano kung mahal
na nya yung Ramil?"

"Imposibleng mangyari yun." Christian muttered and the three of us sighed. "Buti pa
kayo ni Ice."

"Meron ngang nanggugulo." I told them.

"Sino namang tangang magtatangka?" Kenneth queried.

"Ewan ko, may nag-iwan ng note sa kotse ang sabi mapapasakanya daw si Irina."

"Whoooo, lakas naman nyan." Christian said. "Tara upakan natin at naghahanap ako ng
mauupakan."

"Hindi ko nga kilala kung sino, paano natin mauupakan?" I asked and the two of them
laughed.

"Di bale, Fire pag yun lumapit kay Ice siguradong wasak yun. Kilala mo naman yung
asawa mo. Bakit ka nga pala hindi nag-sit-in sa class nya ngayon?"

"Tinext nito si Irina kagabi at kailangan daw ng kausap." I told Kenneth pointing
at Christian. "Kaya sabi ng asawa ko ay kausapin ko daw baka magpakamatay." I joked
and Christian laughed.

"Talagang naisip ni Ice na magpapakamatay ako?"

"Di naman." I uttered. "So, anong plano mo?"

"Hindi ko rin alam." He replied expelling a heavy breath. I felt my cellphone

vibrate and glanced at my watch.
"Palabas na si Mrs. Zamora sa klase kaya kailangan ko nang sunduin. This weekend
punta kayo sa bahay at dadalhin ni Ingrid ang boyfriend nya."

"May boyfriend si Ingrid?!" Kenneth asked. "Bakit hindi nya ako hinintay?"

"Loko, wag mong ipaparinig kay Ice yan at kakaratehin ka nun." I laughed.

"Crush ko yung batang yun eh."

"Cradle snatcher ka naman, bro." Christian piped in.

"Di bale nang cradle snatcher kesa two-timer." Kenneth retorted and they glared at
each other.

"Hoy, tama na nga yan para kayong tanga. Si Hope na lang ligawan mo, Kenneth at
ikaw naman Ian, mag-isip ka kung paano mo mapapabalik sayo si Yvette. I have to go,
ayokong maghintay si Irina." I spoke before I sprinted towards Irina's classroom.
Sa fourth floor ang klase nila at halos hingalin na ako sa kakaakyat ng hagdan.
Just in time. I thought, naka-set kasi ang alarm ko fifteen minutes bago matapos
ang class nya.

"Ayokong mag-overnight." I heard my wife say. She was talking to a boy. Matangkad
sya, payat at medyo moreno. "I have a husband and children at home at hindi ako
nakakatulog pag hindi ko katabi ang asawa ko."

"Pero paano yung project natin?"

"Tell me kung anong gagawin. Or better yet, I can tell our professor about my
special circumstances para ihanap ka nya ng ibang partn--"

"Hindi, wag na!" The boy was quick to reply. "Okay lang, sige wag na lang
overnight. Kahit sabay na lang tayo ng lunch or dinner para pag-usapan natin ang
gagawin. My treat. Sige na, please. Saan mo ba gusto?" He asked and I frowned. May
kakaiba dito. I murmured to myself. Nakatalikod sa akin ang asawa ko kaya hindi ko
kita yung facial expression nya.

"I'm married with kids and I find you creepy." She said and I nearly laughed at the
boy's face registered surprise. Go, Kitten. "I'll talk to the professor, I can do
this project by myself. Bye." She said before she turned to leave.

"Hi, Mrs. Zamora." I greeted her and she smiled as she walked into my embrace.
"Sino yun?"

"Classmate ko, upper classman yun, nag prerog lang sa class. Third year na yun."

"Type ka yata." I remarked and she rolled her eyes at me. "Kadiri ka."

"Ice!" Someone called and we both turned to look at the owner of the voice. It was
the boy Irina was talking to.

"Ang yabang mo." He said before he turned to leave.

####################################
Chapter 21: Ice
####################################

I am not perfect and one of my imperfections is wala akong pinapalampas -- mapa-

parinig man yan, comment, pahaging o insulto. According to my Dad, one should
choose one's battles pero hindi ako ganun. Whatever bullshit you dish against me,
expect a battle. And expect to bleed.

"Excuse me." I said pero dire-diretso ang classmate ko sa paglalakad. I don't even
know his name. Tumabi sya sa akin kanina and he tried to talk to me the whole time.
I didn't want to be rude so I answered his questions kahit gusto kong sumuka sa
harap nya. "Excuse me, pimply faggot with nauseating BO." I raised my voice and he
stopped walking before he turned to look at me. John stepped forward and I squeezed
his hand. Alam ko ang mga lalaki, hindi sila mahilig makipag-usap at sayang naman
yung kagwapuhan ng asawa ko kung papatol sya sa isang uod.

"Ako ang kausap mo?" My classmate asked pointing to his chest. "Ako ang tinatawag
mong pimply faggot with nauseating BO? Wow, just wow. Ang yabang mo talaga."

"Wow, just wow like I care about your opinion." I said as I walked towards him. I
was holding John's hand and I felt him clench his fist. We stopped a few feet away
from him and he glared at us. "Oo mayabang ako. This is a free country after all
and you can call me mayabang anytime you want. But I also have the luxury of that
freedom so we're even. Mabaho ka. You stink. Wala bang tubig sa inyo? Tag-ulan na
o, ano ba naman yung maligo ka para mabawasan man lang yan?"

"Aba--"

"Aba what?" I smiled and arched my brow. "You threw the first mud. You can't expect
me to continue to be nice. Yes, you're very right -- I'm conceited, I'm smart, I'm
gorgeous, I'm rich and I'm amazing, even I amaze myself."

"What?"

"What do you mean what? Stop looking so surprised. Ikaw lang ba ang may karapatang
manlait? It just so happens na kalait-lait ka at maraming pwedeng laitin sayo." I
ran my eyes from his head down to his shoes. "You're a nitwit pretending to be
brainy, you're an asshole who's pretending to be nice and you're stupid if you
think that I'll go out to have dinner or lunch with you when I am married to
someone as perfect as my husband."

"Wala akong sinabing--"

"Oh please." I rolled my eyes. Other students were curiously looking at us but I
ignored them. Uminit ulo ko. Ang kapal! "Hindi ako bobo to not see your advances
and I was trying to let you down kindly. Don't go insulting me just because I saw
through you. Hindi kita type, hindi ako impressed sa mga sinasabi mo and I was
actually just talking to you earlier dahil walang kumakausap sayo. I just gave you
a taste of humanity."

"Sobra ka--
"Shut up. It's my turn to talk. You're
bath. You're pathetic and I have money
kita ng pera. Entiendes?" I asked as I
Beltran." I smiled at him. "You do not
John's hand and we left.
weird, you're creepy and you badly need a
to waste kaya umayos ka at baka pag-aksayahn
read the name on his ID. "Lou Mark C.
mess with me." I uttered before I tugged at

"Calm down, Kitten." I heard John say as he wrapped his arms around me. "Parang
naawa ako dun sa classmate mo." He laughingly said. "Hindi nya kasi alam na hindi
ka dapat inaasar."

"Ang daming weird dito!" I angrily muttered as we walked towards the stairs.
"Kanina someone stopped me to ask what time it is tapos bigla na lang syang
naglabas ng bibliya at nag-lecture sa akin about Christ's second coming and what I
should do to be saved!" John was laughing hard.

"Sana nagmano ka sa kanya, Kitten."

"Hindi nakakatawa!" I replied and he laughed harder. "Muntik na akong ma-late

kanina because I couldn't shake her off! Sunod sya nang sunod sa akin at ayaw nyang
maniwala na may klase ako!"

"What did you do?"

"I ran as if the hounds of hell were after me." I replied and John laughed harder.
"Ano ba tong mga tao dito, nasobrahan ng talino?"

"Sabi nga ni Dad, di ba? Iba't ibang klase ng tao ang makakasalamuha natin dito.
Pero sana pinabayaan mo akong sapakin yung classmate mo kanina."

"Pag-aaksayahan mo pa talaga ng energy yun? Nakakadiri. Ano ba yun, nakakabwisit!

Alam mo bang sa akin sya tumabi talaga at ang baho nya. Nahihilo na nga ako eh
kahit anong paypay ang gawin ko sa sarili ko naamoy ko talaga yung BO nya. Ako lang
yata ang hindi nagtakip ng ilong kasi naawa ako sa kanya! Freaking crazy bastard!"
John laughed harder as he stopped walking to hug me.

"Wag na mainit ang ulo. Ano ba naman tong misis ko, agad-agad umiinit ang ulo.
Pauwi na tayo sa bahay, mamaya madala mo yung init ng ulo mo dun."

"Nakakabwisit nga kasi! Sobra akong nahilo sa kanya tapos sya pa daw talaga ang may
karapatang tawagin akong mayabang. At ang kapal ng mukha nyang yayain akong kumain
sa labas! Badtrip! Argh!"

"Enough na." John uttered. "Amuyin mo na lang ako para mawala na yang init ng ulo
mo. Mabango naman ako." He joked and I rubbed my face against his chest."Di ba?"

"Amoy lasagna ka." I remarked and he laughed.

"Sa CASAA kami tumambay nina Ian at Kenneth. Mabaho na ako, Kitten?"

"Hindi. Amoy gwapo ka pa rin." I answered and chuckled before he kissed me on the
forehead. We resumed walking holding hands. "Nagkita kayo nina Kenneth?" I asked.

"Oo, kaya nga sa CASAA kami tumambay para makapag-usap."

"Kumusta naman si Ian?

"Ayun, nagsisisi." He answered. "Sising-sisi. Mangiyak-ngiyak nga kanina habang

kausap namin. Nakakaawa rin."
"Ano daw ba ang nangyari?" Alam kong may bro code ang mga lalaki pero kami ni John
naman may couple's code, no secrets.

"Nagsimula sa online game, he thought lalaki yun at tinu-two time sya ni Yvette and
as it turned out, babae pala kausap nya. Naging kaibigan nya daw sa FB tapos naging
magka-text sila. Nabasa ni Yvette yung usapan nila sa phone nya kaya ayun nag-away
at naghiwalay. Sana nga nandun ka kanina kasi hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko
sa kanya."

"Hay naku, tatarayan ko lang sya. Loko-loko pala sya eh. Sinong matinong girlfriend
ang hindi magseselos kung makakabasa ka ng text messages from another girl?
Besides, kilala ko si Yvette at hindi yun mahilig mag-overreact. For sure kakaiba
na yung mga nabasa nya sa phone ni Ian kaya sya nagalit nang todo."

"Sabi nya he wants Yvette back. But Yvette has Ramil now so their situation is a
bit stickier than before. Sana kung single pa rin si Yvette baka pwede pang magawan
ng paraa--"

"Puppy, pabayaan mo si Ian na lumakad nang paluhod pabalik ka Yvette. Pabayaan mo

syang magmakaawa. Ano pa bang gusto nya? Nakuha na nya ang gusto nya kay Yvette."

"Ha?" John was surprised. "They already did it?"

"This summer lang daw."

"Tarantado pala to si Ian."

"Tama, tarantado sya kaya wag kang maawa sa kanya. And if you look at their
relationsip's timeline, after may nangyari sa kanila ni Yvette tsaka sya nagloko?
Nang-iinsulto lang? Ang kapal. Naku yan si Christian kahit kaibigan ko yan, ako
mismo maghuhulog sa kanya sa bangin."

"Is Yvette okay?" John questioned and I sighed.

"Mukhang okay na naman si Yvette. She's a strong girl. At anong milenyo na ngayon,
yung mga babae wala nang pakialam kung may nangyari sa inyo, kapag niloko mo eh
goodbye sayo. Pero lately ko lang din nalaman kaya nga ang sabi ko mag-usap kayo ni
Ian. I wanted to help him get her back kasi alam kong mahal sya ni Yvette pero yang
ganyan na may history ng distrust, mahirap na yan ibalik."

"Mahal kaya ni Yvette si Ramil?"

"Tingin ko hindi. Kay Ramil ako naaawa. Dapat kasi nag-move on na lang si Yvette
mag-isa at di na sya nanggamit pa ng tao. But who are we to judge? Sya yung
nasaktan, may karapatan syang maghanap ng iba."

"Kahit panakip-butas lang?"

"Yvette's angry so she wants to prove to him na kayang-kaya nyang maghanap ng

kapalit."

"Pag galit ka sa akin, Kitten wag kang maghanap ng kapalit ha."

"Bakit, lolokohin mo ba ako?" I queried. Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay at tawa sya nang
tawa.

"Hindi. Mrs. Zamora dinadaan mo na lang ako sa mga dagger looks mo."

"Nagpapadaan ka naman."
"Nagpapa-cute lang."

"Ang hilig magpa-cute. Mula noon hanggang ngayon pagpapa-cute talaga ang hobby mo."
I said as we crossed the street to the parking lot. Kapag ganitong oras maraming
tumatambay doon, ang hindi ko lang gusto ay may isang grupo na akala yata nila puno
ka at kailangan ka nilang pausukan.

"Ano ba naman tong mga to. Kaya dapat naliligo talaga tayo bago natin puntahan ang
mga bata sa nursery nila eh!"

"Sa susunod sa likod na ako magpa-park. At least doon walang tao."

"Fire!" Someone called John's name and we both turned to look who it was. Hindi ko
sya kilala at mukhang hindi rin sya kilala ng asawa ko. He smiled genially at us as
he extended his hand towards my husband. "Hi, I'm Sean. Kilala ko kayong dalawa." I
frowned as John took his extended hand. Saan ko naman daw nakilala to?

"Pasensya na pero hindi kita namumukhaan." John replied.

"Nakalaro kita sa basketball dati. St. Margeaux ako pero mas nauna ako ng two years
sayo. Si Ice naman, nakalaban ko sa NMASO."

"Hi." I said. Ang weird naman kung bigla na lang itong lalapit para makipagkilala.

"Hello, Ice. Gusto ko sanang imbitahan si Fire."

"Saan?" John asked.

"I'm a member of a Frat--"

"No." I said. "Sorry pero hindi pwede. Besides, hindi ba merong rules and UP
regarding recruiting freshmen into frats and soros? Hindi pwede kapag wala pang
isang taon ang residency sa university."

"Prospect pa lang naman. I just feel that JFK will be a great asset to the
brotherhood."

"Salamat. Salamat sa pag-imbita pero maliban sa wala akong balak sumali sa isang
fraternity o kahit anong organization, wala talaga akong time sa extra-curricular
activities."

"Hindi mo naman kailangang sumali sa amin kung ayaw mo but we'd like to be your
friends. Tambay at usap lang."

"Pasensya na, I don't mean to be rude pero I already have my own set of friends,
halos di na nga kami magkita dito sa campus dahil sobrang busy ko."

"That's cool, bro. Don't worry." Sean replied, his smile never leaving his face.
There's just something creepy about a person who always smiles kahit parang di
naman kangit-ngiti ang sitwasyon.

"Salamat sa pag-iintindi. Sige, mauna na kami. Nice bumping into you, Sean." My
husband said before we turned to leave. He opened the car's door for me and I got
in. He closed my door before he walked to the driver's side.

"Puppy, okay lang naman sa akin na sumali ka ng organizations pero ayokong sumali
ka sa frat."
"Alam ko. Ayokong sumali sa kahit ano, babawasan ko pa yung oras ko para sa inyo ng
mga bata eh sa asawa ko pa nga lang kulang na kulang na." He smiled at me. "Kung
gusto kong masaktan, ikaw na lang bumugbog sa akin, bakit pa ako maghahanap ng
iba?"

"Sabagay, pwede akong bumili ng whip tapos itatali kita sa kama." I spoke and he
laughed. "Samahan na rin natin ng whipped cream baka I can lick it off you."

"Ma-traffic ngayon, Kitten wag ganyan."

"Bakit?"

"I'm getting horny." He replied and I smiled.

"Yun lang ang sinabi ko, agad-agad affected ka?"

"Mrs. Zamora, do not undermine your skill in putting erotic images inside my head.
Minsan nga isang word lang ang sabihin mo hinihingal na ako."

"Wala, Puppy. Wala ka na talagang lunas." I said as I put a hand against his thigh.
He looked at me and quirked a brow. "What?" I asked trying to sound innocent.

"You're a tease, Mrs. Zamora."

"You're right." I said with a sigh as my hand moved towards his crotch. His
breathing instantly became ragged.

"Kitten, I'm driving..." He murmured. "Irina..."

"Ano?" I inquired, trying to appear nonchalant as I moved closer to his seat. He

was starting to pant and I took pity on him so I withdrew my hand. "Sorry, kung
anu-ano na lang ginagawa ko sayo."

"Kitten."

"Yes?"

"Is it okay if I unzip my pants?" He asked and it was my turn to be surprised.

"Gusto mong hinahawakan kita?"

"Oo." He answered. "Gustung-gusto."

"Unzip your pants." I murmured and he fumbled with his zipper.

####################################
Chapter 22: Ice
####################################
"I don't think this is a good idea." I was laughing. "Kakayanin mo bang mag-drive?
Ayokong gawing literal yung adage na namatay sa sarap." I said and John laughed
too. "Sa bahay, hindi lang hawak gagawin ko dyan."

"Kitten, tao lang ako and you're playing me like a harp."

"I haven't even started playing yet." I said. "Talagang habang nagda-drive gusto
mong--"

"Sobrang traffic, is it too much if I ask for my wife to fondle me?" He sounded
teasing.

"I'll fondle you to your heart's content later. As I said, hindi lang fondle ang
gagawin ko sayo. I'll even make you forget your name."

"Mrs. Zamora, stop talking dirty."

"You don't know dirty yet, Mr. Zamora." I said and he turned to wink at me.

"I'll willingly get dirty for you anytime."

"How dirty." I asked as I caressed his thigh. I heard his sharp intake of breath
and I smiled at him. "Very dirty?" I love teasing John, napaka-responsive nya. Sya
yung tipong lalandiin ko lang ng kaunti, bumibigay na agad. Hindi uso sa kanya
magpakipot and the knowledge that I'm the only one who's able to get that kind of
reaction from him excites me.

"Ang unfair mo, Mrs. Zamora. Kita mo na ngang ang haba nitong traffic ang lakas mo
pang maka-seduce." He murmured and I hid a smile.

"Prelude to seduction pa lang to. Tsaka okay lang, Puppy. Pagkapasok sa garage
nitong kotse pwede mo na akong molestyahin." I said and he groaned.

"Kitten, you're not helping."

"I was never helpful." I answered. The travel from our house to the campus usually
takes around twenty to thirty minutes depending on the traffic and John was in a
hurry. "Kalma, may mga batang naghihintay." I said and he laughed.

"Alam ko." He replied laughing too. "Mas maingat nga akong mag-drive ngayon now
that I have you and the kids. Ikaw lang kasi, masyado kang..."

"Masyado akong ano?" I asked grinning.

"Masyado kang hot for my peace of mind." He answered.

"Ayan ka na naman eh, ako na naman ang sinisisi mo. Parati na lang bang ako, Mr.
Zamora?"

"Pwede mo rin naman akong sisihin, Mrs. Zamora by telling me that I'm too hot for
your peace of mind too."

"You're too hot. Period." I replied and we both laughed. "Ang landi mo, Puppy."

"Mas okay na yung ganito, yung malandi tayo sa isa't isa kesa maglandi tayo sa iba.
Just look at Christian and Yvette. It saddened me to see your friends' relationship
end. Di ba last year lang na sobrang saya nating lahat? I remember, nainggit ako sa
kanila kasi ang sweet nila sa isa't isa and they can't seem to keep their hands off
each other."

"Sweet rin naman tayo ah." I pouted.

"Nung hindi pa tayo. Hindi ka kaya sweet sa akin, hindi mo nga ako pinapansin.
Awang-awa na nga ako sa sarili ko nun." He confided.

"Bawing-bawi naman ako sayo nung naging couple tayo, ano. Ang sweet ko kaya sayo."

"Oo. And thank you for being sweet, Mrs. Zamora."

"You're welcome." I flippantly replied. "Pero, John ganun ba talaga ang mga lalaki?
At some point magsasawa kayo?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. "Kasi look at
Christian. Why would he text another when he has Yvette, hindi ba dahil he wants
something different?"

"Kaya ayokong ma-traffic eh, natatakot ako sa mga tanong mo." My husband replied
laughing and I turned my head to look at him.

"Sagutin mo ako because I am really curious."

"Kitten, depende sa tao yan. Mapa-lalaki o babae if you want to go astray magagawa
mo. Hindi naman gender-specific ang pangangaliwa."

"Pero mostly kasi ng naririnig ko lalaki ang nangangaliwa."

"Kasi tahimik ang lalaki kahit kaliwain mo. Magagalit, oo baka murahin ka pa pero
yung tipong buong linggo o buong buwan yun lang ang pag-uusapan namin ng mga
kaibigan namin, nakakawala ng pagkalalaki yun. That's as per what the society
dictates anyway, na kapag lalaki ka kahit ang sakit na hindi ka pwedeng magpakita
na nasasaktan ka."

"So ang babae maingay pag kinaliwa, ganun?"

"Oo." He replied without hesitation. "Aminin na natin. It's easier for women to
rant and rave because somehow, that's expected from you. Na magwawala kayo, na
iiyak kayo, magsa-shopping, kakain ng marami, call your girl friends for back up
and lash about your ex and his current flame. Parang yun ang normal na reaction
ninyo pero kapag lalaki, subukan mong umiyak sa harap ng mga kaibigan mo kung hindi
puro kantyaw at tawa ang aabutin mo."

"Anong klaseng kaibigan naman yun kung umiiyak ka na nga ay tatawanan ka pa?"

"Ang mga kaibigan ng lalaki, Kitten ay nandyan to remind you na macho ka. Na lalaki
ka at dapat hindi ka lalamya-lamya kasi yun ang hinihingi ng society sayo. Yung
babae naman, nandyan para pakinggan lahat ng mga emosyong kaya mong ilahad."

"Ang lalim." I joked.

"Oo nga." He replied grinning. "But did you get my point? Nagdududa ka pa rin ba na
magsasawa ako sayo?"

"Ang sinasabi ko ang bata nating naglandi kaya baka maaga tayong magsasawa sa isa't
isa." I told him quietly.

"Nasasaktan ako sa sinasabi mo. Paglalandi tawag mo dito?" He questioned.

"Paglalandi ang tawag mo sa kung anong meron tayo?"
"Hindi. Of course not pero ang sa akin lang we got sexually active very early--"

"Kasi mahal natin ang isa't isa." He sighed. "Kitten, ito ka na naman."

"Bakit?"

"Hindi ba, mahal natin ang isa't isa at hindi natin mapigilang na i-express yung
love na yun sa physical na paraan?"

"So expressive tayo, ganun?" I teased.

"Call it whatever you want basta ako alam kong mahal ko kayo ng mga bata. And to
answer your question, no. I do not see myself not wanting you. I do not see myself
looking at another woman and thinking that she's more beautiful or more desirable
than my wife. I do not see myself falling in love with anyone else. Ilang beses ko
bang sasabihin to sayo, Mrs. Zamora?"

"Gusto ko araw-araw." I told him and he glanced at me before he chuckled.

"Minu-minuto ko naman pinapakita sayo, kulang pa rin?"

"Oo eh, I'm greedy." I said. "Gusto ko bawat segundo."

"Sa bahay, papakyawin ko na hanggang bukas."

"Sa bahay pa?"

"Kitten, I am greatly turned-on and you're not helping."

"I was never helpful but with you, I can give you all the help you want."

"Hang on, itatabi ko lang yung kotse." He muttered and I laughed. "Ilalabas ko na
nararamdaman ko para sayo dito sa daan." He added and I laughed harder.

"Ano ba! I was just teasing you, John!" I said. "Malapit na tayo sa bahay. As soon
as pumasok sa garahe itong sasakyan, pwede mo na agad akong molestyahin." I told
him. "At tsaka I need some loving tonight, stressed ako."

"Sinabi mo yan, walang bawian." He uttered and I laughed again.

"Kelan ba ako nambawi?" I asked. When he reached home he immediately got off the
car and jogged to the passenger's side to open the door for me.

"Thank you." I smiled and was surprised when he lifted me off the ground and
carried me inside the house. "Hindi naman ako tatakbo, talagang kailangang
kargahin?" I remarked and he grinned.

"Ser JFK, yung Mommy po ninyo tumata--"

"Tawagan nya ako after an hour, Manang. Emergency lang." John said as he took the
stairs with me in his arms.

"Ano ka ba mamaya emergency yan!" I said and he stopped walking.

"Urgent daw po ba?" He inquired and our elderly househelp shook her head. "Hindi
daw urgent." He triumphantly told me. Hindi ko mapigilan ang mga tawa ko. Hindi ko
alam bakit ganun kami, we never felt the need to hide the fact that we want each
other.
"Isang oras po ba?" Our househelp asked again.

"Ako ang tatawag kay Mommy, Manang. Baka more than an hour." John answered. He put
me down to open the door and gently pushed me inside. "Ito na, nasa loob na tayo ng
kwarto. Ipakita mo na ang pagiging helpful mo." He said as he started stripping.

"Maligo muna tayo. Amoy usok ako, amoy lasagna ka."

"I don't mind na amoy usok ka." He advanced towards me and I quelled the instinct
to take a step back.

"Well, I do." I retorted.

"Kitten naman." He whined. "HIndi mo ba naririnig ang urgency sa boses ko?"

"Hindi pero nakikita ko urgency sa pantalon mo." I replied and he laughed.

"Pero maliligo ka pa rin?" He asked sounding so disappointed that I nearly laughed.

"Kahit alam mong urgent?"

"Bakit, hindi ba ako pwedeng maging helpful habang naliligo?" I innocently asked as
I unbuttoned my blouse and shrieked in laughter when he lifted me off the floor and
carried me inside the bathroom.

Minutes later, I was wide awake and listening to his hearbeat as he tightened his
arms around me. I felt him kiss my damp hair as I snuggled closer against his
chest.

"Anong iniisip mo?" I heard him whisper.

"Wala."

"Ano nga? Kitten naman, kilala kita kapag nag-iisip ka."

"Hindi mawala sa utak ko yung nangyari kay Yvette at Christian. Would we survive a
similar challenge o bibitiw tayong parehas?"

"Anong similar challenge? Kitten, ayokong pag-usapan ang third party at naiinis
ako. Kahit siguro ayaw mo na sa akin, I will be very selfish at susundan-sundan
kita hanggang sa magustuhan mo ulit ako."

"Ganun?"

"Oo. Kaya get that thought off your head. Hindi ako magloloko kasi alam kong you're
too proud para suyuin ako. Alam kong pag nagkamali ako, it's goodbye for both of us
and I don't want that to happen. Lalo akong nagagalit kay Christian dahil
nagkakaganyan ka dahil sa nangyari sa kanila. Wag ka namang unfair sa atin, wala
tayong kinalaman sa kanila. Hindi ibig sabihin na naghiwalay yung mga kaibigan
natin ay makikiuso rin tayo. Besides, may mga anak na tayo at walang galing sa
broken family sa ating dalawa so unfair naman kung ipaparanas natin ang ganun sa
mga bata. Di ba ikaw may hawak ng telepono ko, alam mo password ng FB ko at
sinusundo--Bakit ka tumatawa?"

"Ganun lang yung sinabi ko pero ang haba na ng litanya mo." I laughed harder.

"Bakit nagkakaganyan ka na naman ba? What brought about these questions?"

"Wala lang. Si Christian kasi wala namang humahabol pero nagpapahabol sa iba, paano
ka na lang, ang daming may crush sayo?"

"Wala akong ini-entertain kahit isa dun." He sighed. "Ang tagal mo namang mag-
eighteen. Gusto ko nang magpakasal. Gusto ko nang nakatatak sa isang papel na asawa
kita at wala ka nang kawala. May mga anak nga tayo pero may mga ganyang moments ka
pa rin. And it scares me, Irina. It scares me that you're thinking that there might
be an end to us."

"I don't have such thoughts." I spoke. "Just like you, I would probably do
everything to get you back just in case you leave. But I can't help but think about
those gloomy possibilities--" I stopped talking because he was on top of me again.
"Ano yan, sensual coercion?" I breathlessly asked.

"Hindi, more of intimate damage control." He replied as I felt him glide inside me.
"Every time may mga ganung thoughts ka, dadaanin ko na lang sa ganito since you do
not think when you're in the throes of passion." He gasped as I moved against him.

"Pandadaya ang tawag dito, Mr. Zamora." I whispered as I pulled him closer against
me.

"Whatever works, Mrs. Zamora." He replied smiling. I pulled his face down and
opened my mouth over his as he repeatedly drove inside me. He guided my legs around
his hips and we both gasped in pleasure at the deeper penetration. "I love you." He
whispered against my lips as I shivered beneath him and I swallowed his cry of
gratification when he found his release. He slumped against me and I put my arms
around him.

"I love you." I said and he lifted his face from the crook of my neck to look at
me.

"Tandaan mo yan parati because that's all that matters." He murmured before he
kissed me on the forehead. "Akin ka lang, Kitten." He said and I smiled.

"Signed, sealed and delivered." I murmured.

"More of held, touched, penetrated." He replied and I laughed.

"Penetrated? Ganun?"

"No, Mrs. Zamora, you're more of embraced," He held me tighter. "Loved," He kissed
the top of my head. "And loved deeper everyday." He whispered.

"How deep?" I asked and he help my face as he kissed me as he started moving again.
####################################
Chapter 23: Ice
####################################

It's a Saturday and I woke up early. John was still sleeping kaya hindi pa rin ako
bumabangon. I was lying on my side facing him and his arms were around me. "Puppy,
gising na." I said. I pinched his cheek pero hindi pa rin sya nagising. I snuggled
closer against him and rubbed my face against his neck. That got a reaction as one
of his hands eagerly cupped my breast.

"Good morning to you too, Mr. Zamora." I laughed softly and he smiled before he
opened his eyes.

"Good morning, Mrs. Zamora." He said as his hand travelled under my night shirt.
"Dapat hindi ka na lang nagdadamit para derecho na." He murmured and I laughed.

"Dapat hubad na lang ako parati?"

"Oo." He replied. He sleeps naked kaya nagdadamit ako or else walang tulugan kaming
dalawa. "Hubad na." He whispered.

"Di ba may pupuntahan tayo?" I asked as he started to pull the shirt over my head.

"Saan?"

"Sa Wack-Wack, di ba? May date kayo nina Daddy, Dad Julio at ni Aleph?"

"Anong oras na ba? Ang aga pa naman ah. Pwede pa."

"Puppy, it's already six in the morning!" I squealed as he started tickling me.
"Nag-promise ako kay Ingrid that we'll be there to give her boyfriend support." I
uttered and he paused.

"Aleph needs our support? Hindi ba okay naman sila ni Dad? Kaya I'm sure hindi sya
tututukan ng shotgun nun." He replied and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Puppy, nagseselos ka?"

"Nagseselos saan?"

"Kasi okay kaagad sina Aleph at Dad?" I teased.

"Hindi. Special bonding namin ni Dad ang pagtutok nya ng shotgun sa akin at
pagsakal nya habang ini-explain mong ginahasa mo ako. That moment was priceless."
He grinned and I arched my brow.

"Priceless because I told everyone that I got my way with you?"

"Priceless because I got you with your father's consent." He laughed. "Alam mo ba
kung gaano ako katakot sa Daddy mo, Kitten?"

"We're you scared of Dad? You hid it well." I said.

"Oo, takot na takot ako sa kanya pero mas takot ako sayo. Mas takot ako na baka
kapag may pinakita akong kaunting sign ng weakness matu-turn off ka."

"Aw, Puppy. Masyado pang maaga para sundan natin ang kambal." I joke and he laughed
again. "But thank you for being brave and not cowering even when you were face-to-
face with the almighty Atty. Ireneo Samonte."

"How could I shrink in fear when I was more afraid to lose you?"

"Ayan ka na naman." He chuckled.

"Why? What did I do?"

"You're seducing me with your words."

"Mrs. Zamora, do I need words to seduce you?" He whispered against my ear.

"Not really, you just need to look at me and then I'll start stripping." I replied.
He moved atop me and groaned when my phone rang.

"Si Ingrid yan, I'm sure. She sounded so worried last night, feeling ko tuloy debut
ni Aleph."

"Sagutin mo na muna. Si baby sister minsan lang yan humihingi ng tulong." John said
as he groped for my phone on the bedside table. He handed it to me before he
started nuzzling my neck.

"Puppy, ano ba. Paano ko naman kakausapin si Ingrid dyan sa mga pinaggagawa mo?" I
tilted my head to give him more access.

"Ano naman kasing laban ko sa ganda ng asawa ko?" He murmured against my neck and I
laughed.

"Yan tayo eh. Mamaya na after naming mag-usap ni Ingrid." I said as I cupped his
face.

"Okay, kausapin mo muna. Dito lang ako, maghihintay kung kelan mo babalingan ng
pansin." He said and I laughed harder. John had turned into a tease. Hindi ko alam
kung kelan sya natuto pero sobrang playful na nya.

"Ayan tuloy, hindi ko na nasagot." I muttered when my phone stopped ringing. "Teka
lang, tawagan ko sya." I said as I crawled atop him and sat down on his crotch.

"Kitten naman..."

"Shh..." I put a finger against my lips as I grinned at him. "Good morning, baby
Ingrid!"

"Good morning po, Ate! Sorry po sa istorbo pero baka kasi makalimutan nyo eh!"
Ingrid's anxiousness was palpable.

"Hindi, ito na nga kami gising na."

"Thank you, Ate!" She replied energetically. "Eh Ate may sasabihin ako."

"Ano yun?" I questioned. She sounded unsure.

"Di ba, Ate sabi ko sayo may problema sa family nya si Aleph tapos sabi mo okay
lang kahit ano man yun."

"Oo naman. Sa tingin mo I will judge him based on the kind of family that he has?"

"Yun nga po, Ate eh, wala po syang family."

"Ha?" I knew I sounded very surprised. Anong walang family?

"Iniwan po kasi sya ng parents nya kasi he was born out of wedlock at pareho po
silang may-asawa tapos po yung nagpalaki sa kanya yung Yaya nya na malayong kamag-
anak ng Mommy nya. Tsaka hindi Santiago talaga yung apleyido nya, yun lang daw yung
apelyido nung midwife na nagpaanak sa Mommy nya. Hindi daw kasi pwedeng gamitin ni
Aleph yung apelyido ng kahit alin dun sa parents nya kasi ayaw nila-Ate, nandyan ka
pa?" She asked. I mutely nodded my head and realized that we're conversing over the
phone.

"Oo." I murmured. John automatically sat up and leaned forward to wrap his arms
around me.

"Why are you crying?" He whispered and I shook my head. I didn't even realize that
I was silently weeping.

"Ate?"

"Oo, nandito ako. Naiyak ako sa sinabi mo. Ganun ang background ni Aleph? Bakit ang
cruel naman ng parents nya? Kulang na lang itapon nila sa basurahan yung anak
nila."

"Oo nga, Ate ang kapal ng mga mukha nila. Naku, wag talaga silang magpapakita sa
akin at makakarinig talaga sila ng hindi maganda. Kaya ako humihingi ng tulong, Ate
kasi medyo natatakot si Aleph pumuntang Wack-Wack. Baka daw kasi tanungin sya kung
sino ang parents nya tapos hindi naman nya alam kung anong isasagot."

"Ay naku, wag na nyang problemahin yun."

"Kasi di ba si Kuya Dennis minsan ang yabang at ang taklesa? For sure nandun sya
later, mamaya i-bully nya si Aleph."

"Ingrid, wag kang matakot sa opinion ng ibang tao. At si Dennis talaga ang inaalala
mo?"

"Not really, Ate baka lang kasi mapahiya si Aleph dun."

"We'll be there, don't worry." I said and heard her sigh with relief.

"Thank you, Ate! You're the best! Byebye!"

"Bye." I said.

"What happened?" John sounded very worried. Hindi ako iyakin but after I gave
birth, I became more sensitive. Especially when it concerns children, I seem to see
my kids in every youngster's face. Ganun siguro pag naging ina ka, you feel more
strongly because you are afraid that those bad things might actually happen to your
kids.

"Wala daw palang parents si Aleph." I told him and he frowned in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"He was abandoned by his parents according to Ingrid. God I feel so sad hearing it
from Ingrid. I'm sure that's not even half of his story pero ang lungkot lang.
Naiisip ko kasi ang mga bata. What if something happens to us? Wag naman sana but
who'll take care of them?"

"Nothing's going to happen to us. Besides, nandyan ang mga pamilya natin. Nandyan
si Ingrid. Nandyan and mga Zamora, Samonte, Tan at Fournier." He replied and I
smiled tearfully.

"I'm such an emotional mess."

"No, you're not. You're brave, you're level-headed, you're kind, sexy, hot..."

"Oh you want to get laid?" I asked laughing and he eagerly nodded in agreement.

Aleph did well. Of course, they asked who his parents were but Ingrid turned into a
ninja every time they did. It was actually fun to watch. Mom and Mommy Elaine
talked about their zumba class while Ingrid went with Dad, Daddy Julio, John and
Aleph to the golf course. Ako naman I tried knitting booties for the twins. Tried.
Kasi habang tumatagal ay mas lalong nagmumukhang makulay na bola ng yarn yung
ginagawa ko, sobrang layo sa picture na nasa catalogue.

"Irina, what are you knitting, princess?" Mom asked, a smile pasted on her face. I
knew she was cringing inside.

"They are supposed to be booties, 'Mmy." I replied.

"Do you want me to help you?"

"Hindi na po. Bibili na lang po ako. Wala talaga akong talent dito." I laughed.

We ate lunch after the men finished playing at kahit naaawa ako kay Aleph, I was
careful not to treat him differently kasi ayokong maramdaman nyang kinakaawaan
naming sya kaya kami mabait sa kanya.

"Kuya, malapit na birthday mo, di ba?" Ingrid asked and John nodded. "Ayan,
manlibre ka naman!"

"Saan mo ba gusto?" My husband asked.

"Sa Korea, sa canteen ng YG." My sister replied. "Yung label nina G-Dragon?"
"Sino si G-Dragon?" John asked.

"Yung crush ko."

"Aleph, palitan mo na name mo to G-Tiger." I laughed and my sister pouted.

"Si Ate ang lakas mambasag!"

"Ano ba yan, kailangang harap-harapan sabihin mong may crush ka? Sige ka, baka
magtampo yan si Aleph."

"Hindi naman po, Ate Ice." Aleph answered.

"Oo nga! Tsaka alam naman nyang crush ko si G-Dragon eh! Bakit, ikaw ba wala kang
crush na artista?"

"Bakit naman ako magka-crush sa artista eh ang gwapo ng asawa ko?" I asked as I
winked at John.

"I love you too, Kitten." John said and everyone laughed. Bumalik kaming lahat sa
bahay after lunch because our parents wanted to see the twins. Si John at Aleph
naman naman ay may man-to-man talk kaya kaming dalawa Ingrid ang naiwan sa baba
para magkwentuhan.

"Kumusta buhay may-boyfriend?" I teased and she giggled.

"Okay lang, Ate. Wala na kaming ginawa kundi mag-aral. Nakakaloka! Pangarap yata ni
Aleph maging isang propesor."

"Eh di mabuti, mapipilitan kang mag-aral at magkakaroon ng romantic meaning sayo

ang mga salitang libro at library." I kidded and she rolled her eyes. "At least
naiimpluwensyahan ka nya in a positive way."

"Oo naman." She grinned. "Sana Ate kami rin Aleph maging tulad nyo ni Kuya JFK."

"Kapatid naman kita kaya namana mo ang ganda ko tsaka gwapo naman si Aleph-"

"Hindi yung ng ibig kong sabihin! Ate naman eh!"

"Ano pala?" I laughed.

"Yung tipong kasing-perfect ninyo. Yung hindi nag-aaway, walang pinagseselosan,

walang conflict. Ang perfect nyo eh, you are so in love with each other tapos yung
tiwala nyo sa isa't isa sobra. Feeling ko walang kahit anong makakasira sa inyo."

"Sana nga." I smiled.

That evening I lay awake in bed, Ingrid's words running through my head. Oo, tama
sya. Our relationship seemed perfect and a part of me was afraid that it's just too
perfect. Paano kung may malaking problemang dumating? Will we be able to handle it?
Paano kung dahil sanay kaming masaya, hindi kami makapaghanda kapag malungkot na?
Paano kung ang akala naming perfect na pagsasama ay ganun lang pala kabilis masira?

"Why are you still awake?" I heard John whisper.

"Di ako makatulog."

"Bakit? May problema ba?"

"Wala." I answered. "Nag-iisip lang."

"Anong iniisip mo?"

"Mga walang kwentang bagay."

"Tulad ng ano?"

"Tulad ng kung bakit ang gwapo mo."

"Walang kwentang bagay na ang kagwapuhan ko ngayon?" He chuckled.

"Hindi naman." I replied.

"Kitten, spill it. Parang malalim yang iniisip mo. Sabihin mo sa akin para mapag-
usapan natin."

"Sabi kasi ni Ingrid masyado daw tayong perfect as a couple."

"That's why I love Ingrid. Very astute kid." John laughed softly and I sighed. "Ano
yun? What's really bothering you?"

"Takot ako sa salitang perfect kasi wala namang perfect. Takot ako na we'll get too
confident na walang makakasira sa atin tapos kaunting problema lang ang dumating ay
tapos na tayo."

"Kitten, pagpo-post-partum pa ba tawag dyan? Naasar na ako sa post-partum na yan.

Why do you always have these thoughts in your head?"

"Because I'm afraid to lose you."

"Ako rin." He expelled a heavy breath. "I am terrified at the thought of losing
you, Irina. I am frightened at the idea na baka magising na lang ako isang araw at
sawa ka na sa akin. Hindi lang ikaw ang may ganung takot, ako rin. Pero hahayaan ko
na lang bang matakot ako when in fact ay pwede namang gawan ko ang paraan by making
it impossible for you to leave me?"

"Post-partum nga lang yata to, Puppy wag mo nang isipin." I whispered. I didn't
want him to get upset.

"Kitten naman, padalas nang padalas yung mga ganitong moments mo, may dapat na ba
akong ikatakot?"

"Wala." I replied. "I won't leave."

"No matter how difficult things get?"

"No matter how unbearable things get." I said and he smiled. My resolve was tested
a few weeks after with one phone call.

####################################
Chapter 24: Ice
####################################
Malapit na ang birthday ni John and we wanted a simple party. Yung kami-kami lang
at walang maraming tao at di kailangang nakangiti buong gabi. Ayaw sanang pumayag
ng parents nya but we insisted.

"But what about your friends?" Mommy Elaine couldn't hide the disappointment in her
voice. "Hindi ba sila magtatampo that it's your birthday pero hindi mo man lang
sila inimbita?"

"Mom, we could always treat them to lunch or dinner. Kaunting libre lang masaya na
po ang mga yun. Iilan lang naman po ang kaibigan namin ni Irina at ang gusto po
sana namin ay sila lang ang yayaing lumabas."

"Wala ba kayong classmates na ii-invite from U.P.?" Mommy Elaine asked, obviously
unhappy na walang malaking party na magaganap.

"They don't even know kung kelan po ang birthday ko." John replied.

"But-"

"Mom, gusto namin tayo lang." John repeated. "I want to celebrate my birthday with
the people who are important in my life. At tsaka alam nyo naman po what happened
dun sa party ni Irina, tinulugan lang namin because we'd rather be with the
children."

"Pero, baby-"

"Mom, hindi naman ako elementary na kailangang mag-imbita ng classmates for my

birthday. May asawa't mga anak na po ako, Mom. Tayo ng family ni Irina na ang ang
mag-celebrate. Please." John uttered before he kissed his mom's cheek.

Malambing si John kay Mommy Elaine and I truly wished na sina Blaze at Twinkle
ganun din kahit magbinata at magdalaga na sila-yung hindi mahihiyang magpakita ng
affection sa parents nya. Nabasa ko kasi sa internet na habang lumalaki ang mga
bata ay nali-lessen yung pagiging affectionate nila sa mga magulang nila although
hindi rin naman kami ganun ni Ingrid.

"Hon, kung yan ang gusto ng mga bata, pabayaan na natin." Daddy Julio spoke.
Dumalaw kami sa bahay nila dahil miss na daw nila ang mga apo nila and we also had
to finalize the list of godparents for the twins.

"But-"

"Mom, I know how much you love parties pero mas gusto kong tayo-tayo lang ang
magsi-celebrate. Besides, ang grand ng binyag ng mga bata, dun nyo na lang po ituon
lahat ng energy ninyo." John said and Mommy Elaine sighed.

"Sabagay." She said before she suddenly stood up. "Oh my God!"

"Bakit?" Dadddy Julio asked.

"I nearly forgot! I have to call Isabel! Hindi pa pala kami nakapili ng design para
sa ice sculptures! This could have been a disaster!" Ice sculpture?! Para sa binyag
ng mga bata?! Masyado naman yata yung preparation. "And I have to call your Tita
Melanie kasi nagpapatawag pala sya regarding the give-aways-Iwan ko na muna kayo
dito, okay?" She did not wait for us as she left in a hurry.

"Ice sculptures?" John asked looking at me. Sina Mommy ang in-charge sa preparation
because according to them ay busy kami ni John sa school kaya hindi namin
maaasikaso nang maayos.

"Pagpasensyahan nyo na yung Mommy ninyo, alam nyo naman yun excited masyado sa
binyag."

"Okay lang po. Ang swerte nga po ng mga bata kasi talagang pinaghandaan yung binyag
nila months before the actual event." I answered.

"Oo. Pero minsan kasi yang mommies ninyo couldn't help but go over the top." Dad
Julio chuckled before he glanced at his watch. "O sige, tawagan ko lang din si
kumpare because we're going to shop for complete golf sets for the children." He
smiled at us before he left.

"Puppy, parang ngayon pa lang hectic na ang magiging schedule ng mga bata." I
uttered and John laughed. "Complete golf clubs? They can't even walk yet."

"Kitten, ganyan talaga they're excited for the babies. Unang mga apo ba naman. Buti
nga kambal sila kasi kung solo lang I'm sure sobrang spoiled sa mga lolo at lola
nya."

"Parang nasobrahan yata ng excitement?" I thoughtfully said.

"Parang ikaw." John replied and I frowned at him.

"Anong parang ako? Wala naman akong ganyan ka-grand na plans-"

"I saw you browsing the internet for the best schools."

"I was just browsing!" I defensively replied. "As parents hindi ba dapat prepared
tayo kung saan mag-aaral ang mga bata at kung anong best for them? Dapat nga ngayon
pa lang pinaghahandaan na natin yung pagka-college nila, hindi ba?" He laughed
before he tweaked my nose.

"Hindi pa nag-iipin ang mga kambal, Kitten. Hindi pa nga nakakapagsalita, college
na agad ang nasa isip mo." He teased.

"So anong gusto mong gawin ko?" I asked him, my voice sharp. "Pababayaan ko na lang
yung mga anak ko?"

"Kitten naman, nagalit kaagad." He moved to enfold me in his embrace. "Wag ka nang
pikon. Gustung-gusto ko nga eh na ganoong klaseng Mommy ka at iniisip mo na this
early kung saang school sila papasok."

"Feeling ko kasi feeling mo OA ako."

"Hindi ah. Cute kaya." He kissed the top of my head. "Ang bango mo." He whispered.

"Alam ko na yan." I replied hugging him back. "Ang sunod nyan aakyat na tayo sa
room mo."

"Wala namang akong sinasabi." He laughingly said. "Pero tulog na ang mga bata-"

"Sabi ko na eh."

"Sige, wag na." He mumbled.

"Halika na."

"Sigurado ka bang gusto mo baka mamaya napipilitan ka lang, pwede ka namang

humindi-" He stopped talking because I put a hand on his crotch.

"Dami mong sinasabi." I winked at him. I put my arms around his neck as he picked
me up and carried me upstairs to his bedroom.

I have always loved going to school. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kapag nasa klase ako,
I feel at peace. Then along came Prof. Canlas at lahat ng bwisit ko sa katawan
lumalabas kapag sya na ang nagsasalita sa klase.

"Irina." He drawled my name. Sinasabi pa lang nya ang pangalan ko gusto ko na

syang tadyakan sa inis.

"Sir?" I asked and he smiled lazily at me.

"What is truth to you?" He leaned against the white board, his arms crossed over
his chest. Hindi ko alam bakit gwapung-gwapo sila sa kanila. Nakakadiri kaya yung
mga lalaking feel na feel ang pagiging gwapo nila.Oo na, may itsura sya pero dahil
ang presko nya, ang pangit tuloy ng dating nya.

"A fact of belief that is accepted is accepted as true."

"That's very general, Irina. Can't you think of a more creative definition of
truth?" He grinned. Dito ako bwisit sa kanya, kasi feel na feel nyang inisin ako.
Kahit naman tama yung sagot ko parati nyang hinahanapan ng creative minsan fun
version. Kulang na lang pagsayawin nya ako sa classroom, ang lakas mag-trip ng
bwisit.

"Something that's not false." I replied and the whole class laughed. Prof. Canlas
grinned.

"Cute, Irina." He said. Gosh, Sir kaunting-kaunti na lang sasagasaan na kita kasi
bwisit na bwisit na ako sayo.

Flirtatious sya sa lahat, pero ang kinakabwisitan ko ay alam naman nyang rinding-
rindi ako sa attention na binibigay nya pero feel na feel nya pa ring magpa-cute na
para bang mas gwapo sya kesa asawa ko. "So is truth universal and absolute then?"

"No." I answered.

"Why?"

"Because there is no such thing as an unalterable and permanent fact. What might be
true today might not be true tomorrow. Besides, the concept of truth depends on
one's view and people's views vary depending on factors like family, background and
the media they're exposed to."

"Can you give me an example, Irina?" Bakit ba Irina nang Irina to? Badtrip!
John calls me Irina and I have this illogical thought na dapat sya lang ang
tumatawag sa akin nang ganun. Dapat kapag hindi naman asawa ko ay Ice ang tinatawag
nila sa akin.

"You think you're good-looking. That might be true for you but not for me." I
replied smiling and he arched his brow. My classmates oohed.

"Interesting example, Irina. So you have a different set standards of what's good-
looking and what's not?"

"So are you saying, Sir that your features are the very definition of good-
looking?" I asked back and he laughed softly shaking his head.

"You're really interesting, Irina." Kadiri. "I need you to submit a four-page essay
regarding the nature of truth. It should answer the question: Is truth absolute or
relative? Single spaced, font 10, Times New Roman." The whole class groaned. "Class
dismissed." Napatingin ako sa relos ko kasi may ten minutes pa.

Aba, himala maaga yata nya kaming pinauwi ngayon? I thought as we all stood up and
headed towards the door. "Irina," Prof. Canlas called and I turned to look at him.
"Can I have a word with you?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Lumapit ka dito, paano tayo mag-uusap?"

"Hindi po ba dapat scheduled yung consultation ng teacher at estudyante?" I asked

as I took my phone out of my pocket and texted John.

Kakausapin ako ni Canlas. AS 232.

"Who are you texting?" He eyed the phone in my hand.

"The authorities, Sir." I replied and he laughed as he motioned for me to move

forward and sit down. Umupo ako sa chair sa harapan ng mesa nya.

"Irina."

"I would prefer Miss Samonte, Sir."

"Miss Samonte, I do not like your attitude."

"Unless this subject is Good Manners and Right Conduct, my attitude is really none
of your business, Sir." I told him and he smiled.

"You've got spunk." And I'm itching to slap that smile off your face right now.
"Pero teacher mo pa rin ako."

"Tapos po? As far as I know the University has rules on how you should act as a
teacher, same as meron kayong sistema na sinusunod pagdating sa pagbibigay ng
grades so do not ever hint that just because you're a teacher I am automatically at
your mercy."

"Wala akong sinasabing ganyan."

"So what is this conversation all about?" I asked and he smiled.

"Gusto lang kitang maging kaibigan."

"That's creepy, Professor Canlas." I said.

"Pareho tayong graduate ng St. Bernadette and I do not get it why you hate me."

"I do not hate you, Sir. Hate is too strong a word and it's too complex an emotion.
I can only feel complex emotions towards John."

"Bakit mo ako binabara sa klase?"

"Sir, aren't you a teacher? Lahat ba ng sasabihin ng estudyante na hindi naayon sa

gusto nyong marinig ay automatic na pambabara na? Doesn't the university encourage
discussions and debates inside the classroom?"

"I just can feel your animosity towards me para kang galit sa akin."

"And your students' opinion about you should not affect how you teach, Sir."

"Gusto lang naman kitang maging kaibigan." He said. He looked sad and lonely and I
stared at him in confusion. Ano bang meron sa taong ito?

"Kitten-" I heard John's voice and I immediately stood up.

"Tapos na po ba tayo?" I asked smiling at Prof. Canlas and he nodded before he

looked at John.

"Always the hero, Mr. Zamora." He smiled but John did not reply and put an arm
around my shoulders instead. We left the classroom and I turned the recorder
application on my phone off.

"Okay ka lang?" My husband asked.

"Oo. Salamat sa pagsundo."

"You're welcome. Bakit ka daw ba nya kinausap?"

"Concerned yata sya kasi sabi ko hindi sya gwapo." I kidded but John did not laugh.
"Puppy, ano ka ba, relax."

"Paano ako magre-relax eh teacher mo yung asungot na yun?"

"Na-realize ko lang kasi na walang mangyayari kung uubusin natin energy natin sa
kanya."

"I-report mo na kaya sya."

"Wala pa naman syang ginagawa."

"Maghihintay ka pa ba na may gawin sya?"

"Hindi naman. May weird sa kanya pero mukhang hindi naman sya manyakis." I said.
"Umalis ka nang maaga sa class mo?"

"Oo kaya wala akong dalang bag, sabi ko magsi CR lang ako." He answered.
"Tara balikan natin yung bag mo." I said.

"Kuya Fire!" A shrill voice called and we watched as a petite girl came running
towards us. Huminto sya sa harap namin at dala-dala nya ang bag ni John.

"Binitbit ko na kasi tapos na ang class." She said after she caught her breath.

"Thank you, Sarah." John said taking the bag from her. "Wife ko pala, Sarah si
Irina pero pwede mo syang tawaging Ate Ice." He introduced.

"Ay opo kilala ko sya, di ba sya yung nangbato ng bag kay Emily?" She smiled at me
and John laughed. "Sige po, Kuya Fire, Ate Ice! Bilisan nyo po mali-late na kayo!"
She waved goodbye before she sprinted towards the other direction.

"Ihatid na muna kita sa next class mo, Kitten."

"Hindi na at baka ma-late ka pa." I said.

"Tinatamad akong pumasok."

"Naku, patay tayo dyan."

"Bakit?"

"Pag tinatamad kang pumasok, tinatamad na rin akong pumasok."

"Cutting tayo." He grinned and I laughed.

"Bad example ka."

"Sige na, hindi kaya kumpleto ang college life kapag hindi mo ma-experience ang
mag-cutting."

"Saan naman tayo pupunta?"

"Uuwi tayong bahay."

"Magka-cutting ka para matulog?" I inquired as my phone rang. Nakita ko pa lang

kung sino ang tumawag kinabahan na agad ako. "Bakit po?" I asked over the phone.
Hindi pa man nya natapos yung sasabihin nya ay hinawakan ko na kaagad ang kamay ni
John at tumakbo na kami papuntang parking lot.

####################################
Author's Note
####################################

Friends,
I cannot put into writing what I have in mind kasi iniisip ko pa lang ay nasasaktan
na ako. Chos! Fire and Ice are my favorite characters. Sila kasi ang first babies
ko at sa totoo lang ay ayaw ko silang pahirapan.

Ilang beses akong nag-rewrite ng update hoping that eventually ay magbabago yung
takbo ng utak ko. Unti-unti ko pang binabago at di na lang gatas iniinom ko ngayon,
dinagdagan ko na ng Milo para maiban naman.

Malapit sa puso ko itong dalawang ito because they opened the door for me para
makilala ang mga gawa ko sa Wattpad. Kaya wag magmadali, ha. Nirerevise ko pa ang
kwento nila. Expect an update tomorrow evening at uupuan ko muna yung chapter at
iiyakan.

Salamat!

♥ jennicka

####################################
Chapter 25: Fire
####################################

The moment Irina ended the call I knew that it had something to do with the
children. No one talked as we ran towards the parking lot. Yung lahat ng takot ko
sa katawan nag-surface as I quickly pulled the door open for her.

"Kitten-"

"Get inside the car, John and drive." My wife replied and I ran to the driver's
side. Kung anu-ano na ang pumasok sa utak ko-from my children choking on something
to their breathing stopping completely.

"My God." Irina looked very nervous as she started to tap the dashboard. "What the
hell are these people doing?! Bakit nakaharang sila?!" She yelled. Bumusina ako at
tumabi ang mga estudyanteng nakatambay sa may parking lot para makadaan ang
sasakyan.

"What happened?" I asked as I maneuvered the car towards the exit. "Are the
children okay? Sino yung tumawag?"

"Wait, John. I need to call Mom." She said and I nodded as she dialed a number on
her phone. "Mommy. Please, I need you at home. Mataas daw po ang temperature ni
Blaze at iyak daw po nang iyak. Opo. Okay po. We're on our way." I heard her say.

"Anong nangyari?"

"Hindi alam ng mga Yaya basta iyak daw ng iyak at mainit daw si Blaze. Wait lang,
tatawagan ko sina Mommy Elaine." She said and I nodded. "Mommy, may sakit po si
Blaze. I just thought that you need to know too. Opo. Papunta na sa bahay si Mommy.
Opo. I'll call kung saang hospital po kami. Okay po."

I felt my phone vibrate and I took it out of my pocket before I handed it to Irina.
"Manang, bakit? Anong dumudugo ang gums nya? Ano bang ginawa nyo sa mga anak ko?!
Yun na nga lang ang gagawin nyo, ang bantayan ang mga bata tapos ganyan pa ang
mangyayari?! Ano ba naman, Manang!"

"Kitten-" I butted in and she handed me the phone. "Hello po, Manang?"

"Sir, wala naman po kaming ginawa dun sa mga bata. Maniwala po kayo sa amin.
Kaninang umaga po iyak po nang iyak si Blaze, akala ko lang po gutom kaya pinadede
po namin. Sigurado naman po kaming na-reheat namin nang maayos yung gatas nya,
Sir."

"Manang, wag na po kayong umiyak. My wife is upset over what happened pero hindi po
sya sa inyo galit, sa sitwasyon lang."

"Naiintidihan ko po, Sir."

"Gaano kataas ang lagnat ni Blaze?"

"38.5 Celcius po."

"Okay po, salamat. Pauwi na po kami. Bye."

"Masama ba akong tao for yelling at her? Hindi ko maiwasang magalit, John!"

"I know, I understand. Mommy ka, of course you cannot help but overreact. Walang
masama dun sa ginawa mo, it is a natural reaction. Kaya nga ako nandito para i-
pacify yung situation."

"Aren't you worried?"

"I am very worried, Kitten. But worrying doesn't solve anything. Aside from that, I
want to be strong for you. Do not filter your reactions, ako na ang bahalang
makibagay at bumalanse."

"My God, kakabasa ko lang about healthy babies who suddenly-"

"Kitten, stop. Ayoko yang iniisip mo."

"Ayoko rin but my thoughts are grim, John and I can't stop them."

"You need to." I said and she sighed.

"Parang gusto ko nang maniwala na dapat pinapabinyagan agad-agad ang mga bata para
mailayo sa sakuna."

"Old wives tale lang yan. Walang mangyayari sa mga bata, Kitten. Ano ka ba, stop
panicking."

"How can I not panic eh halos lumipad na itong sasakyan sa sobrang bilis mong
magpatakbo?" She remarked and I slowed the car down.

"I'm sorry." I wanted to act cool pero siguro nangibabaw talaga ang takot ko at
nag-manifest yun sa pagmamaneho ko.
"It's alright. I understand. Mahirap ang maging parent, ano, Puppy?" She smiled and
I smiled back. "Parenting is not something na nadadaan sa talino o taas ng IQ and I
feel so inadequate."

"I couldn't help but agree na mahirap ang maging magulang pero hindi ako sang-ayon
na inadequate ka, Kitten. You're a great mother.

"Thank you."

"I'm not so confident myself. Nandyan yung takot, yung takot na baka yung actions
ko ay may permanet damage o effect sa pamilya ko. But despite the fears and the
doubts mas gugustuhin ko pa ring maging husband mo at maging Daddy nina Blaze at
Twinkle. I can't imagine my life without you and the children."

"We're getting dramatic." She wiped the tears from her face. "Ano ba naman kasi
ito, ang haba ng traffic."

"Patience, Kitten at baka ma-pressure na naman akong maging piloto, hindi eroplano
itong sasakya natin, baka paliparin ko."

When we got home, Irina and I quickly got out of the car and ran to the nursery.
She opened the door and peeked inside.

"Ma'am Ice."

"Kumusta ang mga bata?" She asked. Hindi kami pumapasok kasi hindi pa kami naliligo
at iyon ang rule na hindi kino-compromise ni Irina.

"Nakatulog po, Ma'am." Sagot ng Yaya ni Blaze and we nodded our heads before ran to
our bathroom to bathe. Bumalik kami kaagad sa nursery magkatapos magbihis.

"Manang, pasensya na kung natarayan kita. Natakot lang po kasi ako." Irina said and
Blaze's yaya nodded in understanding.

"Alam ko po, Ma'am Ice. Hindi naman po talaga kayo mataray pero syempre yung bata
na ang pinag-usapan at kayo ang ina nila. Wag po kayong mag-alala, Ma'am."

"Salamat. Paki-prepare po ng mga gamit para dadalhin sa ospital. Gusto ko pong ipa-
check-up ang kambal at aalis po kami pagdating nina Mommy."

"Okay po." Sagot ng dalawang yaya. Blaze was soundly sleeping but he would sob
sometimes at ang sakit sa dibdib pakinggan.

"Si Twinkle, is she okay?" I asked and Irina felt my daughter's forehead.

"Mainit din. Ganun daw kasi ang mga kambal, kapag may sakit yung isa sa kanila,
gumagaya yung isa.

"But at least she's not crying, kasing-tapang mo." I said as I touched my

daughter's cheek. Mommy Isabel and my Mom arrived less than an hour later and we
were all ready to leave for the hospital.

"Anong nangyari sa mga apo ko?" My Mom asked, her face etched with worry. "How are
my grandchildren? I've called your Dad and your Mommy Isabel called Irina's Daddy
too."

"Medyo mainit po tsaka po dumudugo daw po yung gums." My wife replied.

"Baka nag-iipin lang ang mga apo ko?" Mommy Isabel asked and Irina and I looked at
each other.

"Masyado naman pong maaga para mag-ipin ang mga bata. According to the internet-"

"Children, hindi pa nanganak at nagpalaki ng bata yang internet na yan. May mga
babies na mas maagang nag-iipin. Meron ngang may ngipin pa pagkapanganak. Pero para
mawala ang takot ninyo, let's have the children taken to their physician." Mommy
Isabel said.

"Tumawag na ako kanina and I've set an appointment." Mom told us. "Are you ready?"

"Opo." I replied. I was careful as I put the children inside their carriers kasi
ayoko silang magising. Our mothers drove their own cars at kami naman ni Irina at
ng mga bata ay nasa SUV.

"Sana totoong nag-iipin lang sila." My wife said.

"Sana. Pero may kasama bang fever yun?"

"I've read na minsan oo, minsan naman wala. Depende daw."

"Ang bilis naman nilang lumaki. Baka magising na lang tayo isang araw magka-College
na sila." I said and my wife laughed softly.

"Ayaw mo nun, may College ka na? Bakit? takot ka bang tumanda?" She kidded.

"Ako pa? As long as we'll grow old together, I'm fine. I replied.

Mommy Isabel was right, the twins were just teething and I wasn't sure why I felt
so damn proud. Pakiramdam ko ako ang nagpalabas sa mga baby teeth nila at kung di
ko napipigilan ang sarili ko ay araw-araw ko nang sinisilip yung gilagid ng mga
bata to check its progress.

We celebrated my birthday at home and just like what Irina and I wanted, very
intimate lang ang celebration. In fact simpleng dinner lang with the family. The
Satuday after my birthday, we invited our friends over para sa isang simpleng
handaan.

"Fire! Nineteen ka na! Binata na!" Christian kidded and I laughed.

"Salamat, Ian."

"Nandyan ba si Yvette?" He whispered and I nodded. "May kasama?" He inquired and I

nodded for the second time.

"We would love for you and Yvette to get back together pero baka kailangan mo nang
mag-move-on. Kung umiinom lang ako sinamahan na kita." I said and he shook his
head.

"Hindi ganun kadaling mag-move on, akala mo. Kung si Ice ba nagkalabuan kayo at
nakahanap sya ng iba, bibitawan mo?"

"In the first place hinding-hindi ako papayag na magkaroon sya ng reason na ayawan
ako, hindi ko rin kahit kelan paaabutin sa puntong magkakalabuan kami at lalong
hindi ko hahayaang makahanap sya ng iba."

"Buti ka pa. Mabuti pa kayo ni Ice. Baka may kilala ka dyan, ireto mo naman ako."

"Kung kilala lang, madami pero kung reto, wala akong ka-close na babae. Si Kenneth
pa siguro posibleng maraming mairereto yun."

"Parating wala eh kaya badtrip. Tinamaan daw kasi sya."

"Ng kidlat?"

"Hindi, Fire. Ng Pag-ibig."

"Binata na rin?" I joked and Christian laughed. Nagsidatingan ang iba naming
kaibigan at nagsimula kaming kumain at magkwentuhan.

"Si Kenneth?" Hope asked.

"Hinahanap ni Hope. Aba, mukhang tinablan ka na sa mga pahaging ni Ken ah." Blessie
teased and we all laughed.

"Parang di nyo kaibigan yung tao, wag ganun."

"Showbiz ka!" Yvette laughingly teased. Kung maglampungan sila ni Ramil dinaig pa
kami ng asawa ko. Si Irina katabi ko lang at nakasandal sa akin with my arm draped
around her shoulders pero si Yvette nakakalong sa boyfriend nya.

"Mas showbiz ka kaya, ano to, Face-to-Face? Yung ex mo at yung present jowa mo ay
nandito at handang ipaglaban ang iyong kagandahan?" Blessie kidded and we all
looked at each other.

"Kahit kelan talaga to si Blessie, taklesa." My wife murmured and I chuckled.

"Oh well, ganyan talaga ang magaganda." Yvette replied.

"Teka nga, baka magkaasaran na, ha ayokong ma-trauma." Celine said and Elizabeth
laughed.

"Pwedeng wag nating pag-usapan ang lovelife kasi nadi-depress ako?"

"Tomoh si Liz!" Maia agreed. I felt my phone vibrate and I took it out of my
pocket.

"Si Kenneth?" Irina inquired and I nodded. "Anong sabi?"

"Kasama nya daw girlfriend nya at busy daw sila." I relayed and laughed at the
girls' reactions.

"Busy? Umaga, tanghali at gabi ay busy? Aba dinaig pa nya ang barangay tanod ah!"
Sabi ni Hope at lalo kaming nagtawanan.

"Kaya ayokong umabsent sa mga ganitong gathering of friends eh kasi for sure pag-
uusapan nyo ako!" Yvette said.

"Ang praning mo, girl!" Blessie piped in.

"Wait," Hope said. "Teka lang, si Kenneth ay may girlfriend? For real?!"

"Ma." Yvette said. "At bakit ka gulat na gulat?"

"Alam ko nililigawan pa lang pero parang sila na hindi. Ewan malabo din kasi
magkwento itong si Kenneth." Christian replied.

"Talaga?" Celine queried. Taga-saang school para ma-stalk natin sabay kilatis na
rin. How dare Kenneth get a love life tapos tayong hindi nag-uulit ng pantalon ay
single? Hindi makatarungan!" We all laughed.

"Hindi na nag-aaral at mas matanda sa atin." Christian answered. "Parati si Kenneth

sa condo nung babae at halos di na nga pumapasok."

"Ang taray! For sure hindi na birhen si, Kenneth at nahalukay na sya!" Celine said.

"Ang sagwa!" Maia exclaimed and Celine rolled her eyes.

"Mayang, wag ka ngang pa-demure dyan, hindi bagay considering na ini-stalk mo si

Dave."

"Ang salbahe mo, Cel!"

"O, ayan na naman kayo. Tama na nga yan." Irina told them.

"Siguraduhin lang ni Kenneth na maganda yang pinagpalit nya sa barkadahan natin at

magagalit talaga ako." Hope murmured.

"Bakit ka naman affected, Twin? Don't tell me may hidden desires ka dun?" Blessie
joked and we all laughed.

"Excuse me, ha, concerned citizen lang." Hope huffed. "Pero curious ako, sino? Saan
nya nakilala?"

"Yung babae ang lumapit. Nasa isang mall daw si Kenneth tapos may babaeng tumabi sa
kanya at nagpakilala then hiningi ang number nya." Kwento ni Christian.

"May babaeng lumapit sa kanya?" Hope asked.

"Girl, grabe ka. Wala bang karapatan si Kenneth na lapitan ng isang babae?"

"Tama si Cel, Hope parang todo naman yata ang pagdududa mo sa mga nangyari sa
buhay-pag-ibig ni Kenneth?"

"Ang weird lang, I mean babae yung lumapit, mas matanda sa kanya eh di working na
yun tapos talagang si girl pa ang humingi ng number? Ka-cheapan." Hope muttered.
"Uy, Twin mag-react ka pa tsitsinelasin na talaga kita!"

"Ay, nangangamoy Charantia Ampalaya Capsule." Blessie kidded and we all burst out
laughing.

"Wag ganun, malay nyo naman in love talaga si Kenneth." Irina said. "Suportahan na
lang natin yung kaibigan natin."

"Oo nga, bakit hindi na lang nya dalhin dito yung girlfriend nya?" I asked
Christian. "Para makilala na rin natin.

"Sige, sige iti-text ko." Christian retorted.

"Nag-reply na?" I asked and Christian nodded.

"On the way na daw." He retorted. "Hope, ito tissue o, mukhang yung puso mo
nagdurugo."

"Hoy, Christian ang kapal! Wag kang magsisimulang manukso dyan baka bweltahan
kita."

"Peace na. Binibiro ka lang eh."

We resumed talking and as usual kapag kaming magkakaibigan ay nagkakasama ay puro

tawanan at biruan lang at hindi pansin ang oras.

"Sir JFK, nandyan na po yung kaibigan nyo. Kenneth daw po." One of the hosehelps
informed me.

"Papasukin nyo po, Manang." I smiled.

"Hello, everyone!" We heard Kenneth's cheerful greeting a few minutes later at

lahat kami ay napatingin sa kanya.

"Lover boy!" Kantyaw ng mga girls at ngiting-ngiti naman si Kenneth.

"Nasaan na ang girlfriend mo?" Irina asked.

"Nahihiya eh." Kenneth replied grinning. halatang masayang-masaya. "Honey, halika

ka ipapakilala kita." He called and we all looked expectantly at the doorway.

"Halatang in love si Kenneth." Irina whispered and I could not help but agree. Para
syang batang tuwang-tuwa at di ko mapigilang mapangiti. My smile disappeared
however when I saw who his girlfriend was.

"Guys, girlfriend ko pala, si Zeny." He proudly introduced.

####################################
Chapter 26: Fire
####################################

I was too surprised to say something. At dahil hindi alam ng mga kaibigan namin
kung anong nangyari between Irina and Zeny ay agad silang tumayo to welcome her.
Irina remained seated and I hugged her closer towards me. Kahit na maraming tao
pakiramdam ko pa rin ay may gagawin si Zeny sa asawa ko. I never forgot how she
held a knife against Irina and my anger surged at the sight of her.
"Hi, Zeny! Mabuti naman at dinala ka ni Kenneth dito sa party ni Fire. We were
dying to meet you." Sabi ni Blessie. The others followed and welcomed Zeny warmly.
Ako lang at si Irina ang hindi tumayo.

I was waiting for my wife to say or do something. Ayoko syang pangunahan because
Irina's capability to handle awkward situations was better that mine. Pero walang
ginawa ang asawa ko at nakatingin lang as our friends hugged and introduced
themselves to Zeny. Finally, natapos na rin ang pagpapakilala nila sa isa't isa and
Zeny turned to smile at us.

"Hi, cousin." She said and Irina just stared at her. "Sorry kasi hindi ko man lang
nasabi na bumalik ako ng Pinas. I was busy kasi kaya hindi man lang ako nakadalaw."
She smiled wider. "Tsaka na-meet ko si Kenneth at alam mo na..." She trailed off
and Irina continued to say nothing.

"Magpinsan kayo?" Celine asked in surprise. "Oh my gosh, bakit wala man lang
nagbanggit? Alam mo ba, Ken na magpinsan si Ice at ang girlfriend mo?" Celine
sounded excited but Irina ignored what she said and narrowed her eyes at Zeny while
Kenneth positively beamed.

"Oo, kahapon ko lang din nalaman kasi kahapon lang sinabi sa akin ni Hon." He said
draping his arms around Zeny. I didn't know why seeing Ken and Zeny together was
disturbing. Wala naman akong pakialam kung mas matanda si Zeny kay Ken pero parang
may kakaiba, parang nakakailang silang tingnan.

"Puppy, pakitawag yung guard." My wife said and I stood up without question. I was
about to leave when Kenneth spoke.

"Guard? Para saan?" He asked. "Look, Ice alam ko kung anong nangyari sa inyo ni
Zeny kasi nakwento nya sa akin. That was one of the reasons kung bakit hindi nya
nasabi kaagad na magpinsan kayo kasi ayaw nyang i-judge ko sya-"

"Ikinama ka lang nalusaw na kaagad ang utak mo?" Irina sounded very calm but I knew
she was boiling with anger inside. "Didn't you wonder how she knew that we're
friends following the alibi she gave you? Paano nya nasabing ayaw nyang i-judge mo
sya? So alam nyang magkaibigan tayo bago pa man kayo nagkakilala?"

"Ice, hindi naman sa ganun-"

"Bakit, nagkukwento ka ba tungkol sa akin o sa amin?"

"Hindi." Kenneth shook his head.

"So kailan nalaman nyang girlfriend mo na magkaibigan tayo? Agad-agad? Doesn't that
sound suspicious to you?"

"Past na yun, Ice. Alam ko namang hindi maganda ang nangyar sa inyo ni Hon pero
sana-"

"Kenneth, pwede? Wag ka ngang tanga. Pinapaikot ka lang ng babaeng yan. You know
me, you've known me for years at hindi ako judgmental na tao pero may psychological
disorder yang girlfriend mo and I want you to be careful."

"Don't talk about me as if I'm not here." Zeny started to say but Irina arched her
brow at her and she closed her mouth.

"Gusto kong magkaayos kayong dalawa kaya ko sya dinala dito." Kenneth uttered.
"Gusto kong ayusin yung gusot ng pamilya nyo."
"Bakit, Ken ano ba ang alam mong ginawa nyang girlfriend mo sa akin?" Irina
questioned.

"May kaunting hindi pagkakaintindihan daw about Fire and-"

"For your information, you moron, ang babaeng yan ay nilandi ang asawa ko sa
harapan ko. Ang sabi nya kaya daw ako nagalit kasi tinitigasan daw ang asawa ko sa
kanya. Wala yatang salamin sa Canada at hindi nya nakitang walang katigas-tigas sa
kanya kung kami lang din naman ang magtatabi. And just in case hindi naikwento sayo
ni Hon, she was the one sending nude pictures to John. Alam mo naman siguro yung
issue naming yun?" Irina asked and Kenneth looked surprised.

"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding." He murmured as Zeny put her arm around his
waist. He smiled dotingly at her and Irina rolled her eyes at them.

"Ken, I used to think that you're smart, ano ba!"

"Nagbago na sya, Ice please give her a chance."

"Cousin, alam kong malaki ang kasalanan ko sa inyo pero-"

"Pwede bang tumahimik ka, binigyan ba kita ng permisong magsalita?" Irina snapped
and Zeny bowed her head. "Hindi pa ba enough na tinutukan mo ako ng kutsilyo and
you threatened to kill me when I visited you at the hospital because you attempted
suicide?!"

Someone gasped at hindi ko alam kung sino sa mga kaibigang babae namin yun. They
were awfully quiet and the guys looked very uncomfortable. "Now, Ken if all those I
mentioned are not enough for you to question your girlfriend's motive ay wala na
akong magagawa dun but I won't have her inside my house and I won't have you in our
lives if you're with her. Hindi kita pinapapili, sinasabi ko lang ang totoo."

"Why can't you give her a chance-"

"Kenneth, shut up. You are starting to annoy me. If this woman does something to
hurt my family, damay ka. And believe me, matindi akong magalit." My wife stood up.
"Manang!" She called and one of the househelps appeared on the doorway.

"Ma'am Ice?"

"Pakitingnan itong babaeng ito. Bawal syang pumasok dito sa pamamahay ko. Pakitawag
ang guard." She instructed and the househelp scurried to do her bidding. Ganun kasi
si Irina kapag galit, isang tingin pa lang nya ay alam mo nang hindi sya dapat
sinsalungat.

"Ang unfair mo, Ice. Agad-agad mong huhusgahan si Zeny because of her past? Ang
akala ko pa naman isa kang taong may malawak na pag-iisip at pang-unawa." Kenneth
sounded defeated.

"Malawak nga ang pag-iisip ko kaya nakikita ko kaagad na inuuto ka lang nyan. Pero
ayokong pakialaman ang buhay mo, Ken. Matanda ka na, alam mo na siguro kung ano
yang pinasok mo. Pero I won't put my family in danger at hangga't kayo ng babaeng
yan wag na muna tayong mag-usap. Pwede na kayong umalis."

"Ice," Zeny spoke. "Alam ko namang malaki ang kasalanan ko sayo eh pero nagbago na
ako at tsaka mahal ko talaga si Ken-"

"Zeny, pwede? Wag na nga tayong magbolahan. Wag kang magpapakita kahit sa labas ng
pamamahay ko kasi may shotgun si Daddy, baka hiramin ko yun para sayo."

"Wait lang, are you threatening me?" Zeny asked. "Hon, nakita mo naman siguro na
wala akong ginagawa pero yang kaibigan mo pinagbabantaan ako!" She turned towards
Kenneth.

"Ice, hindi ko nagustuhan ang sinabi mo sa girlfriend ko."

"Kenneth, stop acting brave. We all know you're not. Sana lang, sana lang talaga ay
hindi ka magpapagamit sa baliw na yan laban sa akin at sa pamilya ko kasi hindi ako
magdadalawang-isip na sagasaan kayong dalawa."

The guard arrived and Irina gave him instructions. Ang sabi nya wag na wag daw
papasukin si Kenneth o si Zeny sa bahay namin and that he should escort them out.
Pero sa totoo lang, naawa ako kay Kenneth because I was sure that Zeny was just
using him. But Irina was right, our family was more important than our friendship
with Kenneth.

"Salamat sa courtesy." Kenneth murmured as they were escorted out and I felt
guilty. Pero ayokong suwayin si Irina by going after him. Not because I was scared
of my wife but because I knew that Irina's concerns were valid.

As soon as Kenneth and Zeny were out of earshot everyone started talking all at
once. Parang nabuhayan ng dugo lahat ng kaibigan namin and they couldn't stop
asking questions.

"Ice, yun ang sinasabi ni Fire na nagpadala ng nude photos sa phone nya?" Christian
asked in disbelief. "May problema ba ang babaeng yun sa utak? Why would she do
something like that?"

"Wait, wait kasi hindi ko ma-process. Kilala mo si Zeny at tinutukan ka nya ng

kutsilyo?" Celine questioned. "Bakit hindi mo yata naikwento sa amin ito?"

"Teka nga muna, ibig sabihin ay plinano nya yung paglapit nya kay Kenneth para
makaganti sayo?" Blessie asked shaking her head. "Teka, may shooting ba? Bakit di
yata ako informed at di ko nabasa ang script kaya lost ako?"

"Kawawa naman si Kenneth." Hope said.

"Okay, what just happened?" Maia was lost as ever and I sat down beside my wife and
drew her to lean against me. She was quiet at alam kong nag-iisip sya. Kung ako si
Zeny matatakot na ako kasi kapag si Irina nag-isip dumadanak ang dugo.

"Are you okay?" I whispered against her hair.

"She now knows where we live. Nakapasok na sya sa bahay. Alam na nya ang lay-out ng
living room at itong den. Nakita na rin nya ang stairs papuntang second floor." She
murmured frowning.

"Kitten, don't give Zeny too much credit, alam nating dalawa na wala syang
intellectual capacity na magplano. She isn't as smart as you."

"But she has Kenneth, and Kenneth is smart."

"Well, at least we're already aware na magkasama sila ni Kenneth at may posibilidad
na tutulungan sya ni Kenneth kung gaganti man sya sayo." I said.

"Pero baka naman nagbago na sya." Yvette suggested.

"Kung nagbago na sya eh di okay. Kung hindi pa humanda sya sa akin at wag syang
magpapahuling may ginagawang kasalanan kundi kakalbuhin ko sya at pagpipira-
pirasuhin ko ang lahat ng parte ng katawan nya." My wife replied and I leaned
towards her to kiss her cheek. "At kaya hindi ko yun nakwento, yung incident na yun
with Zeny, ay dahil hindi naman tayo parating nagkikita. Busy tayong lahat at
nawala na lang sya sa isip ko because I thought she went back to Canada."

"So yung pinsan mo ay may pagnanasa kay Fire? Ikaw naman kasi, Fire dapat kasi
bawas-bawasan mo yang charm mo kasi kawawa naman yung matres ng ibang babaeng
nahuhumaling dyan eh hibang na hibang ka kay Ice." Blessie said and we all laughed.
Even Irina laughed along and I felt relieved. Ayoko kasi syang mag-alala.

"Pero, mag-ingat pa rin kayo, Ice lalo na't nandyan si Blaze ay Twinkle. Dapat
magdagdag kayo ng security guards dito sa bahay ninyo para may nagra-rounds habang
yung isa ay nakabantay sa gate." Celine advised.

"Kakausapin namin si Daddy." Irina sighed. "Anyway, wag na natin yung isipin, ayoko
namang masira itong get-together natin nang dahil lang kay Zeny."

"Oo nga." Elizabeth spoke. "Pero nagulat ako kasi ang sabi mo pinsan mo sya pero
hindi nyo man lang kamukha at bakit ganun, halos lumuwa na dede nya?" She
thoughtfully added and Ian cleared his throat.

"Affected si Ian, kanina pa kaya yan nakatingin dun sa nakalabas na dede ng pinsan
ni Ice." Blessie teased.

"Kadiri ka, Ian." Yvette murmured.

"Selos ka?" Blessie asked and Yvette scowled at her.

"Gaga!" She said and Blessie sniggered.

"Gaga daw. Ang defensive mo ha, Ebyang!"

"Wag ganun, paano naman si Ramil?" Elizabeth said and we all looked at Yvette's
boyfriend.

"Hindi ako seloso." Ramil smiled and Yvette promptly gave him a hug.

They stayed until eight in the evening kahit puro kwentuhan lang naman ang ginawa
namin. I could see that Irina missed her girl friends and I was tempted to ask them
to stay for the night para meron syang makakwentuhan. I felt guilty again that I
married her very early. Kahit masaya kasi kami, naiisip ko pa rin paminsan-minsan
na parang kinuha ko ang youth nya.

We took a bath and went to visit the twins before we headed to our bedroom. Alam ko
agad na nag-iisip sya because she was staring at the ceiling even when I laid down
beside her.

"Kitten, ano yun?" I asked. "Anong iniisip mo, is it Zeny?"

"Hindi sya babalik dito kung wala syang plano and it's too much of a coincidence na
sa lahat ng lalaki sa mall ay si Kenneth and natipuhan nya. Alam ko kung anong
klaseng lalaki ang mga type ni Zeny-mahilig sya sa sobrang gwapo at sobrang yaman.
Kenneth is neither. Hindi sa nilalait ko sya pero yun ang totoo."

"Let me play the devil's advocate, Kitten. What if she changed? What if gusto nya
na pala talaga si Kenneth? Paano kung mali tayo sa mga duda natin?"
"I won't claim to know everything. Hindi rin ako magkukunyaring nakakabasa ng isip
ng iba, pero, Puppy naniniwala ka bang nagbago si Zeny? Ilang linggo pa lang ang
nakakaraan. No person can change that easily. Ano sya, nakulam?" She asked and I
laughed.

"Kitten talaga. Kaya ko lang naman sinabi yun kasi ayaw kitang ma-stress. Alam ko
kasing mag-iisip ka na naman ng kung anu-ano at mamaya ay hindi ka na naman
makakatulog dyan. Let's not let our guard down and I think one of our friends'
suggestion was great, dapat yatang dalawang ang guard natin dito sa bahay."

"Kaya nga kakausapin ko si Daddy so he can choose one more security guard para
dito. Mas mabuti kasi kapag si Daddy ang nag-aayos at may kasama pang background
check kaya mas nararamdaman kong safe." She replied.

"Okay. I agree with you. Ayoko lang ubusin mo ang araw mo sa kakaisip tungkol kay
Zeny. Sya yung tipo ng taong hindi pinag-aaksayahan ng panahon." I said and she
nodded. My phone sounded and I got up to check.

"Sinong nag-text?" Irina asked and I frowned as I read the message.

"Si Kenneth." I replied. "He's asking me to see him." I added. Somehow I knew that
it wasn't Kenneth. And I knew that whatever Zeny was up to, she would be using
Kenneth to get to us.

"That's not Kenneth." Irina stated and I had to smile.

"I really love how quick you are, Kitten." I said as I walked to our bed and to lay
down beside her.

"John, I want you to be careful."

"Kitten naman, itong asawa mo baliw na baliw sayo at walang balak na bigyan ka nang
rason na magselos. Ikaw rin, mag-ingat ka at tsaka hindi tulad ni Zeny ang
makakasira sa atin."

"Pero isa syang anay and she'll slowly but surely ruin other people's lives." Irina
muttered and I laughed not knowing that she was right.

####################################
Chapter 27: Fire
####################################

Nakita ko si Kenneth sa may parking lot, although hindi pa nya ako napansin. Hindi
ko alam if he sought me out but I was glad to see him. Kaibigan ko naman yung tao
at ayokong maramdaman nyang iniwan ko sya sa ere. But I told my wife about it,
ayoko kasing naglilihim sa kanya. Knowing Irina, hindi nya ikakagalit pero mas
hindi ko kaya kapag yun nagtampo-hindi umiimik, hindi namamansin at hindi kasi ako
kinakausap nun kapag masama ang loob nya sa akin. It only happened once but it only
took one incident for me to realize that I couldn't stand my wife treating me as if
I did not exist.

"Hi, Kitten! Kumusta ang napakaganda kong asawa?" I said over the phone.

"Maganda pa rin, Puppy. I miss you! Sana pareho tayo ng vacant periods para
magkasama tayo. Wag kang mambababae, ha! Lagot ka talaga sa akin." She replied and
I laughed. "Wag ka ring manlalaki!"

"Kitten naman." I said. "I called because I saw Kenneth, nasa tabi sya ng kotse
natin at hinihintay yata ako. I want to know if it's okay with you na kausapin ko
sya."

"Kausapin mo lang, he needs a friend now. Pero ayokong sumama ka sa kanya and I
don't want you hanging out with him kapag kasama nya yung higad na babaeng yun. Be
careful, matindi yata tama sayo nung baliw na yun at baka gagamitin nya si Kenneth
to lure you."

"Si Kitten talaga, kinikilig ako na parang indirectly sinasabi mong ang gwapo ng
asawa mo."

"Gwapo ka talaga, wag ka na ngang magpa-cute dyan, Puppy. Baka mag-cutting ako sa
next class ko para ma-harass ka lang." She said and I chuckled.

"I love you and the twins."

"I love you and the twins too." She answered. "O, sige na at lumabas lang ako sa
classroom nung nag-vibrate phone ko. Mag-ingat ka."

"Okay. Ikaw din. Mag-ingat din sa akin yang mga lalaking lalapit-lapit sayo."

"Wala. Ikaw talaga. O sige na. Bye, Mr. Zamora! I love you!"

"Not as much as I do." She waited for my reply before ending the call.

Naglakad ako para lapitan si Kenneth. He looked haggard as if ilang araw na syang
walang matinong tulog. Mukha syang hindi nakapagsuklay at hindi ko alam kung
pantalon na lang ba nya ang hindi nya pinapalitan ngayon, mukhang pati shirt nya
kasi ay ilang araw na nyang suot.

"Musta, Fire?" He smiled when he saw me. I couldn't help but feel worried about
him.

"Okay lang ako. Ikaw, kumusta? Bakit ka nandito? Hindi ba may class ka ngayon?"

"Hindi ako pumasok." He answered.

"Bakit? May problema ba? Mukha kang walang tulog. Are you alright? Is your family
alright?"

"Oo, walang problema sa bahay." He smiled. "Pero kailangan ko ng pera, Fire baka
meron ka dyan, pahiram naman." He said. Walang problema sa akin na manghihiram sya
dahil gusto kong makatulong. But he's my friend and I want to know what his reasons
were for borrowing money. Ayoko kasing lalo nyang ikapahamak.

"Pera? Para saan?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Basta. Kailangang-kailangan ko lang. Ten thousand lang, Fire. Babayaran ko rin

kapag nakakaluwag na ako. Kailangan ko lang talaga at medyo gipit." He muttered.

Alam kong nasa abroad ang Dad ni Kenneth at wala na silang Mommy kasi iniwan sila
when he was twelve years old. Dating nagtatrabaho sa isang malaking kumpanya ang
mga magulang ni Kenneth at kaibigan nila ang parents ni Yvette. Pero noong umalis
ang Mommy ni Ken ay naging lasenggo daw ang Daddy nya at natanggal sa trabaho. Two
years ago noong nag-abroad ang Daddy nya. Meron syang dalawang nakababatang kapatid
at sya na ang tumayong magulang ng mga yun since sya ang panganay.

"Yun mga kapatid mo ba, okay lang?"

"Oo, okay lang sila."

"Daddy mo?"

"Oo, okay lang din."

"Okay, so what's the money for?" I queried. He looked annoyed at tiningnan nya ako
nang masama. Nakaramdam ako ng takot, hindi sa kanya kundi para sa kanya. Anong
nangyari dito sa kaibigan namin? "Look, Ken-"

"Ten thousand lang yun, Fire! Bakit ba ang dami mong tanong?! Yun lang eh, para
namang napakalaking halaga ang hinihingi ko! Babayaran ko naman! Hindi kita
tatakbuhan!"

"Wala naman yun sa halaga, Ken. Pera lang yun, do not misunderstand. Pero kaibigan
kita and I want to know what your problem is. Gusto kong makatulong, Ken-"

"Pera lang ang kailangan ko! Dami mong satsat! Kung ayaw mo akong pagkatiwalaan at
ayaw mo akong pahiramin, magsabi ka lang! Hindi yung kailangan ko pang magmakaawa
sayo! Ngayon lang ako nagipit! Ngayon lang ako lumapit!"

"Ken," I sighed. "Anong nangyayari sayo?"

"Okay ako, Fire! Okay na okay! Ngayon kung ayaw mong magpahiram-" He stopped
talking because I took my wallet out of my pocket.

"Four thousand lang ang cash ko-"

"Okay na yan!" He was quick to take the money. "Salamat, ha, Fire. Pasensya ka na,
gipit lang talaga ako. Isa ka talagang kaibigan." He smiled. Naawa ako sa kanya.
Maybe I was wrong to ask questions. Pakiramdam ko ay dapat inabot ko na lang kaagad
yung pera.

"Kumain ka na ba? Magwi-withdraw ako and I'll treat you to a meal."

"Hindi na, Fire! Pasensya na pero nagmamadali ako. Hinihintay kasi ako ni Zeny." He
said and my concern doubled. Anong ginagawa ni Zeny dito sa kaibigan namin?

"Kumusta pala kayo?" I asked. I wanted to have a glimpse of their relationship.

Gusto kong malaman kung anong nangyayari sa kanilang dalawa kasi hindi na normal
ang actions at reactions ni Ken. Sa aming tatlo nina Christian ay si Ken ang
pinakamasayahin-mababaw lang ang kaligayahan nya, lahat halos ng bagay ay
nakakapagpagpasaya sa kanya.

"Okay kami." His reply pulled me out of my thoughts. "Sobra pa sa okay. Nakatagpo
na rin ako, Fire ng babaeng mahal na mahal ako, tulad ng pagmamahal ni Ice sayo.
Masayang-masaya ako. I hope you're all happy for me. Gusto ko lang ding sabihin na
nagbago na si Zeny at ang bait-bait nya sa akin. At gagawin ko ang lahat hindi nya
lang ako iwanan."

"Para sa kanya ba yung pera?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Oo." He answered. Pero mukhang nagbago ang isip nya at umiling sya. "Hindi nya
hiningi, ako ang nagkukusa. Hindi na kasi sya pinapadalhan ng pera ng parents nya
kaya-pero hindi nya ako pinipilit na magbigay, Fire. Hindi talaga!" He added with
vehemence.

"So sa kanya ka na nakatira?"

"Oo."

"Paano yung mga kapatid mo? Hindi ba si Kenny ay nasa elementary pa lang at si
Kenchie ay second year high school lang? Sinong nag-aalaga sa kanila?"

"Malalaki na sila! Buong buhay ko ako na ang nag-alaga sa mga yun! Siguro hindi
naman matatawag na selfishness kung isipin ko naman ang kaligayahan ko!"

"Ken-"

"Fire, wag mo akong pagsabihan. Alam ko ang ginagawa ako. Mahal ko talaga si Zeny
at alam ko ring mahal nya ako. Ngayon lang ako nagkaganito, alam mo rin siguro ang
pakiramdam nang nagmamahal kasi mahal na mahal mo si Ice."

"Love is supposed to bring out the best in you, Ken. Hindi nito sisirain ang
pagkatao mo, ang relasyon mo sa pamilya mo, sa mga kaibigan mo at sa ibang taong
nagmamahal sayo. Kapag yung iniisip mong love ay nabago ka for the worse, kailangan
mong isipin muna-"

"Fire, salamat dito sa pera. Alis na ako." He cut me off and I sighed. "Wala na
pala akong phone kasi binenta ko. Pero nasa akin ang SIM card kaya kapag nakabili
na ako ng bagong phone, sasabihin ko sa inyo."

"Sige, mag-ingat ka." Was all I said. Di ko kasi alam kung anong sasabihin sa
kanya. Ayoko syang ma-offend at lalong ayokong maramdaman nya na wala syang
kaibigang pwede nyang lapitan.

I watched him walk away. I felt pity towards him. Pero sa buhay, there are things
that you need to decide on your own. Ang sabi nga ni Irina dati, your family and
friends can only do so much, dapat tinutulungan mo rin ang sarili mo.

After dinner, dumerecho kami ni Irina sa nursery ng mga kambal to play with them.
Totoo pala ang sabi nilang kahit gaano ka kapagod, kapag nakita mo na ang mga anak
mo, nawawala lahat. Ang sabi rin nila ay nag-iiba daw ang mukha ng mga bata pero
yung mga anak ko, proud akong sabihin na kamukhang-kamukha ko pa rin.

"Wala, dimples ko lang talaga ang nakuha. Hindi makatarungan itong hatiang ito." My
wife said and I laughed.
"I'm sure they're as smart as their mother." I said and she rolled her eyes at me.

Kami na ang nagpatulog sa mga bata at mabuti naman, ilang minuto lang ay natulog
sila kaagad. Irina and I headed back to our bedroom. Nahiga kami at yumakap sa
isa't isa.

"How's Kenneth?" She asked.

"Malaki ang problema nya."

"Kung yung babaeng yun ba naman ang magiging girlfriend mo ay talagang malaki ang
problema mo." My wife quipped. "What did he say?"

"He asked for money." I answered.

"Bakit? Is he okay? May sakit ba sya? Yung Daddy nya okay lang daw ba? Yung mga
kapatid nya?"

"Okay naman daw yung Daddy nya at mga kapatid nya."

"So delayed lang ang padala sa kanila?"

"Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko sya natanong. He looked pitiful, Kitten. Parang walang
tulog na hindi pa kumakain at hindi naliligo ang itsura nya."

"Baka naman nagda-drugs si Kenneth." Irina stated.

"Bakit naman nya gagawin yun? He's a smart guy."

"Puppy, why would he ask for money? As far as I know, yung Dad nya ay walang palya
sa pagpapadala. Saan naman nya gagamitin yung pera if he said that his family's
okay?" Irina argued. I remembered na sinabi ni Ken na binenta nya ang cellphone nya
at alam ko rin na hiningi nya pa yun sa Daddy nya. Posibleng ganun kaya? I thought
as I felt Irina snuggled closer to me.

"He needs our help, Kitten." I said and my wife sighed.

"Paano natin yun gagawin? Masyado syang nagpauto dun sa babaeng yun at ayaw nyang
makinig ng reason. Ayoko namang pupunta-puntahan mo sya kasi for sure that girl is
going to use the situation to her advantage. I agree that he needs help. Alam ko
ring bilang mga kaibigan nya at responsibilidad natin syang tulungan. But call me
selfish, I'm not going to risk you or our family over him, Puppy."

"Baka may iba pang paraan. Nakakaawa naman kasi sya."

"I'll tell all our friends about it. Ayoko na ikaw lang ang pupunta sa kanya at
ikaw lang ang magpapaka-superhero na tutulong sa kanya."

"Sige." I said.

"Puppy, promise me. Hindi mo pupuntahan si Kenneth na mag-isa no matter how much
you pity him. I do not trust his girlfriend. Kung tama ang hinala ko that Kenneth's
on drugs, sigurado akong kagagawan ng babaeng yun kaya nagkaganun si Kenneth."

"But let's not take our time, Kitten. Please. Kawawa naman si Ken."

"Ang bait mo pero hindi pwedeng puro puso lang. Gamitan natin ng utak. At kahit
anong mangyari, ikaw at ako, we're on the same side. Hindi natin dapat ito pinag-
aawayan."

"Nag-aaway ba tayo?" I asked and she frowned.

"Malapit na kitang awayin kasi naiirita na ako sayo!" She retorted. "I get your
point and I agree with you. Pero wag padalos-dalos. Kung ako yung nilapitan nya, I
wouldn't have given him money. Baka lalo nya lang ikapahamak yung pera. I would
have called our other friends and asked Kenneth to come with us para maipa-check
sya kung ano man ang problema nya."

"Sorry." I mumbled. "Hindi na ako nag-isip kasi naawa ako sa kanya."

"Walang magagawa yung awa mo, John. Dapat may concrete plan tayo kung paano sya
tulungan. Kasi mamaya susugod-sugod tayo dun pero hindi naman natin alam kung anong
gagawin. So, please if Kenneth seeks you out again, call me regardless kung may
klase ako o wala."

"Alright." I retorted.

"Promise me."

"I promise." I said and she sighed. "Sorry if I upset you."

"Tanggap ko naman kasi alam kong mabait ka pero kinakabahan talaga ako. Feeling ko
may plano talaga yung bruhang yun. Pakiramdam ko ay gagamitin nya si Kenneth to get
to us."

"Even if she'll try, hindi nya tayo mapaghihiwalay, Kitten."

"Sana nga." She whispered and I tightened my arms around her and pulled her closer.

####################################
Chapter 28: Fire
####################################

It's been a week since I last saw Kenneth and I felt guilty kasi sa sobrang saya ko
sa buhay ko ay hindi ko na sya naisip. I didn't even wonder how he was doing. I
knew I that I shouldn't feel that way pero siguro ganun kapag may pamilya ka na-
everything else takes second fiddle.

Tinanong ko ang mga kaibigan namin at ang sabi nila ay hindi sila nilapitan ni
Kenneth. My wife, Irina, was very philosophical about it, ang sabi nya lalapit ulit
si Kenneth kung kailangan nya ng tulong and we should just wait.

Pero hindi sya lumapit ulit at nawala na lang yung sitwasyon nya sa utak ko because
we were busy with the twins' baptismal preparations. Kaya laking gulat ko nang
nakita ko silang dalawa ni Zeny sa tabi ng kotse ko sa parking lot sa Math.

"Fire!" Ken happily waved at me and I automatically pasted a smile on my face. Mas
mukha naman syang maayos kesa una naming pagkikita kasi mukhang nakaligo sya at
malinis ang damit nya. Pero ang laki ng pinayat nya at parang kakagaling nya lang
sa sakit. I immediately took my phone out of my pocket and texted Irina.

They're here. Zeny's with Ken. Math parking lot.

"Uy, Ken! Kumusta?" I greeted back pocketing my phone.

"Ito, okay lang." Ken was smiling pleasantly. "Ikaw, kumusta? Uy, tsaka ko na
babayaran yung utang ko sayo, ha. Medyo kapos lang ngayon pero pag nagkapera ako
babayaran ko kaagad."

"Okay lang yun, wag mo nang isipin."

"Salamat. Sana wag kang magtampo at sana pauulitin mo ako." He laughed and I smiled
at him. "Teka, hindi naman ako nagpunta dito para mangutang. Nabalitaan ko kasing
malapit na daw ang binyag ng mga inaanak ko." He said.

"Pinaghahandaan pa lang." Sagot ko sa kanya. Tumango lang ako kay Zeny kasi hindi
ko makuhang ngitian sya. I was still angry at that trick she pulled on my wife at
the hospital.

"Kailan yan at kailangan ko ring paghandaan yung regalo ko?" Ken asked smiling and
I nearly frowned. Siguradong-sigurado ako na ayaw ni Irina na makita nya si Zeny sa
binyag ng mga bata. "O, bakit? Hindi ba ako imbitado? Akala ko ba magiging ninong
ako nina Blaze at Twinkle? matagal na nating pinag-usapan yun, ah. Nagbago na ba
isip nyo?"

"Hindi naman sa ganun."

"O, ano pala? Bakit hindi mo masabi kung kelan yung binyag?"

"Hindi ko rin sure kung kailan. Sina Mommy kasi ang nag-aasikaso ng preparations."
I answered truthfully and Kenneth's manner instantly changed.

"Hindi ka sigurado o ayaw mo lang sabihin?" He snarled.

"Hindi ako sigurado. The invitations are not yet printed because we couldn't agree
on a date." I explained. Sa daming gustong pumunta, hindi maset-set yung schedule
ng binyag kasi kailangan naming hintayin yung schedule ng flight ng mga kamag-anak
namin.

"Sus, Fire. Bakit di mo na lang kami derechohin na ayaw mong nandun kami ni Zeny sa
binyag ng mga anak mo? Wala naman kaming hindi magandang intensyon! Ano naman daw
ang pwede naming gawing hindi maganda dun sa kambal? Kikidnapin namin? Lulunurin
namin sa umaapaw na wine dun sa reception ng binyag o kaya ay sasalaksakan namin ng
cake ang mga bunganga hanggang sa di na sila makahinga? Come on, Fire that's
ridiculous." He laughed

I lacked negotiating skills. Unlike my wife, ay hindi ko alam kung paano ako magre-
react sa mga awkward situations. Hindi rin ako magaling sa confrontations, in fact,
iniiwasan ko ang conflicts. But my protective skills were fine and they kicked in
at the right moments.

"I could kill you for what you just said." I said and Kenneth stared at me in
surprise. "Hindi ako nagsisinungaling, the invitations are not yet printed because
we couldn't agree on a date. We wanted the event to be extra special. Pero sa
inaasta mo, kahit sa labas ng venue ay di ka makakalapit. Iniintindi ko yung
kabaliwan mo, Kenneth pero wag na wag mong i-threaten ang pamilya ko. You have not
seen me get angry yet and I assure you, you wouldn't like it."

"Kelan namin pinagbantaan ang pamilya mo?" Zeny huffed. "Talk about paranoid."

"And talk about being a user." I told her. "You're worse than trash. I don't even
know what name to call you. I don't even know if there's a word that would suffice
to describe you as a person."

"Fire, sumusobra ka na-"

"Kenneth, shut up. Don't seek me out again. Kalimutan mo na yung utang mo sa akin.
Abuloy ko na yun sayo dahil itinapon mo ang buhay mo para sa walang-kwentang
babaeng yan. Please, leave or I'll be forced to call the security guards."

"Call the security guards? Bakit ano bang ginawa namin?" Zeny asked. "Ang yabang
nyo. Bagay nga kayo ng babaeng yun-"

"Andito na ang babaeng yun." I heard Irina's voice behind me. For a second I was
worried because she must have taken a cab to get to the Math building from Econ.
"Anong ginagawa nyo dito? Nagpapapansin?" She demanded and Zeny looked scared.
"Ikaw na babae ka, yung pasensya ko inuubos mo. Baka tuparin ko yung pangako ko
sayong papauwiin kita sa Canada na magkakahiwalay ang parte ng katawan."

"Ice-"

"God, Ken. You're a mess. We'd like to help you but you have to wake up from that
stupidity that you've mistaken for a love life. Stop bothering, John. Hindi ka na
lang pala tanga ngayon, makapal na rin ang mukha mo."

"Ang sakit mong magsalita, Ice-"

"Mabuti yung nasasaktan ka para magising ka sa katotohanang nagpapakatanga ka! Why

would you throw your life away for this garbage?" Irina scathingly looked at Zeny.

"May problema po ba?" The security guard asked and Kenneth smiled.

"Wala po, nag-uusap lang po kami." He said. "Sige, aalis na kami. Salamat sa warm
welcome." He smirked. "Pabayaan nyo, one of these days ay mababayaran ko rin lahat
ng kabutihan nyo sa akin. Di ko makakalimutan itong araw na to."

"Walang anuman." Irina answered. "Wag mong kakalimutan kasi ako rin nagbibilang. At
wag na wag kang magkakamali, Ken because I might not regret losing you as a friend
and that's a waste of nearly ten years of friendship." She added before she took my
hand. "Halika na, Puppy."

I opened the door for her and she got inside the car. Pumunta ako sa driver's side
at hindi ko na tiningnan sina Ken at pumasok na lang ako sa loob. We drove off in
silence.

"Let's go home." Irina muttered and I nodded. Hindi na ako nag-disagree na nag-
cutting class sya, alam ko namang kaya nyang habulin yung lessons nya but I wanted
to know what she had in mind.

"Anong plano mo, Kitten?" I asked.

"It's worse than I thought." She sighed. "I think my suspicions were true."

"That he's on drugs?"

"Among other things. Did you notice how his eyes seem to dart back and forth?
Parang parati syang alert tapos ang payat na nya. We really should do something
about Kenneth."

"Do you have his Dad's number?"

"I don't, but Yvette knows where he lives. Dapat puntahan natin yung mga kapatid
nya para i-check na rin how they are."

"Sige, let's set a date para madalaw natin sila." I said. "Derecho ba tayong bahay,
Kitten?"

"Punta muna tayo sa bahay namin, I want to talk to my parents about that trash."
She uttered.

Hindi na kami nag-usap until we reached the Samonte's. Ayoko na kasing guluhin si
Irina because I knew that she had a lot on her mind. I hated the idea na pati yung
buhay ng kaibigan namin ay kailangan pang problemahin ng asawa ko. Hindi lang wife
si Kitten, mommy din sya, anak at isang estudyante and I hated Zeny more kasi
nadagdagan pa yung iniisip ni Irina dahil sa kanya.

"What a pleasant surprise!" Mommy Isabel happily greeted us as soon as we got off
the car.

"Hi, 'Mmy." Yumakap kami sa kanya ng asawa ko at humalik.

"Why are you here? Is there a problem? Are my grandchildren okay?" She asked as she
looked at our car as if ini-expect nila na bigla na lang lalabas ang mga Yaya ng
mga batang kalong-kalong ang mga anak namin.

"They're fine, Mommy pero may kailangan po akong itanong kay Dad."

"Hindi pa dumadating si Dad from his meeting. Pasok muna tayo dito sa loob, bakit
ba tayo sa labas nag-uusap?" Mommy Isabel ushered us inside. Iniwan nya muna kami
ni Kitten para kumuha ng meryenda. She was back a few minutes later and she laid
platefuls of pastries in front of us pero wala akong ganang kumain. Siguro ganun
din si Irina kasi uminom lang sya ng juice na dala ng isa sa mga katulong. "Okay
lang bang dito tayo o mas prefer nyo sa kitchen o sa dining?"

"Dito na po, 'Mmy. Alam kong nagsisimula na yung preparation ninyo for dinner kaya
ayaw na naming makigulo dun." Irina answered. "Nasaan po pala si Ingrid at Aleph?"

"May cheerleading practice ang kapatid mo at si Aleph naman may meeting sa Student
Council kaya late daw silang uuwi."

"Okay." Irina nodded.

"Pero ang itatanong mo sa Daddy?"

"Mommy, naikwento ko na sa inyo di ba na boyfriend nung trash na yun si Kenneth,

yung isa sa mga kaibigan ko?"

"Yes, napag-usapan na natin yan. I told your Dad about it and he called his sister
in Canada. Ang sabi naman ng Tita mo, nangako daw kasi si Zeny na mag-behave na
dito. I think ayaw talaga nilang nandun si Zeny sa kanila kasi sobrang sakit sa ulo
nga daw yung pinsan mo at wala silang time na bantayan sya."

"I think she's doing drugs at dinadamay nya si Kenneth." Irina said and Mommy
Isabel frowned.
"Si Zeny? My God, ano bang nangyari sa batang yun at sobrang pasaway?"

"We saw Kenneth earlier today, 'Mmy and he doesn't look well. Mukha syang addict.
Nangutang din sya kay John last week which was weird kasi nasa abroad ang Daddy ni
Kenneth."

"Ano ba yan si Zeny. Sisirain na nga lang ang buhay, nandadamay pa ng ibang tao.
Hindi ba walang Mommy si Kenneth at sya ang nag-aalaga dun sa dalawa nyang
kapatid?"

"Opo. Kaya nga worried na worried po kami sa kanya." My wife answered.

Pero hindi na namin nahintay si Dad kasi gusto naming maabutang gising ang kambal
that was why we hurried home. Mommy Isabel promised us that she would relay
everything that we told her to Dad. Pagdating namin ng bahay ay nagkakagulo ang mga
katulong.

"Bakit?" Irina asked. "Nasaan ang mga anak ko?" She demanded. "Are our children
okay?"

Hindi pa man sila sumasagot ay tumakbo na kaming dalawa papuntang nursery. We were
so relieved to see them inside their cribs na nakalimutan na ni Irina yung mantra
nyang dapat nakaligo muna kami bago sila kargahin."Puppy, mauna kang bumaba and ask
them what the commotion is all about." She instructed and I obeyed.

Pagbaba ko ng hagdan ay nagkukumpulan ang mga katulong namin pati yung driver at
ang mag-asawang hardinero at kusinera.

"Ano pong problema?" I asked in a calm voice.

"Ser, may nakita po kasi kaming kahon dun po sa gilid ng bakod. Magtatapon po sana
ako ng basura nung nakita ko po yung naka-gift-wrapped na box."

"Don't tell me dinala nyo sa loob ng bahay yung kahon?" I asked and they shook
their heads. "Okay, so ano po ang problema?"

"Meron po kasing nakalagay dun na For Ice and Fire kaya po tinawag ko po si Manong
Gusting para po tingnan namin."

"O tapos po, ano pong nangyari?" I asked.

"Binuksan po namin."

"Tapos po?"

"Tapos ano po..."

"Manang, ikwento nyo na lang po kung ano pong nangyari at bakit po kayo nagkakagulo
kesa magkaroon tayo ng question and answer dito sa baba. Nagugutom na po kasi ako."

"Pasensya na po." Mahina ang boses ng kasambahay namin. Nagbuntong-hininga ako.

"Paki-prepare na po yung dinner, pareho po kaming gutom ng asawa ko." I told them
and two of the househelps ran to the kitchen.

"Ser, pagpasensyahan nyo na po. Natakot lang po kasi ako sa nakita ko."

"Ano po ba ang nakita ninyo?"

"Yung pong box po may laman pong korona ng patay." She said. "Tapos po picture po
ng kambal yun nga lang po puro dugo." She added and I felt my heart slam against my
chest.

####################################
Chapter 29: Ice
####################################

I used to think that the brain was placed above your heart for a reason-you're
supposed to think first before you feel. At ganun ako kadalasan, sabi nga nila I
was more mental than sentimental. Until John. Until the twins.

"Yung pong box po may laman pong korona ng patay. Tapos po picture po ng kambal yun
nga lang po puro dugo." These words felt like a metal chain around my heart. Ang
sikip sa dibdib nung narinig ko ang mga salitang ito. My first thought was: my
babies are safe, thank God but I will personally send to hell whoever dared to send
that box. A part of me wanted to see the box. Inisip ko kasi na baka nagkamali sila
at wala naman talagang photo ng mga anak kong kasama ang kahon pero naisip ko paano
kung meron? Makakapatay yata ako.

I wanted to run back to the nursery to check again if my children were really okay
and had I not held them in my arms earlier, I would have gone berserk and killed
everyone in sight.

"Kitten?" Narinig ko ang boses ni John bago ko naramdamang niyakap nya ako.
Nanghina ako sa narinig ko kahit naman safe ang mga anak ko pero para pa rin akong
nasusuka sa kaba at takot. "Kitten..." My husband whispered as I continued to
clutch at my chest. "Manang Wilma, pakidalhan naman ako ng tubig." He told one of
the house helps.

Sino naman ang gagawa nun? Sinong demonyo ang idadamay ang mga bata? I knew the
answer but I was in denial. I was in denial that someone dared. Not my family, not
my children.

John guided me to sit down on the sofa and I was so glad that he was there kasi
kung mag-isa ako, I would have panicked. I would have lost it and I would not have
been able to get my bearings back.

"Teka, ang mga anak ko..." I heard myself say. Para akong nagka-out-of-body
experience, as if I was just watching everything as they unfolded instead of being
there.

"Kitten, they're safe." John said. Bumalik na ang katulong na may dalang tubig at
agad akong pinainom ng asawa ko. "Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded. I looked at
John's face and he looked worried, his eyes mirrored fear and uncertainty. Takot
sya kasi takot ako.

"God, I cannot let fear paralyze me like this." I murmured to myself. "Mas gustuhin
ko pang galit ako kaysa mag-astang pathetic." I expelled a heavy breath. "I'm fine
now." I added smiling at John.

"More water?" He asked and I shook my head before I addressed our house helps.

"Hindi pwedeng may pumasok dito sa bahay. Even delivery transactions should be
entertained outside. And when I say outside, ang ibig sabihin ay sa gate ng
subdivision. Anu-ano po bang pinapadeliver natin?"

"Ma'am Ice tubig lang naman po at Gasul."

"Kayo na po ang bumili, may sasakyan naman at driver." I told them. "Kapag may
nagpadala ng kahit anong parcel, salubungin nyo po sa gate, tatawag naman yung
guard. Give me my bag." I said. Nagmadaling pinulot ng isa sa mga kasambahay ang
bag kong tinapon ko lang sa may paanan ng sofa bago kami umakyat sa taas. "Thank
you." I said before I dialed Ken's number. I was so relieved when I heard it
ringing. Kailangan kong magalit at ayokong ibunton sa iba ang galit ko. Ang
nakakabwisit ay hindi nya sinasagot ang tawag. Sa tingin nito tatantanan ko sya?! I
thought to myself as I dialed his number again. On my fifth try, he finally
answered my call.

"Hi, Ice!" I heard Kenneth's cheerful voice. "Bakit ka napatawag?"

"Fuck you." I said. "I know you're already screwing that bitch and I really hope
you'll die screwing each other. How dare you, Ken."

"Bakit? Anong ginawa-"

"Stop acting stupid, Ken. I am already convinced that you are an idiot. And tell
your girlfriend, who's obviously listening to our conversation since I am fully
aware that you activated your phone's speaker function, that hell is coming for her
under the name of Irina Ysobel Samonte-Zamora."

"Teka lang-"

"Our friendship is over. Kahit magpakamatay ka sa harapan ko, the fact lang na
dinamay ninyo ang mga anak ko, hinding-hindi kita mapapatawad. Pakihintay ang
regalo kong kabaong at pakigamit na rin. I hope you rot in hell."

"Ice, sorry-"

"Ano ba, bakit ka nagso-sorry, tanga ka ba? Patayin mo na nga yan!" I heard Zeny's
voice and I got angrier.

"Hindi kasi dapat-" Were Ken's last words before the phone call abruptly ended.

"John, we need to make sure that the children are safe." I got up from my seat.
"Pakilipat po yung cribs ng mga bata sa kwarto namin." I instructed the house
helps.

I pulled John with me towards the stairs to the children's nursery. Sumunod din ang
mga katulong para ilipat ang tulugan ng mga bata. I carried Twinkle and John
carried Blaze towards our bedroom.

"Lahat ng ilaw sa labas dapat pong bukas." Sabi ni John matapos mailipat ang mga
cribs at bago umalis ang mga katulong. We carefully placed the twins back inside
their cribs. I definitely felt better as I watched my children soundly sleeping.

"I really hate Kenneth and that trash." I said and John sat down beside me. "And
don't tell me na hindi sila ang may gawa nun kasi it would take a lot of convincing
from you bago magbago ang paniniwala ko."

"Alam kong sila. Nararamdaman ko. Who would even attempt to pull something like
that off? Silang dalawa lang."
"We need to make sure that the children are safe, Puppy. Naisip ko ngang iwanan
sila kina Mommy kapag nasa school tayo. Kaysa nandito sila at ang mga Yaya nila at
mga kasambahay natin ang magbabantay sa kanila."

"Pero every day, ita-travel natin sila pauwi sa bahay? Hindi ba yun stressful para
sa mga bata? I'm all for their safety at siguro dahil lalaki ako, iba yung nasa
isip ko."

"Ano bang naiisip mo?"

"Beef up security."

"Tatlo na yung security guards natin. Mukha na nga tayong high-profile politicians
sa dami ng tao dito sa bahay. At ilan yung mga kasambahay natin? Lima, hindi pa
kasama ang isang kusinera, dalawang driver at isang hardinero. Lahat ng kasama
natin dito sa bahay kilala ng mga magulang natin. Kilala din natin silang lahat.
And that's what's bothering me. Paanong may nakapag-iwan ng package malapit sa
bakod ng bahay when we have two roving guards at isang guard na nasa loob?"

"Kitten, let's hold our judgment until we get to talk to everyone. Ang importante
safe ang mga bata-"

"Safe nga but someone is threatening that safety. That threat itself only means
that they're not a hundred percent safe!" I said and John sighed. "Sorry, John.
It's not your fault."

"Sorry din, kasi wala man lang akong nagawa-"

"Pareho tayong walang nagawa. Kailan natin kakausapin ang mga tao dito sa bahay? I
want to know the details. How come wala man lang nakapansin na may naglagay ng
box?"

"Gusto ko rin silang kausapin regarding that matter, Kitten."

"Sorry ulit, kasi napagtaasan kita ng boses." I said and John smiled.

"Okay lang, mas prefer ko yun kaysa yung nakita kong parang takot na takot ka
kanina. I realized that I would rather see you angry. Kapag takot ka pala, mas
takot ako. I'm sorry for being selfish, Kitten. Alam kong normal naman yung
reaction mo kanina but I was bothered when I saw you so shaken."

"I was bothered too." I admitted. "Hindi ako sanay nang nakakaramdam ng takot. Kaya
nga naisip kong dapat galit ako, yung takot kasi wala namang naitutulong yan."

"Galit ka ba sa akin?"

"John, we're a team. We're on the same side always. I love you too much to ever get
angry at you. At bakit ako magagalit sayo?"

"Kasi kinausap ko si Kenneth. Siguro kung hindi ko sya-"

"Pinuntahan ka nya and it was only right to entertain him kasi kaibigan natin sya.
Hindi mo kasalanan to. Walang ibang may kasalanan dito kundi yung babaeng yun
lang."

"What's the plan? Pero bago natin yan pag-usapan, let's have dinner first. Anong
oras na hindi ka pa kumakain. Ayokong malipasan ka ng gutom."

"Maliligo muna ako, Puppy. Mauuna ako, maiwan ka dito."

"I understand." He said and I got up to head to the bathroom. Sumunod kaagad si
John pagkatapos kong maligo. We instructed the house helps to bring our dinner to
our bedroom. Alam kong sobrang paranoid ko lang pero natatakot akong iwanan ang mga
bata. Pakiramdam ko kasi may bigla na lang lilitaw at kikidnapin sila.

"We should talk to our parents." I told John after we've finished eating dinner.

"Oo. Kahit ayokong ikwento ulit yung about sa box, alam kong kailangan nilang
malaman. Pero, Kitten, let's not overestimate Ken and Zeny's capabilities."

"Wag din natin silang i-underestimate." I sighed. "Paano natin sila maa-apprehend?
Unless may nakakita sa kanila. Ang tingin ko kasi someone else did it for them kasi
imposibleng sila mismo ang gagawa. Ang tanong sino? Dun ako takot, John kasi hindi
natin alam kung sino pa yung kasama nila. It could be someone we do not know or
someone na malapit lang sa atin. Pwede ngang kasama natin dito sa bahay."

"Wag namang ganun, lalo akong kinabahan." John uttered. "Mas gusto ko pang isipin
na sina Kenneth lang may pakana nun at wala silang ibang kasama."

"Natatakot din ako, pero dapat hindi tayo takot. Anong laban ng mga bata kung
pareho tayong natatakot?"

"Alam ko, Kitten. Let's call our parents." John said. We left our bedroom and went
to the children's nursery but left the connecting door open para nakikita pa rin
namin yung cribs. Siguro kung naging palabas ang gabing yun at nanunuod ako sa
reaction namin ni John, I would have found us OA. But when you know that the threat
is real, no reaction is over the top.

"Daddy," I said over the phone.

"Princess, kakatapos lang naming mag-usap ng Mommy mo tungkol kay Zeny-"

"Dad, something happened here. May nagpadala po ng box na may lamang korona ng
patay at picture nina Blaze at Twinkle na may dugo." My voice sounded shaken. I was
still shaken.

"What? Who could have done such a thing? Nasaan ang mga bata? Are they okay?"

"They're sleeping. Pinalipat ko po muna yung cribs nila sa kwarto namin."

"Wag nyong galawin yung box. Wag nyong ipasok sa loob but make sure na may
nakabantay dun para hindi mawala. Sabihan mo si Tony, yung guard sa labas ng bahay
ninyo na walang dapat gumalaw dun."

"Opo." I replied.

"Do you want me to come over, Princess?"

"Masyado na pong gabi, Dad. Bukas na lang po kayo pumunta. This is that idiot from
Canada's handiwork, nararamdaman ko. I called Kenneth earlier and I felt na may
gusto syang sabihin but then I heard that girl's voice at tinapos po yata nya ang
conversation namin. Hindi ko na sila tinawagan ulit."

"Princess, do not do anything drastic. Naalala ko na naman yung-"

"Dad, hindi ko na po uulitin yun, tingnan nyo naman po tinawagan ko pa kayo."

"Tinawagan mo din naman ako dati but you did things your way, ayoko nang maulit
yun, Irina. Kahit may asawa ka na, papaluin talaga kita kung may gagawin ka na
naman that might put you in danger."

"Si Daddy talaga." I couldn't help but smile. "But I need your advice, Dad. Hindi
kami makapag-isip ni John nang maayos kasi masyado kaming nagiging emotional."

"I'll think of a plan. I'll bring a friend from NBI over tomorrow to check that
box. Sa ngayon, magpahinga na muna kayo. Aayusin natin yan."

"Opo." I answered. "Goodnight, Dad."

"Goodnight, Princess. Mag-ingat kayo."

"Kayo din po." I said before the call ended.

"What did Dad say?" John asked.

"Sabi nya pupunta sila bukas at isasama nya daw yung kaibigan nya from NBI. Let's
call your parents." I said and John dialed Mommy Elaine's number which was a bad
idea. kasi nag-freak out si Mommy Elaine at di sila nagpapigil ni Daddy Julio na
pumunta sa bahay. They arrived after an hour and they had us retell the story about
the box. Daddy Julio called the subdivision's security office and a few minutes
later, security personnels were swarming the location of the box and asking our
house helps and security guards questions.

I asked our househelps to prepare snacks for everyone. Ako lang yata ang hindi
kumain kasi wala akong gana.

Magtatatlong oras mula nung dumating sina Mommy Elaine at Daddy Julio at patulog na
kami ni John. My husband could barely keep his eyes open. My in-laws opted to stay
the night. They wanted to make sure that the children are safe and they wanted to
talk to Dad too. I didn't mind. It felt safer na nasa bahay namin sila.

I was already drifting off to sleep when one of the twins started to cry. I turned
my head to look at the digital clock on the bedside table. It was already 2:47 AM.
I was about to get up when I heard someone slowly but repeatedly turned the
doorknob. Parang may gustong pumasok. Nawala ang antok ko as a thousand scenarios
played inside my head.

"Puppy!" I whispered urgently. "May tao sa labas!" I muttered. "John!" I hissed

pero parang tulog na tulog sya, which was unusual. "John!" I tried again and
stopped when the door slowly opened. I groped for my phone which was under my
pillow as I watched someone step inside our bedroom.

####################################
Chapter 30: Ice
####################################

I was torn between rushing to the cribs to take my children into my arms and
staying put to see what would happen. Alam kong kung may masamang binabalak yung
pumasok sa kwarto, I won't be able to reach the cribs in time. Naisip ko rin na
just in case may dala syang patalim o kahit ano na pwede nyang gamitin para saktan
ang mga anak ko, I would endanger the children if I showed any hint that I was
awake.

I knew it would be more logical to pretend that I was asleep, because I am nearly
certain that the intruder didn't have a plan to harm the children while he or she
was inside our bedroom. That would be too risky and it could ruin his or her plan
because there'd be a chance that one of us would wake up.

But the mother in me did not listen to logic or reasoning. All I could think about
was someone was inside the bedroom with us and he or she could harm my kids. I
spurred into action as I picked up the alarm clock and threw it towards the
intruder with all my might. It hit my target squarely on the head and I jumped off
the bed before I grabbed whoever it was by the hair.

"Ma'am Ice!" Napakunot ang noo ko kasi kilala ko ang boses nya but I was too
tensed to even recognize whose voice it was. At gusto kong makasigurado. Hindi ako
tulad ng mga bida sa palabas na may upperhand na nga, sasapian pa ng katangahan.

"Don't move or else it's going to hurt more. Follow me."

"Ma'am Ice, ako po ito." Hawak ko pa rin sya sa buhok at hinila ko sya hanggang sa
mahawakan ko ang remote control para sa mga ilaw ng kwarto na nasa bedside table sa
side ni John. I pressed a button and light flooded our bedroom. "Ma'am Ice, aray ko
po, Ma'am Ice. Masakit po-"

"Manang Celia?"

"Ako nga po, Ma'am Ice."

"Ano ba naman kayo, Manang!" Binitiwan ko sya kaagad. Halos matumba sya at agad ko
syang sinalo. Si Manang Celia ay yaya ni Twinkle at malayong kamag-anak ni Daddy.
Matagal na syang naninilbihan sa mga Samonte. Naging Yaya sya ni Ingrid pero nag-
abroad sya at pagbalik nya ay may dala na syang anak. She never really told anyone
who the father of the baby was and Dad was too kind to ask. Si Mommy mismo ang
pumili sa kanya na magbantay kay Twinkle kasi alam nyang mapagkakatiwalaan si
Manang. "Diyos ko naman po, ayan tuloy may sugat po kayo." I said as I hurriedly
ran to the bathroom to get a roll of sanitary tissues.

"Pasensya na po." She was nearly in tears as she massaged her head.

"Manang, sorry po." Binigyan ko sya ng tissue paper at tumakbo ako para kumuha ng
Isopropyl alcohol sa isa sa mga drawers. "Bakit naman po bigla-bigla kayong pumasok
sa kwarto namin? Hindi man lang po kayo kumatok bago po kayo pumasok?"

"Inisip ko po kasi na baka tulog na tulog po kayo kasi kung gising po kayo ay sana
po tumahan kaagad si Twinkle. Tumatahan na po kasi yang alaga ko kapag po
kinakarga." She explained. "Ayoko pong makaistorbo. Dadalhin ko lang po sana sya sa
nursery at dun po sya papatulugin para po hindi po magising si Blaze."

"Naku po, Manang pasensya na po talaga."

"Okay lang po, Ma'am Ice." She smiled and my guilt tripled. " Pasensya na rin po,
dapat po talaga kumatok po ako. Nauhaw po kasi ako, Ma'am Ice kaya po lumabas ako
para uminom po ng tubig at narinig ko po ang iyak ni Twinkle. Sorry po. Nawala po
sa isip ko na nasa inyo po yung cribs, nauna po akong pumasok sa nursery. Sorry po
talaga."
"Okay lang po. Bukas na bukas ipatingin po natin yang sugat ninyo." Pinuntahan ko
ang crib at kinarga si Blaze, kakargahin nya sana si Twinkle pero dumudugo ang noo
nya. "Di bale na, Manang ako nang bahala dito."

"Mamaya po pala ang schedule ng second round ng immunization ng mga bata."

"Mamaya? May klase kami ni John. Hindi ba pwedeng i-reschedule ng Sabado?"

"Naku, Ma'am Ice hindi po. Ang sabi po ng doktora ay kailangan daw pong sundin yung
schedule. Mahirap na daw po kung hindi daw po masusunod."

"Paano po yan, may class po kami. Di bale, pag-uusapan namin ni John mamaya. Ako na
pong bahala dito. Asikasuhin nyo po muna yang sugat ninyo. Pero bago po yan, favor
naman po, pakidala nga po yung rockers ng mga bata dito sa kwarto." I instructed.
Dali-dali syang lumabas at isa-isang ipinasok sa loob ang rockers ng kambal at
inilagay sa tabi ng kama namin.

"Maraming salamat po. Pasensya na po ulit."

"Okay lang po yun, naiintindihan ko naman po, Ma'am Ice. Syempre po may hindi
magandang nangyari kanina kaya po kabado po kayo. Sige po alis na po ako." She said
before she left.

"Ano ba yan, nakapanakit pa tuloy ako ng ibang tao dahil sa bwisit na babaeng yun!
Titirisin ko talaga yun kapag nagkita kami!" I muttered to myself as I swayed in
place. Twinkle was looking curiously at me and I gently pinched her chin. "Sa
rocker ka muna, baby at yung kapatid mo umiiyak din."

I placed twinkle on her rocker before I picked up Blaze from his crib. Mabuti na
lang at nakinig ako kay John at pumayag akong carpeted yung floors namin instead na
wood parquet kaya okay lang maupo akong katabi ng rockers.

"Bakit kaya hindi nagigising si John?" I asked myself before I rose to my feet to
get into the bed. Inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa mukha ng asawa ko and heard his deep,
even breathing. Baka naman pagod na pagod lang sya kaya hanggang ngayon ay hindi
sya nagigising? I thought to myself as I placed my ear against his chest. "John." I
tried again but he continued to sleep. I kissed him tenderly on the lips before I
got off the bed to make sure that the door was locked.

I stifled a yawn as I watched my children. Kung anong antok ko ay yun namang hyper
nila at tawa sila nang tawa as they made gurgling noises. And just like what other
mothers would do when they're sleepy but their children are awake, I took out our
camera and took pictures of them. The mysteries of motherhood.

Bandang 4:30 AM na noong ibinalik ko sila sa cribs nila dahil sa wakas ay nakatulog
na rin sila ulit. I crawled into bed and lay down beside my husband wrapping an arm
around his waist. Ang himbing pa rin ng tulog nya. Yung parte ng utak kong sobrang
paranoid ay naisip na baka may pampatulog yung meryendang kinain nila kagabi pero
hindi matanggap ng puso ko. Who would dare betray us? Besides, anong makukuha nila
kung tutulungan nila yung babaeng yun at si Ken? For sure ay hindi pera kasi
nangutang pa si Ken kay John.

"Ice, stop it. You're overthinking. Baka pagod lang ang asawa mo kaya hindi sya
nagising." I told myself as I closed my eyes. I felt John stir and I opened my eyes
to look at him. "Puppy?" I whispered and he turned towards me and kissed me on the
forehead. I've never felt so relieved in my whole life. "I'm glad you're finally
awake."
"Good morning, Kitten. Bakit ang aga mo yatang nagising?" He murmured. His eyes
were still closed and he sounded very sleepy.

"Hindi pa ako natutulog." I replied and he opened his eyes to look at me.

"Bakit? Kitten, wag ka nang masyadong mag-worry. Kasama natin sina Mommy sa bahay
at dadating ang parents mo mamaya. Mabibigyang-linaw din ang lahat ng ito. Baka
naman mapaano ka nyan?" He asked and I snuggled closer against him.

"Something happened earlier." I said and he cupped my face with his hands. He
looked very worried and although I didn't want to needlessly worry him, I felt that
he needed to know those kinds of details. "May pumasok dito sa kwarto."

"Sino?"

"Yung Yaya ni Twinkle."

"Si Manang Celia? Bakit daw sya pumasok? Bakit hindi mo ako ginising?"

"Ginigising kita pero hindi ka magising. Narinig nya daw umiyak yung bata at ayaw
nya daw tayong maistorbo kaya hindi na sya kumatok. Ni-lock mo ba ang pinto
kagabi?"

"Hindi ako sigurado? All I remember is I felt so sleepy. Hindi ko na halos maimulat
ang mga mata ko kaya humiga ako kaagad. Sorry."

"Okay lang."

"So what happened?"

"Binato ko sya ng alarm clock kaya wasak na yung alarm clock natin."

"Ha?"

"I was paranoid. Akala ko may pumasok para saktan ang mga anak ko."

"Kumusta si Manang Celia?"

"Ayun, may sugat kasi tinamaan ko sya sa noo. Nag-sorry na ako and I will have to
ask Dad kung anong legal issues na pwedeng mag-surface dahil doon. Maybe I should
ask Dad to get a written statement from her pero tsaka na yan. Yung mga bata
bandang 4:30 AM na nakatulog kaya gising rin ako hanggang ngayon."

"Sorry." He kissed me on the cheek. "Sorry kasi pagod na pagod siguro ako kaya
hindi ako nagising kaagad.

"Okay lang, it's not your fault."

"Paano yan wala ka pang tulog at may classes ka today hanggang 5:30 PM?"

"Okay lang, kaya ko to. Hindi naman magkakasunod ang classes ko so I'll have time
to take a nap."

"Sasamahan kita. Mabuti na lang at magkatugma ang schedule ng classes natin."

"Thank you, Puppy." I said and he hugged me tighter.

"Stop worrying, okay? Walang mangyayari sa mga bata. They'll be fine." He said and
I nodded even when my heart was still filled with uneasiness.
I was sleepy the whole day at kahit gusto kong um-absent na lang para umuwi ng
bahay ay alam ko ring may responsibilidad ako bilang estudyante. This was the life
I chose. A life I loved and a life that I needed to balance.

"Samonte, you're dozing off." I heard my professor say and I looked up to find her
smiling at me. When she learned about my twins, she told me that she too just gave
birth. Ang sabi nya mahirap nga daw talagang iwanan ang mga bata sa bahay. It was
like being mothers gave us an instant connection.

"Sorry, Ma'am." I smiled at her. I barely survived the rest of the class at mabuti
na lang ay vacant ang next period ko kasi hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pang imulat
ang mga mata ko.

I immediately headed to the parking lot. Nag-usap kami ni John at alam kong
diderecho sya dun after his class. Manggagaling pa sya ng College of Engineering so
I sat on one of the concrete benches to wait for him. He arrived nearly ten minutes
later.

"Sorry, Kitten. Did you wait long?" He asked as soon as I slid into the passenger
seat.

"Hindi. At tsaka okay lang, alam ko namang sa Eng'g ka pa manggagaling."

"Gusto mo bang dito lang tayo sa parking lot or you want me to drive you somewhere
else? Medyo maingay kasi dito kaya baka hindi ka rin makakatulog nyan."

"Hindi okay lang." I said closing my eyes. "Gusto ko lang talagang umidlip kasi
antok na antok na ako." I murmured.

"Gusto mo bang sa likod? It's roomier."

"No." I replied. "Puppy, don't worry about me. Kumusta kaya ang mga bata? Hindi man
lang natin sila nasamahan secod round ng immunization nila ngayon. I am so worried
na yung mga Yaya lang ang kasama nila."

"Wag ka nang mag-alala kasi susunod naman daw sina Mommy."

"Sabi ko nga i-reschedule na lang pero ang sabi ng Yaya hindi daw pwede."

"Tatawagan ko dapat yung pediatrician nila pero maaga kasi yung class ko kaya maaga
tayong umalis." He said.

"Oo nga eh. Pero nagdadalawang-isip ako. Tawagan mo nga sila, John. Tell them na
wag umalis. Gusto kong nandun tayo. Mamayang 2:30 PM pa naman daw sila aalis ng
bahay." I murmured.

"Okay."
"Ano ba yan, ang ingay-ingay. Kailangang sa tabi ng kotse natin magkukwentuhan
itong mga to at magpatugtog nang malakas?" I opened my eyes to glare at the car
beside ours. "Mabuti sana kung sound-proofed yung kotse nila at pwede silang mag-"
I stopped talking as I felt a chill ran through me. "Oh God."

"Kitten, bakit?" John asked as my whole body grew cold. "Kitten, ano yun?"

"Paano narinig ni Manang Celia yung iyak ni Twinkle? Hindi ba sound-proofed yung
room natin?" I asked John and he stared at me for a split second before he turned
the engine on and we rushed home.

####################################
Chapter 31: Ice
####################################

"Hello, is this Inspector Ramirez?" I asked over the phone. I tried to sound calm
and pleasant because I realized there was really no one we could trust except our
families. Kahit yung mga taong akala mo ay matagal mo nang kakilala ay ibibenta ka
at lolokohin for a price.

I knew there was a price, hindi yun gagawin ni Manang Celia nang libre. I couldn't
say it was for money, it must be something else kasi alam kong walang pera sina
Kenneth. Pwedeng pabor, pwedeng iba. I couldn't think straight. Ang alam ko lang I
had to get to my children fast and I had to make sure that Manang Celia would not
notice that I knew that she was involved.

"Yes, Ma'am?" A voice replied. I was glad that I got the Head of Security's
number; at least I could work my plan around him.

"This is Irina Zamora of Block 7 lots 41,42 and 43. Nagkausap po tayo kagabi." I
said.

"Kayo po pala yan, Ma'am." He answered. "We are currently reviewing the CCTV feeds
pero wala naman pong lumapit na kakaiba dun sa malapit sa bahay ninyo. Lahat po
naka-uniform ng uniporme ng kasambahay ninyo. Timing din po kasi na schedule ng
labasan ng basura kaya po may mga kahon at garbage bags pong dala itong mga tao
ninyo." He said at lalo akong kinabahan. Paano kung hindi lang si Manang Celia ang
may pakana? Paano kung marami sila? Paano ko malalaman kung sinu-sino sila? I
quietly asked myself.

"That's the reason why I called. I wanted to know kung meron na po bang result yung
investigation ninyo. May sinabi po kasi yung isa sa mga Yaya ng mga anak ko kanina
kaya lang..." I intentionally let my sentence hang in midair. "Nakalimutan ko yung
sinabi nya, teka po tawagan ko ulit, cannot be reached kasi sya kanina kaya hindi
ko alam kung nakaalis na po ba sila o hindi pa..."
"Ma'am hindi nyo na po kailangang tawagan, I'll call the guards at the gates and
ask them kung may lumabas na isa sa mga sasakyan ninyo sa subdivision." He said and
I nearly fainted with relief. Buti gumana. I thought to myself gripping my phone
tightly in my hand. "Teka po, ira-radyo ko po yung mga nagbabantay sa gates." He
added and I waited with bated breath for him to talk again. "Ma'am, wala pa naman
daw po."

"Naku, salamat. Hindi ko kasi sila matawagan kaya nag-alala ako. Maraming salamat
po. Tatawag po ako ulit kapag nagkausap na po kami."

"Sige po, Ma'am." He replied and I ended the call.

"Wala pa daw lumabas na sasakyan natin sa subdivision sabi ng head ng security."

"Kitten, bakit hindi mo na lang sinabi sa kanya yung hinala natin tungkol kay
Manang Celia? Wouldn't it be quicker kung agad-agad na lang syang hulihin?" John
asked and I shook my head.

"John, hindi sya aamin. Anong concrete evidence natin? Besides, hindi natin alam
kung may kasabwat si Manang Celia o wala. At this point, it is best if we pretend
that we do not know what she's doing so we can catch her and her accomplices if she
has any. Ngayon, kung tatawag tayo at pupunta lahat ng guards sa bahay, she will be
given an idea at baka sa sobrang takot nya saktan pa nya ang mga bata." I said.
"Teka lang, I'm calling our parents." I dialed Mommy's numbers.

"Princess, malapit na kami sa bahay ninyo." Mommy answered my call on the first
ring. "I had to attend a PTA meeting at Ingrid and Aleph's school earlier. Akala ko
kasi hindi aalis sa bahay ninyo sina Madeline but they received an urgent call from
one of their house helps daw. Hindi naman nya nasabi sa akin kung tungkol saan
because she was in a hurry."

"Mommy, pakibilisan po. Ilang minutes pa bago kayo makarating sa bahay? Pauwi na
rin kami ni John pero just in case mauna po kayo, pakikuha po ang mga bata kay
Manang Celia. This is urgent."

"What's wrong, Irina?" Mommy's voice was suddenly all-serious. "Anong nangyayari
sa mga apo ko? Siguro nandun na kami in less than twenty minutes."

"I'll explain later. Just follow what I said, okay? Is Dad with you?"

"Yes, he is. Do you want to talk to him?"

"No, Mommy. But please, hurry." I said before I said goodbye. I called our landline
number next. I was so nervous that my hands trembled.

"Zamora's Residence, good afternoon." Someone replied.

"Hello, Manang." I said, glad that my voice did not shake. "Si Ice po ito."

"Ma'am Ice. Yes po?"

"Manang, nandyan pa po ba si Manang Celia? May nakalimutan po kasi akong itanong sa

kanya."

"Ay, teka po tatawagin ko po. Nasa itaas po kasi kasama ng mga bata." The house
help answered and I nearly burst into tears. "Nasa bahay pa ang mga bata." I
covered my phone's mouthpiece and whispered to John.
"Thank God." He whispered back. I felt like crying kaya lang natatakot akong baka
may mangyari sa mga anak ko kapag nagpapakita ako ng galit o kahit anong emosyon.
Bakit ang tagal nya? I asked myself as I glanced at my watch.

"Ma'am Ice, pababa na po." I heard the house help's voice again.

"Sige po, salamat." I retorted. Naghintay muna ako ng ilang minuto bago ko narinig
ang boses ni Manang Celia at kahit gusto ko syang murahin at isumpa sa sobrang
galit ko sa kanya ay di ko ginawa.

"Bakit po, Ma'am Ice?" She said over the phone and my anger surged. I didn't think
that it was possible to hate someone so much but hate wouldn't even begin to
describe how I felt.

"Hello po, Manang Celia?"

"Opo, ako po ito. Bakit po?"

"Manang, pasensya na po pero late po kami makakauwi ni John. May group meeting pa
kasi ako sa isa sa mga subjects ko kaya po matatagalan pa po kami dito sa school.
Baka nga po abutin kami ng gabi dito eh kasi alam mo naman po kung gaano ka-lala
ang traffic."

"Naku, okay lang po!" She sounded very happy and I wanted to gouge her eyes out.
"Wala pong problema kung late na po kayo makakauwi. Ako na po ang bahala sa mga
bata."

"Pasensya na po talaga. Si Mommy po kasi nasa school ni Ingrid to attend a PTA

meeting. Hindi ko po alam kung anong oras po sila uuwi, malamang late na po kasi
alam nyo naman yang mga PTA meetings, sobrang tagal."

"Oo nga po eh."

"Si Daddy naman po may urgent business meeting na kailangan nyang daluhan. Hindi ko
naman po ini-expect na aalis sina Mommy Elaine dyan..."

"May tumawag nga daw po sa kanila tungkol dun sa emergency gas leak sa bahay nila."
She answered and I clenched my fist.

How did she know about that phone call? Kung sobrang nagmamadali si Mommy Elaine to
the point na hindi nya nasabi kay Mommy ang rason kung bakit sila nagmamadaling
umalis ay imposibleng sabihin nya kay Manang Celia. Ibig sabihin sya rin ang gumawa
nun? Ibig sabihin may mga kasama nga sya? Sinu-sino? Hindi nya dapat malaman na
pinagdududahan namin sya.

"Hindi pa po kami nagkakausap eh. Ang alam ko lang po umalis sila dyan right after
we left but I do not know why they did. Pasensya na po talaga. Parang ang unfair
naman po na inaasa namin yung mga bata sa inyo."

"Okay lang po, Ma'am Ice. Ako na pong bahala sa mga anak nyo." She answered.

"Anong oras po kayo aalis dyan?"

"Mayamaya po. Mahaba pa naman po ang oras. At tsaka himbing na himbing nga sa
pagtulog ang kambal panigurado hindi sila magigising kahit sa byahe." She said and
I felt my heart squeeze painfully in fear. There was something odd about her words.
Himbing na himbing sa pagtulong? Gising ang mga bata ng ganitong oras. I thought to
myself as I remembered how John slept deeply the whole night.
"Manang, salamat po talaga, ha. Ang laki ng utang na loob namin sa inyo." I heard a
beep and I knew it was Mom even without looking at my phone's screen. "Sige po,
Manang. Salamat po ulit." I said before ending the call. "Hello, Mommy."

"Princess, nandito na kami sa labas ng bahay ninyo."

"Dumerecho po kayo sa itaas and tell them that you're taking the children with you.
I need you to take them to a hospital, 'Mmy. I'm not sure why I suddenly felt
nervous when Manang Celia mentioned that they're sleeping. I can sense that
something isn't right. Natatakot po ako."

"Don't worry. We'll take care of the children."

"Give her an alibi. I don't want her to suspect anything. Don't end the call. I
want to know what she'll say. Basta dapat makuha nyo po ang mga bata, please." I
said.

"Oo. Don't worry. Kasama ko naman ang Daddy mo at ang kaibigan nyang taga-NBI. O,
sige na, binubuksan na yung gate. I'll put this on speaker." She said and I too
activated my phone's speaker function. I heard the guard greet them and the sound
of doors opening and closing. They must be getting off the car. I thought to myself
before I turned to my husband. I took my notebook out of my backpack and started
writing.

John, let's stop here. Mag-park tayo sa convenience store na yan.

"Ha?" He asked and I put a finger against my mouth before I started writing again.

We're on speaker phone. I want to know kung sino ang nag-utos sa kanya at kung
sinu-sino ang kasama nya. If we immediately go home, malalaman nyang
pagsisinungaling lang lahat nang sinabi ko kanina.

"But I want to see the kids." He whispered.

Trust me. I wrote and he nodded.

"Good afternoon din, nasaan ang mga apo ko?" We heard Mom say. "Di bale na aakyat
na kami sa taas." She added. We heard her knock on a door, which I assumed was the
nursery, a few minutes later before we heard it click open.

"Ma'am Isabel?" It was Manang Celia's voice.

"We're taking the children with us. Ang mga kapatid ko kasi dumating galing sa US
at gusto nilang makita ang mga bata."

"Pero may lakad po kami ngayon. May immunization schedule po ang mga bata at hindi
po pwedeng ipagpaliban."

"Sinong nagsabi? May dalawang anak ako baka nakalimutan mo. Ako na ang magdadala sa
mga apo ko sa pedia nila for their vaccines."

"Pero ano po..."

"Paki-prepare ang gamit ng mga bata, Celia at nagmamadali ako."

"Alam po ba ito ni Ma'am Ice? Kasi po sya po ang nagbigay sa akin ng instructions
na-"

"Teka lang, kinu-kwestyon mo ba ako?"

"Po?"

"Kailangan kong magpaalam para ilabas ang mga apo ko? I'll talk to my daughter
later. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I want to spend time with my grandchildren.
Don't make me wait, Celia. May mga naghihintay sa amin sa bahay para makita nila
sina Twinkle at Blaze."

"Teka po." Came Manang Celia's reply. Narinig naming may mga closet na nagbukas at
nagkatinginan kami ni John. A few minutes later, we heard Mommy speak.

"Salamat. Pakibaba yang bags nila pati rockers." She instructed.

"Teka lang po magbibihis po ako. Sasama po ako-"

"Bakit ka sasama? I can take care of my grandchildren."

"Kasi po."

"No, stay here. Sa dami namin sa bahay ngayon ay hindi mawawalan ng magbabantay
kina Blaze at Twinkle. Pakitawag ang asawa ko para sya ang magkarga sa isa sa
kambal." Mom commanded and a few minutes later we heard Dad's voice.

"Ready na?" He asked. "Kinakausap ni kumpare yung mga kasambahay."

"Halika na." Mom answered. John and I waited for a few minutes before we heard Mom
on the phone again. "Princess, we have the children."

"Irina, anong problema?" Dad asked. They were still on speaker phone. I told them
about what happened last night and how John was deep in slumber even when he was a
light sleeper. "So you think this is Celia's doing? Pero tama ka, napaka-suspicious
na aakyat sya sa kwarto ninyo para i-check ang mga bata."

"Anong sabi ng kaibigan ninyo, Dad?" I asked.

"Iniwan ko sya dun para kausapin nya muna ang mga tao sa bahay niny-" Dad stopped
talking because one of the twins started to cry. I felt like crying too.

"Gising na sila." John sounded relieved.

"I still want you to have them checked, Dad." I said. "Please dumerecho kayo sa
pedia nila."

"Kami na ang bahala, magkikita ba tayo sa bahay?" Mom said.

"Opo. Pero may gagawin lang po muna kami." I answered before we said goodbye.
"Halika, John. I hope that pay phone is working." I said and we got out of the car.

"It is." My husband said as he tried the pay phone outside the store. "Anong
gagawin natin?"

"I'll tell you later." I said. "Ate!" I called one of the vendors who passed by us
and she happily waved at me.

"Bibili po ba kayo ng turon, Madam?"

"Opo, bibilhin ko yan lahat. Pero may ipapagawa po ako sa inyo."

"Po? Naku madam may tatlong anak po ako sa bahay, wag nyo naman po akong isangkot
sa ilegal."

"Ate naman, mukha po ba kaming may gagawing illegal? May ipapakausap lang po ako sa
inyo."

"Kakausapin ko lang po?"

"Opo sa phone."

"Basta ba po hindi po ako makukulong sa gagawin ko."

"Hindi po. Nanay din po ako, alam ko po ang pakiramdam ng may mga anak na
naghihintay." I smiled and she looked at me doubtfully until I showed her the
twins' picture on my phone. She smiled at me then and nodded her head.

"Ano pong sasabihin ko?" She asked as I handed her a five hundred peso bill. "Naku
naraming salamat po!" She was getting teary-eyed and I patted her back before I
gave her the instructions.

Ayokong kabisaduhin nya ang sasabihin nya, ang gusto ko lang alam nya kung ano
dapat ang sabihin nya, bahala na sya kung paano nya i-deliver. I dialed our
landline number and waited for someone to pick it up before I handed it to the
vendor.

"Hello, pwede kay Celia?" She asked and we waited for nearly a minute before she
spoke again. "Celia?" She said and I gave her a thumb-up sign. "Celia, ako ito.
Nasaan ang mga bata?" She asked and there was a pause while she listened to the
reply. "Wag mo akong dramahan, hindi ko rin tutuparin ang usapan kung hindi ka
tutupad sa usapan. Bahala ka." She listened to Manang Celia's reply again before
she spoke. "Sige, bibigyan kita ng isa pang pagkakataon, mag-usap na lang tayo
ngayon. Hintayin mo ako sa labas ng subdivision. Tatlong minuto lang akong
maghihintay sayo, kung hindi ka dadating, tapos na ang usapan natin." She said
before she placed the phone back to its cradle. "Okay ba, Madam?" She grinned and I
smiled.

"Ano po ang sabi nya, Ate?"

"Noong una po ang sabi nya di nya daw alam yung sinasabi ko pero nung nabanggit ko
na na di ko tutuparin ang usapan para po syang natakot at ang sabi nya po nangako
daw po akong dadalhin sila ng anak nya sa Canada." That's it! I thought to myself.
Yun ang ipinangako sa kanya ng babaeng yun, ang dadalhin sya sa Canada.

"Pupunta daw po ba sya?"

"Opo."

"O, sige po, Salamat." I said as I handed her another five hundred peso bill. She
thanked me profusely and left. "Tara na, John." I said and we got inside the car.

"Nandun kaya sya?" John asked and I shrugged.

"There's only one way to find out." I replied.

At nandun nga sya. Mukha syang nagmadali kasi nakapambahay lang sya. She was
surprised when we stopped the car in front of her and I rolled the window down.

"Ma'am Ice?"

"Sakay." I said and she hesitated for a few seconds before she relented and got
into the backseat. "Ngayon, Manang mag-uusap po tayo nang matino. Investigator po
ng NBI ang nakausap ninyo kanina. Lahat po ng tawag sa telepono ninyo pati texts
are being retrieved as we're talking." I lied watching her reaction on the rearview
mirror. She looked very scared and I felt like banging her head against the window.
"Kaya kung ako po sa inyo ay maging maayos po kayo sa pagsagot sa mga katanungan
ko." I added. "Nagkakaintindihan po ba tayo?"

"O..opo." She stammered.

"Mabuti, kasi baka imbes na Canada ay impyerno po ang bagsak ninyo." I turned my
head to look at her and she burst into tears.

####################################
Chapter 32: Ice
####################################

Iyak lang nang iyak si Manang Celia at sa totoo lang ay nabibwisit ako lalo sa
kakaiyak nya. Naniniwala kasi akong dapat hindi ka pumasok sa isang bagay na hindi
ko kayang panindigan. Not that I wanted her to harm my kids, but she should have
thought about the consequences first before she decided to follow whoever gave her
those devilish instructions.

"Ma'am Ice, sorry po." She sobbed. "Wala naman po talaga akong balak saktan ang mga
anak ninyo. Mahal na mahal ko po sina Blaze at Twinkle at ayoko po silang ipahamak,
Ma'am."

"Ayaw ipahamak? Hindi ba't ibibigay ninyo ang mga anak ko sa kung sino man ang nag-
utos sa inyo? Nagpapatawa po ba kayo? Sinong tangang maniniwalang wala kayong balak
ipahamak ang mga bata?!"

"Nagipit lang po ako, Ma'am." She reasoned. I saw how my husband was gripping the
steering wheel tightly and I knew that he was trying to keep his temper under
control. Sa aming dalawa, si John ang kalmado but not when the kids are involved.
He was extremely protective of our children. Yun nga lang yung protectiveness nya
ay pwede ring maging weakness dahil natataranta sya kaagad at hindi sya nakakapag-
isip. So I knew that I had to step up.

"John," I whispered as I put a hand on his thigh. I didn't want him to feel
bypassed. I didn't want him to feel useless. "Puppy, look at me."

"Yes?" He asked glancing at me. "Ano yun, Kitten?"

"Thank you for staying by my side. Siguro kung wala ka nataranta na ako. Mabuti na
lang nandyan ka kasi nabigyan ako nang lakas ng loob." I said and he covered my
hand with his."I love you so much."
"Not as much as I do." He answered. "But I'm disappointed with myself because
didn't do much for the children today." He sighed and I took my hand from under his
to twine our fingers together.

"You did a lot. You were there for me." I said and he turned his head to smile at
me. I brought his hand to my lips and kissed his open palm. He briefly cupped my
left cheek before taking his hand back.

"Ma'am Ice-"

"Tumahimik po muna kayo, Manang." I uttered before I dialed Dad's number.

"Hello, Princess?"

"Daddy, nasa pedia na po ba kayo?" I asked.

"Oo. Pinatingin na namin yung mga bata. Mabuti naman nagbawas sila so their pedia
took a stool sample and sent it to their laboratory for analysis. Isang oras pa
bago natin malalaman ang resulta. But they seem fine, wag kang mag-alala." Dad
answered.

"Si Mommy po?"

"Your Mom is still talking to the Pedia, yung mga bata naman natulog ulit after we
changed their soiled diapers. Mas madali sana kung alam natin kung may ipinainom ba
sa kanila o wala para maagapan kung meron man. I called my office at naka-ready na
ang kaso para kay Celia at kung sino man ang cohorts nya. I'm not going to let this
pass. Pati yung mga apo ko na walang malay, isasama sa kalokohan nila!"

"I know, Dad. Kahit ako ay wala akong planong patawarin sila. Not when my children
are their target. Ang kapal ng mga mukha nilang galawin ang mga anak ko."

"Stay calm, Irina. Ayoko pa ring padalos-dalos ka kahit anong galit mo."

"Opo. I know that, Dad. Sige po, I'll talk to you later. May kailangan lang akong
malaman." I said before ending the call.

Hindi normal na tulog sila nang tulog ang kambal. I thought to myself as I opened
my phone's browser and searched drugging infants. Hindi ko alam kung bakit
pakiramdam ko ay may ginawang kakaiba si Manang Celia sa mga bata.

"How are the babies?" John spoke as he stopped on a red light.

"Tulog daw ulit." I replied.

"God, are tests being ran on them now?"

"Their Pedia got stool samples for analysis." I replied. "John, don't wor-" I
wanted to reassure him but he cut me off.

"Manang Celia," I heard him say.

"Bakit po, Sir?" Manang Celia replied, her voice was filled with fear and something
else. She sounded worried. Yun nga lang ay hindi ko alam kung worried sya sa mga
bata o worried sya kasi nahuli sya. "Kumusta po sina Twinkle at Blaze?"

"Wala kang karapatang magkunyaring concerned sa mga anak ko, so please quit it."
John muttered under his breath and Manang Celia started crying again. "Will you
stop crying?!" John yelled banging his hand against the steering wheel. I looked at
him in surprise but said nothing.

He must be very worried. I thought as he expelled a heavy breath. "May pinainom ba

kayo sa mga anak ko?" He questioned. "Sabihin nyo na po ngayon kung ano para
maitawag namin sa doktor dahil kapag may nangyari po sa mga anak ko, magiging
ulilang lubos po yung anak ninyo." John threatened and Manang Celia cried harder.

"Sir..."

"Ano po, Manang?" John repeated.

"Sir, utos po nya kasi painumin ko daw po ng dalawang milliliters na antihistamine

yung mga bata para daw po makatulog." Manang Celia cried and I immediately dialed
Mommy's number.

"Sigurado po ba kayong two milliliters lang po ang ibinigay ninyo?" I asked as I

waited for Mommy to answer my call.

"Opo." She replied.

"Mommy, pinainom daw po ni Manang Celia ng two milliliters na antihistamine yung

mga bata." I said over the phone. Ang hirap magkunyaring kalmado samantalang kanina
pa ako parang mamamatay sa kaba. "Can you please ask their doctor what the side
effects are on infants ingesting two milliliters of antihistamine?" I asked.

Antihistamine. Hindi ba pang-allergy yun? I thought as I heard Mommy speak to the

doctor. I was trembling. Naisip ko na baka magkaroon ng long-term effect sa mga
bata yun o kaya ay baka may mangyari sa kanila. Tsaka pwede ba yun sa mga batang
wala pang three months old? I asked myself and I clenched and unclenched my hands.

"Hello, Princess?"

"Yes, Mommy?" I replied.

"Ang sabi ng doktor, pampaantok daw yun sa mga sanggol. Yun ang side effect nun ang
antukin ang mga bata. Minimal dosage lang daw yung two milliliters and it is not
something that we should be worried about. Still, we need to observe the children."

"Observe? Ibig sabihin po ba, mako-confine po sil-"

"Nasaang ospital sila?" John butted in as he stepped on the gas. I was wearing my
seatbelt but Manang Celia wasn't and she slammed against the back of my seat.
"Shit!" He hit the steering wheel with his fists again.

"John, calm down." I said.

"How can I calm down?" He demanded. "Tell me, how I can calm down!" He snapped.
I've never seem him so angry but instead of being scared, I was filled with a sense
of security. He was just being a father. "Brace yourself, Kitten." He murmured as
he sped up and stepped on the brakes again. I heard a loud yelp as Manang Celia
pitched forward.

Si John ang tipo ng taong ayaw sa gulo, ayaw sa away at ayaw manakit but seeing him
step on the brakes suddenly, I had a feeling that he wanted to kill Manang Celia.
Which wasn't a bad idea but I wasn't one to let her husband waste his life rotting
away in jail for some trash.

"John, it's not a lethal dosage." I calmly told him as I touched his arm. "Walang
mangyayari sa mga bata." I said and he glanced briefly at me.

"Are you certain?" He asked, his voice trembling a little.

"Oo." I said. "Teka, I'll put Mommy on speaker phone." I added and I activated the
speaker function on my phone. "Hello, Mommy?" I spoke.

"Princess, what happened?" Mom queried. "Are you and John okay?"

"Opo." I replied. "Mommy, pwede po bang pakitanong sa pedia nina Blaze at Twinkle
ulit kung anong side effect nung antihistamine ng mga bata? John wants to hear what
their doctor has to say. We're on speaker, 'Mmy para po marinig namin yung usapan
ninyo." I said.

"Sige, I'll do the same." Mom replied before she asked the doctor the question.
"Doc, tinatanong ng mga anak ko kung ano daw ang side effect nung two milliliters
na antihistamine sa mga apo ko? They want to hear the words from you." I heard Mom
said.

"Ang normal na dosage ng antihistamine na liquid sa mga batang 20-25 pounds ang
weight ay nasa 2.5 milliliters o kalahating kutsarita. Kung 2 mL lang naman ay
masasabi nating insignificant yung number na yun. Dalawa ang pwedeng maging epekto
ng antihistamine sa mga bata-pwedeng aantukin sila o pwedeng maging sobrang
hyperactive."

"Doc, I am JFK, the twins' father. Wala naman pong long-term effect yun or anything
that we should be worried about?"

"Wala. As I said, mababa ang dosage kung two milliliters lang."

"Manang, magsabi po kayo nang totoo, talaga po bang two milliliters lang ang
ipinainom ninyo sa anak namin?" My husband asked and Manang Celia nodded.

"Opo. Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling. Ipinagtanong ko naman po iyon sa botika dahil

po ayoko pong mapahamak ang mga bata at ang sabi po nila nasa 2-2.5 milliliters daw
po ang normal dosage sa ganoong edad."

"However, I would still suggest that you observe the children." We heard the doctor
say over the phone. "At kung hindi pa rin bumalik sa dati ang sleeping patterns
nila, dalhin nyo sila ulit dito."

"Pero, Doc sigurado po ba kayong hindi sila kailangang i-confine?" John asked.

"That's not necessary, Sir. Kahit iuwi na ninyo sila, it would be better. Para na
rin po nao-obserbahan ninyo sila sa environment na komportable sila."

"Salamat po." I said.

"Okay na, Princess?" I heard Mom's voice.

"Yes, Mommy." I retorted. "I'm just glad they're okay. Magkita na lang po tayo sa
bahay. I am going to call Dad after our conversation because I have something to
ask him."

"Okay, Princess. Mag-ingat kayo." Mom answered before the call got disconnected. I
called Dad on the phone.

"Yes, Princess?"
"Dad, yung kaibigan inyong taga-NBI, I want to set and appointment with him kasi
gusto kong mag-file ng kaso." Sabi ko at narinig ko ang lakas ng hagulgol ni Manang
Celia.

"Okay, ako na ang kakausap sa kanya. Is Celia with you?"

"Opo."

"I knew it. Kilala kita, hindi ka matatahimik hangga't hindi sya mahuhuli. Good
job, Irina."

"Thanks, Dad. I wanted to know who her accomplices are." I said. Sinadya kong
marinig ni Manang Celia ang usapan namin ni Dad. Gusto syang matakot. Gusto kong
malaman nyang hindi ako basta-bastang magpapatawad. "Ano nga ba, Dad ang parusa sa
attempted kidnapping lalo na't minor ang target at may attempt for extortion? Death
penalty po ba o life imprisonment-"

"Ma'am Ice! Maawa naman po kayo sa akin, Ma'am. May anak po ako sa probinsya! Alam
ko naman pong mali ako pero masama po bang maghangangad ng magandang buhay para po
sa anak ko?" She cried and John and I looked at each other.

"Mag-uusap kami ni Manang Celia, Dad at depende sa sasabihin nya at gagawin nya ang
magiging desisyon ko." I said. Hindi namin sya pwedeng i-detain without her
permission dahil illegal detention yun, Besides John issued a threat although paano
nya naman yun papatunayan sa korte? But I need her to cooperate. Think, Ice! Think!
I thought to myself. "Hello, Dad?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Magkita tayo sa bahay." I said papunta na kami dun.

"Okay. Mag-ingat kayo."

"Kayo rin po." I answered. I turned my phone's video on and discretely recorded
Manag Celia. "John, pakitabi ang sasakyan." I commanded. Tumingin sa akin ang asawa
ko at hindi man ako nagsalita at alam ko nang nagkakaintindihan kami. "Pwede na po
kayong bumaba, Manang." I said and she look stunned.

"Po?"

"You're free to leave." I said.

"Ma'am Ice," I heard her sob. "Ma'am Ice sorry po dun sa ginawa ko." She pleaded.
Alam kong naalala nya yung sinabi ko kay habang kausap ko sa telepono si Daddy
kanina. Alam ko ring takot syang makulong. Ang dali nyang paikutin. I thought to
myself. No wonder they were able to use her.

"Manang, ayoko pong pilitin kayong sumama sa amin. Tulad po ng sinabi ko, susundin
ko po ang batas-"

"Ma'am Ice, kasalanan ko naman po! Sasama po ako sa inyo kasi gusto ko pong
ipaliwanag kung bakit po nagkaganito. Bigyan nyo naman po ako ng pagkakataon!
Humihingi po ako ng tawad, Ma'am Ice, Sir Fire, maawa na po kayo! Sasama po ako sa
inyo nang kusa..." She wept.

I turned the video recorder off and made sure that the volume was low before I
played the video. Gusto ko lang siguraduhing nai-video ko nang maayos ang sinabi
nya kanina.
"Sino po ba ang nag-utos sa inyo?" I asked and she stopped crying.

"Ma'am Ice..."

"Sino?" I asked again.

"Si Ma'am Zeny po." She replied and although I expected her reply, I still wasn't
ready for the surge of hatred that I felt when I heard that woman's name.

"Hindi ba ang sabi ninyo ay gagawin nyo lahat para hindi lang makulong?" I asked.

"Opo!" She eagerly replied.

"Magpasalamat kayo mabait ako." I answered as a plan formed inside my head.

####################################
Chapter 33: Fire
####################################

Hindi pa ako nakaramdam nang matinding galit. Pero iba pala kapag anak na ang
pinag-uusapan. I felt responsible for what happened. I thought that something must
be wrong with my paternal instincts if I wasn't able to sense that something wrong
was about to happen to them. I heard stories from Mom regarding how she knew that I
was sick or how she sensed that something wasn't right with me when I was younger.
At nagtataka ako bakit hindi ko man lang yun naramdaman sa mga bata. Hindi ba't
dapat may sixth sense ako pagdating sa pamilya ko? Ano bang mali sa akin?

"John..." I briefly glanced at my wife when she called my name. Mabuti pa sya, alam
nya kaagad na nasa panganib yung kambal. Samantalang ako? I sighed again.

"Kanina ka pa buntong-hininga nang buntong hininga dyan." She said wrapping her
arms around my waist. Nakauwi na kami sa bahay kasama ang mga magulang namin. It
was all part of pretending that everything was perfect-kailangang nasa bahay kami
or else magtataka daw si Zeny. "The children are safe." She repeated for the nth
time and I looked at my twins sleeping peacefully on top of our bed.

"Bakit hindi ko yun naramdaman, Kitten?"

"Ang alin?"

"That they were in danger? I feel guilty because I should have intuited that
something wasn't right. Pero hindi man lang ako kinabahan noong papunta pa lang
tayong school. Ang kampante ko kanina. Hindi ba dapat nakaramdam man lang ako nang
pagkabahala?"
"Ano ka ba, you're beating yourself over something that's beyond your control. Ako
rin ba nagdalawang-isip pumasok kanina?"

"Oo." I readily replied. "Ayaw mo silang iwanan kanina but my Mom was able to
change your mind. Naging okay ka lang naman na aalis tayo ng bahay noong paulit-
ulit na sinabi ni Mommy na sya na mismo ang magbabantay sa mga apo nya."

"Dahil may nangyari noong madaling araw. Sa tingin mo ba kung hindi pumasok si
Manang Celia sa kwarto ay makakaramdam pa rin ako ng duda?"

"Oo."

"John, ano ka ba naman. Importante pa ba yun? Safe ang mga bata. Nandito sila
kasama natin. Yun ang mahalaga."

"But I couldn't help blaming myself-"

"Puppy, come on. Please, snap out of it. Hindi makakatulong na ganyan ang iniisip
mo. I understand how emotional we all have gotten because of what happened but you
have to kill that emotion now. Kailangan nating mag-isip."

"Sorry." I mumbled as I massaged my temple with my right hand. "Sorry. Dapat ako
ang matatag sa ating dalawa dahil ako ang padre de pamilya."

"Are we in the middle ages? Bakit ganyan kang mag-isip? I got through today because
of your support. Kung hindi kita kasama siguro wala rin akong nagawa. Malakas lang
naman ang loob ko kasi alam kong katabi kita."

"Kitten, alam kong may halong bola na yan pero ang sarap pakinggan." I couldn't
help smiling and she tiptoed to give me a kiss. "Sorry if I'm acting like an idiot.
Nagi-guilty kasi ako sa nangyari sa mga bata at hindi ko maitago."

"I feel guilty too. I should have trusted my instincts but I am happy that the
children are here and they're safe. At hindi kita binobola, hindi ko naman dini-
deny na in love na in love ako sayo, di ba?"

"Yan tayo eh. Sabi ko hindi muna susundan ang kambal pero parang mahirap." I said
and she smiled.

"Do you feel better now? Kung alam ko lang na landi lang pala ang katapat nang
takot mo eh di sana naghubad na ako kaagad." She uttered and I chuckled before I
hugged her tightly. "When I searched the internet about problems that are faced by
young couples, abot-abot ang pasasalamat ko kasi parang kahit isa dun wala tayong
issue-wala tayong problema sa pera because we have our parents' support; wala rin
tayong problema sa oras because we move in the same circle and we have the same set
of friends; kung intimacy naman ang pag-uusapan, we're always satisfied-wag ka
ngang tumawa, Puppy, ano ba yan."

"Glad to be of service, Mrs. Zamora." I whispered against the top of her head.
"Would you believe, I searched the internet, too, for the same reason? Gusto kong
malaman at mapaghandaan kung ano man yung pwede nating kaharapin. And I was so
relieved when I saw that out of those five common marital problems, parang di tayo
sasabit."

"Nag-search pa talaga tayo at di na lang natin tinanong ang mga parents natin." She
answered as she lifted her face towards mine. I bent down and gave her a kiss.

"Anong plano, Kitten?" I asked. "Kasi kung ako lang ang masusunod, gusto ko nang
ipakulong si Manang Celia agad-agad. Wala akong tiwala sa kanya. What assurance do
we have na gagawin nya kung ano man ang sasabihin nyang gagawin nya para tulungan
tayo? Traydor ang babaeng yun at pwedeng-pwede nya tayong saksakin sa likod."

"Naisip ko rin yan but how do we catch that...that...woman kung hindi natin
gagamitin si Manang Celia? God, I'm so mad at her, I can't even say her name!"

"Hindi pa ba enough yung confession ni Manang Celia para idiin sila?"

"Puppy, sa batas, ebidensya ang kailangan. Always facts backed by proof. Kahit
naman anong pag-iiyak ang sabihin ni Manang Celia ay hindi naman nya mapapatunayan
na magkakilala sila nung pinsan kong yun at nag-uusap sila. Baka nga baliktarin pa
tayo, mamaya ang sabihin nya ay pini-frame-up lang natin sya. Gusto kong minsanan
lang ito, ayoko nang patagalin kasi hindi ako matatahimik hangga't hindi nakakulong
ang babaeng yun."

"Okay, I'm all ears." I said and listened attentively as she started telling me her
plans.

Our parents didn't leave. Kahit si Ingrid at Aleph ay nasa bahay din. Hindi alam ng
mga bata kung ano ang nangyayari pero ramdam kong naiintindihan nila kahit hindi
naman sila nagtanong. Agad silang umakyat sa nursery noong nakita nila kaming
pababa ng hagdan.

"Nasa nursery po ba sina Blaze at Twinkle, Ate?" Ingrid asked.

"Oo, natutulog." My wife answered.

"Kami na lang po ang magbabantay sa kambal." Ingrid volunteered and Irina and I
smiled gratefully at them.

Part of Irina's plan was to live our lives as if nothing happened. Kaya hindi alam
sa bahay namin na may ganung kaganapan kasi ayaw ni Irina ipaalam. According to
her, paano na lang daw kung may back-up plan si Zeny at hindi lang pala si Manang
Celia ang kausap nya kundi may iba pa?

"Puppy, wag kang kabahan. Our landline phones are tapped. Hindi ba ganun ang ginawa
kanina ng mga kaibigan ni Daddy kaya sila nagpaiwan dito sa bahay?" She asked. One
of my father-in-law's friends pretended to be a technician from a telephone company
and conducted inspections. "Pati yung telepono ni Manang Celia ay ganun rin kaya
alam at rinig ng mga kaibigan ni Daddy kung sinu-sino ang nakakausap nya." My wife
said.

Magaling si Zeny dahil hindi nya sinabi ang number nya kay Manang Celia. Ang sabi
nya ay iba't ibang number daw ang ginagamit ni Zeny kapag kino-contact sya kaya
wala syang choice kundi hintayin lang ang tawag ng babaeng yun. Which somehow
worked to our advantage kasi naloko namin si Manang Celia na si Zeny ang kausap nya
kanina.

"I know." I tried to smile at her pero hindi ko magawa. Ayokong pumasok kinabukasan
at gusto kong maglagi lang sa bahay. Kahit nandito ang mga magulang namin,
pakiramdam ko ay kahit nasa klase ako, ang mga bata pa rin ang iisipin ko. "Bakit
kaya hindi pa sya tumatawag? Is it possible na nahalata nya? Hindi ba dapat dinala
na ni Manang Celia ang mga bata-" I stopped talking. Iniisip ko pa lang na nakuha
nila ang mga anak ko ay naghalong kaba at takot na ang nararamdaman ko.

It was almost nine in the evening and we were still waiting for Zeny's call. Almost
10 PM na nung tumawag si Zeny at agad-agad kaming sinenyasan ni Dad para pumunta sa
kwarto kung nasaan nandun ang tatlong kaibigan ng father-in-law ko na taga-NBI.
Both our fathers were quiet as one of my father-in-law's friends gave Manang Celia
instructions.

"Ang sabihin mo may sakit ang mga bata kaya hindi kayo lumabas kanina. Sabihin mo
kaagad na nandito ang mga magulang at ilang kamag-anak kasi nag-aalala sa mga
bata."

"Opo." Tumango si Manang Celia. Someone handed us headsets and Irina and I put them
on.

"Makikinig lang po tayo, wala pong magsasalita. Hindi namin usually pinapayagan ang
pamilyang makinig sa ganitong usapan pero nakiusap ang Daddy ninyo. Tahimik lang po
tayo, okay?" He said and we nodded.

"Hello?" We held our breaths as Manang Celia answered the phone.

"Ang tagal mo namang sagutin ang tawag ko! Manang, nasaan ang mga bata? Akala ko ba
magkikita tayo sa 7-11 kaninang alas singko para ibigay ninyo sa akin ang mga
bata?!"

I fisted my fists when I heard Zeny's voice. Lahat yata ng dugo ko sa katawan ay
umakyat sa ulo ko at pakiramdam ko ay sasabog na ako sa galit.

"Hello, Ma'am Zeny?" Sagot naman ni Manang Celia. One of the NBI officers was
coaching Manang Celia by writing on a small whiteboard the things that she needed
to say or ask.

"Oo, ako nga! Ako ka ba naman ang slow mo! Hindi pwede yang ganyang papatay-patay
sa Canada! Ano nang nangyari sayo? Nasaan ang mga bata? Aba, ilang oras na kaming
naghihintay dito ah!"

Kami? Ibig sabihin ba ay kasama nya si Kenneth? I thought to myself. Ayoko sanang
magalit sa kaibigan naming yun dahil pakiramdam ko ay biktima lang din sya ni Zeny.
Pero naisip ko rin, matalino si Ken at may sarili syang pag-iisip at walang excuse
yung mga actions nila.

"Nagka-aberya po kasi, Ma'am Zeny at hindi kami nakaalis kasi nagkasakit yung isa
sa mga kambal." Manang Celia replied.

"Eh ano naman kung may sakit? Ikaw ba ang nagkasakit at hindi ka makalabas ng
bahay?! Manang naman, ang laki na nga ng itutulong ko sa inyo eh pero kayo pa itong
nagpapa-presyo! Isipin nyo naman yun anak nyo! Mabubuhay nyo ba yun sa pamamasukan
lang bilang Yaya dyan? At least kapag nasa Canada na kayo ay Canadian Dollar ang
sasahurin ninyo at di hamak na mas malaki naman yun kesa kakarampot na pinapasahod
sa inyo ng mga yan!"

Lalo akong naasar kay Manang Celia kasi kung tutuusin ay ang laki ng sahod nya. We
treat our house helps as family at dahil nga pamilya ang turing namin sa kanila ay
sinisigurado naming well-compensated sila. Kahit ang pamilya nina Irina ay ganun
din ang paniniwala.
Manang Celia looked at what one of the officers wrote on the white board before
nodding in understanding. "Kung gusto po ninyo ay mayamaya po tayo magkita.
Hihintayin ko lang pong tulog ang mga tao dito. Dahil nga may sakit ang isa sa mga
kambal ay nandito ang mga magulang nina Sir Fire at Ma'am Ice at ibang kamag-anak
ni Ma'am Isabel galing sa ibang bansa."

"Pakialam ko ba sa mga yan! Interesado lang ako sa mga bata!"

"Pasensya na po..."

"Puro pasensya! Fine! Saan tayo magkikita?! Nilalamok na ako dito sa labas ng 7-11
at gutom na gutom na ako!"

The officer wrote something on the whiteboard again. "Ihahatid ko na lang po ang
mga bata sa inyo, Ma'am? Para po hindi na po hassle sa inyo."

"Bakit kailangan mong ihatid sa apartment ko?" Apartment? Akala ko ba naka-condo

itong mga to? I thought to myself.

"Para po makapagpahinga naman po kayo kasi, hindi po ba, ang sabi po ninyo kanina
pa po kayo dyan? Ayoko lang pong baka magalit po kayo sa akin at baka hindi nyo na
po ituloy ang pinag-usapan natin."

"Oh em gee, ang desperado mo talaga! Ang hirap talagang maging hampaslupa! Kaya ako
gagawin ko ang lahat magkapera lang!" Zeny laughed and the officers gave Manang
Celia a thumb-up sign before he wrote something on the white board again.

Hingin mo ang address nya at magpaalam ka na. It said.

"Pwede ko po bang malaman kung ano pong balak ninyong gawin sa mga bata?" Manang
Celia asked instead at nagulat kaming dalawa ni Irina sa tinanong nya. Pati yung
mga taga-NBI ay halatang nagulat din.

"Bakit ko naman sasabihin sayo? Ano ako? Tanga? Mamaya magbago ang isip ninyo at
hindi nyo na ibigay ang mga bata. Oh, well sabagay wala naman kayong utak at
connections tulad ko."

"Ipapaampon nyo po ba sila?" Manang Celia questioned. Papaalagaan nya sa iba ang
mga anak ko?! I furiously thought but what she said next made my insides melt.

"Ano ka ba, walang pera dun, ano! Sus magkano lang ang makukuha mo. May kilala kong
naghahanap ng healthy parts ng mga sanggol-"

I wasn't able to hear the rest of what she said because I took the headset off and
I ran out of the room. I headed straight to the bathroom adjacent to the dining
area. I felt violently ill and I retched, kneeling in front of the toilet bowl. I
was scared all over again for the children. Paano kung hindi naisip ni Irina na may
kakaiba kay Manang Celia? Paano kung nadala nya kay Zeny ang mga bata? I leaned
forward to heave again.

"John..." Irina knelt behind me as she ran my hand up and down my back.

"Mapapatay ko sya, Kitten." I murmured. "Hindi ko sya mapapatawad. Papatayin ko

yung babaeng yun." I clenched my fists.

"Don't worry, I'll help you do it." My wife replied and I turned my head to look at
her. Had Zeny seen how angry Irina looked, she would have been scared.
####################################
Chapter 34: Fire
####################################

I had experienced fear. A fear so intense, I thought I was going to die. I still
got nightmares about the time I heard the Vital Signs Monitor's continuous beep
when Irina flatlined. Ayoko na yung marinig ulit. At hindi ko aakalaing hindi lang
pala yun ang kakatakutan ko, mas nakakatakot ang boses ng isang taong wala man lang
sense of remorse habang sinasabi nyang ibibenta nya ang mga parte ng anak mo.
Nakakatakot at nakakagigil.

"Papatayin ko sya. Pagpipira-pirasuhin ko sya." Irina's voice was filled with anger
as the automatic flush control of the toilet activated. "Bwisit na babae yun, how
dare she even think about harming my children?"

"Hindi ko kayang pakinggan yung usapan, Kitten. Narinig at napansin nya kayang
tinanggal ko ang headset? Napalakas yata-"

"Don't worry about those things. Natural yung reaction mo. If she heard it, we'll
take it from there pero wag mo nang sisihin ang sarili mo. You're a great a husband
and an even greater Dad, John."

"Salamat." I replied quietly.

"Are you okay, son?" I heard my father's voice and my wife and I both looked up to
find my father's worry-filled face. We did not even hear him open the door to the
bathroom.

Kung tutuusin lahat kami apektado pero marami pa talaga akong kakaining bigas dahil
yung mga Daddy namin ni Irina ay hindi mo makakakitaan ng pagkabalisa at pagkatakot
tulad ng ipinapakita ko. Siguro, in time, I will be able to control my emotions
just like them, pero, sa ngayon, hindi ko naitatago ang mga nararamdaman ko.

"Yes, Dad." I replied weakly as he and my wife helped me up. "Pasensya na po at

nag-alala po kayo." I added and he patted my back consolingly. I gave him a weak
smile as we stepped out of the bathroom.

"Wag na tayong makinig kasi kahit ako man, hindi kinakaya ng sikmura. Pasensya na,
Ice, alam kong kamag-anak mo ang involved dito pero demonyo talaga ang tingin ko sa
babaeng iyon."

"Okay lang po, Dad." My wife replied. "Demonyo din po ang tingin ko sa kanya."

Hindi na kami bumalik sa kwarto kung saan nagaganap ang monitored pag-uusap nina
Manang Celia at Zeny. Natatakot kasi akong baka mabuliyaso pa ang mga plano dahil
hindi ko mapigilang murahin ang babaeng yun. Nagpunta kami sa family room sa taas
at doon namin nadatnan ang Mommy ko at si Mommy Isabel na nag-uusap. Agad silang
tumayo noong pumasok kami.
"How was it? Do they know where they find her?" My mother asked. She wasn't her
usual happy and perky self and she looked pale without her make-up on. Sa
kakamadali daw kasi nila ay hindi na sya nakapag-ayos ng sarili. "I just learned na
yung yaya nyo lang pala ang tumawag sa bahay para sabihing may gas leak doon. How
did she even know our number?"

"Mommy, pasensya na po," Irina answered. "Yung mga landline numbers po kasi ng
Samonte at Zamora ay nakasulat po at nakadikit sa receiver ng telepono namin. May
instructions po kasi ako na kapag may emergency, maliban sa amin ay kayo po nina
Mommy ang tawagan."

"Naku, iha, you don't have to apologize. Naiintindihan ko. Hindi naman natin
inakalang lahat na gagamitin ni Celia sa masamang paraan iyon. At tama lang na
meron kayong listahan ng numero ng inyong mga pamilya."

"Princess, ano ang sabi ni Dad? Kumusta na ba ang investigation?"

"They're listening to her conversation with Manag Celia right now, Mommy." Irina
replied.

"What a terrible, terrible thing to do. Pati iyong mga bata ay idadamay sa kanyang
kabaliwan? I heard she was the same girl who sent JFK nude photos. Hindi na normal
ang babaeng yan at dapat na yatang ipasok sa mental hospital para mabigyan ng
medical attention." My mom said. "What's wrong, son?" She asked noticing that I
wasn't saying anything. Hindi pa rin kasi mawala sa utak ko ang mga narinig kong
sinabi ni Zeny.

"Wala po, I'm just worried." I answered and felt Irina squeeze my hand.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun ako, yung mga bagay na alam ko namang hindi
ikakasiya ng ibang tao ay kinikimkim ko. I didn't want to worry our mothers by
telling them about what Zeny planned to do with the children. But Irina had a
different view; she said that honesty is the key to a long-lasting relationship.
Ang sabi nya kahit gaano kasama ang balita ay dapat malaman ng mga dapat
makakaalam.

"We heard something terrible..." She started to say as our mother's gazes shifted
automatically to her. "But let's sit down first." She invited and the four of us
sat down.

"Ano yun, Princess?"

"Something terrible, iha?"

"From that telephone conversation, we heard that...that woman...planned to sell the

twin's organs-"

"WHAT?!" That was the first time I heard Mommy Isabel raise her voice. She looked
aghast and she repeatedly opened and closed her mouth as if she didn't know which
words to use to express her disgust.

"She was going to do what to my grandchildren...?" My Mom couldn't seem to believe

what she heard.

Irina explained in detail the conversation between Manang Celia and Zeny and our
mothers were very quiet after they heard everything.

"Hindi ako papayag na i-deport lang ang babaeng yan." Mommy Isabel said. "Anong
klaseng tao ang makakaisip nang ganun? Dapat dito sa pamangkin ni Ireneo ay i-
firing squad."

"I couldn't help but agree with you. What a dreadful person. Hindi ugaling
manghusga ng kapwa pero itong babaeng ito...no words will ever suffice to describe
just how rotten she is! Tingnan nga natin ang mga bata! Baka naman may sa-demonyo
ang babaeng iyon at nakapasok na pala sya dito nang hindi man lang natin
namalayan." Mom immediately rose to her feet and we all followed her out.

When we opened the nursery, Ingrid and Aleph both looked up from the books that
they were reading. "Bakit po? Tulog na po ang mga babies." Ingrid answered before
she hid a yawn behind her hand.

"Matulog na kayo, Ingrid. May pasok pa kayo ni Aleph bukas."

"Dito naman po kami manggagaling papuntang school, Ate at dinala po namin yung mga
gamit namin." She replied.

"Pero matulog na kayo."

"Dito na po kami tutulog." Aleph said. "Sa kama po si Ingrid, sa sahig po ako.
Meron naman pong futon at carpeted naman po ang sahig kaya hindi po malamig."

"Salamat. I-lock nyo itong pinto, yung connecting door naman papunta sa kwarto
namin, just leave it open." Irina instructed before she turned to our mothers.
"Mommy, doon na po kayo matulog sa kwarto namin ni John. Kayo po Mommy Elaine, sa
katabing room po kayo ni Daddy Julio, ipainaayos ko na po yun kanina sa isa sa mga
kasambahay at ipinaakyat ko na rin po ang mga gamit ninyo sa sasakyan."

"Okay, iha, no problem." My Mom replied.

"Paano kayo, saan kayo tutulog?" My mother-in-law sounded concerned.

"Sasama po kami kina Dad, Ang sabi po kasi kanina, imi-meet ni Manang Celia yung
babaeng yun ngayon." Irina answered.

Nasa loob kami ng itim na Ford van ng in-laws ko. Halata kaming kabado ni Irina-ako
tikhim nang tikhim kasi parang ang kati ng lalamunan ko bigla at ang asawa ko naman
ay tahimik lang pero mahigpit syang nakahawak sa kamay ko. We left the house two
hours before Manang Celia's scheduled visit to Zeny's apartment. Dahil ang
napagkasunduan ay alas dos nang madaling araw sila magkikita, hindi na ma-traffic
ang mga kalye. Pero may mga nauna na sa amin sa lugar at patuloy na nakikipag-
coordinate si Daddy Ireneo sa kanila to get updates.

"Okay ka lang, Kitten?" I whispered against my wife's hair. She was leaning against
me and one of my arms was draped around her shoulders.

"Oo." She replied. Alam naming dalawa na hindi kami parehong okay. The verbal
exchange was our way of reassuring each other that we're still in this together.
"Pero parang may hindi tayo naisip, John...I have a feeling na may kulang...the
puzzle doesn't fit together."

"Ano yun?"

"Hindi ko alam...gut-feel lang as soon as we left home. Pero, baka kabado lang
ako."

"Kanina pa rin ako kinakabahan, sana walang hindi magandang mangyari."

"Wala. I'm sure of it." Irina smiled at me squeezing my hand.

It was as if something in me changed when I heard what Zeny planned to do with the
kids. Ang akala ko kasi dati, sobrang ganda ng buhay, walang problema at lahat ng
taong nasa paligid namin ay walang ibang hangad kundi ang success at happiness ng
aming pamilya. What I heard from Zeny catapulted me into the reality that not
everyone has your family's best interest at heart-merong ibang naiinggit, merong
ibang gusto kaming saktan at merong ibang matutuwa kapag may mangyayaring hindi
maganda sa amin, sa pagsasama namin at sa mga bata.

The thought was scary but it made me rethink about my position as a husband and the
head of our family-I had to be more vigilant, I had to be more protective and I had
to stand on my own feet to take care of what's precious. Hindi na nga kami bata.
Ito na yun. Ito ang pag-aasawa. But I wouldn't exchange being married to my wife
and being a father to my children even if it meant that half of my heart quakes in
fear and worry about the future. I would willingly go through the same thing
because they're worth it.

"Pagdating po natin sa lugar ay hindi po kayo pwedeng bumaba, ano po?" Nagsalita
ang agent ng NBI na kasama namin sa van. Ilang beses na nyang inulit-ulit ang mga
salitang iyon. Hindi ko alam kung ginagawa ba nya yun para kay Irina o para sa
akin. He must have been worried about my wife's murderous countenance and the fact
that I was very supportive of her feelings. Galit na galit din kasi ako kaya hindi
ko sya makuhang pakalmahin. I thought that whatever Irina was going to do to Zeny,
that hag deserved it.

"Naiintindihan po namin." I responded.

Hindi kami dapat sasama dahil ayaw ni Dad. Ang sabi nya ay mas mabuting kasama
namin ang mga bata pero ayokong pumayag at lalong ayaw pumayag ng asawa ko. We both
wanted to witness Zeny's downfall.

"Hindi po kayo lalabas ng sasakyan at wala rin po kayong gagawin, Sir at Ma'am."
Sabi ulit ng agent at tumango kami ni Irina. "Kahit po nahuli na po namin sya ay
hindi po kayo pwedeng bumaba. Tsaka lang po kayo bababa kapag po nai-secure na
namin ang premises. Mahirap na po baka po may kasama po itong target po natin.

Somehow, my father-in-law was able to connect Zeny with a big-time syndicate that
sold children's organs. Hindi namin narinig ang pag-uusap nilang iyon ng mga
kaibigan nya sa NBI, ang narinig ko lang ay nakapasok daw sa Pilipinas ang
sindikatong iyon at minamanmanan ngayon authorities. Pero totoo man o hindi na
miyembro o may kakilala sya sa sindikatong iyon ay wala na akong pakialam-her plan
was devious and plain evil and she deserved to rot in hell.

"Malayo pa po ba?" Narinig kong nagsalita ang asawa ko. Ang Daddy lang ni Irina ang
sumama. My father had wanted to come but my father-in-law managed to convince him
that the women needed his protection. May dumating na dagdag na security personnel
sa bahay pero ang gusto ni Dad Ireneo at nandun pa rin ang Daddy ko.

"Malapit na po, Ma'am. Siguro po in twenty minutes ay nandun na po tayo." Sagot

naman ng taga-NBI.

"Rolly, briefed naman si Celia, hindi ba, kung anong gagawin?"

"Opo, Attorney, pero minsan po kasi, may mga cases na nagbabago po ang isip nila.
Meron nga kaming isang operation na yung bait namin mismo ang nagbigay ng warning
tungkol sa operation kaya po nagkagulo pa."

"Hindi magbabago ang isip nun." Irina sounded confident.

"Paano nyo po nasabi, Ma'am?"

"Alam nyang di ako marunong magpatawad at wala syang ibang tatakbuhan."

"Kamag-anak nyo po yun, di ba, Attorney."

"Oo, malayong kamag-anak. Pati yan si Zeny ay pamangkin ko."

"Naku, uso po yang mga kamag-anak na sila pa mismo ang magpaplano ng krimen.
Nakakalungkot nga po na wala ka nang mapagkakatiwalaan ngayon." Sagot ng NBI agent
na noon ko lang nalamang Rolly pala ang pangalan.

Dumating kami sa location at bumalik na naman ang kaba ko. Yung kaba ko at galit.
Nasa isang taxi si Manang Celia na minamaneho din ng isang taga-NBI.

"Teka lang." Irina suddenly spoke and I was alerted how her demeanor changed.

"Why, Princess?" My father-in-law asked. "What's the matter?"

"Kailangan kong kausapin si Manang Celia!"

"Tungkol saan?"

"Saglit lang po, Daddy." My wife said as she dialled Manang Celia's number.
"Manang," I heard her say over the phone. "May tanong po ako sa inyo, saglit lang
po." She activated her phone's speaker function so we all could hear it.

"Okay po, Ma'am Ice."

"Ayan po, naririnig nyo po ba ako?"

"Opo."

"Manang, nung gabing pumasok po kayo sa kwarto? Kayo po na ang naglagay ng

pampatulog sa pagkain at inumin sa bahay?"

"Po?"

"Noong gabing yun, hindi ko magising ang asawa ko at himbing na himbing ang lahat
ng tao, I had a feeling na may naglagay ng pampatulog sa pagkain. Kayo po ba yun?"

"Po? Hindi po ako yun." Manang Celia answered and Irina looked at me with fear in
her eyes. I immediately dialled my father's number but no one answered the call.
####################################
Chapter 35: Fire
####################################

I was so scared, worried and angry that I felt like I would lose my mind. I wasn't
as calm or as collected as my wife at kahit anong pilit ko ay nangibabaw talaga ang
emosyon sa akin. Alam kong hindi dapat. Alam kong sa aming dalawa ni Irina ay ako
dapat ang matatag, ako dapat ang nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob sa kanya at ako dapat
ang kalmado pero parang ako yung nawawala sa sarili sa takot. Walang ibang
tumatakbo sa isip ko kundi baka may mangyari sa mga anak ko.

"Kitten, we should go back." I told Irina. I hated how my voice shook with fear. I
hated that I was so helpless. I hated the thought that I wasn't able to protect my
family. "Kitten..." I called and my wife closed her eyes as if she was in deep
thought. I was surprised with what she said next.

"I could just be imagining things." She sighed. "Pakiramdam ko naman walang gumawa
nun. You fell asleep immediately because you were so tired. Sabi din sa akin ni
Mommy Elaine na nagising naman daw sila in the middle of the night."

"What?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"But I insist! Kailangan nating umuwi-"

"John..."

"Irina, come on. Please. I am worried sick."

"John, dapat dito lang tayo. Napraning lang yata ako. Ang mga bata kasi, masyado
akong nag-aalala." She added as my father-in-law frowned.

"Ano pong ibig ninyong sabihin?" Rolly, the NBI agent, asked and Irina suddenly
burst into tears. Sobra akong nagugulat sa inaasta nya dahil kilala ko ang asawa ko
at hindi sya iyakin. Hindi rin sya ang tipo ng taong iiyak sa harap ng iba.

"Kitten, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly when my wife's cries gained volume.
"Irina, ano yun?" I wrapped my arms around her as she wailed loudly.

"I don't know. I am such an emotional mess. Hindi ko kaya ang mga nangyayari, I
don't think I can-"

"Ma'am, hindi po pwede yan baka po mabulilyaso itong operation natin." Rolly said.

"Kitten, calm down, please. Sorry if I upset you. Sige, dito lang tayo if that's
what you want." I said but she cried louder.

"Ma'am, kalma po-"

"I can't!" She yelled.

"Princess, you need to calm down. Stop crying."

"Daddy, I'm sorry." Irina hiccuped. "I'm trying but I just

can't....Daddy...please...help me." She turned to my father-in-law who stared at
her for a long time before sighing.

"Rolly, kailangan ko yatang dalhin sa ospital itong anak ko. I think she's
emotionally traumatized because of what happened."

"Mas mabuti nga po, Attorney. Ang tingin ko po ay kailangan po ni Ma'am magpahinga.
Hindi bale, ako na pong bahala dito at tatawagan ko po kayo kapag okay na ang
operasyon. In an hour pa naman po ang usapang pagkikita ng asset natin at ng
suspect."

"Okay, maraming salamat, Rolly. I think my daughter needs medication to calm down.
Kapag okay na sya ay babalik kami dito."

"Hindi na po kailangan. Pero kung gusto nyo po ay pwedeng-pwede ko po kayong

samahan sa ospital."

"Naku, hindi na. I don't want to burden you with this. I shouldn't have insisted na
sumama pa itong mag-asawa. Pasensya na at nakakaabala kami."

"Okay po. Sigurado po ba kayong ayaw ninyong samahan ko kayo?"

"Naku, Rolly this is over and beyond your duties. Nagpapasalamat ang pamilya ko
nang malaki sa tulong na ibinibigay mo. O, sige mauna na kami. Where should we drop
you off?"

"Naku, hindi na po kailangan at mukhang kailangan nyo na pong umalis kaagad.

Nagkaka-nervous breakdown yata si Ma'am." Rolly said as Irina continued to cry.
Bumaba sya sa sasakyan and as soon as he was out of the vehicle, my wife stopped
crying.

"Princess, bakit naman wala kang tiwala doon? he is a friend of mine."

"Hindi sa walang tiwala, Dad pero natatakot lang ako. Besides, how could they not
even investigate that angle. Sinabi ko yun sa kanila. Ako pa ang makakaalala?
Sabihin na nating madalian kaya hindi nila napansin, pero hindi ba second nature na
nila dapat na kapag may marinig lang silang out of the ordinary ay titingnan nila
yung possibilities ng sitwasyong yun."

"Pahapyaw mo lang kasi na-mention. We were too focused on finally catching Zeny.
May mga bagay tayong nadisregard. I should have sensed it, too. I'm sorry."

"Let's stop apologizing as if we're sure that something is going to happen to my

children. Walang mangyayaring masama sa mga anak ko!"

"I know. Oo, walang mangyayari sa kanila." I said seeing the determined set of her
jaw. "They're fine." I added and my wife nodded in agreement before she sighed.

"Hindi ko alam kung sino ang pagkakatiwalaan." She said as Dad made a u-turn. "Ang
hirap na hindi natin alam kung kanino magtitwala. We couldn't even call our
househelps' cellphone numbers dahil baka ang matawagan natin ang yung kakuntsaba ng
demonyong yun! Hindi talaga sumasagot si Mommy pati si Ingrid at Aleph! God!"

"Kitten..."

"Paano humantong sa ganito? We were okay. How could our lives be shaken by that
piece of trash! Did we really not see this coming?"

"Alam nating gaganti sya pero hindi natin inasahang pati yung mga bata ay idadamay
nya. Stop blaming yourself, Irina. Please. I want you to focus. I want you to think
of a solution. I want you brave."

"I am brave." My wife replied. "Sa tingin mo ay matatakot ako ng bwisit na babaeng
yun? Pero ang mga anak ko, anong laban nila?"

"Hush, pauwi na tayo." I said. We hugged each other briefly before we tried calling
our family again.

"Kumusta? wala ring sayo?" Irina asked nearly ten minutes later and I shook my
head.

"Walang sumasagot."

"I am tempted to call our landline number but I am scared na baka ang gising na
lang ay yung culprit. Baka lumala pa ang sitwasyon."

"Who could this be?" Dad asked. "How could Zeny afford another accomplice at bakit
sila pumapayag? They are well-compensated. Bakit naman nila kayo tatraydurin?"

"Hindi natin alam ang rason, Dad." Irina replied as I tried to contact my parents'
number. "Iniisip ko na may access sa pagkain itong gumawa nito. Dahil paano nya
nailalagay ang mga pampatulog? Pero naisip ko rin na isa sa security kasi paano
naman nakakalabas-masok sa bahay considering how tight the security is?" Irina
answered before she groaned in frustration."Argh!"

"Bakit, Kitten?"

"I should have sensed that something wasn't right! Bakit hindi ko nahalata kanina
noong hikab nang hikab si Ingrid? It was still too early at alam kong sanay sa
puyat yung batang yun! Dapat nung kinabahan na ako ay di na tayo umalis! I am so
frustrated with myself!"

"Hindi mo rin naisip because our mind was somewhere else." I tried to reassure her.

I was overflowing with trepidation. Ayokong isiping may hindi magandang pwedeng
mangyari sa kambal. Inisip ko na lang na baka nasa banyo ang mga magulang ko, baka
nanunuod ng TV si Ingrid at Alep at baka nakatulog si Mommy Isabel. But the more I
made excuses, the more scared I became. Malabong hindi dala-dala ng mga magulang ko
ang mga telepono nila kahit sana sila magpunta. Alam nilang may emergency and I was
sure that they were awaiting for news from us. Kahit sina Ingrid at Aleph at
lalong-lalo na si Mommy Isabel ay alam kong hindi mapapalagay given the situation.

"Dad, can't we go faster?" Irina voice pulled me out of my grim thoughts.

"Please..."

"We're at two hundred, Princess." My father-in-law answered.

Ramdam kong mabilis ang takbo ng kotse pero, tulad ng sinabi ng asawa ko, ay mas
gusto ko pang pabilisan. Hindi man lang pumasok sa isipan kong kapag kami
nadisgrasya ay mawawalan ng magulang at Lolo ang mga kambal.

"Ingrid, come on!" Irina whispered. "Answer the phone!" She was starting to tremble
and I put my arms around her. "Baka hindi natin sila maabutan." She voiced what I
was scared to even think about.

"Walang mangyayari sa kanila." I whispered to myself.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang traffic rules na binali ng father-in-law ko, ang mahalaga
sa akin ay makarating kami sa bahay kaagad. Kung kaya ko lang lumipad papunta sa
mga anak ko ay ginawa ko na. Kung kaya ko lang pagpalitin ang sitwasyon para ako na
lang ang saktan ni Zeny at wag na ang mga bata ay ginawa ko.

I never liked feeling helpless. Irina, despite how smart and confident she was, had
a way of making me feel needed. Kaya ayokong kapag kailangan nya ako ay hindi ko
sya mabigyan ng suporta. Tulad ngayon.

"They'll be fine." My wife stated confidently. "My children will be fine. Walang
mangyayari sa kanilang masama." She added. "Let's have faith, John-" She stopped
talking because her phone started ringing. She burst into tears when she saw who
was calling. She swiped her screen and activated her phone's speaker function.

"Ate Ice!" Parang bumubulong ang boses ni Aleph pero halatang-halata ang takot.
"Ate Ice!"

"Aleph, are you and Ingrid okay? Nasaan kayo? Bakit walang sumasagot sa mga tawag
ko? Nasaan ang kapatid ko? Si Momm-"

"Ate Ice, something's not right." Aleph said in a hushed tone. "Tulog na tulog po
yata lahat ng tao tapos ako lang po ang gising."

"Aleph, please make sure that my children are safe. Hindi lang ikaw ang gising
dyan, dalawa kayo pero hindi natin alam kung sino ang isa. Nasaan ka?"

"Nandito po sa kwarto ninyo ni Kuya Fire. Sina Tita Isabel, Tita Elaine at Tito
Julio ay nandito rin po kasi balak po nila kaninang hintayin kayong bumalik pero
nakatulog po sila. Si Ingrid po nasa nursery pati yung mga bata. I've locked the
doors-"

"Aleph, our bedroom is the safest place in the house. Dalhin mo ang mga bata at si
Ingrid sa kwarto namin. Please. Have you really made sure that the doors are
locked?"

"Opo sa nursery po at sa kwarto. I double-checked before I called you."

"Very good. You did great, Aleph. Now, pakikuha muna si Ingrid at ang mga bata at
pakidala sa kwarto." Irina instructed.

"Okay po. Teka po." I heard Aleph say.

I felt agitated. Parang gusto kong sabihin kay Aleph na bilisan nyang kumilos. I
wanted our family in one room. It was my father-in-law's idea to have our bedroom
constructed the way it was constructed. Ang sabi nya sa akin noon, sa trabaho nya
daw ay marami syang kaaway at mga taong nakakabangga kaya dapat ang bahay ng
pamilya nya ay merong isang lugar na pwede nilang takbuhan. When I told him about
my plan to build a house for Irina, he volunteered to supervise everything with me.
He was very particular regarding the house's security.

"Bakit parang ang tagal yata ni Aleph, Kitten?" I asked. Parang oras ang binibilang
namin habang hinintay ang pagbabalik ni Aleph. Kung tutuusin ay alam kong ilang
minuto lang yun. Pero pakiramdam ko ay parang kakawala na sa dibdib ko ang puso ko
sa lakas ng kabog nito.

"Ate, nandito na po kaming lahat sa loob." We heard Aleph over the phone again.

"Are all the locks in place? Yung sa kwarto namin apat ang locks nyan maliban sa
doorknobs. Meron sa taas sa baba at dalawa sa gilid. Yung sa connecting door meron
din-" Irina stopped talking because one of the twins started to cry.
"Ate, teka lang po." Aleph said before we heard a loud crash and a thud.

"Aleph!" I called as we heard a commotion. "Aleph! Anong nangyayri dyan! Answer

me!" I yelled. "Shit!" I looked out the window and I had this weird urge to get off
the vehicle and just run. Parang hindi ako napapakali na nakasakay ako sa sasakyan
at pakiramdam ko ay mas mabilis pa kung tatakbo na lang ako. Which was illogical.
And stupid.

"Aleph! Aleph, please!" Irina cried again before she turned to look at me.
"John..." She gripped my hand tightly. "John, hindi nya yata nasara ang pintuan sa
terrace." She said and I held my breath as my heart stopped beating.

PLUGGING:

pajama_addicts' Book-Signing Event. January 25, Sunday. National Bookstore - SM

Megamall, Building A. Registration starts 12 Nn

See you!

####################################
Chapter 36: Fire
####################################

May malaking terrace ang kwarto namin ni Irina. The terrace looks over the swimming
pool below. Minsan gusto kong subukang tumalon na lang sa pool mula sa terrace but
my wife would probably chop my head off if I did. Ayaw nya kasi yung mga adventures
na pwede kong ikapahamak. Noong ipinanganak ang mga kambal, I abandoned my previous
adventurous idea because I didn't want my kids to imitate my actions; I felt scared
that when they're old enough, they'd just jump down the pool from our terrace too.

I didn't want my wife and mine's romance to fade. Yun kasi ang turo sa akin ni
Daddy-na kahit na may anak na kayo at busy sa kanya-kanyang career, dapat yung
naglalaan pa rin ang mag-asawa ng oras sa isa't isa. According to him, a husband
should never stop romancing his wife. So I thought that a terrace would be great.

When I told our parents about it, they had mixed reactions-our fathers thoughts
that it was too cheesy but our mothers adored the idea and gushed over the design.
When I first took Irina to our new home, we ended up making love on the terrace. I
thought then that my attempt at being romantic was a success. Pero, ngayon, sising-
sisi ako kung bakit ko pinalagyan ng balkonahe ang kwarto. Iyon pa yata ang
ikakapahamak ng mga taong mahal ko.
"Hindi nyo ba naisara ang glass sliding doors sa terrace ninyo? Hindi ba may iron
grill sliding doors naman bago yung glass kaya't kahit basagin pa yun, I'm sure
hinding-hindi makakapasok ang kahit sino mang intruder sa loob." My father-in-law
sounded very worried.

"Hindi sya makakapasok if the locks are in place, Dad."

"What do you mean, Princess?"

"The entrance is totally hidden by thick drapes, Daddy..." Irina answered before
she groaned. "Bakit hindi ko chineck kanina bago tayo umalis kung naisara ko ba yun
o hindi? Bakit hindi yun ang una kong pinatingnan kay Aleph? Ang tanga ko!"

"Kitten, stop blaming yourself. Akin na yung telepono," I said and she handed the
phone to me. "Aleph-" I asked and stopped.

"What's wrong, John?"

"Wala...walang sumasagot," I lied as I continued listening to the noise punctuated

by a man and a woman's raised voices. Dalawa yung tao sa bahay? Dalawa ang nandun
maliban kay Aleph?

"Ilang minutes pa tayo, Daddy?"

"Less than twenty," my father-in-law replied.

Naisip ko na paano kung pakana lang pala lahat ito ni Zeny? Na from the very
beginning ay alam nya pala ang tungkol kay Manang Celia. kasi kung tutuusin
masyadong malayo sa bahay namin ang sinabi nyang apartment kung saan sya nakatira.
Hindi kaya't planado nya lahat ng ito? Hindi kaya't habang nagmamadali kaming
puntahan yung sinabi nyang lugar ay nasa loob na pala sila ng bahay?

"Aleph!" I called out over the phone even when I knew that I won't get any reply.

Kahit na alam kong malabo ay umasa akong magsasalita si Aleph at malaman namin kung
ano na ba talaga ang nangyayari sa bahay. Gusto kong marinig galing sa batang yun
na okay lang silang lahat. Gusto kong sabihin nyang nasa loob sila ng kwarto kasama
ang mga bata, ang mga magulang ko, sina Mommy Isabel at Ingrid. Gusto kong marinig
sa kanya ang mga salitang wala kaming dapat ipag-alala.

"Sa kabila ka!" A woman shouted and I heard a loud crash as my daughter's cry
joined her brother's. Parang huminto ang tibok ng puso ko at parang may nakadagan
na mabigat na bato sa dibdib ko sa sobrang sikip. I heard another crash as the
twins continued crying.

Hearing my children's cries was both relief and torture for me. I was relieved that
they were still crying because I would prefer any noise from them over silence. I
felt tortured at the same time because nothing pains a parent more than knowing
that your children needed you and you couldn't be there.

"John! Talk to me! Anong narinig mo? Anong nangyayari?" Irina asked. Her eyes were
overflowing with worry and they were glazed with tears. "Just tell me!"

"I think they got in." I answered. She continued to stare at me even as her tears
raced down her face.

"Imposibleng mangyari yan!" She whispered harshly before wiping her tears with the
back of her hand. "Hindi totoo yang sinasabi mo! Tell me you're lying!"
"I am," I readily replied. "I just deduced from what I heard. "Wag nating isiping
napasok nila ang kwarto. Aleph is one smart kid. Naisip nya yun. Nakapaglaro na
kaming dalawa ng basketball sa bahay at sigurado akong nakita nya yung terrace
dahil malapit lang sa pool ang court-"

"You're right. I am sure naalala nya na merong terrace-shit!" Irina covered her
face with her hands. "Give me the phone," she said

I felt Irina take the phone off my hand and I watched her put it against her ear as
she listened. Her grip on the phone tightened as she clenched her fist.

"Kitten..."

"Putang-ina yang Zeny na yan," she muttered under her breath.

That was the first time I heard my wife cuss. Irina might say shit or what the hell
but never the P word. I looked at her and she was blinking furiously. I felt that
she was about to cry again.

"Kitten..." I moved to wrap my arms around her but she shook her head.

"Wag mo akong hahawakan kasi lalo lang akong iiyak. And crying will not help our
children. The twins need a mother, not a wailing, weakened, pathetic excuse of a
woman," she sounded stern and I nodded mutely. "I am not rejecting you, John,
please don't misunderstand."

"I know. Wag kang mag-alala, naiintindihan kita."

"It's pointless if we get too emotional at this point," she added. "Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Are you armed?"

"May dala ako," was my father-in-law's curt reply.

"Tumakbo na kayo ni Daddy sa itaas, John pagkadating na pagkadating natin sa bahay.

Sa likod kayo dumaan. If even one of the guards in duty is awake, alam na nating
kasabwat sila or else they would have noticed that something was amiss. Sa likod ng
bahay, sa garden shed, grab whatever you can, John."

"Okay."

"Mag-ingat ka."

"Oo," I answered.

Sinisi ko na naman ang sarili ko kasi tatlong residential lots ang binili ko. Nasa
gitna ang bahay namin surrounded by the pool, the basketball court, the garage and
a big garden that I had landscaped on a whim. Mabuti sana kung may malapit kaming
kapitbahay but I chose a location that was far from neighbors. Gusto ko kasing may
privacy at ayokong maingay.

"I'm calling for back-up, Irina. Hindi natin pwedeng solohin ito. I am sure Zeny is
not as well-connected as we'd like to give her credit for. Tuso lang ang batang yun
pero wala yung utak."

"Kung wala syang utak, hindi nya sana naplano ang lahat ng ito. The reason why the
situation turned dire like this is because we underestimated her."

"Irina, I know how you feel. Do not forget that my grandchildren, your mother and
your sister are in there with JFK's parents."

"Dad, let's only call for back once we're inside. Alam kong praning lang ako pero
baka may maling tao tayong matawagan tapos-I don't even want to think about what
might happen."

"Okay." My father-in-law replied. "Gusto ko ring malaman how Rolly's team's

operation went first."

"Oh, God! Sana tama itong decision ko," I heard Irina murmur anxiously and I took
her hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. "Paano kung mali? Paano kung dapat palang
kanina pa tayo humingi ng tulong-"

"Kitten, your instincts were never wrong. Malaki naman ang tiwala ko sa pakiramdam
mo. Magtiwala tayo kay Aleph, that boy is very smart. He must have realized that
something wasn't right kaya nagpaalam sya sa atin kanina."

"What did you hear, John? Paano mo nasabing nakapasok sila sa kwarto natin? Noong
kinuha ko ang telepono, muffled yung sounds kaya wala akong maintindihan.

"May babae at lalaking nagsisigawan."

"Babae? Baka yung bwisit na babaeng yun! Lalaki? Could it be Kenneth?" she asked
and I felt like throwing up. Si Kenneth na kaibigan namin ni Irina at balak sana
naming kuning Ninong ng mga bata. "Did it sound as if they're inside the bedroom?"

"Hindi ko masabi, Kitten," I answered truthfully. "Ang narinig kong sabi nung babae
kanina, sa kabila ka."

"I'd like to believe na hindi pa sila nakakapasok-"

"We're here." Dad said and Irina and I automatically reached for each other's
seatbelt to unclasp it.

"Thank you, John. Mag-ingat kayo ni Daddy."

"Ikaw rin," I replied kissing her briefly on the forehead.

Inalalayan ko siyang bumaba. Walang nagbukas ng gate at hindi ko alam kung dapat ba
akong makampante o lalong kabahan kasi ibig sabihin tulog sila tulad ng iba sa loob
ng bahay kaya wala silang kinalaman pero nangangahulugan ding walang pwedeng
sumaklolo sa amin.

"Hindi kaya nila tayo narinig? I mean, nung huminto ang kotse, baka nakita nila
tayo?"

"Don't think too much, Princess. But our problem is how are we going to get inside?
This electronic gate opens from the inside. Unless one of you carried the remote?"
My father-in-law sounded doubtful.

Pero sino naman ang magdadala ng remote ng gate? It wasn't as if we were all
expecting that no one at home would open the gate for us when we arrive. My father-
in-law and I were surprised when we heard a click and the gate slowly swung open.

"Naisip kong dalhin kanina," my wife answered our silent questions before she
briskly walked towards the gate.
Kahit wala namang nagsabi ay dahan-dahan kaming tatlo sa pagtulak ng pinto. Ingat
na ingat ako sa pagsara ng gate at kahit mahina lang naman ang buzz noong tuluyang
itong sumara ay todo pa rin ang kaba ko na baka narinig ng kung sino man ang nasa
loob.

"Si Nilo tulog." Dad observed noting the uniformed guard who was slumped against
his table. I was relieved that Manong Nilo who was always cheerful and who always
gave us a lopsided hand salute wasn't one of the culprits. Malapit ako sa mga
empleyado namin sa bahay. Lumaki akong tinuturing ang mga kasama ko sa bahay na
parte ng pamilya. Ang sama sa pakiramdam na yung taong pinagkakatiwalaan ninyo at
tinanggap ninyong parte ng pamilya ninyo ay sya pang magtatraydor mismo.

"Mabuti hindi kasama si Manong Nilo. Pero yung dalawa nasaan?" Irina whispered.
Madilim ang buong bahay at sa sobrang kabado ko ay nararamdaman kong nanginginig na
ako.

"I'm going in-"

"Wait, John. We have the element of surprise-"

"Parang wala nang tao dito sa bahay. Tingnan mo patay lahat ng ilaw. Baka tayo ang
ma-surprise dahil wala na pala ang mga bata."

"Let's hurry." My father-in-law said.

Tinakbo namin ang garden shed sa likod ng bahay at kahit anong subok kong wag
makagawa ng ingay ay parang pakiramdam ko malakas ang lahat ng tunog kasama ang
paghinga ko at tibok ng puso ko. My palms were sweating and I rubbed them against
my pants before I grabbed the thing closest to me, which was a shovel with an
adjustable handle.

"Kitten, wag ka na kayang sumama..." I suggested and although I could barely see
her face, much more her reaction, I could feel the icy glare that she threw my way.
"Naisip ko kasing this might be too dangerous."

"John, nasa itaas ang mga anak ko, ang kapatid ko at ang Mommy ko. Do not tell me
to stay put and do nothing!" She hissed before she turned to walk ahead of us
towards the door leading to the kitchen.

Sumunod kami ni Dad sa kanya at tumakbo ako para mas mauna akong maglakad. Itinulak
ko ang pintuan sa kusina at laking pasasalamat ko nung bumukas ito. The house was
eerily quiet and I had a weird feeling that someone was watching us.

"Dumerecho kayo sa taas ni Dad. Someone tampered with the main switch kasi hindi
nag-o-on ang mga ilaw," Irina whispered.

"Sumama ka na sa amin, Irina," my father-in-law objected. "I wouldn't feel so

worried kung alam kong nasa tabi kita kaya mapo-protektahan kita. Don't get
offended JFK but the father in me can't help but worry about my daughter."

"Dad, I'm not offended. Thank you for always taking care of my wife," I replied in
a hushed tone.

Sabay-sabay kaming dahan-dahang naglakad papunta sa hagdanan. I grabbed Irina's

hand. I thought she was going to pull her hand free from my grasp but she gripped
my hand tightly instead.

Kung ako lang siguro ang magdedesisyon, sa mga pulis ako didirecho. At kung ako
lang siguro ang nagplano lahat, hindi ko naisip dalhin yung remote control ng gate
at siguro sumugod lang ako sa bahay na may dalang isang batalyong pulis. I was
never a great strategist. And apparently, I wasn't too keen an observer or I would
have noticed the sling bag my wife was wearing.

"It's too quiet." Irina whispered. And I had to agree with her. Masyadong tahimik
na para bang wala nang tao ang bahay. "Wait, I need to put my phone into silent
mode," She added before she took her phone out of her bag

Hindi ko alam kung baka praning na praning lang ba ako pero ramdam na ramdam ko
talagang may nanunuod sa bawat galaw namin. I heard a slight buzz and saw Irina's
phone's screen light up. It was a text message from Aleph.

"It's Aleph! Thank, God!" My wife sounded excited and relived. Dad and I moved
forward to read the text message she received. I stared at the phone's screen and I
felt a chill run down my spine. It was a very short message but it made me feel
ill.

Ate, they took Blaze.

####################################
Chapter 37: Ice
####################################

I totally hated how my mind worked. Sabi nga sa akin ng Daddy ko, dinaig pa daw ng
utak ko ang speed of light kung paano ako mag-isip. It was just an exaggeration, of
course but somehow, it was close to the truth. Ako kasi ang tipo ng taong gustung-
gusto nang nag-iisip. Ako ang klase ng babaeng gusto kong alam ko lahat ng
possibilities para kung sakaling kahit anong option man ang gawin ng opponent ko o
sa kung saang sitwasyon man ako ilagay ay alam ko na kung paano ako magre-react. I
never liked being caught off-guard.

Ang akala dati ng mga kaibigan ko ay cool at cold dahil hindi na nila ako nakitang
magalit o mataranta. Pero, ang totoo, I just mastered the art of thinking ahead
that was why I was able to control my reactions. I earned the title of St.
Bernadette's Ice Queen because they'd never seen me get riled up. They said I
looked unfeeling and stoic. But the truth was I oftentimes overthink and overreact,
hindi nga lang halata dahil sa isang ibabato mo sa aking argumento ay may labing-
isa akong nakahandang pang-counter sa sasabihin mo. I was really reactive like
that.

Until I read Aleph's message. I was flabbergasted and I couldn't think of a

solution. My mind just couldn't grasp possibilities because possibilities, for the
first time, scared me. I forgot whatever strategy I thought about and just
panicked. All that was in my mind was they took my Blaze and I had to get him back.
The thought that I might not be able to see my son again paralyzed me and reduced
me into the person I didn't want to become-a helpless woman who needed a knight-in-
shining armor and a mother who needed rescuing. I trembled so badly, my teeth were
chattering and I was struggling to breathe.

"Calm down, Kitten!" My husband muttered urgently before he pulled me into his
embrace. I felt someone took the phone from my hand as John held me tightly. "The
twins need you, calm down." He whispered against my hair. "Kitten, please..."

I was hyperventilating and even without my permission, gory images flashed in my

mind before it was followed by regret so overwhelming that it made me lean
bonelessly against John for support. Naisip kong hindi ko man lang hinalikan yung
anak ko bago kami umalis kasi nagmamadali kami at tulog na tulog na sila. Hindi ko
man lang sya niyakap. Hindi ko man sinabi sa kanya nang paulit-ulit na mahal na
mahal ko sya. Biglang sumagi sa isip ko na ang dami-dami kong pagkukulang. Biglang
ang dami kong sana-sana hindi kami umalis para sumama pa sa operation ng NBI; sana
mas pinili kong makasama ang mga bata at ang pamilya namin kaysa usisain pa kung
yung tungkol sa pagkikita nina Manang Celia at ng demonyong babaeng yun. Na sana
nandun ako para protektahan sila. I should have realized that revenge and
everything else should take second fiddle to my family but I was too consumed by
anger to think. And look where my rage brought me.

"They took my grandson? Sinu-sino sila? Saan sila nagpunta?" Dad urgently asked.
Halata sa boses nyang balisang-balisa din sya. He moved to run up the stairs but
seemed to change his mind in mid-stride as he went down the stairs instead. "Ang
apo ko...kakaalis lang kaya nila? How long ago did they leave? We should probably
call Rolly. Baka naman mali ang information ni Aleph at ang akala nya lang ay
nadala ang apo ko pero ang totoo ay..." Dad's monologue stopped or maybe it
continued but I was too distraught to hear the rest.

"Kitten, calm down. Calm down..." John ran his hand up and down my back to comfort
me but I felt sick to my stomach and I clung to him desperately. I wanted to cry
but I couldn't. I felt cold, hollow and I was drowning in pain, a pain that was
just too deep for words. Or for tears.

"We should go kung gusto natin silang maabutan," I heard Dad say but I couldn't
move. I didn't want to move. Pakiramdam ko kung wala akong gagawin ay magigising na
lang ako bigla dahil maririnig ko ang iyak ng mga bata sa madaling araw dahil
nagugutom sila. I would ran to their bedroom and find them in their cribs waiting
for me.

"Irina!" John called my name urgently as he shook me gently and I was brought back
to the reality that I wasn't dreaming.

"Si Blaze..." I heard myself murmur before my tears raced down my face. "Ang baby
ko...anong laban ng baby ko? Baka kung anong gawin nila sa anak ko! Ang baby natin,
John!" I whispered against the front of John's shirt. It felt as though all my
fears came to life. Isa lang naman ang takot ko sa buong buhay ko-ang mawala ang
mga taong mahal ko. "John, ang baby natin! God, ang baby natin!" I knew that my
voice was very low, barely a whisper, but I could still hear how pathetic I
sounded.

When I was younger, Ingrid and I would watch reruns of old movies with our parents.
I used to think that it was stupid that the hero or heroine of the story broke down
into tears instead of springing into action every time something bad happened.
Parang ang tanga ng pag-iyak. Naisip ko nun, ano ang magagawa ng mga luha mo? Hindi
ba dapat second nature na sa isang taong kapag may problema sya ay nag-iisip sya ng
solusyun at hindi puro iyak lang ang ginagawa nya? Hindi ba dapat utak muna bago
ang puso?

Pero totoo palang may mga sakit na hindi mo kakayaning i-ignore at may mga
sitwasyong kung saan matatanga at mabobobo ka na lang. May mga pangyayari sa buhay
mo na sa sobrang in-denial mo ay wala kang gagawin kundi manlulumo at tutunganga.

It was tormenting to think that I would never see my son again. It was
excruciatingly painful, so painful that I felt that it would be a great injustice
if whoever took him stayed alive. I couldn't stand the thought that I would let
anyone who dared to touch my children live. And that thought spurred me into
action, that fury snapped me out of my misery. I had to get my son back and I had
to make that witch pay in the most painful way possible.

"Where's my phone?" I leaned away from my husband's embrace. "Give me my phone!" I

demanded hotly and Dad handed it to me. I dialed Aleph's number before I put the
phone against my ear. Ang sabi sa message nya ay nakuha daw si Blaze kaya't naisip
kong kasama nya si Twinkle. Yun nga lang hindi naman din klaro kung kasama nya ang
mga anak ko. And what about Ingrid, Mommy, Mommy Elaine and Tito Julio? Nasaan sila
at anong nangyari sa kanila?

"So kasama ni Aleph si Twinkle?" John asked that question that burned in my mind
and I shook my head. Siguro. I wanted to say. Unless something happened to my
daughter. And this was unacceptable because I thought I would probably murder
everyone in that bitch's family to get even if they touch even the tip of my
daughter's hair.

"Aakyat ako-"

"Kitten, it's not safe." I heard my husband say as I moved to go up the stairs to
our bedroom. "Ako muna ang mauuna."

"John, please, now's not the time for chivalry. I need to get our son back," I said
as I continued going up the stairs. I turned to look at my father, "Dad, you know
where the main switch is, kindly turn it on."

"Okay," Dad answered. He sounded tired. He must be worried sick about his
grandchildren and everyone else. "JFK," he called my husband's name and I was
surprised when he handed John the gun he was carrying.

"Do you know how to use this?"

"Opo," John replied. "Tinuruan po ako ni Daddy."

"Good. Akin na yang dala mo, protect my daughter at all cost," I heard him say and
I felt the sudden urge to cry.

Ganun pala talaga kapag magulang ka, uunahin mo ang anak mo kaysa sarili mo. I
understood and loved my parents more when I, too, became a parent. Yung mga takot,
pag-aalala at paghihigpit na akala ko noon ay ginagawa lang nila para pahirapan ang
buhay ko ay naisip kong normal lang pala talaga sa isang magulang. Kapag magulang
ka, may sasabihin pa lang ang anak mo ay five steps ahead ka na thinking about how
what he or she wants would affect him or her. Kapag magulang ka, automatic na igi-
gauge mo yung sakit na pwedeng danasin ng anak mo kung sakaling masaktan man sya.

For me, being a parent felt like my heart was no longer mine-the moment I realized
that I was carrying something precious inside me, it ceased to stop beating just
for me and the moment I held my children in my arms, I was no longer just a wife, I
became the fiercest and most protective mother who'd skin anyone alive if they dare
to hurt my kids.

"Dad," I called my father.

"Yes?"

"Be careful. I love you."

"I love you, too, Princess. Mag-ingat kayo. Your sister and your mom-"

"Kami na pong bahala." I said.

I dialed Aleph's number again. Hindi sinasagot ni Aleph ang telepono nya. Hindi ko
rin naririnig na may nagri-ring habang hinihintay ko ang sagot nya sa tawag ko.
Naisip kong imposibleng sinundan nya si Zeny dahil nag-iisip si Aleph at alam kong
maiisip nyang magtago na lang kung nagtatago man sila ng anak ko at hintayin kami.
And I knew that Aleph would never leave Ingrid. He and John are too alike.

"What is it?" my husband asked as I reread Aleph's message. "Kitten..." he sounded

pained.

"Puppy, teka lang," I murmured as I gave his hand a squeeze.

Nakaawa naman ang asawa ko, just like me, he was still finding his way around being
a great parent. Kung ano man ang gustong iparating ng babaeng yun tungkol sa amin
ng asawa ko ay intinding-intindi ko na-hindi kami perpekto at hindi perpekto ang
buhay na meron kami. Pero ang kapal ng mukha nya kung feeling nya ay sya dapat ang
magtuturo sa amin ng leksyon. Besides, my husband and I had long accepted the fact
that we weren't perfect and we would never be. I thought that it was no longer our
problem if others thought that our family was as perfect like those from children's
story books.

"Si Aleph kaya ito?" I murmured to myself as I stared at Aleph's message once
again.

Ate, they took Blaze.

Too vague. I thought. Aleph is a debater and St. Bernadette's next Editor-in-Chief;
he knows the basics of reporting. If he truly wanted to send me a message, he
wouldn't send me something as ambiguous as what I received. Posible kayang nakuha
lang nila ang telepono ni Aleph at sila yung nag-text sa akin? Pero paano nangyari
yun kung nasa loob ng kwarto si Aleph at hawak-hawak nya kanina ang telepono nya?
Ibig sabihin wala sya sa kwarto namin ngayon? Ibig sabihin ay nakatakbo sya? I
closed my to give myself a mental shake. Don't overthink, Ice! Hindi matalino ang
kalaban mo, do not give her too much credit!

"Kitten, we're wasting time." John whispered urgently.

"Give me a minute." I answered. Dahan-dahan akong umakyat sa hagdanan.

Kilala ko ang sarili ko, kahit na nagiging emotional ako ay kung naniniwala akong
wala na sa bahay namin ang mga bata ay mas mabilis pa ako sa alas kwatrong tumakbo
palabas. My instincts were never wrong and right now, it was telling me to stay
put. I was surprised when light flooded the whole house.

"Nabuksan na ni Daddy ang main switch." John said. I would have preferred darkness
but I did not like the idea that whoever was after my children knew about the house
too well.

"John, tell me what you feel. Anong naramdaman mo pagkapasok mo ng bahay?"

"Parang may nanunuod sa atin," my husband answered. "Pakiramdam ko may nakatingin

sa atin at nagmamanman mula nung pumasok tayo sa loob."
"I knew it." I murmured trying to calm my racing heartbeat. I turned to my husband
before I wrapped my arms around him. I knew my action surprised him but he was
quick to hug me back. "John..."

"Yes?" He murmured against my hair.

"They're still here," I whispered.

PLUGGING:

Cupid's Fools Book-launch and book-signing event, February 28, Saturday, 2PM,
Precious Pages - SM-City Davao (Ecoland). Kitakits!