FORTY-EIGHT
"You wanna run around?" Tanong ni Rosie sa nakahiga sa tabi niya na si Hank.
Nasa park silang tatlo nila Wendy. Picnic dahil weekend tapos na-bored sila sa bahay.
Nag-twitch lang ang tenga ni Hank bilang sagot sa tanong ni Rosie.
Tinanggal niya ang leash ng aso tapos niyakap. "Don't go too far yeah?" Bilin ni Rosie kay Hank. "Stay where we can see you."
Natawa ang tahimik na nanunuod sa ganap habang kumakain ng grapes na si Wendy. "Ayos ah. Parang bata talaga. You think he understood that?" Pabirong comment.
Tumango lang si Rosie kay Wendy. Yung tipo ng tango na may aura ng self confidence. "Bet Hanky understood?" Hamon niya.
"Sure, Rosie."
Pinawalan ni Rosie si Hank. Kumaripas na ng takbo ang aso. Nakipaglaro sa isang lumilipad-lipad na paru-paro sa bandang harapan nila. Hindi nga umalis sa paningin ng mga amo.
Nagtaas ng kilay si Rosie kay Wendy. Smug smile included.
Hinalikan lang siya ni Wendy. Sinubuan ng grape. "D'you have to talk to him like he's a little kid?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"He's technically our child, Theungwan. I have to treat him as such." Sagot ni Rosie. Tumusok ng isang strawberry gamit ang isang toothpick, sinawsaw sa melted chocolate na dala din nila tapos sinubo.
"I suppose." Sabi nalang ni Wendy.
Natahimik sila. Pinanuod lang ang 'anak' na nagliliwaliw (hinahabol at kinakahulan ang sariling buntot).
"Rothie?" Tawag ni Wendy.
"Hmm?" Sagot ni Rosie.
"We've been married for a year."
"One of the best years we've had yeah."
"Right? Uhh.."
"Anmeron?"
"I wanted to ask..uhh."
"Uhh?" Pang-asar na prompt ni Rosie.
Umiiling na natawa si Wendy. Di maintindihan kung bakit di niya agad masabi. Di naman mangja-judge ang kausap. Bumuntong-hininga siya. Nilapag ang tanong. "I wanted to ask..what you stance is on having kids?"
Matagal na nakatitig sa kanya si Rosie pagkatapos niya magtanong. Kinabahan naman si Wendy (kahit hindi dapat) dahil sa reaction ng kausap.
Kumuha lang ulit ng strawberry si Rosie. "Was waiting for you to ask." Sagot niya bago isubo ang prutas.
Pikon na pinukol ng lukot na tissue ni Wendy ang bestfriend niya na nagsimulang tumawa. Nabilaukan pa sa kinakain.
"Taena naman to eh!" Reklamo ni Wendy. "Kinabahan ako dun pakshit ka."
Tinuro siya ni Rosie gamit ang toothpick. "That's on you." Asar niya. "Bakit ka kakabahan? Para namang di natin napagusapan dati yung possibility na yun."
"Eh kasiii.."
"Eh kasi ano? If you think you're not ready then let's not go for it yet. Easy as that." Sabi ni Rosie.
"No no it's not that." Mabilis na bawi ni Wendy. "I was thinking you're not ready and I didn't want to seem like I'm pushing."
Hinalikan siya ni Rosie. Nilagyan pa ng smear ng chocolate sa pisngi gamit ang isang daliri. "Theungwan.." Bulong niya sa labi ni Wendy. "I'm fine. Ikaw naman kasama ko eh. We can figure it out together. Bestfriend style."
"Sure?"
"Yup. We can go anytime."
Tumango-tango si Wendy. Humiga na sa picnic blanket tapos pumikit. Tinabihan lang siya ni Rosie.
"I'll start research tonight yeah?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"Great. Please do. I'll talk to ate Irene din..she might have some insight."
"Nice..uhh..Rosie?"
"Hmm?"
"I can't wait to be a parent with you."
"Same Theungwan. Same."
"We'll be amazing at it."
"No doubt no doubt."
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Nagliligpit na sila ng tinambayan. Parehong excited sa napag-usapan na upgrade kaya napaaga.
Pupunta sila sa parents ni Wendy. Magpapaalam.
Kinakabit na ni Rosie ang leash ni Hank.
May umiiyak na bata na biglang yumakap kay Wendy.
Nagulat silang mag-asawa. Nagtaasan ng kilay. Parehong hindi alam ang gagawin.
Umayos si Wendy ng pwesto tapos niyakap nalang din yung bata na umiiyak. Hinintay nilang tumahan para makausap ng matino at matanong kung nasaan ng mga magulang.
Pinawalan ulit ni Rosie si Hank na inamoy-amoy lang ang bata na unti-unti ng kumakalma sa hagod ng kamay ni Wendy sa likod nito.
"Hey..uhhmm..hi?" Tentative na bati ni Wendy sa bata.
Suminghot ang batang babae. Nagpunas ng luha gamit ang dalawang kamay tapos nagtaas ng tingin para makipagtitigan kay Wendy.
Suminghap ni Rosie.
"Oh wow." Sabi ni Wendy nang maaninag na ang mukha ng batang babae.
"Hullo." Mahinang bati ng bata. "I'm sowy I wan faw away.." Paghingi nito ng pasensya. Kumalas sa yakap ni Wendy tapos nilapitan si Rosie para ito naman ang mayakap ng mahigpit. "Mommy, I sowy I wan away." Sabi nito. Paiyak na ulit.
"Uhh.." Tanging naisagot ni Rosie. Tinapik-tapik nalang ulit sa likod ang bata. Tumayo na siya para mai-hele ng slight gaya ng ginagawa niya nung bata pa ang anak ng ate niya at umiiyak.
Tumabi sa kanila si Wendy. Mangha padin sa batang babae.
"What's your name?" Tanong ni Wendy sa bata.
"Daisy." Sagot ng bata. "You know dat!"
Napailing si Wendy. Sasabihin na sana na di niya kilala si Daisy. Kaso pinanlisikan siya ng mata ni Rosie bilang pagpigil. Gets niya agad ang gustong iparating. Baka umiyak ulit si Daisy.
"Mommy..I can't fwind Kuya Twix.." Sabi ni Daisy kay Rosie.
"Kuya..Twix..your..brother?" Hula ni Rosie.
Tumango lang si Daisy sa bisig ni Rosie. "Awmost naptwime..I went to pway when he went to bwathwoom..I'm sowy, Mommy." Paliwanag ni Daisy.
"You shouldn't have ran, Daisy." Sabi ni Rosie.
"I'm sowy." Naka-pout na sagot ng kausap niya.
"Ahhhh!" Sigaw ni Wendy. "MY. HEART!"
Sinuntok siya ni Rosie sa tiyan gamit ang isang kamay. Nagulat kasi si Daisy na sumimangot.
"Mommy can we go fwind Kuya Twix?" Request ni Daisy.
Bumuntong-hininga si Rosie. Sasabog na puso niya. Ang lala kasi ng cute ni Daisy.
Di na nagsalita ulit si Wendy. Sasabog nadin yung puso niya. Ang lala kasi ng cute ni Daisy. Also, parang flash forward yung nakikita niya ngayon. Flash forward ng future nila ni Rosie.
Isang aso na tumatakbo-takbo sa paligid, silang dalawa ni Rosie, tsaka yung bata na kamukhang-kamukha ng bestfriend niya at tumatawag dito ng 'Mommy'.
"Daisy?" Tawag ni Rosie sa bata na unti-unti ng nakakatulog sa hele niya.
"Yes?" Sagot ni Daisy.
"I..I'm not your mom, Daisy." Pag-amin ni Rosie.
"Watchu tawk about? You wook wike my mom."
Sumalampak si Wendy sa damuhan. Umiiling. "Ayoko na. Huhu..ang cute. Gusto kong sumigaw. Is this how it's going to be? I won't be able to take it. Send help. Hank. Send help."
"Uhh..I guess I just look like your Mom, Daisy." Sabi ni Rosie sa bata. "But I'm not her. Theungwan and I can help you find her though..your Kuya Twix too."
Tumango si Daisy. "Okay..pwease hep, Mommy." Sabi niya.
"Bruh. Di nga ako mommy mo." Natatawang sagot ni Rosie.
Umiling ng umiling si Daisy. "Wook wike Mommy..is mommy." Madiin na sabi.
Hinatak ni Rosie patayo si Wendy na maluha-luha na. "Alright then. Whatevs." Sabi niya kay Daisy. "Okay. Tara. We look for your family."
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"Gusto ko siyang iuwi." Bulong ni Wendy kay Rosie.
Tulog na si Daisy. Buhat padin ni Rosie.
Tumahol si Hank as agreement sa sinabi ni Wendy. Inamoy ulit si Daisy na amoy Johnson's Baby Powder.
"Gusto mong makasuhan ng kidnapping?" Sagot ni Rosie.
"Mehn. She looks EXACTLY like you when you were that age. How is that possible? Bruh. I legit think she's been dropped off by a stork the second we decided we're up for having kids."
"Yeh. No. Shut up, Theungwan. Baka magising."
"Rothie..LOOK at her." Sabi ni Wendy. May senyas pa sa bata.
"I SEE her, Theungwan." Sabi ni Rosie. "I get what you mean. Still no though. I don't want to lawyer up for my bestfriend who decided to bring home a kid and raise them as her own kasi lang kamukha ko yung bata."
"Arrrgh!" Reklamo ni Wendy. "She's SO adorable, I can't deal."
"Same. Pero we have to return her to her real parents."
"Nubayun."
"Not a pet, Theungwan."
"I know that, Rothie."
May napansin sila na batang lalaki ahead of them. Lumilingap sa paligid at nakasimangot. Paminsang sumisilip sa likod ng mga bushes na nakapalibot sa maliit na building ng comfort rooms.
"Yun na yata si Kuya Twix, erp." Sabi ni Rosie kay Wendy with matching kalabit.
Tumango si Wendy. "Probably. He looks distressed." Sagot niya.
Nakita sila ng batang lalaki nung ilang hakbang nalang ang pagitan. Lumiwanag ang mukha nito tapos patakbong lumapit.
Yumakap sa legs ni Rosie. "Mommy!" Masayang sigaw.
"That's it." Sabi ni Wendy. "I'm done. Eff this. I'm out." Akmang magwo-walk out.
Hinila lang siya ni Rosie pabalik gamit ang collar ng polo niya. Nasakal pa tuloy siya ng slight kaya bumalik na lang sa tabi ng asawa.
"Mommy! I'm sorry I lost Trix..I'm super happy you found her!" Sabi ng batang lalaki.
"Is your name Twix by any chance?" Tanong ni Wendy sa batang lalaki na tumatango-tango.
"I'm Jamie." Sabi nito. "I'm five." Nag-angat ng kamay na naka-mwestra ng five fingers bilang confirmation sa sinabi. "My parents and my ninangs call me Twix." Paliwanag niya. "But you know that already, Ninong Wendy." Takang dugtong.
Nag-sputter si Wendy. "Ha?" Di makapaniwala sa narinig.
"Ninong ka pala ng dalawang to eh." Asar ni Rosie.
"Wait lang..ha?"
Hinubad ni Twix ang cap niya.
Naaninag na tuloy nila Rosie at Wendy ng mas maayos ang mukha ng bata.
Sabay silang suminghap.
"Ah no. No." Sabi ni Wendy. "Teka muna."
"Huh. Okaaaaaaay." Natatawa na sabi ni Rosie.
"My sister." Sabi ni Twix. Nakaturo sa kalong padin ni Rosie na si Daisy.
"Daisy's your little sister huh?" Tanong ni Rosie kay Twix.
"Yup. I think..you just look like my mommy but you're not my mommy."
"Pretty smart for a five year old." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Other mom reads me books before bed."
"Nice." Sabi ni Rosie. "Daisy's sleeping, Jamie. Do you know where your parents are? We can take you to them." Offer niya sa bata.
Tumuro si Twix sa likuran niya. "They're over there. We were having a picnic in the playhouse." Sagot niya.
"Okay. Lead the way then, Kuya Twix."
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"Kamukha nung kuya ni Daisy yung batang may-ari nung pogs na sinunog mo." Sabi ni Wendy kay Rosie.
Bumungisngis si Rosie. "Actually. Little boy version eh."
"Creepy bruh. Ano na? Wormhole pa yata ulit. Tsong. Yoko na. Pabuhat mo nalang si Daisy sa kuya niya tapos bounce na tayo. Baka mapunit space time continuum pag nagpang-abot kayo nung alternate mo."
"Kala ko ba ayaw mo na ibalik si Daisy?" Biro ni Rosie.
"Erp. I met her parents..I think..Skeri shit bro. I changed my mind. Gawa nalang tayo ng sarili natin."
"Parang tanga."
Nakarating sila sa isang playhouse na gawa sa sturdy looking kahoy. Pumasok sa loob si Jamie. Maya-maya lang ay lumabas na ulit.
Kasunod ang isang babae na naghawi ng buhok na nakaharang sa mukha ng makatayo na sa harap nila Wendy at Rosie.
Awkward yung kaway ni Wendy sa tao na natawa ng makita sila.
"Hello." Bati ni Wendy.
"Kamusta erp?" Sabi ng tao na si bartender Chu naman pala gaya ng hinala ni Wendy. "I see you've met my kids."
"Hehe..yeh."
Kinuha lang ni bartender Chu mula kay Rosie ang batang si Daisy. Hinalikan sa noo. "Buti kayo nakakita. Good to know my youngest knows to approach the right people."
"Uhh..you're welcome?" Sabi ni Rosie.
Natawa lang ulit si bartender Chu. "Twix." Tawag niya sa batang si Jamie na nagbubunot ng random damo sa paanan niya. Mabilis naman na tumayo si Jamie. Tumango kay bartender Chu. "Call your mom, Twix. This should be fun."
Lumakad si bartender Chu para maupo sa isang swing na malapit sa playhouse. Bitbit padin si Daisy.
Nagtinginan sila Wendy at Rosie. Kibit-balikat na sumunod.
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"Fancy seeing you here, alternate self."
"Ho..ly..Fuck." Di napigilang sambit ni Rosie.
Gising na ang batang si Daisy. Nakatambay sa lap ni bartender Chu. Tumatawa kasi kinikiliti nito.
"Hello, alternate Wannie." Bati ng nakangiti na babae.
"Hello, ate Chip." Sagot ni Wendy with kaway. Balik lang agad sa ginagawa na paglipat-lipat ng tingin sa asawa niya at sa alternate self nito.
"Malaglag mata mo mehn." Pabirong sabi ni bartender Chu. "Kanan ang tingin. Akin na yung kaliwa. Let's not be greedy."
Kumurap-kurap si Wendy. Hiya na yumuko.
"Sira ulo ka, Chu." Sabi ni ate Chip. Umupo na sa bakanteng swing sa tabi ng kausap tapos kinuha si Daisy para kandungin habang ginagalaw ang swing. Masayang humarap kila Wendy at Rosie. "Thanks for bringing our Daisy back to us." Sabi niya.
"No..problem?" Sabi ni Rosie.
"Yeh I know. It's kinda like looking at an older version of yourself huh?" Biro ni ate Chip.
"Slight?"
"If it helps..it looks like I'm looking at me when I was younger too."
"I guess so."
"I see rings." Sabi ni bartender Chu kay Wendy. "Mukhang maayos na kayo since we last saw each other."
Nangiti si Wendy. Hinawakan ang kamay ni Rosie na may wedding ring. "Yeah..we..uhh..we got married a year ago." Balita niya.
"NICE!" Sabay na sigaw ng mga kausap.
Binaba ni ate Chip si Daisy na tumakbo naman para makipaglaro sa kuya nito na si Twix sa loob ng playhouse.
"Wow I'm really stoked for you guys!" Sabi ni ate Chip.
"Thanks." Sabi ni Rosie. "Kinda stoked for Theungwan and I too."
Tumango-tango si bartender Chu. "Ayos tayo diyan. Buti naman. Kala ko tuluyan ng mababalian ng pinky finger si alternate boss Wan eh."
"I fought for it. Di pwede." Biro ni Wendy.
"Good."
"I gotta call Wannie." Sabi ni ate Chip. Dinudukot na ang cellphone mula sa bulsa. "Magpapainom yun. We were just talking about you two nung huli naming date."
"You two still go on dates?" Takang tanong ni Rosie.
"World's chillest exes ang peg nila eh. There's shit only they can talk about with each other. Di na namin pinipigil ni Ligaya. Tropa lakad naman." Paliwanag ni bartender Chu with kibit-balikat. Tuloy lang sa pagsu-swing.
"Ayos naman pala." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Yup." Sabi ni ate Chip. "I guess it's a thing you have in all universes."
"Ang alin?"
"Ako."
Natawa si Rosie. Mabilis na tinakpan ang bibig. Hiya.
"Bawal yan." Saway ni ate Chip. "Gotta own it alternate self. We're the coolest eh. What to do? Di na natin kasalanan."
"Yeh okay. I'll do that."
Sumagot na sa facetime yung tinatawagan ni ate Chip. Isang mahinang hello. "I'm out on site. What's up?" Sabi nito.
Pinakita ni ate Chip ang mga kasama niya.
Kumaway si Rosie. Na-meet na din naman kasi niya yung alternate self ng asawa niya. "Hullo boss Wan!"
Nangiti ng malawak si boss Wan. Kumaway nadin. "Oi! What's cracking?" Masayang bati.
"I married your alternate self!" Kwento ni Rosie.
"Did you now? Congraaaaaaats!"
Pinakita ni ate Chip sa camera si Wendy na natulala sa kausap.
"Sup?" Bati ni boss Wan.
"Shet. Idol." Sagot ni Wendy. "How to be as put together as you?"
"Mehn. I'm on a construction site. I look like hell. Also, di ako put together. It's all an illusion, I'm just as dumb as you." Sagot ni boss Wan.
"Tanginaaaaaa." Bulong ni Wendy.
"Boss Wan!" Tawag ni bartender Chu.
"Oh?" Sagot ni boss Wan.
"Papainom ka daw sabi ni Chip?"
"Ay pota. Kala ko nalimutan mo na." Sabi ni boss Wan kay ate Chip.
"Luh? Baka ikaw." Sagot ni ate Chip. "Kakausap lang natin nung isang araw eh. I'll sic Dalgom on you pag tinakbuhan mo. Ang usapan eh papainom ka when our alternates get married."
"How are you guys even going to find out kung sakaling di tayo nagkita-kita dito?" Tanong ni Rosie.
Kibit-balikat yung alternate selves nila ni Wendy tsaka si bartender Chu.
"We figured you guys would show up again at the Puta's bar at some point. Could ask you then." Sagot ni ate Chip.
Tumango si Wendy. "Yeah we did go there a year ago the night we got married."
"See?"
"Kaso wala kayo."
"Edi intay ulit pag nagpakita na kayo." Sabi ni bartender Chu.
"Sabagay." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Hoy bawal tumakbo ha!" Sabi ni ate Chip kay boss Wan na tumawa nalang. "Confirmed na."
"Oo nalang." Sagot ni boss Wan.
"Isa pa yata yan na you have in common with your alternate self." Sabi ni Wendy kay Rosie.
"Alin?"
"Marunong magpasunod."
Tumawa si bartender Chu. "There's a true sentence." Comment niya.
"Psst. Alternate me." Tawag ni boss Wan kay Wendy.
"Hmm?" Sagot ni Wendy.
"I gotta go..pero I just wanna tell you good job. Just want to say that. Nilaban mo yung Rosie mo as you should. Di ko kayang panindigan yung akin eh. Probs coz even then I knew kahit subconsciously na hindi kami swak sa Universe namin. Best decision we ever made was to let go of each other."
"With all of us here..It's so fucking weird to see the way it could have played out." Sagot ni Wendy.
Natawa lang si boss Wan. "Gets." Sabi niya kay Wendy. "I mean..I loved mine deeply. Still do. Kaso more on the friends thing nowadays. No homo." May pakindat na dugtong kay ate Chip.
"Sapakan nalang, boss Wan." Hamon ni bartender Chu.
"Gago. Si Ligaya mauunang sumuntok sakin bago ikaw. Sige na nga! Nasa trabaho ako. Hatawin nanaman ako ni Slug ng safety helmet pag nalaman nun na nakikipagkwentuhan lang ako." Sabi ni boss Wan.
Kumaway sila Wendy at Rosie sa kanya bilang paalam.
Binaba nadin ni boss Wan ang call pagkatapos. Binulsa ni ate Chip ang phone.
"Thanks for bringing your dog by the way." Sabi ni ate Chip kila Wendy at Rosie.
"Eh?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"Pati pala si Hank may alternate." Sabi ni bartender Chu. "Thanks for bringing him kasi at least he keeps the kids busy. We can't take ours eh."
"Bakit?" Tanong ni Rosie.
"Hiniram siya ni Casper." Sagot ni ate Chip. "With Dalgom."
"Sino si Casper?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"Anak mo kay Ligaya." Sagot ni bartender Chu.
"Ay ewan. Oo na lang." Sabi ni Wendy.
Tinawanan siya ng lahat.
"Is it really weird seeing how it could have played out?" Tanong ni ate Chip kila Wendy at Rosie.
Tumango silang mag-asawa.
"Lam niyo naman what I think of our Jisoo." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Cool kid yung alternate ko kaya." Depensa ni bartender Chu.
Tinapik siya sa pisngi ni ate Chip. "I'm glad there's differences at least." Sabi niya. "Malala tong sakin pero sakin lang to. Limited edition yung sira sa ulo." Biro niya.
"Anubayun." Reklamo ni bartender Chu. "Backhanded compliments galore."
"Wannie's right though." Tuloy ni ate Chip pagkaharap ulit kila Wendy at Rosie. "It's great knowing that we ended up with each other in an alternate universe."
"Goddamn." Sabi ni Wendy.
"That's a hella mature way to look at things." Comment ni Rosie.
"World. Chillest. Exes." Sabi ni bartender Chu.
"Why wouldn't we be mature about it?" Sabi ni ate Chip. "Either way, we ended up happy. Bakit kami magmumukmok? Parang tanga naman yun."
"Sabagay." Sabi ni Wendy. Natitig na kay Daisy na nakikipaghabulan kay Hank kasama ang kuya.
Natawa si Rosie.
"Ayaw na ibalik noh?" Sabi ni ate Chip.
"Yep." Sagot ni Rosie.
"Gets." Sabi ni bartender Chu. Tinatapik sa likod ang namula na si Wendy. "Youngest looks a lot like a younger version of Chip. Saglit kang nag flash forward noh?"
Tumango si Wendy. Hiya padin.
"I assume you guys are in talks about kids huh?" Sabi ni ate Chip.
"Yeah..literally minutes before Daisy came across us." Sagot ni Rosie.
"Ayos."
"Pro-tip." Sabi ni bartender Chu. "Don't drink and attempt."
Sinapak siya ni ate Chip.
Sabay na nag-flinch sila Rosie at Wendy ng mapaluhod si bartender Chu.
"Parang ewan." Sabi ni ate Chip kay bartender Chu. "They're gonna take that the wrong way!"
"Anong meron?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"If you don't mind us asking." Dugtong ni Rosie.
Nakadapa sa damuhan si bartender Chu pero tumatawa. "Kwento mo, Chip!" Asar niya.
Natatawa nadin si ate Chip. Mahinang sinipa sa balakang ang tumayo na na si bartender Chu tapos hinawakan ang kamay nito nang makaupo na sa tabi niya. Bumuntong-hininga. "Chu and I were wasted when we made our kids."
"Eh?" Sabi ni Wendy.
Di nanaman mapigilan ni Rosie na matawa. "What? Holyshit. Nice." Comment niya.
"Yeh alternate self. Nice. Laugh it up." Sarcastic na sabi ni ate Chip. "The last two times Jichu and I got black-out drunk, we busted out the turkey basters and ended up with a kid nine months later."
"The cravings were amazing. Wala ba kayong napansin sa mga anak namin?" Sabi ni bartender Chu.
"Uhh..Jamie said he's also called Twix..and he called Daisy, Trix at some point." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Yeh. Coz Chip ate nothing but Twix when she was pregnant with Jamie and she ate nothing but that fruity cereal when she was pregnant with Daisy." Paliwanag ni bartender Chu.
"So you nicknamed your kids after the brands?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"Neat right?"
"Wag kang gaganun. Parang awa." Sabi ni Rosie kay Wendy na mabilis na umiling-iling.
"Nah bro. I won't do that to our kids. I promise." Sabi ni Wendy kay Rosie. "Sorry. Pero di ako gagaya." Dugtong niya kay bartender Chu na nag okay sign sa kanya.
"Whatever you'd come up with would probs be better than what your alternate self has." Sabi ni ate Chip kay Wendy.
"Ano bang lapag ni alternate Theungwan?" Tanong ni Rosie.
"Zep and Siete."
"Daisy Siete amputa. Shet. Pasensya na." Sabi ni Wendy. Nagpipigil pero natatawa.
"Taenang yan." Comment ni Rosie. "Sounds on brand though..pero bakit Zep?" Tanong niya kay ate Chip.
"Short for Zeppelin." Sabi ni bartender Chu. Inabutan ng tubig si Wendy.
"As in the band?" Tanong ni Wendy. "Why?" Bago uminom.
"Strip teased for Wannie to the tune of 'I Can't Quit You Baby' on the night we first had sex." Nonchalant na sagot ni ate Chip.
Nabuga ni Wendy ang tubig na iniinom sa mukha ni Rosie na tinulak siya palabas ng swing.
"Putangina mo! Yuck ang dugyot!" Reklamo ni Rosie.
"Shet." Sabi ni Wendy. Nagpupunas ng bibig, patalikod na umupo ulit sa swing.
"Yeh. So ayun." Tuloy ni ate Chip. "Kaya Zep yung nickname niya kay Jamie. Also, coz we went out on a date to the New York aquarium when I was pregnant with him. He kicked while the same song was playing over the speakers and Wannie had her hand on my baby bump."
"Pota ang LT talaga nung fact na si Chip lang tumatawag sa mga bata with their actual names." Sabi ni bartender Chu.
"Sira-ulo kasi kayo ni Wannie." Sagot ni ate Chip.
"Holyshit. That's brilliant." Sabi ni Rosie.
"It is." Sabi ni ate Chip. "Annoying but brilliant. I've got a feeling this one would be a great parent when you two have kids. I see how her alternate self is with Casper." May tapik sa likod ni Wendy na dugtong niya.
"How..is that?" Tanong ni Wendy.
"Ultra paranoid to the point na perpetually badtrip si Ligaya pero legit super parent." Sabi ni bartender Chu.
"Hella attentive. Always prepared." Dugtong ni ate Chip. "Takes care of Casper in all the ways a parent should and more. Sa lahat ng mga bata yun yung legit na kita mo talaga na showered with love and affection simula palang."
"Nicky's lucky to end up with her as a parent." Sabi ni bartender Chu.
"Hindi ba dapat?" Tanong ni Rosie.
Umiling si ate Chip. "They adopted Nicholas. It's a long story..but the gist is they didn't want him at first. Di pa kasi sila ready pero they grew to love him. Must be why Wannie never lets him feel unwanted since they made it official that he's theirs."
"Ooooooh." Sabi nila Wendy at Rosie.
Tumunog ang wristwatch ni bartender Chu. Nakasimangot na pinatay ang alarm tapos tumayo. "Kwentuhan pa sana tayo kaso we have to go." Malungkot na balita.
"Sayang naman." Sabi nila Wendy at Rosie.
Tumayo nadin si ate Chip. "There's more chances to hang out." Nakangiti na sabi niya.
"I suppose." Sabi ni Wendy.
"Sinasabi ko sayo erp..meron ka na. Bawal na maging crush yung sakin, yan ka nanaman sa titig mo eh." Banta ni bartender Chu.
"DI BA PWEDENG MAY DELAY LANG YUNG KURAP?!" Reklamo ni Wendy.
"Di pwede. Kahit technically, ako din yan..di pwede." Biro ni Rosie.
Natawa si ate Chip. Lumapit nalang kay Wendy tapos hinalikan siya sa pisngi. "Yan." Sabi niya pagkatapos. "Pampalubag-loob. Pagyabang mo sa mundo na you got a kiss from your wife's alternate self."
"I get the feeling may ulterior motive ka din." Sabi ni Rosie kay ate Chip na nag finger-gun sa kanya.
"Reminds me a lot of yung itsura ni Wannie nung kami pa. Wanted to see if meron pa din. Wala na talaga tsong. No homo." Sagot ni ate Chip. Tinapik sa noo si Wendy. "Sige na. Ingat kayo. Daan sa bar nung mga Puta when you can. Nandun naman yung tropang Itim na Bulbol most days." Paalam niya bago tumalikod at pumunta na sa mga anak.
Pinanuod nila Wendy at Rosie na pinapanuod ni bartender Chu si ate Chip.
Kumurap si bartender Chu. Hinarap na ulit sila Wendy at Rosie. "My wife..is right again." Sabi niya. "Daan kayo sa bar minsan. Sagot na ng barkada namin alak niyo. Ingat ha? Teka..babalik ko sa inyo yung Hank niyo bago kami umalis."
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Tahimik sila sa kotse. Bumibiyahe papunta sa overlook.
Walang usap na napag-desisyunan pareho na ipagpaliban kinabukasan ang usap sa mga magulang nila.
"Theungwan?" Tawag ni Rosie. Hininaan ang volume ng radyo na tumutugtog nung 'Not Shy' ng ITZY.
"Hmm?"
"You haven't changed your mind about kids have you?" Tanong ni Rosie.
Umiling si Wendy. "Nope. Have you?" Sagot niya.
"Nah. I just wanted to check kasi baka na-shooketh ka ng malala sa ganap."
"Nope." Ulit ni Wendy. "Shooketh yeh. Pero I'm serious about wanting that next step with you, Rothie."
"Good."
"We're going to be amazing." Nakangiting sabi ni Wendy. "Better than our alternate selves even."
"You think so?"
"Yep. Don't you?"
Ngumiti nadin si Rosie. "Yeah I think so too." Pag sang-ayon niya. "I can't wait."
"Me too. If we can do that now I'd be thrilled."
"Sayang." Biro ni Rosie. "We can technically do it as soon as you park..wala nga lang mabubuntis satin..still gonna be thrilled though."
"AY." Sagot ni Wendy. "YAN TAYO EH."
"Kaso si Song One dala natin today."
"TSONG."
"Ano?" Taas kilay na sagot ni Rosie.
"Kelan ba tayo nagkaroon ng pake sa alog?"
"BASTOS!"
"Oh ano? Teka paparada ako. Ayan na. Let's practice."
"Parang tanga to!"
"Ayaw mo? Ay killjoy."
"Game na dali."
"Marupok naman pala."
"Let's just say we're doing this para we went through all the steps."
"Tapos bukas game na agad tayo?" Tanong ni Wendy. Nagtatanggal na ng seatbelt.
Binaba ni Rosie pahiga ang upuan niya. Lumipat sa likuran ng kotse. Tumango. "Di nanaman tayo magpapaalam." Sabi niya habang kinakalas ang butones ng blouse niya.
"It's a miracle our parents haven't yelled yet." Biro ni Wendy. Naghubad na ng tshirt.
Hinatak siya ni Rosie para makasunod na siya sa backseat at mapatungan.
Nagtanguan sila.
"I love you yeah?" Sabi ni Wendy.
"I love you too, Theungwan." Sagot ni Rosie.
"I'm so glad I get to have kids with you."
"Me too. I'm so glad I get to have kids with my bestfriend."
"We're going to be the coolest parentals."
"Our kid is going to be so spoiled."
"Tapos batang kalye."
"But also well read, well versed in instruments, probs gonna be a math whiz too."
"Gahd I'm so excited."
"Bruh I'm so excited too. Sana it's a girl."
"What if it's a boy?"
"Gonna be even cooler, mas madaling turuan na umakyat sa puno nila Aling Bebang."
"Holyshit. They're gonna have the best childhood."
"I know. Sobrang well rounded nun, I hope they'd find their bestfriend the same way I found mine." Sabi ni Rosie.
"Bakit hindi yung scenario ko? I don't want our kid to end up falling on their face in front of their future jowa if ever." Sagot ni Wendy.
Di na nila nagawa ang original na plano. Naubos na ang magdamag na naguusap lang sila ng scenarios kung paano nila tatakbuhin ang panibago nanamang direction ng buhay na naisip nilang tahakin.