Yuletide and Love.
- Uno and Tiger // Takipsilim Special Drabble.
@yvorepolyo
It’s December 20. Ilang araw na lang bago ang noche buena pero hindi matigil ang pamilya ko pumunta sa kung saan-saan. Most especially my parents kept inviting Yvaine, Yuan and Yael out of the house, we need to go too, kahit na ayaw ko.
Uno kept insisting me na sumama kami. Makulit masyado kaya kahit nakakairita, I will give in.
He kissed me before chuckling, halatang natutuwa kahit na iniirapan ko na siya buong oras na pinipilit ako. Our children are out of the house already, and it’s lunch. Our parents invited us to a restaurant under the towers of a family friend sa BGC.
“KJ.” Mahinang bulong niya sa akin habang niyayakap ako mula sa gilid. I rolled my eyes at him. I am just not in the mood to go out! But fine!
Palabas na kami ng bahay pero hindi niya pa rin binibitawan ang yakap niya sa akin. He even rested his chin on my shoulders while we were walking. Inabot ko ang susi ng sasakyan namin sa wall dahil dito nakasabit bago binuksan ang pintuan.
Exactly the moment when I opened the door, there was a delivery man who was about to call someone on his phone, ngunit agad niya itong binaba dahil nakita niya kami.
“Sir!” Tawag niya sa akin.
Agad kong tinanggal ang nakahawak na kamay ni Uno sa baywang ko at tinakbo ang distansya ng gate namin mula sa main door dahil naghihintay si Kuya. i heard Uno groaned softly behind me. I ignored him.
Agad nagsalita si Kuya nang makalapit ako. “Delivery po.”
“Shopee po ba?” Tanong ko naman. This might be an order from my daughter or son or si Uno, since those two are addicted to checking out cute and useless things from shopee even if it’s a waste of money.
But we’re not lacking on that part, so I just let them be. Besides, hindi ako nagkulang sa pagpapaalala sa kanila na bawas-bawasan ito. Yvaine is manipulative when it comes to this. Uno, on the other hand, can’t say no to our unica hija and our son.
Yael is just like me who doesn’t even open the app because we know we can find it in the nearby malls. Hindi man kapareho ng presyo, makakatipid naman sa shipping fee.
Umiling si Kuya sa akin, “Wala pong bayad, Sir. Bayad na po ng sender ang delivery fee.”
Tumango ako sa kanya at naghintay na maibigay sa akin ang parcel. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang isang pastry mula sa Conti’s at bulaklak. I felt a presence behind me.
Kinuha ko ang cake, at si Uno naman ang kumuha ng bulaklak. Nagpasalamat ako kay Kuya na nag-deliver para doon bago pumasok sa loob.
“Kanino galing, baby?” Mahinang tanong sa akin ni Uno bago isinara ang pintuan sa likod ko.
Umiling ako kay Uno. “Mukha bang alam ko rin?”
He chuckled at me before reaching me to kiss my cheeks. “Sungit.” He said jokingly.
Inilapag namin ang mga hawak namin sa mesa when we reached the dining room. Uno went to me as I opened the box of cake, but before I could — Uno took something from the side.
Almost falling from its place, he took a card. Ni hindi ko ito napansin doon.
I peeked as he opened the letter.
Merry Christmas to your family! This won’t be the last one we’ll deliver to your family hehe.
Una pa lang ‘to! Abangan niyo na lang yung susunod !!
Happy holidays from our family to yours, Attorney!
— Z, K, M and M.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, and immediately, excitement washed over me. It’s from a close friend of mine! Kapwa attorney at ang asawa nitong may-ari ng malaking kumpanya.
The place of the restaurant where we will have lunch later is under their company!
Agad kong inilabas ang phone ko para magpasalamat kay Kane. I also told him that maybe we can go out sometime with our kids. Syempre, kilala niya na ang anak kong babae pero hindi pa ang mga kapatid nito.
And I’m excited to meet their twins too! Yung lalaki pa lang kasi ang nakilala ko.
Agad tumunog ang phone ko, ilang minuto ang nakalipas. I opened it while Uno was storing the cake somewhere in the kitchen. Aalis na rin kami maya-maya dahil tumatawag na ang mga anak namin sa phone niya.
Kane:
Glad you liked it, attorney! Now, I expect a package din tomorrow at my door? Charotism HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Sure, let’s meet-up sometime! Tara Tagaytay or Batangas, if you’re free. I’ll take my kids, tatakas kami from Zeus. xD xD
Just text me! Mwah.
Napangiti ako sa text message nito. Kane’s very easy to be with and Uno kaya magaan ang loob namin sa kanya palagi. Minsan lang namin nakakasama ang asawa nito sa galaan dahil masyado daw itong busy sa trabaho.
“Si Attorney?” Tanong sa akin ni Uno habang dumudungaw mula sa mga balikat ko. He was peeking on my phone, letting his chin rest on my shoulders.
He tilted his head and I felt him kiss the side of my neck. Unti-unti rin niya akong niyakap mula sa likod. I giggled before humming as an answer to his question earlier. Marahan kong hinawakan ang mga kamay niyang nasa tiyan ko.
His head moved and I was pushed to the side a little when he kissed me on the cheeks, still not letting go of the hug. Typical Uno. Very clingy.
“We need to go.” Mahinang sabi ko.
He hummed, letting his face stay on my neck, now. “Later. Gusto kong masolo ka.”
“Come on, Engineer.” I chuckled, gently moving the hands around me pero hindi ito nagpatinag. “Your babies are waiting for you!” Reklamo ko.
Parang kanina lang, siya ang nagtutulak sa akin na umalis na. Ngayon, siya naman ang may ayaw? I don’t get him. “You are my baby, Tiger.” He mumbled. “Besides, I bond with them most of the time. Now’s the only time na masosolo kita. Susulitin ko na.”
“Tara na nga!” I pulled him outside. Dami pang sinasabi eh naghihintay na mga anak namin! He only groaned at me.
Uno intertwined our hands together when we arrived at the tower. He kissed my knuckles before giving the keys of our car sa valet. Tumango si Uno dito at naglakad na kami papasok.
There were familiar people when we arrived at the lobby. Some greeted me but I only nodded as an answer to them. Uno had to stop for a few seconds dahil kinausap siya ng ilan, about a few projects he’s involved with.
Hinawakan niya ulit ang kamay ko nang makalaya siya sa pakikipag-usap sa ilan. When we got near to the couch where our parents and children are, agad kaming binati ng anak naming panganay. “Papa!”
I smiled. Yvaine’s growing too fast. Tanda ko noong anim na taong gulang pa lang ito nang makilala ko si Kane. She was spoiled by Uno. So much spoiled. She was carried by us most of the times, hindi kami makahindi sa mga gusto nito noon.
But when his brothers came into the picture, she learned to stop herself from asking too much from us. Pero hindi ito natigil. Mas lalong sumakit ang ulo ko nang lumaki si Yuan dahil nakisabay ito sa kapatid niya. He’s only 2 years younger than her sister pero halos magkaparehas na sila ng ugali.
Yael was the different one. Isang taon ang agwat nila ni Yuan at tatlong taon naman kay Yvaine.
Now, Yvaine’s almost 17. Yuan’s 15, and Yael is 14. Napabuntong-hininga ako nang yakapin nila akong tatlo. Uno looked at me with contentment in his eyes before kissing me, right after the kids moved away from the hug.
“I am so in love with you, baby.” He whispered, pulling me close. “So in love with you.”
“Ate Yvaine has a crush on Kuya Magnus!” Malakas na sabi ni Yuan when we randomly talked about their life in high school. Agad naman itong binatukan ni ate niya, habang kaming matatanda ay tinignan sila sa nanlalaking mga mata.
Yvaine’s choosy. Ngayon lang namin ‘to nalaman.
“What? Yael, is this true?” Bumaling si Uno sa bunso namin.
He smirked before shrugging. “Dunno, Dad. Ask ate.”
Agad kaming bumaling sa ibang mga anak namin. Nahuli kong binatukan ni Yvaine ang kapatid nito, putting her finger on her lips as a way to tell her brother to shut up. Hindi ako nagpatinag dito dahil wala naman akong kinatatakutan sa mga anak ko.
Kaya tinanong ko ang anak namin, glancing at their grandparents who’s enjoying the topic. “Yvaine, you have a crush?” Tanong ko sa kanya.
She sat up straight before coughing. “Po? Wala, Pa! Yuan’s joking.”
“No, I’m not!” Our first boy smirked. Binalingan niya ang kanyang kanyang kapatid at binigyan ito ng tinging nakakapang-asar. The corners of my lips rose at the sight of them. Nakita ko ring ngumiti ang bunso namin dahil sa kanilang dalawa. “I saw Ate buying some tickets sa isang gig ni Kuya Magnus—”
Bumaling ako sa plato ko at kumain, ngunit palihim pa ring sumusulyap sa dalawang nakakatandang mga anak namin. I saw Yvaine smacking Yuan’s shoulder softly. “Wag ka nga maingay!”
“How old is he, Yvaine?” Tanong ni Uno sa tabi ko.
Yael talked before Yvaine could even answer his father. “Kuya is in the same batch as Ate, just a year older.” He said.
I asked, “18?”
“Yes, Pa.”
I looked at Yvaine and saw her blushing a little. Napangiti ako. I ate the last bit of the food I had on my plate. I remember myself, having crushes at her age too. But I never really had a boyfriend except for Uno. Kung kailan ako naging busy ng sobra sa pag-aaral, doon siya dumating.
I had flings before him but no one really comes close to the one who became your lifeline. Your wall. Your home.
Law school was okay but it was hard. I had so many thoughts and breakdowns that affected my relationship with Uno. He didn’t give up on me, though. Those years molded us into what we are and what we have right now.
“Crush ka rin?” Nang-aasar na tanong ko sa anak kong babae.
“Kuya Magnus gave her flowers last—”
“Yael!” Malakas na tawag ni Yvaine. “Pati ba naman ikaw?” She continues, ngumuso ito.
I chuckled before leaning on my chair. I felt Uno’s hand on my hands, intertwining them before letting it rest on my thighs. I leaned on his shoulders, before looking at our children.
“Crush ka nga?” Tanong ko ulit.
Sasagot na sana siya nang plano ulit ng kapatid nito na pangunahan ang kanyang ate. Tumikhim ako. “Let your sister answer me, baby. Wag mo pangunahan. Your ate might be uncomfortable.”
Tumango sa akin ang anak ko at nanahimik na lang. I caught Yvaine sticking her tongue out at her brother while Yuan only smirked at her.
Yvaine cleared her throat before talking. “I don’t know…” She softly said. “Pero inaya po ako sa concert mamaya sa UST. Paskuhan, pa.”
Umayos ng upo si Uno sa tabi ko, I looked at him and smirked. He probably remembered something from our past. “Thomasian…” He whispered near my ear. “Tapos anak natin nasa Ateneo.”
I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling too much. Deja vu, huh?
“How did you two meet?” Mahinang tanong ko nang dumating ang mga dessert namin. Uno pulled the blueberry cheesecake for me. Inabutan niya rin ako ng maliit na kutsara.
“Party po. Uh… through an airdrop.” She said, namumula na ng sobra ngayon.
Tumango ako at nanatiling tahimik na lang. One of them probably gave their socials through an airdrop and one of them received it. They probably reached out through that. Typical things I do with Jimin and the rest when we were in college.
Uno sliced a bit of the cake at sinubuan ako. Narinig kong nagsalita siya sa anak namin. “We’ll drop you at UST then,” He said.
Magrereklamo na sana ang anak namin nang pangunahan ito ng mga kapatid niya. “Sama kami, Pa!” Malakas na sabi ni Yuan kay Uno.
I looked at Yael with questioning eyes. He knows what I will ask kaya naman tumango na lang siya sa akin ng tahimik. Uno kissed my temples and Yvaine just pouted, wala nang magawa pa.
The whole lunch with our parents was chaotic because of our children. They were loud, not to the point where there would be disturbance to others, but to the point of fondness.
Hinalikan ng mga anak ko ang kanilang mga Lolo at Lola nang matapos kami kumain at aalis na. They will go home to their own respective houses, while we’re gonna drive to UST to drop our kids there.
Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin namin ni Uno after that. Since we already know that the kids will be out until night, we’ll probably stay at home or have a date na kaming dalawa lang.
I glanced at my husband when the kids were still bidding their goodbyes to their grandparents. He was talking to someone over the phone, but I don’t think it’s something serious. Lalo na’t nakikita ko ang ngisi niya mula sa kinatatayuan ko.
He met my eyes while I remained serious on where I stood. He bit his lips before setting his hands on his waist, and closed his eyes.
He looked away with a faint tint of pink on his cheeks.
Napailing ako bago ngumiti. Kinikilig na naman ata ‘to sa akin kahit wala akong ginagawa.
I watched him intently, staying at my place until his call dropped. Nang maibaba niya na ang kanyang telepono ay agad itong lumapit sa akin at hinalikan ang mga pisngi ko.
“Who were you calling?” I asked him softly.
He wrapped his arms around me, giving me a hug. “Just an admin I know sa isang university.”
“About saan?” Mahinang tanong ko ulit. I rested my head on his shoulders before holding his arms that were around me.
He pushed me a little para maharap ko siya ng mas maayos. He was smirking at me weirdly kaya naman kumunot ang noo ko. He chuckled, “Secret muna, baby.”
I was about to ask him again about it because my curiosity was killing me, ngunit agad kaming naistorbong mag-asawa dahil nilapitan kami ng bunso namin. I slightly pushed Uno away and he smirked at me before facing his son.
“Alis na po ba tayo?” Tanong sa kanya ni Yael.
I looked at our other children at nakita kong naglalakad na sila palayo sa kanilang mga lolo at lola. I looked at Yvaine and raised my eyebrow at her but she only nodded at me. “Yes, we will go now, baby.” Bumaling ako sa bunso namin at ngumiti.
On the way to UST, there was traffic. Hindi naman na bago ito, pero hindi ibig sabihin nito ay sanay na ako. Magulo masyado ang mga sasakyan dahil halos lahat ay walang alam kung saan lane dadaan. There were buses and trucks in front of us, meron din naman sa kabila. Magulo masyado.
Nang makarating kami sa pamilyar na daan malapit sa UST, memories of me and Uno immediately flashed in my mind. Napangiti ako bago bumaling kay Uno na tumingin rin sa akin. He smirked at me at napailing na lang ako.
“Ate’s nervous.” Yuan teased his sister.
Agad naman naging iritado ang kanyang kapatid, “Shh! Ang ingay mo.”
I saw Yael shake his head at them while smiling. Napangiti na lang ako habang pinagmamasdan ang mga dahilan ng saya ko sa buhay na ito.
Unexpectedly, Jungkook passed by the main gate kaya naman nanlaki ang mga mata ko. May iba ba siyang pupuntahan? Ibababa pa namin ang mga anak namin ah? I pinched his side but he only made a face at me. “Saan mo ipupunta?”
He stayed quiet with a smirk plastered on his face. Umirap at sumimangot ako sa kanya. Ano bang plano nito?
Few minutes later, he still wasn’t responding to my question. Tahimik rin ang mga bata sa likod, ngunit alam kong nagtataka na rin sila sa kung anong ginagawa ng tatay nila. I raised my eyebrow at the road when he turned left and parked the car near UST, but there weren't that many vehicles on where we were.
“Dito na po ba kami, Pa?” Narinig kong tanong ni Yvaine. I heard the sound of seatbelts being removed too. Hindi ako gumalaw sa upuan ko because is there a need to take them to the grounds? Malalaki naman na sila.
When the kids went out of the car, narinig ko ring tumunog ang seatbelt ni Uno at napansin kong bumaling siya sa akin. “Baba.” Mahinang utos niya sa akin.
Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanya. I tilted my head as I faced him. Inuutusan ba ako nito?
He smiled at me genuinely, at nakita ko agad ang pagsusumamo niya sa kanyang mga mata. “Baba tayo, baby. Hatid natin sila.”
I shifted and looked outside for a second before removing my seatbelt. Nang buksan ko ang pintuan ay narinig ko ring binuksan ni Uno ang kanya. Sabay kaming lumabas ng sasakyan at nakita kong nilapitan kami ng mga anak namin.
I quietly startedwalking towards the gates of the University of Santo Tomas, while I saw my husband putting his hand around Yuan’s shoulder. Tahimik ding naglalakad si Yvaine at Yael sa tabi ko.
When we got there, I immediately stopped and looked back at Uno who’s continue walking towards the gate at may balak pang pumasok. Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi na ito estudyante dito ah?
He noticed my confusion when he looked back at me. He smirked before leaning down to whisper Yuan something. Hindi ko ito narinig kaya humarap na lang ako kay Yvaine para pagsabihan siya kung anong gagawin niya.
“Don’t leave your brothers behind.” Seryosong sabi ko sa kanya. “You can have fun but make sure they are having fun too.”
Yvaine remained quiet with a small smile displaying on her lips. She looked at Uno kaya naman napatingin ako. Pero agad din akong nagtaka kasi parang may pinagusapan sila through their eyes na hindi ko alam. Lumapit si Uno sa amin.
“Mauna na kayo,” Mahinang utos niya.
I looked at our kids walking away from us seriously. Tumalikod na ako nang medyo nakalayo sila para bumalik ng sasakyan ngunit agad akong napatingin sa likod nang may humawak sa kamay ko. Uno was smiling sweetly at me, and without any words, he pulled me to go inside.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Hindi na kami mga estudyante, and he’s definitely not allowed here kasi tapos na siya! Bakit kami papasok?!
“Bawal tayo pumasok!” Mariing sabi ko habang patuloy niya akong hinihila, mabilis ang lakad namin ngayon.
“Pwede! Come on, baby!” He shouted back.
He held my hand tightly and ran with me until we reached the grounds kung saan maraming tao. There was an artist playing at the stage and there were lights from their phone. May nakita pa akong pamilyar na mukha sa crowd.
Nang tumagal ang tingin ko dito ay nanlaki ang mga mga ko nang makita sila Jaehyun at iba pa naming kaibigan. They waved at us before smiling. All I know is that Mingyu is an admin here, kaya siguro nakapasok kami at sila?
I looked at Uno with questioning eyes at nang magtatanong na sana ako ay biglang may yumakap sa akin mula sa likod. “Miss you!” Malakas na sigaw ng isang pamilyar na boses.
I looked at him and saw that it was my bestfriend, si Jimin! Hindi na kami masyadong nagkikita dahil sa mga buhay namin, pero kailanman ay hindi kami tumigil sa paguusap. I chuckled before hugging him so tight, a way for me to tell him that I missed him so much.
“Bawal kaya tayo dito!” I laughed while telling him that. Natawa rin siya, ngunit niyakap niya ako ulit.
I looked at Uno and he gave me a look of adoration. I hugged him tightly when I got away from Jimin’s hold. His arms snaked around me, before I rested my face on his neck. Napasinghap ako. He whispered, “Suprise,” He said. I chuckled.
I think this is the.. call earlier. The one he had. Yung kausap niya ang isang admin sa isang university. Ito yon.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”
He chuckled before I felt his lips on my temple. “I love you too, baby.”
His hand rested on my waist when I pulled from the hug. Nasa likod niya rin ang mga kamay ko at nang bumaling kami kung nasaan ang mga anak namin ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang anak naming babae, may hawak na bulaklak.
There was a man in front of her, probably the one gave her the bouquet. I think this is the man named Magnus.. as my sons mentioned him earlier. Napatingin ako kay Uno nang mapansin ang jersey na suot nito. It was UST’s jersey for basketball players. Ganoon ang suot ni Uno noon.
Natawa si Uno nang magkatinginan kami. I smirked before shaking my head. He whispered on my ear, “Thomasians for the Blue Eagles.” Sabi niya. “Both of us can attest to that.”
Mahina ko siyang sinapak.
The program started and memories from the past immediately flashed through my mind.
I smiled. When the sun went down, it made me sad knowing the darkness filled the sky after that. Pero… nandoon ang buwan. The moon that will not only guide you through the dark path you are going through, but also be the one who will be there… as darkness consumes you.
For me, Uno is that moon.
Ang takipsilim, parang pagtatapos ng isang bagay na maganda. Pero… hindi ibig sabihin na ang mga pangyayari pagkatapos noon ay hindi na.
There is, and there will always be a… beauty in the darkness.
You just have to find it.
Looking back at it now, I realized it’s funny. The experiences I had with him made me flushed, but also made me laugh.
I could never forget how He managed to make him as my accidental grab driver after a night of shame at Taguig. I could never forget how he.. travelled from España to Katipunan just to spend time with me during his free days.
Na kahit tumakbo ako dahil sa takot noong nalaman kong sa kanya ako ikakasal, bumalik ako because he never gave up on me. He made me come back to my home because he married me for love.
He married me… for love.
There were times we made mistakes, argued until our throats ran dry, and to the point we almost had to pull each other’s hair — but those were one of the moments I appreciate so much because we learned to adjust for one another.
For our relationship to work, pride should not be at the top. Or anything that isn't love. Hindi dapat ito ang nasa pinakatuktok.
Dapat.. pagmamahal.
His hug on me from the back loosened, and his arms were on my shoulders now. He chuckled and looked at me with eyes sparkling, and I felt his palm on my cheeks — giving me warmth during the cold breeze of Christmas.
I looked up, and saw fireworks. Narinig ko rin ang sigaw ng mga estudyante.
I will never forget our first experience of Paskuhan together when we were in college.
And now I have a new memory.
Paskuhan with a complete family. Him holding me close during the season of Yuletide, our daughter starting a new chapter in her life with love, our sons doing God knows what.
A scene and a memory during the season of Yuletide and Love. He chuckled before saying, “Merry Christmas, baby.”
And then he pulled me for a sweet kiss the moment the stage lit up, together with the brightest and longest firework.
@TAETOECORE
@jkl0vr3
@pumpkintaee