AFTER one week..
“Huh? Why the sudden change of plan, Ma? We talked about that! Everything is ready, and it’s tomorrow. We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” I asked with a frown.
“Clint! I’ve got business to take care of, and I haven’t told Clyde yet,” she replied.
I purposely went to see her at the coffee shop that day because she seldom answered my calls.
“Huh? Why haven’t you told him yet? It’s his last day of school. He’ll be back next month, so I think it’s a good time for him to take a break somewhere, right? Let’s bring him to Manila.”
“I’ve got a job to do today, Clint. That’s it, let’s not talk about that for now,” she said, as she hurriedly turned her back on me.
I immediately grabbed her left arm and made her face me.
“I thought we were okay,” I asked.
She held my grip and removed my hand. “Clint, we’re okay! I have a life here too! And it’s not because you said you said it! There are still many more days!” she answered me with a frown. “Please leave first. We’re making a scene, Clint.” She still stared at me.
A moment later,
“Um.. Chari?” The man called out.
Mama Cha answered as if she was surprised. “Josh?”
I just sighed and took a deep breath. I was irritated with the way she reacted.
Who is this f**kin’ good-looking guy?
“Am I disturbing you guys?” The man said gently.
“Argh! No! Haha!” Mama Cha laughed after looking at me. “We were just talking about something. He is Clyde’s dance instructor,” she said.
“Ow.. wow! Well, it’s obvious from his looks that he’s a dancer! And—he pretty much looks like Clyde, ah! There’s a resemblance!” he said with a high tone of voice.
Just in my mind! Stupid! I’m Clyde’s father, so I look like him! If only I could shout to all of them, they wouldn’t have a hard time saying that I really look like Clyde.
That Josh is handsome. A tall, lanky Chinese man. It’s embarrassing to get near him because my skin color is darker than his. And it seems that he’s wealthier than me, but arrogant, I’m sure!
“Ah! Josh, sit down.”
“Ah okay, Cha!” He took a seat at the table right across from us. “Come on! You’re ”
Mama Cha answered, “Clint! He’s Clint!”
I just looked at her.
“Ah, Clint! Let’s go have a coffee. ”
I shook my head. I couldn’t even smile. For a moment, I stared at Mama Cha, frowning.
Until..
I can’t take it anymore!
“I’m leaving!” I said rudely as I left in front of them.
“Aah! Clint! ”
I heard her say, but she didn’t manage to chase me.
“Aah.. He’s rude, Chari! Do you really know each other? He acts like you have known each other for a long time! And! Does he know that I’m your boyfriend? Ha? Did you tell him?”
Even though I was already outside, I heard what he said to Mama Cha. I came to a halt. My legs want to return and walk back, and both fists want to punch this handsome brat in the face.
But..
“Josh! What the hell? Don’t mind him! He’s just Clyde’s dance instructor and we were just talking about Clyde. That’s why he’s here. ”
When I heard that from Mama Cha herself, I was disappointed. We both looked at each other just before I finally left.
EIGHT O’CLOCK in the evening..
“Next time, please don’t just take him anywhere, Clint!”
“You’re not there! You’re on a date with Josh!”
“Even though I’m on a date! No matter where I went! You have no right to—”
I cut her. “I have no right? Huh?”
Mama Cha fell silent.
“Well, if you told the child that I’m his father, wouldn’t it be better? So that you and Josh can go out anytime, Clyde will have someone to look after!” I said, annoyed.
“Clint.. Why is it so hard to explain to you that it takes time? We can’t say that right away!”
“Why does it seem like it’s all my fault? Huh? Ma?” I shouted. I couldn’t stop myself anymore. I’m really annoyed and angry with her. Of course, it’s because I’m jealous.
Then she looked at Ben, who was sitting on the veranda with Raymond and Clyde. They are standing while looking at us.
“You didn’t even tell me that you have a boyfriend! ”
“Clint! When we talked, we just became—”
“Then why continue? We’re okay, aren’t we? Is he the reason why you suddenly changed plans?”
“Clint please. Your behavior is so immature! It’s embarrassing!”
“Next time I see that Josh in your shop, I will break his face and let him know who I am!”
She just took a deep breath and then shook her head. After that, she went inside to get Clyde.
“Let’s go, baby! Let’s go home. ”
“Mom? I’m sorry. You kept fighting with Sir Clint.” “Clyde,” I softly said.
Mama Cha just smiled.
“Sir Clint, we’re going home. Thank you for dinner, Sir Clint. Sir Raymond’s cooking was delicious. I’m sorry, Sir Clint, you and Mom fought.” Clyde said while walking.
They were about to pass me, but I grabbed Clyde’s arm to stop them from walking.
“Don’t go home, Clyde.. please!” I said, teary-eyed.
Mama Cha noticed my reaction. She just gave me an angry look.
“Sir Clint, why are you crying? I’ll just go home and then tomorrow, even if I don’t have school, we can meet at the shop!”
“Really, Clyde?”
“Yes, Sir Clint, I’ll wait for you. What time will you be there, you think?”
I was about to answer when my cellphone rang. I didn’t pay attention to it.
“Before lunch, Clyde, I’ll be there.”
My cell phone keeps on ringing.
“Sir Clint, please answer. It might be an important call,” Clyde said politely.
I feel ashamed of Clyde. When I saw who was calling, it was –
“Trina?”
Mama Cha and I looked at each other.
“Come on, Clyde, I’m sure Sir Clint needs to do something.”
“What’s up, Tejie? Is in the hospital? What’s wrong, Trina?” My voice was loud.
I didn’t notice that Clyde was going out.
“Ha! I’ll call you back! I’m outside!” I hurriedly said, chasing after Mama Cha and Clyde.
“Clyde!”
Clyde stopped. Facing me, still smiling.
My heart seems to melt when I look at him. This child is very well-behaved and even cheerful. Mama Cha taught him well. My emotions were mixed during those moments because it turned out that Tejie was in the hospital.
“We’re leaving, Sir Clint.
“Wait for me tomorrow, okay? Da-,” I was taken aback.”Si-Sir Clint, will you be there tomorrow? Okay?” I said to him in a shaky voice. I almost slipped and said, ‘Dad’.
He just nodded.
“Clyde, come in!” Mama Cha said sternly.
Clyde opened the car door. I was standing on the sidewalk watching them.
Then suddenly..
“Sir Clint!” Clyde ran to me and hugged me.
“Sir Clint, I’ll wait for you tomorrow, huh?” He said, crying.
I couldn’t help but cry too because of what Clyde did. I also hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek.
“Bring me a treat, huh?”
“Yes! Wait for me, okay?” I looked at him at the same time. “I love you, Clyde.. Sir Clint loves you very much.”
“Me too, Sir Clint. I love you. I love you so much, ” he said. I felt that he hugged me tighter, and for a while…
“Hope—” he sobbed. “I wish I had a father like you.”
When I heard those words, I picked up Clyde. I hugged him tighter and kissed him on the cheek again and again. I couldn’t stop it anymore and I started crying.
The pain I feel at these moments is unbearable. It felt like someone was stabbing me in the chest. I really want to tell him, but I’m also afraid of the outcome. It’s painful for a father that your son doesn’t know you, but it’s even more painful that he himself is coming closer, but you are the one who is distancing from him.
“Clyde! Let’s go! Sir Clint’s son is in the hospital, and he needs to take care of him. You need to understand that, baby!” Mama Cha said.
I looked at Mama Cha. I saw that there was no reaction on her face or even in herself to what was happening.
“I said let’s go!”
I put Clyde down. He wiped his tears. He is still crying.
“It’s alright, Clyde. I promise I’ll come tomorrow. Don’t cry; your mom will be angry with you! With both of us.” I whispered to him.
He keeps on sobbing.
I led him back to the car. I opened the door and sat him down inside.
“Mmmmmn! Mmmmmn! Sir Clint! I don’t want to go home! Hmmmn..” he cried. He hugged me tightly again.
Mama Cha and I looked at each other. After that,
“What now?” I asked her.
She didn’t move but came closer to us and removed Clyde’s hug from me.
“Mom! I don’t want to go home yet, Mom. “Hmmmn.. Please, let me stay!” Clyde pleaded repeatedly.
“Clyde! He’ll be back tomorrow! Okay, Sir Clint will do something! Don’t be so stubborn! ” Mama Cha shouted at Clyde.
“Clyde. Come on, do you want your mom to be mad at me again?”
“I’m sorry, Sir Clint. She got angry with you because you took me without her permission. I’m really sorry, Sir Clint. Hmmn.. I’m sorry.”
I yelled, “What the f**k, Chari!”
“What, Clint?” Mama Cha answered quickly. “That’s what I’m telling you! Now what?” she said. “You made him stop! You know what’s next when he’s like that?” She yelled too.
She entered the car and started it.
“What is it with you, Chari?” I shouted.
“What is it, Clint?” she also shouted. “Let go of him so we can go home! You don’t want to let go either!”
We’re making a scene now. The three noticed, so they approached us.
“Clint, leave it,” Ben whispered to me.
Nick came next. “Clyde, hold on. Sir Clint will come back tomorrow to pick you up again. Okay, don’t cry, son. Your asthma might attack again.” He said gently to Clyde.
Clyde was still crying, and the car engine was still running. Mama Cha was just quietly listening to us from the inside.
“Alright, your mom is tired, isn’t she? Stop crying, baby, so your mother can rest. Mom still has work.” Nick said again.
Clyde nodded but still sobbing swiftly.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow, huh?” I whispered to Clyde.
“Yes, Sir Clint.” He replied, sobbing.
I kissed him on the forehead and cheek before hugging him. I said goodbye to him after I closed the car door. Without saying a word, when we were a little away from the car, Mama Cha started it immediately and drove away. She didn’t even say goodbye to us.
“Brother, that’s a mess!” Ben said.
“Your son loves you already! But Aunt Cha doesn’t seem to like it!” Nick said.
“I’ll go back to see him tomorrow. I’ll fix it, Nick. I’ll take Clyde to Manila.” I said.
A moment later, my cell phone rang.
It’s Tejie! He’s in the hospital!
June_Thirteen