NINE: No skeptical thoughts please!

[Shaira’s POINT OF VIEW]

I woke up to a gentle stroke on my hair. Followed by a warm whisper in my ear, "Wake up, my sunshine!"

The warm air invaded my sense of hearing. It tickles me, but I was too sleepy to mind it. Hence, I replied, "Uhm...later."

I hugged our side pillow as I turned my back to the other side of the bed. Shortly after, I felt soft lips had touched my forehead.

"Tamra and I prepared something for you, so wake up," he demanded.

I lazily open my eyes and slowly rub them with gentle hands. Just in time, my son jumped in the bed and showered me with small kisses.

"Mommy, we prepared breakfast for you," says Tamra.

How sweet, my boys prepared breakfast in bed for me. I chuckled and replied, "Alright. I'm wide awake. Let me see what you guys have for me. Anyway, thank you!" then I kissed my son's temple.

"Why am I the only one being kissed? How about daddy?" Tamra asked, pointing his finger at his dad.

My husband and I kept our mouths shut while our eyes were having a long conversation. Then, my husband runs his palm on his nape as he says, "Let's go pick your outfit for today."

Jhotam and Tamra left the room, leaving me smiling like an idiot. I prayed and thanked thy grace before eating my breakfast. All I can say is that ....Lord, I'm blessed. Thank you for giving those lovely boys. My life has been merry since I met Jhotam. I had no complaints because he's been too mature and kind to me ever since. I was quite skeptical at first because no human could exist as flawless as him.

Later, I heard footsteps heading in my direction and when I lifted my gaze I saw a smiling figure of the walking green flag I've ever met.

"Where's that little guy?" I asked Jhotam since he came back without Tamra.

"He's busy picking his clothes," he replied and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I love you," I said between my busy mouth...then I initiated a kiss afterward. We are almost kissing passionately, when suddenly...

"Oops!" Tamra says while blocking his eyes using his hands and he even turned his back to face the door.

'Why is this little guy always showing up in the picture when he shouldn't?'

"You haven't taken a bath yet. L-lets go. I'll take you to the bathtub," says I as I pass the tray to my husband and carry Tamra in my arms after. I glanced at my husband before leaving the chamber.

A sudden leap of air got my left eye to close, as if I had winked while mouthing, "We'll take shower later."

"Okay. I'll prepare our towel," Jhotam replied.

Before we left, I saw him messing with his hair wearing pink flashes on his cheeks. I chuckled and murmured, "Just what is he thinking?"

Once done bathing my son, I told Tamra to wait for us at the sala. Then I yelled, "Jhotam! the bathroom is ours. Come at once."

He came like a thunderbolt, and before I knew it, he already had my waist wrapped around his arm. "What are you getting excited about? We're going to end this quickly. No more monkey business because we are in a rush, or else, we're going to miss the first mass," I said.

"But you winked at me, so I thought you were referring to..."

I chuckled and replied, "It's Sunday. Church comes first, and it's our family day you know. If it's just the two of us, then we can do that thing."

"How about we go on a trip? Just the two of us? We haven't done it since Tamra came into our life."

"Let's just leave that topic in a cold shower for now. I don't want to miss the sermon," I replied. I kissed his cheeks and headed off from the bath.

When we arrived at the church, the mass had started. However, we still manage to hear the father's sermon. Right after we had our Sunday mass, we went straight to our favorite eating place.

"Why are we always eating in Max’s? Mom, I want to try eating at Jollibee." We both smile as we both know why this place became our favorite restaurant... It kinda brings back our memories.

He leaned over and tried his best to whisper words in my ear, "Remember how you were nervous when I mentioned that my family will spend their vacation here in the Philippines, and they want to have dinner with my girl."

"Don't even mention it again," I whispered back.

How could I forget about that when in fact the mushroom stocked in my throat makes it hard for me to breathe on that day? He was making fun of me, and instead of me getting mad at him for laughing at my chaotic reaction, I found myself laughing with him. We are both laughing. We don't care even though the servant and other customers are looking at our table.

Our eyes told us that we are both reminiscing memories. Our smile says that we are both happy.

"Why are you murmuring like bees, mom? Don't you like the movie, Mom and Dad?"

"We were discussing where to eat since you dislike going to our suggested place," I replied.

"Daddy, Hyunra says chicken joy is delicious. I wanna try it too! We must go to Jollibee!"

"Sure, later after we visit the Imax. We are going to grab our lunch there."

We had watched some family movies on Imax, but our little kid was sleeping already.

I glanced at my husband, and I didn't know he was also looking at me. He smiled sweetly and reached out to me. There are thousands of stars sparkling in our eyes. We lift our bodies a little bit while trying not to disturb Tamra between our seats. When we are about to lift our faces to close the gap... Tamra yawns while stretching his arm. We heaved a heavy breath as we both brushed our palms in our faces.

"Jollibee! I want to go to Jollibee." We were not able to finish the movie because this new fan of bees kept on insisting.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked his son.

"Chicken joy and spaghetti," Tamra says.

"How about you, baby? what do you want to eat?"

"Just order a bucket meal for us," I replied, and he nodded. However, before he turned his back on us to go to the counter, Tamra uttered something funny.

"Mommy is way older than me. How come you call her baby? you should call her Honey just like how Uncle Taehyung addresses Aunt Hera."

Jhotam scratches his nape. I can see how hard it is for him to try not to laugh.

"Why are you still standing here, dad? Go and order now." Tamra added, wearing his pouty lips and pair of cute and deep dimples.

Shortly after, we were left at the table, waiting for Jhotam. All of a sudden we heard...

"Tamra!" The cute voice is owned by the beautiful 5-year-old daughter of Hera.

"Hyunra!" Tamra was surprised to see Hyunra. He's about to leave his seat, but Hyunra runs in our direction, and Hera has been smiling while watching her daughter embracing my son.

"Hi! Hyunhe," My son greeted the twin brother of Hyunra.

"Hi, "Hyunhe replied with a bored expression and dry tone.

Expect nothing from Hyunhe. He knows nothing but to act stubborn and snob opposite of Hyunra. He may look handsome as Taehyung, but in terms of character, Hera had it all. On the other hand, Hyunra is a photocopy of Hera's facial, but she is cheerful as his father is.

"Let's eat together Jhotam will be here later."

"I see. I better order now," We put together the table. Then Taehyung falls in line to order. Not so long, Jhotam came back with two trays, but of course, the other one is on the staff of Jollibee.

Jotham was holding the tray with the bucket meal and fries. The staff is handling the tray with ice creams and coke floats.

"Taehyung is not with you?" Jhotam asked Hera. I forgot when Kim's family appeared he was at the counter. Hence, he might not see Hera's husband.

"He is over the counter," Hera replied.

He nods. We waited for Hera's husband before we could eat. It's funny ‘cause Hyunra and Tamra are acting and talking like adults. It’s quite amusing to watch them.

"See? I told you Jollibee is the best," Hyunra says.

"I love the gravy, though as we get older, we must eat again in Jollibee, ok?"

"Can't you just eat and crop the talk? I can't focus on my food," Hyunhe says.

The four of us stared at each other while trying hard to conceal our mouths so as not to burst into laughter. I swear, I can see the boy version of Hera. When it comes to food, they acted the same, food-centered beings.

"Hey, that's bad. Mind your own business, you snobbish ass." Hera lectured Hyunhe.

"I'm sorry about that. This punk is stubborn and snob, you know," Hera says,

"Like mother like son," Taehyung replied.

"So you're saying I'm stubborn and snobbish?" Hera pinched her man's waist. Married or best friends, nothing has changed with how Taehyung teases my best friend.

We had a nice conversation before parting ways. Kim's family needs to head first to avoid the monstrous traffic. As for our family, we planned to spend our day in Luneta Park to watch the sunset and let Tamra play. We drop by a convenience store to buy our snack in Luneta. After a while, I notice that his phone is ringing.

"We'll wait for you at the counter. Make it fast," I replied.

I carried the basket to the counter while Jhotam went outside the convenience store. When he came back to pick up our items, it saddens me to hear that he couldn't spend this day with us. Though today is Sunday, he still needs to go to his office because the company needs him.

"If you want to, I can drop you there," Jhotam suggested.

What's the point? We will not enjoy it anyway.

"If daddy's not there, then it's pointless."

Even Tamra knew how I felt. I bet my son is also thinking the same way.

"Ok, then...I'll make it up to you. I promise later, we'll be going to have a movie marathon." He lifts Tamra and kisses him on his cheeks.

"Don't promise, dad. I just learned that promises are meant to be broken." Silly boy, I never teach him that. I wonder where he learned all those talks.

My husband looked at me as if he was saying that I taught his son such things. I looked straight into my husband's eye and moved my shoulder up and down. He just rolled his eyes while his lips formed a sideways smile. He pulled me closer to his chest. He leaned closer to my face, obviously to plant kisses on my lips, but I stopped him by pinning my index finger on his lips.

"I think you forgot we are in a public place." I gave him a mischievous smile as I threw a meaningful wink, "But if you want to.... come home quickly." I whispered.

He didn't answer directly, but his eyes outshined the Milky Way.

Although I may not be vocal about today, it disappointed me. I simply reminded myself... 'He's just busy, and I shouldn't be skeptical about it. There's nothing to worry about, right?