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Taun-taon, sinisigurado nina Cholo at Han na magiging masaya at maayos ang pasko nila ng buong pamilya. Two years after having the triplets, the couple has decided to hold the noche buena at their house together with both sides of the family. Meaning, kasama nila ang mga magulang ni Han, at ang tatay at mga kapatid ni Cholo.
“Love, ready na ba yung mga ipapaluto natin for noche buena tomorrow?” Han asked his husband habang kalong si Nini, ang bunso nila. “Have you also talked to dad and mom about the caterers?”
“Ayos na raw yung sa catering, mahal. Mga alas tres ng hapon mag-aayos na raw sa baba,” sagot naman ni Cholo na kalong sina Bella at Thirdy. Natatawa naman siyang tiningnan ng asawa. “Bakit ka natatawa? May dumi ako sa mukha?”
Han shook his head and moved closer to his husband, wiping the sweat on the latter’s forehead. “Para kang naglilift ng weights diyan. Who’s heavier na?”
“Si Bella, mahal. Napaparami kasi ata inom ng gatas eh. Ito namang Junior ko, lumalaki na rin pisngi,” inginuso ni Cholo si Nini. “Ang bebe kamusta?”
“She’s responding well with the vitamins. And she’s gaining weight too, which is good, kasi she’s so payat when we had her.”
Huminga nang malalim si Cholo, naaalala ang pagdating ni Nini sa buhay nilang mag-asawa. Ever since that morning when they gave out the news about Nini to their family and friends, hindi na muling nagsalita ang mga ito tungkol sa kanya. Kahit ang mga kapitbahay nila, ang alam ay tatlo ang ipinanganak ni Han at hindi rin naman kaiba sa kanila dahil malaki rin ang tiyan ni Han noong pinagbubuntis sina Thirdy at Bella.
“Nahahawa na kasi ata siya sa mga kakambal niya, mahal,” nakangiting sagot ni Cholo. It was a known fact that both him and his husband have this soft spot for Nini, na para bang gusto nila itong protektahan sa magulong mundo. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nila alam kung sino ang nag-iwan sa kanila kay Nini, pero madalas nilang mapag-usapang mag-asawa na baka kakilala lang talaga ang nag-iwan rito.
Maybe it was a former friend? They wouldn’t really know.
“Thank God the kids are growing up so well,” Jeonghan said while placing Nini back on the bed. “Kuya Levi’s really careful with the kids. And Adrienne—”
“Taytay!!! Padi!!!”
“Ayan na si ipu-ipo,” natatawang sabi ni Cholo. Ibinaba na rin nito ang dalawang bata katabi ng kapatid nito. “Ready mo na yung tenga mo, bebi.”
“My ears are always ready, babe.”
“Taytay!” masiglang takbo ni Adrienne kay Cholo. Sinalubong naman siya ng ama ng mahigpit na yakap.
“Kamusta na ang ate? Nag-enjoy ka ba kasama si Lola Mamsie? Nasaan ang kuya?”
“Taytay maisa isa lam po am kestions please.”
At 6 years old, lalong naging madaldal ang panganay nilang babae. Adrienne can easily talk to strangers about how the apples are red, and how she wants her baby brother to be called blue. At si Cholo? Ayan, kamot ulo na lang.
“How was your shopping with Lola Mamsie, my love?” tanong ni Han sa anak. “Did you buy gifts for the triplets na?”
“Yes po, Padi! I buy them yung damit na madami dami! Tapos si kuya po ma-buy din ng madami dami na damit po para kina bebe.”
“Tay, Padi, hello po,” lumapit si Levi sa mag-asawa para mag-mano. “Pinapabigay po pala ni Lolo Daddy para kay Thirdy, tapos ito pong isa pang paperbag para po kina Nini and Bella.”
Han kissed his eldest’s forehead and hugged him tightly. “Did you enjoy your day with Lola Mamsie and Lolo Daddy, kuya?”
“Opo, Padi. Binilhan po nila ako ng books saka sabi po nila next year daw po sasama ako ni Lolo Daddy manood ng F1 po,” lumingon ito kay Cholo. “Tay, sama po ako please? Magbabait po ako! Gagawin ko po lahat ng assignments ko on time tapos help ko din po si Ading sa homeworks niya po. Tapos pag umiyak ang triplets maghelp din po ako. Padi… Tatay… please po?”
Nagkatinginan silang mag-asawa sa paalam ni Levi. Bibihira lang na humingi ng pabor sa kanila ang panganay nila. Growing up, nakahiligan na rin ni Levi ang mga sasakyan. Madalas itong sumama sa auto shop nina Cholo para manood sa mga tauhan nila, at minsan ay nagpapaalam itong magkutingting din sa mga sasakyan. Pinapayagan naman ito ni Cholo, at nakikita rin nito na gustong gusto talaga ni Levi ang ginagawa.
“Gusto mo ba talaga, Leb?” Cholo asked his eldest. Tumango naman si Levi kaya napatingin siya kay Han. “Anong ginagawa nga bago makuha ang gusto?”
“Dapat behave po, tapos susunod po kay Tatay at Padi… good boy naman po ako di ba, Tay, Padi?”
“Of course, my love. Did Lolo Daddy tell you kung saan kayo manonood?”
“Sa Singapore daw po sa susunod na taon. Sama po ako Padi, please po?”
“Padi where po punta si kuya?” Adrienne asked, her innocent eyes grew a bit wide. “Kasi si Lolo Daddy sabi niya po alis din daw po kami.”
“Sinabi ba niya kung saan?” tanong ni Cholo sa anak. Adrienne came closer and sat on her tatay’s lap.
“Doon din po, Taytay. Sa Simgapore daw po.”
“It’s Singapore, my love.”
“Same naman yun po, Padi.”
Natawa na lang ng bahagya si Han. “Alright, tatay and I will talk about it first kasi how about the kids, di ba? And we still have to get your passports before we can go.”
“Malayo po ba yun, Padi?”
“Magsakay po ba tayo ng broom broom?”
“Not just a broom broom, my love. We need to ride a plane kaya we need to get your passports.”
“Airplane po?”
“Malayo iyon, anak. Sa ibang bansa kasi kaya kailangan natin ng passport niyo,” nilingon ni Cholo si Levi na matamang nakikinig, tila nag-iisip dahil sa paraan ng pagkunot nito ng noo. “Mga dalawang tulog muna Leb, saka namin sabihin sa inyo ni Padi kung anong mapag-usapan namin ha? Ayos ba, anak?”
Levi heaved a sigh, at isang pilit na ngiti ang iginawad sa mga magulang. “Okay po tay, Ading, tara muna sa labas para makapag-usap na sina Padi and Tatay.”
“Kuyaaaaa….”
Binuhat na ni Levi pababa ang kapatid at saka hinila nang marahan. Binulungan nito si Ading, na hindi naman tunog bulong dahil naririnig pa rin ng mga magulang nila. “Tara na para makapag-usap na sina tatay para payag na silang umalis tayo papuntang Singapore. Madami ka makikitang toys dun!”
Umiling na lang si Cholo habang papalabas ang mga anak. Han also shook his head, clearly amused by how his eldest children talked.
“Yung mga anak mo talaga. Lahat talaga ng kalokohan nakuha nila sa’yo, no? They purposely let us hear their conversation.”
“Pag kalokohan anak ko na lang?”
“Taytay…”
Thirdy stirred and woke up from his sleep. Hawak ang hotdog pillow sa kaliwang braso, umangat ito sa pagkakahiga at saka marahang bumaba sa kama para pumunta kay Cholo na nakaupo sa recliner chair.
“Ang bilis naman magising ng pogi kong anak,” kinalong ni Cholo si Thirdy na pupungas pungas pa. “Anong gusto ng bebe?”
“Taytay milk…”
Iniabot agad ni Han ang bote ng gatas sa anak. As much as possible, they try and let them drink milk sa baso but at times like these, they let the kids drink their milk from the bottle until they fall asleep again.
“Look at him, tatay… ang peaceful tingnan ni Thirdy habang dumedede—aww my baby look tatay oh!”
Tuwang tuwa naman silang mag-asawa sa bunsong lalaki nila. It has been the best months of their life when they had the triplets. Triplets kasi sabay sabay naman ang birthday nila. It was probably fate that binded the three siblings together, having the same birthday. At kahit hindi sila galing lahat kay Han, the couple has never once doubted that all three of them are siblings. And they are all loved the same way.
Thirdy was fast asleep again after finishing his bottle of milk. Kinuha na ito ni Han mula kay Cholo at ibinalik sa kama, katabi sina Nini at Bella.
“Bebi…”
Napalingon si Han sa asawa. “Why? Is there something wrong?”
“Yung kanina kay Lebleb…”
“Do you want us to go? I can talk to dad para lahat na tayo sasama, then tatay, Kimmy and SK can go too. I can schedule their passport appointment after the holidays.”
“Ano lang kasi, naisip kong ngayon lang ulit siya humiling ng ganun simula nung dumating si Ading.”
“Oh…”
Biglang napatigil si Han at napaisip. Simula nga nang dumating si Ading, Levi has stepped up and has been the big brother for his siblings. Palaging nakaalalay kay Ading, tumutulong kay Han sa mga gawaing bahay at pagbabantay sa mga kapatid. Lalo na noong dumating ang triplets, parang nag-activate sa ultra mega kuya mode si Levi. He still plays with Ading and the kids, pero mas lamang na sa kanya ang pag-iingat.
“Ngayon na lang ulit siya humiling ng gusto niya talaga, mahal,” Cholo sighed. Lumapit naman sa kanya si Han at kumandong, resting his head on the crook of Cholo’s neck. “Parang nalungkot ako… ngayon ko na lang narealize na bata pa rin pala si Lebleb.”
“We got so busy with the kids that we almost forgot about him, about how there are things he wanted as a child. He’s doing good at being a kuya but we failed to notice na he’s still a kid. Oh my poor baby…”
“Kaya pala minsan napapansin ko may mga gusto siyang sabihin pero parang uurong na lang siya, na hindi na niya itutuloy…”
“He’s just 10 but he’s so independent na, that sometimes he doesn’t ask for help from me or from you… tatay… have we neglected him?”
Iniangat ni Cholo ang tingin ni Jeonghan nang maramdaman niya ang pagpatak ng luha nito sa t-shirt niya. “Mahal, kausapin natin si Leb? Sa kwarto na lang niya? Gusto ko lang din kasing malaman, baka ganun na rin kasi yung naiisip niya na yung atensyon natin nasa mga kapatid niya na lang.”
“But yung gusto niya, payag ka bang sumama tayo sa Singapore?”
“Oo naman. Sakto naman sa bakasyon ng mga bata yun kaya pwede tayong sumama. Kasama na rin naman sina tatay diba? Mabuti yun para makapahinga rin lahat.”
“I’ll schedule their passport appointments as soon as the holidays are over. But let’s go talk to Levi na muna.”
Sabay na lumabas ng kwarto ang mag-asawa. Pumunta muna sa baba si Cholo at saka tinawag si Kimmy para bantayan ang mga bunsong anak niyang natutulog.
“Nasaan si Ading?” tanong ni Cholo kay Kimmy habang naglalakad paakyat. “Kasama ba ni Leb?”
“Nasa kwarto niya si Leb, kuya. Si Ading kalaro ni diko SK sa garden. Andun din ako kanina kaso napagod na ko sa anak mo, kuya! Di ko na kaya taas ng energy niya jusko ano bang pinapakain niyo ni Kuya Han sa kanya?”
“Chicken pops,” binatukan ni Kimmy ang kuya niya. “Aray ko ah! Oo nga! Paborito niya yung chicken pops na gawa ni bebi!”
“Siraulo ka talagang kausap kainis. Sana di mamana nung tatlo yang bagra mong ugali!”
“Hey, nag-aaway na naman kayo.”
“Ito kasing punggok na to inaapi na naman ako, bebi!”
“Wow ako pa?! Teluk ka kuya ah. Dito na nga ako!”
Pumasok na si Kimmy sa kwarto nilang mag-asawa. Hinawakan naman ni Cholo ang kamay ni Han.
“I’m nervous, love. I hope we’re wrong sa mga naisip natin kanina.”
Cholo pulled his husband and pressed a kiss on his temple. “Sana talaga, mahal. Masakit rin para sa’kin kung ganun nga ang naiisip ni kuya.”
Sabay nilang binuksan ang pinto at nakita nilang nanonood sa iPad nito si Levi. Napaangat ng tingin sa kanila ang bata.
“Tay, Padi… bakit po?”
Jeonghan walked towards his eldest and sat beside him on his bed, with Cholo sitting on the other side. Pinapagitnaan na nila ngayon ang anak, with Jeonghan’s right hand caressing Levi’s cheek.
“My love, how are you?”
At a young age, Levi has learned to be independent. Levi hs learned to be matured. Maaga siyang namulat na siya ang panganay, at siya ang magiging katuwang ng mga magulang sa paggabay sa mga kapatid niya. He has learned that his fathers will always need his help with taking care of his siblings.
And at a young age, Levi somehow feels tired.
Sure, he loves his siblings so much. He loves his fathers too. He loves helping his fathers and he loves helping them take care of his siblings. Pero bata pa rin naman siya. Gusto niya pa ring umasa kahit papaano sa mga magulang niya. Gusto niya pa ring maranasan yung i-baby siya ng padi niya kahit 10 years old na siya. Gusto niya pa ring ma-kiss sa pisngi, at masabihang very good dahil naperfect niya ang exam.
“Padi…” hindi na niya napigilang mangilid ang mga luha niya. For Levi, it was the first time in a year that his padi asked how he is. Yumakap siya nang mahigpit sa mga ito. “Tatay…”
And when Levi’s tears fell, it broke something on his parents’ hearts.
“Levi…”
“Padi, minsan po tired na ako…”
“Tired of what, my love?”
Levi heaved a sigh. “Minsan po kasi si Ading na lang po yung very good…”
“Oh my love…”
“Minsan takot po ako na baka di po ako best kuya para kina Ading… sorry po tatay, padi… sorry po… gusto ko din po na very good din po ako sa inyo…”
Halos madurog ang puso nilang mag-asawa sa mga narinig sa anak. They were both hyper-focused on taking care of their younger kids that they have somehow neglected the fact that Levi needs to be taken care of, too.
“Sorry, anak,” pag-aalo ni Cholo sa panganay niya. Naramdaman niya ang mas mahigpit na yakap ni Levi sa kanya. Jeonghan was crying beside them too. “Sorry kung masyado kaming naging focused sa pagiging independent mo na minsan nakakalimutan na namin ni padi na bata ka pa rin pala… anak, sorry po ha?”
“We’re sorry if you feel neglected in any way, my love. We just realized that we were so focused on taking care of your siblings and that we sometimes forget na you’re just a kid too, that we also have to take care of you,” pinunasan ni Han ang luha ng panganay niyang anak, making him feel the love he has for his eldest. “I will always be proud of how you’ve grown, my love. You’re growing to be such a fine young boy who’s loving and caring, and you are so brave, wise and strong that sometimes we think na you don’t need our help, but mali pala yun. As your parents, we should know that you will always need our help and we should always be there to guide you, right?”
Tumango si Levi sa ama. “From now on, don’t hesitate to tell me or tatay whatever it is that you need or want, okay?”
“Babawi kami ni padi sa’yo, anak. Pasensya ka na at nagkulang kami… pero sana kahit ganun ay mahal mo pa rin kami ni padi ha? Mahal ka namin, anak. Ikaw ang unang blessing sa amin ni Papa God at palagi kaming magpapasalamat na ikaw ang panganay namin.”
“Tatay love ko po kayo ni padi palagi. Sorry po kung may ganung thoughts po ako… hindi na po mauulit…”
Han shook his head while wiping his son’s tears. “Oh no, my love. Tell us. Tatay and I would appreciate it if you tell us. Mas mabuti if we knew about what you feel so we can right our wrongs, and we can make up for it.”
“Pero makakaasa ka naman na hindi na mauulit iyon, anak,” Cholo kissed Levi on the younger’s forehead. “Makakaasa kang hindi na mauulit iyon. Palagi mong tatandaan na kahit anong gusto mong maging paglaki, susuportahan ka namin, anak. Mahal ka namin ni padi, ha? Ikaw ang best kuya para sa amin at sa mga kapatid mo dahil alam kong nararamdaman din nina Ading yan. Sana palagi mong tatandaan, ikaw ang unang nagbigay kulay sa buhay namin ni padi mo, at hinding hindi iyong mapapantayan ng iba.”
Muling yumakap ng mahigpit si Levi sa ama. For him, hearing those words from his father meant the world to him.
“I love you po tatay, padi…” Levi kissed both his fathers on their cheeks. “Thank you po kasi kayo po ang parents namin nina Ading. Thank you po kasi love niyo po kami lahat.”
“Always, my love. Always.”
“Padi…”
“Hmm?”
“Sabi niyo po kanina ni tatay two na tulog pa po bago niyo po sabihin kung payag po kayo sumama ako kay Lolo Daddy…”
Nagkatinginan ang mag-asawa at saka ngumiti.
“Do you want to go?” tanong ni Han sa anak. Levi nodded with a bit of excitement. “Do you want us to come with you, too?”
Levi’s eyes grew wide, and smiled widely. “Sasama po kayo?”
“And the babies too, with Lolo Pogi and Tinong SK and Tita Kimmy, do you like that, my love?”
Hinaplos haplos ni Cholo ang buhok ng anak. Levi’s excitement was so contagious that he couldn't help but smile too. Naramdaman na lang niya ang biglang pagyakap ng anak sa kaniya, pati na rin kay Han.
“Thank you tatay, padi! Promise ko po magbabait po ako! Thank you po! I love you po!”
“Taytay…”
Napalingon silang lahat sa may pinto at nakita si Adrienne, at kasama nito sa likod si SK na may hawak na bimpo para sa pamangkin.
“Hinahanap kayo, kuya. Sabi ni Kimmy andito daw kayo kaya hinatid ko paakyat,” hinihingal na sabi nito. “Parang walang kapaguran yang anak niyo, kuya. Kanina pa kami nagpapatintero sa baba!”
“Thanks, SK. And sorry if she’s so malikot. She’s so energetic, kahit kami ni kuya mo napapagod sa taas ng energy niya,” sagot ni Han nang makalapit si Adrienne sa kanila. “Can you ask manang pala to prepare yung meryenda? Para we can eat na. Are the babies awake na ba?”
“Hindi pa, Kuya. Napasarap na naman tulog nung tatlo.”
“Buti yung nagbabantay gising pa?” pang-aasar na naman ni Cholo sa bunsong kapatid. “Minsan nauuna pang makatulog eh.”
“Wag mo na kasing asarin,” Han chuckled. “Sige na, SK. Ask manang to prepare na yung meryenda. Susunod kami sa baba.”
“Oks, kuya. Baba lang ako.”
“Padi, why mag-cry po si kuya?” Adrienne asked innocently. Nang makababa si Levi ay siya naman ang kumandong kay Cholo. “Taytay lagooooot nipaiyak mo si kuya…”
Natatawa na lang sa kanila si Jeonghan, at niyakap naman ni Levi ang kapatid, which made their parents’ hearts melt. Natutuwa talaga silang mag-asawa na lumalaking close ang mga anak nila.
“Ading ko, may itatanong po si tatay.”
Adrienne looked at her tatay with those round, beautiful eyes, which Cholo cannot resist. “Ano po yun, Taytay?”
Han and Levi sat on the edge of the bed and listened to what Cholo has to say. They both knew what it was, but they were excited about Adrienne’s reaction.
“Pasko na sa isang araw, anong gustong regalo ng Ading ko?”
Tila nag-isip pa ito bago sumagot sa ama. “Taytay, gusto ko po sama kay kuya saka kay Lolo Daddy sa Simgapore.”
“It’s Singapore, my love.”
“Same nga lang po yun padi,” kunot ang noong sagot nito. “Sabi po ni kuya mawatch sila nam racing ng cars doon. Sama po ako, taytay…”
“Yun ba gusto mong regalo, anak? Manood ka din ng car racing?”
“Saka sabi ni kuya madaming toys daw po dun sa Umiversal Studioms.”
“Universal Studios, Ading.”
“Same nga lang yun kuya!”
“Gusto mo bang pumunta dun?”
Tumango si Adrienne. “Opo, taytay. Sama dim po am babies, ako po magtutulak ng stroller nila.”
“Kaya mo ba, anak?”
“Po?”
“Kaya mo ba itulak yung stroller nina bebe?”
“We’re coming with you sa Singapore, my love,” singit ni Han sa usapan nang makitang nakakunot pa rin ang noo ni Adrienne. “Tatay, me, the babies, Lolo Pogi, Tinong SK and Tita Kimmy.”
Nagliwanag bigla ang mukha ni Adrienne sa narinig. “Talaga po, Padi?!” Adrienne beamed and went down her tatay’s lap to go hug her padi. “Sasama po mga babies?”
“We’ll all go with you, my love.”
“Yehey! Thank you po tatay and padi!” nilingon ni Adrienne ang kuya at saka nagtatalon. “Kuya sasama kami sa inyo ni Lolo Daddy! Magrides tayo dun ha! Sabi mo!”
Hindi mapagsidlan ang tuwa ng magkapatid sa ibinalita ng mag-asawa. For Cholo and Han, their kids’ happiness meant the world to them. And whatever they talked about with Levi, they vowed that it will never happen again, and to any of the kids.
“Bella don’t run baka madapa ka, anak!”
Kanina pa nagsisitakbuhan ang mga anak nila ni Cholo sa loob ng bahay. The kids kept on playing and running around while the elders were preparing for their noche buena celebration.
Cholo was outside helping the caterers with the decoration, with Tatay Simon and SK. Sila naman ni Kimmy ang nasa kusina para sa pastries na ihahain nila mamaya sa noche buena.
“Kuya Han, puntahan mo na muna sina bebe dun, ako nang bahala dito sa binebake natin.”
“Kaya mo na ba, Kimmy? Babalik na lang ako after. Levi’s with them naman upstairs but I need to check din at baka sa bed na sila tumatalon,” Han took off his apron. “We’re almost finished naman, tapos the caterers are almost done preparing outside. Your kuya ba? Nabili na ba niya yung fruits?”
“Nabili na nila ni diko SK kanina, kuya. Nagpunta sila sa Puregold sa Baytree. Ay tumawag na rin pala sina tito, papunta na daw sila dito.”
“Oh that’s good. Leave that na so you can prepare na rin. I’ll ask manang na lang to keep an eye on the oven.”
“Oks kuya, ako na magsabi kay manang. Naririnig ko nang nagsusummer slam yung mga bubwit sa taas.”
True enough, they were playing around their bathtub. Basa ang tatlong bunso nila, pati si Adrienne, habang nagtatawanan kasama si Levi na pinapaliguan ang mga bunso.
“Padi!!” sabay sabay na sigaw ng tatlo sa kanya.
“Padi look mo ligo kami ni kuya!”
“Padi I play with bubbles see?!”
“Padi very good po ako behave po ako!”
Jeonghan’s heart swells with so much happiness, kahit pa basang basa na ang sahig ng banyo nila sa kwarto. Seeing his kids play and be happy with each other is what makes him happy too.
“Padi, unahin ko na po muna patuyuin si Thirdy,” sabi ni Levi sabay karga sa bunsong lalaki nila. “Balikan ko na lang po sina Bella.”
“No need na, kuya. Ako nang bahala dito,” Jeonghan tapped his eldest son’s cheeks. “Thank you for helping, kuya. Go na kayo ni Thirdy. Prepare ka na rin for our dinner later.”
“Okay po!” binuhat na ni Levi si Thirdy. “Tara na, bebe. Bihis na ikaw ni kuya.”
“Yayyyy! Padi alabyu!”
“I love you too, my baby!”
Hinarap naman ni Han ang tatlong babaeng anak na naglalaro pa rin sa bathtub. He was just looking at them when he heard Adrienne speak.
“Bebe bibihis na tayo kasi look mo si Padi oh, baka mag-get mad na siya!”
“Nooooo padi ay en sawry!”
“Padi’s not mad, my love, but come here na so I can dry you up.”
Naunang lumapit si Nini sa ama at nagpatuyo ng katawan. Patapos na siya kay Nini nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto, sabay ang pagpasok ni Cholo sa kwarto.
“Eto na mga damit ng bebe,” ani Cholo at kinuha si Nini kay Jeonghan para bihisan. Sunod namang pinatuyo ni Han si Bella. “Inayos na pala yan ni kuya kanina bago sila nagsiligo.”
“Padi are you mad po?” Bella asked her padi innocently. “Ay en sawry kasi po we play wit water po.”
“Padi sorry po,” Adrienne said, pouting.
“Don’t be, my love. Padi’s happy that you helped kuya na maligo ang triplets. Very good ka, ate.”
“Talaga po?”
“Of course! You’re also doing a good job, right, tatay?”
Tumango si Cholo at nag-thumbs up sa anak. “Very good ang ate Adrienne namin na yan eh.”
Adrienne giggled and grabbed her own towel. Just like her kuya, she wanted to be someone her siblings can depend on, kaya naman natututo na rin siyang gawin ang mga bagay na sa tingin niya ay kaya niyang gawin mag-isa.
“Padi takbo ako sa room namin ni kuya para mabihis na ako pleaseeee…”
“Sige na, mahal. Ihatid ko lang si Ading sa kwarto. Tapos ko na ring bihisan si Nini.”
“Alright. Come na kay padi, Bella. I’ll dress you up na.”
Nang makalabas sina Cholo at Adrienne sa kwarto ay itinuloy ni Han ang pagbibihis kay Bella. The girls are all wearing a red dress which he designed, same with Adrienne.
“Padi, ma-open na po tayo nam gifts later?” Bellas asked while he was putting on her white ballet shoes. “Madami dami po ako nakita na gifts sa very big tree!”
“Padi meron dim po me?”
“Of course, my love. You all have gifts later,” Han tapped Nini’s cheeks lightly. “You have a lot of gifts from tinongs and tita Kimmy.”
“En Lolo Daddy en Lola Mamsie en Lolo Pogi?” Nini beamed with excitement.
“We all have gifts for you, my love. After we eat, we will open them later, okay?”
“Eat po muna, Padi?”
“Yes, Bella. We need to eat first before we open your presents para Santa won’t get mad.”
“Okayyy! Padi ay en redi na po!”
“Aww my baby girls you both look good! Don’t be malikot na later ha? Padi naman will take a bath real quick then we’ll go downstairs na. Can I leave you here muna and you can watch tv?”
“Okay!” sabay na sabi ng kambal. Jeonghan kissed them both and hurriedly went inside the bathroom. Mabilisang pagligo na lang ang ginawa niya dahil alam niyang mainipin ang dalawang babae nila. Parehas kasing maikli ang attention span nito, at mas malikot pa kesa kay Thirdy.
He finished taking a bath in no time, at naabutan na rin niya si Cholo na nagbibihis na rin. Mukhang naligo ito sa kwarto ni Levi.
“Are you done na, love?” he asked his husband. Lumapit siya rito at saka marahang yumakap. He buried his face on the crook of his husband’s neck, inhaling his scent. Jeonghan loves Cholo’s natural scent. Noon hanggang ngayon, ito pa rin ang gustong gusto niya.
Cholo wrapped his arms around Han’s waist pagkatapos niyang isuot ang pantalon. His husband instantly placed a chaste kiss on his lips. Lalayo na sana ito nang marahan niyang hilahin ang baba nito para halikang muli sa labi.
“Ayan, tapos na,” nakangising sagot ni Cholo. More than 10 years and with 5 kids later, Jeonghan still feels the love and security his husband has given him ever since they met.
He’s still the same kanto boy he fell in love with.
“Mahal kita,” mahinang bulong ni Cholo sa asawa. Mas lalo niyang hinigpitan ang yakap dito. “Mahal na mahal kita, bebi. Salamat kasi ikaw pa rin ang kasama ko sa araw-araw. Ikaw pa rin ang pinakamagandang regalo sa akin ni Lord kada pasko.”
“You will always have my heart, my love,” nakangiting sagot ni Han sa asawa. “Thank you for being the best tatay to our kids, and the best husband one could ever ask for. The chaos we get everyday? I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
“Kahit kumulubot na yung balat nating dalawa?”
“Even better, kasi alam kong kasama kita.”
Jeonghan kissed his husband again, na agad namang naputol nang bumukas ang pinto ng walk-in closet nilang mag-asawa.
“Padi ang tagal niyo po,” Bella whined. “Niwe-wait na po tayo nila sa garden.”
“Bakit kayo po kiss? Bakit ako walang kiss, taytay?”
Kinarga agad ni Cholo si Nini at hinalikan sa pisngi. Bella was waggling her arms, asking her father to carry her too.
Nang mabuhat ni Cholo si Bella ay ito na mismo ang humalik sa pisngi ng ama.
“I kiss you, taytay!”
It was something Han would always treasure for the rest of his life. It was moments like these that kept him afloat. His husband, his kids, and the life he has always wanted.
“Papa God, thank You po for the gift of life. For giving us all the blessings sa family po namin. Thank You po for giving us tatay, padi, Lolo Daddy, Lola Mamsie, Lolo Pogi, Tinong SK and Tita Kimmy. Thank You po for my siblings, for Kkuma and Chichi. Thank You po for making us safe. Please bless our food as we eat, and bless us dear God as we celebrate Jesus. Amen!”
And when the clock struck at 12 midnight, the whole family greeted each other with much enthusiasm.
“Merry Christmas, my family!” bati ni Kimmy sa lahat.
It was the gift of family that Cholo is most thankful for. Kahit kailan ay hinding hindi niya ipagpapalit ang pamilyang ibinigay sa kanya ng Panginoon. At alam niya na ginagabayan sila nito, kasama ang Nanay Luisa niya, sa langit.
Nang matapos kumain ay hinila na ng mga bata sina Cholo sa christmas tree sa sala nila. The kids’ eyes grew wide as they saw a variety of gifts below the tree. Iba-ibang hugis, iba-ibang laki. Each labeled with their names, they started rummaging and looked for their names on each gift.
Naunang magbukas si Levi, na may hawak na isang box.
“Wow! Nintendo Switch!”
Hindi na kailangang alamin pa kung sino ang nagbigay, one look on his dad and Jeonghan knew that it was him. He just shook his head and smiled.
“You do your assignments first before playing ha?”
“Yes po, padi!”
This Christmas morning, along with their parents and siblings, Cholo and Han sat side by side on the sofa, quietly watching their children tear open their presents with so much excitement.
As colorful gift wrappers scatter across the floor, they feel the sweetness in every laugh, every joyful squeal, every “Padi I like this so much!” and “Tatay ang ganda ganda po!”. And their eyes—there’s a glow that doesn’t come from the Christmas lights or the shining star from the tree, but from the love that wraps around their family.
The couple exchanged a glance, both overflowing with gratitude. No words are spoken, yet the message is clear: this is the real gift—seeing their children happy, and knowing their world is whole and cherished.
And in that moment, they both knew that Christmas isn’t just about the presents. It’s about a love that never runs out, and in their eyes full of affection, you can feel the love that embraces their family—forever.