Rugged Men Series 5: Kayden Gonzales (TAGALOG)

Chapter 9

“IT’S a boy!” puno ng galak na pagbibigay-alam ni Ayden nang makapsok ito sa opisina para mapakunot ang kanyang noo at nanatili sa pagbabasa ng mga annual report ng El Trago sa branch ng Quezon City. “I will have a son, KD. And you will be an uncle.”

Hindi pinansin ni Kayden ang sinabi ng kambal at nanatili ang kanyang mga mata sa papeles.

“Aren't you going to congratulate me, brother?” tanong ni Ayden para mapasipat siya dito at mapahilot sa sentido.

“You already know my response to that,” sagot ni Kayden at umismid. “I still don't like the idea of you marrying that woman—”

“It's been almost a year but you still don't move on. Why don't you just support me as your twin? I needed that from you,” ani Ayden at nagsusumamo na tumingin sa kanya pagkatapos ay umupo sa kanyang harap.

Huminga nang malalim si Kayden at tipid na pag-iling lamang ang kanyang ginawa bilang tugon sa kambal.

“Oh, why did I even ask that from you?” puno ng hinanakit na tanong ni Ayden at pagak na natawa. “You are never going to support me, are you?”

Malamig ang ekspresyon na tiningnan niya lamang ang kambal. “I support you, Ayden... I do, you know that. Not until you impulsively marry that woman.”

“I have enough of this s**t!” singhal ni Ayden at galit na napatayo mula sa kinauupuan. “Her name is Patrice and she’s my wife. Whether you like it or not, Kayden, she’s my life and we complete each other. I don't need your validation on this one but soon I will have a son. Patrice knows that you’re never going to accept her as your sister-in-law because of that salty attitude of yours, however, it’s going to be our son. My blood with hers. Please, treat him well and I will not ask for more, brother. That's what Patrice wants...”

Malungkot na napangiti si Kayden nang maalala ang ala-ala na iyon kasama ang kambal bago ito hinapit para sa mahigpit na yakap nang makita niyang lumambot ang ekspresyon ni Aiden at papunta na ang reaksyon sa pag-iyak. “I’m sorry, Aiden... you can be mad at me if you want. I will gladly accept your resentment.”

Nang yumakap si Aiden pabalik sa kanya ay bahagya niya iyong ikinabigla. He was expecting Aiden to punch him or run away from him because he hates him. However, he did the the thing that is that last thing expected from the child. Para bang kung ano ang yakap na iyon para magbigay sa kanya na katiwasayan. Huminahon ang kanyang pakiramdam dahil sa ginawa ni Aiden at nawala ang kanyang pagkabahala.

“It’s not your fault that daddy died... I was told by mommy that everyone dies if it's their time,” paliwanag ni Aiden at tiningala siya. “And yes, I am sad. Daddy will not be by my side anymore because his time has come. But daddy is in good hands with the one above now. All I can do is pray for his soul and accept what happened...”

Napangiti si Kayden at hindi niya na napagilan ang pagluha habang nakatitig dito. It was true that children has a good heart and their intention is pure. Their innocence is what makes them pristine. Their words are like fluttery clouds that seem to cure wounds and can cleanses someone's soul. Sa mga oras na iyon ay para bang kaunting naghilom ang sugat ng kanyang maitim na puso. Aiden was still a child, it was probably okay for him. Hindi niya tiyak kung magiging parehas pa ba ang reaksyon nito kung malaman nito ang totoo kapag ito na ay lumaki.

“Don't cry, uncle... you’re like dad. You both look ugly when you cry,” wika ni Aiden at nakangiti na pinalis ang kanyang luha. “I mean, mom said that it’s okay to cry. Crying doesn't mean a person is weak. It makes them stronger.”

Natawa nang mahina si Kayden at tiningnan ang maano nitong mukha. “Do you think uncle is strong?”

Nakangiti na tumango-tango si Aiden. ”Yes, of course. Uncle is strong. Daddy is strong. Mommy is strong. And I am strong. All of us are strong because we are family.”

“Of course,” pagsang-ayon ni Kayden at hinagod ito sa pisngi gamit ang daliri. “Don't you hate uncle for what he did to you a year ago?”

“Honestly, I hated you,” sagot ni Aiden at sumimangot. “But mommy said that life is too short to hate someone's only uncle. Mommy said that you didn't do it on purpose and you're in a bad mood that's why.”

“Your mommy said that?” tanong ni Kayden at nagtaka.

“Yes, my mommy is an angel, you know. Well, she’s blind now but she's still beautiful to me...” wika ni Aiden para mapatango-tango siya sa kinauupuan bilang pagsang-ayon.

“I agree...” pagsang-ayon ni Kayden at napangiti habang namumuo ang mga luha sa kanyang mga mata. “Your mommy is an angel I didn't appreciate before. Forgive me for that, Aiden. But I'll make it up to you both.”

“It’s okay to me that you pretend to be my daddy. I know that your intention is good,” ani Aiden at tiningnan siya gamit ang mga malamlam na mga mata. “You just want mommy not to be sad... are you not, uncle?”

Tumango-tango si Kayden at niyakap ito. Hinagod niya tuwid at mahaba nitong buhok at isinukbit sa tainga nito. “You’re so smart, Aiden, do you know that?”

Nakangiting nagkibit-balikat ito at nag-isip. “I received that a lot but I didn't know why I receive much hate. My teacher said I’m mature for my age. I mean, I didn't want to be smart and advanced. I didn't wish to be like this.”

“Well, it’s a good thing, Aiden... why don't you want to be smart?” tanong ni Kayden at pinaupo ito sa kanyang hita.

“If it's a good thing then why am I being called a freak?” tanong ni Aiden at sumimangot. “According to the dictionary, it means unusual and abnormal.”

Nanatiling siyang nakinig sa hinaing ng pamangkin.

“I mean, how am I unusual, uncle? I have complete body parts, don't I?” tanong ni Aiden at nag-isip. “I can read like others. I can talk. I can also sing. I am not harmless, uncle. But why are they calling me a freak?”

“Listen to me, Aiden. Other children doesn't think like you, okay?” pagtitiyak niya dito sa marahan na boses. “Other children don't comprehend like you. And other children didn't know the right term for someone like you. You are not a freak, Aiden. You are extraordinary. You are very wise and your knowledge is great for your age which isn't a bad thing and will never be a bad thing. For me, you are one of a kind...”

“Do you mean I’m smart?” tanong ni Aiden at napangiti. “My mommy calls me the smart one.”

“Oh, believe me, Aiden. Your mommy and I both know that you are more than smart,” papuri ni Kayden at hinagod ang pisngi nito. “So, keep your head high because not all children have qualities that are the same as yours.”

“Okay. I am not a freak but I am extraordinary,” nakangiti na wika ni Aiden at tumingin sa kanya. “It’s already sleeping time, uncle. Aren't you drowsy? You should go to bed. An adult like you should have at least seven to eight hours of sleep. And because you have work tomorrow, you will probably need enough sleep to focus on work.”

Napapantastikuhan siyang napatingin kay Aiden kaya napangisi lamang ito.

“I read encyclopedia in my spare time so I know, uncle,” pagbibigay-alam ni Aiden at ngumiti. “You should go to mommy's side before she looks for you. Let's not trouble mommy any further, we have caused havoc enough. She needs extra treatment from now on. I have heard that losing sight is depressing...”

Napabuntong-hininga si Kayden at napayuko. “I have read an article, too. And you’re right, Aiden, it does.”

Lumapit si Aiden sa kanya at itinaas ang kanyang ulo. “But don’t be sad. Mommy is not just beautiful, she's also strong. I believe she will have her sight again.”

Napangiti si Kayden at ginulo ang buhok nito. “You know what, kiddo. You talk like an adult. I never thought that the validation of a child is all I need to keep going on.”

“You got me, uncle. I will help you. We have the same intention. I don't want mommy to be sad,” ani Aiden at ngumiti. “I'll tell you everything I know about mommy.”

Napapikit si Kayden sa sobrang pagkagalak at muli itong niyakap. “Thank you so much, kiddo. You really help a lot.”

Nang humiwalay si Aiden sa yakap ay tinunghay niya ito. Aiden extended his face and kissed his cheeks. “It's a nice talk with you, uncle. Thank you for being honest with me and not keeping things on your own. Hindi pa kita nakakasama nang matagal pero gusto na agad kita.”

Natuptop ni Kayden ang pang-ibabang labi bago nakangiti na tumango-tango. “Thank you. I really thought you didn't know how to conversate with using our mother tongue.”

“Siyempre marunong ako,” sagot ni Aiden at naningkit sng mga mata. “Ika pa nga ng isa sa mga pambansang bayani natin dito sa Pilipinas patungkol sa hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay inaamin kong napahanga ako sa palaisipan na iyon, uncle. Kaya kahit na marunong po ako magsalita sa wikang Ingles ay hindi ko pa rin ikakaila ang pagsalita sa ating wika. Isa pa, isa pa rin akong pilipino.”

Namamanghang napatango-tango si Kayden sa pamangkin. “Of course, Aiden. Bakit pa ba ako nagulat? Sa talinong mong iyan, alam mo na ata lahat.”

“Not all, uncle,” sagot ni Aiden at tumungo na sa kama at nagsarili na iniligay ang katawan sa ilalim ng kumot at humiga. “I am still learning. Marami pa akong kakainin na bigas.”

“Humble and determinated,” komento ni Kayden at napangiti sa pamangkin. “You’re like daddy.”

“I’m aware, but daddy said I take most of your qualities than him,” ani Aiden para mapatigilan siya at magtaka. “For instance, sharp thinking. Comprehension. Beliefs. Last but not least was the aura you give when you are with others, especially strangers. We have the same vibes according to daddy.”

Napatitig siya sa pamangkin at napagtanto ang bagay-bagay. “That's why you figure my secret the moment you saw me because you know me well.”

“Uhuh,” sagot ni Aiden at tumango. “I look up so much to you, uncle. I admire you for being you.”

Pagkagalak at pagkalungkot ang naramdaman niya sa natuklasan. He was really moved by his nephew's words. Maluwang na napangiti siya sa sinabi nito at marahang hinagod ang buhok nito.

“I'm sorry for not being a good uncle to you,” ani Kayden at napakurap-kurap upang pigilan ang pagluha.

”Mommy said that we should not judge people with their worst mistake,” ani Aiden at pumungay na ang mga mata senyas bilang pagpapahiwatig na inaantok na ito. “Mistakes are going to be always there, but it depends on the person of how they cope with it.”

Nakagat ni Kayden ang pang-ibabang labi at napatitig sa pamangkin. Hinila niya ang pinakamalapit na upuan at tinitigan ito sa mahimbing na pagtulog. He stare at Aiden and then realized what he's been missing for all those transgressions he gave. Her nephew is a good child and he just didn't let his ego poke him for all those years, his relationship with Aiden must have been better than what he experienced now. But opening up to him is a good start to make his nephew closer to him. He will make up to Aiden's wife and son, and make them happy. Only then by doing so, he will be contented and his sin will be repented.

Natatawa na lamang siya sa huling kataga binitawan ng pamangkin patungkol sa kasalanan ng isang tao. Magtatatlong-taon pa lamang si Aiden ngunit ganoon na kalawak ang pag-unawa nito. And his worst mistake is to judge Patrice without thinking twice and mercilessly stab her in front. Para bang lahat ng kanyang masasamang sinabi at ginawa sa ina nito ay bumalik sa kanya at tumama sa kanya na para bang isang kidlat para mamuo ang kanyang mga luha at kalaunan ay hinayaan itong bumagsak mula sa mga mata. Siya ay nagkamali at hindi niya iyon ikakaila. He has been judgmental and ruthless for both. And the angels knew how much he have regretted it.

Subalit, kung nakaya ng pamangkin na patawarin siya sa ginawa ay maaring mapatawad niya ang sarili kung kanyang hahayaan. Now that he has Aiden, he could feel himself slowly healing.

Pinalis ni Kayden ang mga luha at inayos ang pagkahiga nito. Hinagod niya ang buhok nito pagkatapos ay hinalikan ang pamangkin sa noo. “You might have my qualities but you have your mother's attitude, Aiden. Your mommy and daddy have raised you well. Now let me do the honor to do the same.”