"Baby, didn't Mommy say goodbye to you earlier?" I reminded gently. I needed to leave tonight because there was a program at the plaza that we teachers had to attend. I was also assigned to be the emcee for some part of the program.
Jairee was sulking. He didn't want me to leave.
"I want to come with you Mommy," he insisted.
It could have been possible, especially since Stella was with him. But the problem was, Jairee had a fever yesterday. It might come back if he caught a cold.
"Sorry, baby. You had a fever yesterday, right? Mommy doesn't want you to get sick again. Because if you get sick, Mommy will worry. I'll be sad again. Do you want that?" I explained to him.
"No, Mommy. I want you happy always," he replied sweetly. "But I still want to be with you, Mommy," he added.
"I want to be with you too, my baby. But Mommy needs to go to that event," I pleaded again with my stubborn but very beloved son.
I looked at the clock. Only a few minutes were left before the program started. My cellphone was also continuously ringing. I took it from my bag and answered Charie's call.
"Hello, Cha—"
Before I could finish speaking, Charie immediately blurted out from the other line.
"Hello, Madam Emcee! Where are you? Sir Jaecob has been going back and forth to our table looking for you. The program is about to start! He looks very worried," she said frantically.
I looked at Jairee. Tears were forming in his eyes, proof that he didn't want to be away from me at that moment.
"Charie, Jairee wants to come," I replied.
"Oh, he just wants to come, so just bring him. Stella is there," she insisted.
"He had a fever yesterday. It might come back if he gets cold," I replied.
"Let's do it this way. Dress him in a jacket and a hat. Charls and I will take care of them. We'll just pick them up there," she suggested.
Actually, Charie was really more skilled in these things. I also learned much of my knowledge as a mother from her.
While she was talking and mentioning what to dress the child in, Jairee moved to get those things. Because the phone was on loudspeaker, he could hear our conversation with his godmother Charie. It was really cute—he was determined to come with me.
"Give the phone to Jairee first. I'll talk to that stubborn but cute godchild of mine," she said.
I handed the cellphone to Jairee even though it was already on loudspeaker.
"Ninang, I'm ready." Then he looked at me. "Mommy, you may go now so you won't be late."
Charie laughed on the other line. This child was really lively and naughty.
Jairee accepted the cellphone. "Hello po, Ninang Cha!" he greeted cheerfully, even though there was still a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Hi, baby love! I'll take care of your Mommy, I promise. I won't leave you. Wear your jacket, okay? And a hat. Then kiss your Mommy so she won't be sad while she's on stage. Deal?"
"Deal, Ninang," Jairee nodded. He handed the cellphone back to me and hugged me tightly.
"Mommy, I'll be a good boy. I'll wait for you with Ninang and Ninong Charls," he whispered.
I hugged him back tightly. "Thank you, baby. I'm so proud of you," I said while trying to swallow the tears forming in my eyes.
After hanging up the call, Charie and Charls arrived. Stella immediately greeted Charls, and Charie took Jairee's hand.
"Okay, we're ready. Go now, Madam Emcee!" Charie said with a wink.
I nodded. I kissed Jairee on the forehead and said goodbye. "I'll see you later, okay? Behave and listen to Ninang and Ninong."
After I left, I felt a weight in my chest. It was difficult. It's never easy to leave your child, especially when you know he wants to be with you. But I needed to fulfill my duty. I am also a teacher. I am a role model not only in school, but also in the community.
I quickly went to the plaza. With every step, Jairee's face kept flashing in my mind—his smile, even though there was sadness behind it. When I reached the events area, there were lights and music playing. Sir Jaecob was also there, and he immediately greeted me.
"It's good that you're here. I thought you wouldn't make it," he said, obviously really worried.
"Sorry, sir. There was just a little drama at home," I replied with a smile, trying to hide the fatigue and emotion.
"Oh, it's about Jairee. Are you ready?" he asked.
I nodded and took a deep breath. "Ready, sir."
Sir Jaecob helped me get on stage. I held the microphone, stood in the middle, and smiled at the crowd. Behind that smile was a heart hoping the night would end soon so I could go home and hug my son again.
While I was on stage, fulfilling my duty as an emcee, I couldn't help but glance at Austin's direction. The table of the special guests was on the side, and from there, I could see him clearly.
He was looking at me too. Straight, unwavering. But it wasn't just a look—there was anger in his eyes. As if he wanted to shout something.
What's the problem with this person? I asked myself while trying to keep the smile on my lips.
Is he angry because we didn't talk earlier?
I shook my head slightly. Never mind him. Why am I even thinking about him in the middle of all this? There were so many people, so many eyes, but of all of them, he was still the one bothering my mind.
After a while, Sir Jaecob approached me, carrying bottled water and tissue. His face was calm and light, but there was a hint of worry.
"Faith, are you okay? You're sweating. It's cold though," he said while handing me the water, as if he was about to wipe the sweat on my forehead.
I immediately took the tissue from his hand, avoiding him.
"I-I'll do it. It's okay, sir. Maybe it's just because I was in a hurry earlier. Thank you."
I smiled at him even though I knew it was forced. I knew he felt it.
We had understood each other before; I clearly told him he shouldn't expect anything. But until now, he still treated me like this. I felt awkward, not because I didn't know how to accept kindness, but because I knew there was a catch—a feeling he couldn't hide, no matter how much he tried.
I got even more annoyed with myself. Why does everything feel so chaotic tonight?
I cleared my throat and faced the microphone again.
"In the next few minutes, we will witness one of the most anticipated parts of tonight…"
As I continued reading the script, I felt eyes focused on me—not just as a host, but as a woman. As a person with a history, with a wound that hadn't completely healed yet.
I paused for a moment and looked at Jairee's direction. He was with Stella, Charie, and Charls. They were sitting on the side of the plaza, a bit far away, but I could still see my son clearly.
Jairee waved at me, smiling wide. I waved back too. When he suddenly sent a flying kiss, I caught it with both hands as if something really landed there. I also returned a flying kiss, but the mischievous Charls pretended to catch it. I laughed at the scene, especially when I saw Jairee frowning. He raised an eyebrow at his ninong, clearly not happy that Charls immediately pocketed it, so he tried to snatch it back. I just repeated the flying kiss, and this time Jairee pushed his ninong Charls' hand away and caught it himself.
After my part in the program, Sir Jaecob immediately helped me off the stage. He held my arm lightly, just enough to support me. When we got down, he handed me a bouquet of flowers—red roses mixed with white and baby's breath.
"Sir…"
"It's just a thank you and congratulatory gift," he replied, smiling.
"Thank you," I whispered, bringing the flowers close to my chest before quickly saying goodbye. "I'm going home now, sir."
"I'll take you home, Faith," he offered.
"No, thank you. Jairee is also here, with Charie and Charls."
He paused for a moment before nodding. "Is that so. Okay, take care."
And I just nodded.
It was still a bit early, and Jairee was obviously not tired yet. "Mommy, I'm hungry," he complained as he hopped beside me.
So we went to a 24-hour convenience store on the corner. There were tables and chairs set up inside, so we decided to eat there.
After a while, I heard Charls laughing.
"Jairee, look at this! This siopao looks like it has a twin!" he exclaimed, holding the round siopao and comparing it to Jairee's cheeks.
"Mommy, oh!" the child complained, almost in tears. "Ninong is teasing me again!"
I laughed but tried to pretend to be serious.
"Charls is really up to no good," Charie interjected while sipping her Slurpee.
"But wait… what flavor of siopao is Jairee?" she added, with a sly smile.
"Bola-bola!" Stella replied at once, pointing at the child's cheek.
I smiled as I watched them laughing. Jairee, on the other hand, stayed silent and bowed his head, clearly sulking.
"Uy! Our baby siopao, you are the cutest and most handsome siopao in the world!" Charls suddenly chimed in as he carried Jairee and kissed his cheeks. "Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!"
The boy struggled from the tickling and burst out laughing. We all laughed with him—his natural joy, his laughter like music on a night full of weight.
It's just so nice to have a child. In the midst of fatigue and tension, he lightens everything.