Sunday morning. It was still early, and the sky was still dark. Rain clouds covered the heaven and blocked the moon’s and stars’ faint glimmers. Next to me is my new lover, the daughter of my wife’s partner. I neither planned nor sought this relationship, which happened spontaneously, just like when Jess met Roland. But it is also different because Tricia and I have known each other for a long time. I saw her grow up. So, it is somewhat similar to my affair with Rebecca. However, I was attracted to Becca longer than my attraction to Tricia.
I was overthinking about these matters, which is my tendency to do when faced with more serious questions, and dodging it for a while. Unfortunately, the issue cannot be put off because it is about Liz’s learning about what happened between Tricia and me, and sooner or later, the sun will rise, and everyone will be awake.
I hugged Tricia and kissed her cheek and jaw to wake her up.
“Baby, let’s go inside so we can continue our sleep in the bedroom.”
She did not open her eyes and barely moved, “Hmm, okay.”
I wrapped and covered our bodies with the blanket and led her to the hallway. She was very sleepy, and her eyes were barely opened as we went inside, so I guided her as we walked. I peeked inside Liz’s room, and when I saw that it was empty, I placed Tricia on the bed and covered her naked body. As I embraced her, I whispered in her ear, “baby, just sleep in, okay!”
Her eyes were closed again, lying on her side facing me, “Hmm, okay.”
“We’ll talk later.”
“Sige.”
I kissed her lips and gently squeezed her side before I stood up from the bed. As I sat and turned to stand, Trish held my hand, looked at me, and said softly, “I love you.”
I moved close to her again, kissed her lips one more time, and said, “I love you, too.”
Trish smiled and playfully hit my temple with her fingers, maybe because she thought I wasn’t serious. She rolled to her back and pulled the sheets over her head.
My worry about Tricia’s knowledge of my relationship with Liz disappeared because she appeared to be in a good mood. Otherwise, Tricia would have been uncomfortable or even aloof or left the house already. Kaya, at that moment, I thought Tricia and I were okay.
Pagkatapos ng orgasmo, ang katawan natin ay naglalabas ng mga hormones, na maaaring magdulot ng kaaya-aya at nakakarelaks na kaginhawaan. Binabawasan din ng pagtatalik ang mga antas ng ibang hormones na nagdudulot naman ng stress. At dahil dito, tayo ay nakakaranas ng pagka-antok at nagiging mas madali at masarap makatulog pagkatapasos makipagkantutan.
Mukhang nasiyahan at satisfied ng sobra si Tricia kaya kaagad nakatulog sa kama ni Liz. Bumalik naman ako sa aking kwarto at hindi ko nadatnan si Liz doon. Malamang nga na magkasamang natulog sila ni Yssa sa basement.
Subalit bigla kong naisip na baka nagising ng mas maaga si Liz at nakita niya kami ni Tricia sa patio. Hindi ko pa din alam kung sino ang nag-lagay ng kumot sa amin habang nasa couch kami ni Tricia.
I took a shower to wash the after-sex scent on my body. Dahil kulang ako sa tulog, nadama ko ang kaunting hapdi sa aking mga mata. Pagkatapos, nagsuot ako ng t-shirt, boxers, at shorts. Kaagad, ngunit tahimik, akong pumunta sa basement.
Nakita ko sa lower bunk bed, her preferred space, na nakadapa si Liz at si Yssa naman ay nasa top ng bunk bed which her favorite space. Si Liz ay nakasuot ng white cami top at maiksing light green with small white polka na shorts. Nilapitan ko siya at tinignan kung tulog. Walang suot na bra ang aking anak at ng hawiin ko pataas ang baba ng shorts niya ay wala din siyang suot na panty.
Iba talaga ang siklab ng aking laman pagdating sa aking panganay at agad akong tinigasan.
Si Yssa naman ay nakatagilid natutulog at likod lang niya ang nakita ko. Nakaharap siya sa dingding, kung saan nakadikit ang double-deck. Nakakumot siya mula bewang hanggang sa paa at tila masarap pa din ang tulog ni Yssa.
Nabawasan ang duda ko na baka si Liz ang nagkumot sa akin at Tricia. Kaya si Aida o si Amy na lang ang naisip kong posibleng nagkumot sa amin. Pero isinang-tabi ko muna ang bagay na iyon dahil mas importante na malaman ni Liz kaagad bago niya makita ang biglaang pagiging sweet at malapit ni Trish sa akin. Maari din kasi na si Tricia ang mag-lahad ng aming relasyon dahil close sila ni Liz.
Bumulong ako sa kanyang tenga upang gisingin siya, “baby, gising anak.”
Tila medyo puyat din siya kaya sobrang antok pa niya. Pero ng makita niya ang kaunting liwanag mula sa bintana na naka-blinds ay marahang naupo na siya sa gilid ng kama. Unti-unti na din kasing sumisikat ang araw.
Pinahid niya ang kanyang mga mata, “Hi! Dad, ba’t ang aga mong nagising? Tapos ka nang mag-bike?”
“Kagigising ko lang din pero sama ka muna sa akin sa itaas. Doon mo muna ituloy ang tulog mo?”
She looked at me with half-closed eyes and half smile, maybe thinking I wanted to have sex with her.
“No, anak. I want to tell you something.”
Since she was still sleepy, she did not ask me about it and walked with me upstairs. When we reached the main floor, she extended her arms to me, gesturing that I pick her up.
Magkaharap kami at yumakap siya sa aking leeg at yumakap din ang kanyang mga hita sa aking bewang. Kinarga ko siya papunta sa aking kwarto habang ang ulo niya ang nasa aking leeg at balikat. Ganito siya magpa-karga mula noong bata pa.
Naamoy ko ang almusal na nilulito nina Amy sa kusina na parang ginigisang corned beef subalit hindi ako nagutom katulad dati. Abala ang aking isip at hindi ko muna pansin ang aking tiyan dahil sa kasalbaihan ng titi ko.
She lay on my bed, and I lay next to her. The black-out curtains in my room were still drawn, and the airconditioned was set at a suitable cool temperature, so we both fell asleep for not having enough rest. The door was locked, so no one bothered to enter the main bedroom.
Gayunpaman, pumupunta lamang sina Amy at Aida sa aking silid upang asikasuhin ang kanilang mga gawaing-bahay kapag nasa labas ako ng bahay. Kapag nasa loob ako ng aking kwarto, pumapasok lang sila kapag may hinihingi o inuutos ako sa kanila. Kaya naman, pagkagising ko bandang 10:30 am, tinext ko si Aida na magdala ng inumin at pagkain sa kwarto ko. Gusto kong magkaroon kami ng privacy ni Liz kapag nag-usap kami.
Tricia and Yssa are used to sleeping in the house. They had spent the night and weekends several times before. They would go to the kitchen, living room, T.V. Room, Patio, pool area, etc., just like they did in the past, but they don’t come to my room. Yssa would eventually become comfortable going to my room, but neither that morning nor immediately sooner than that day. Only Liz freely entered my room, even before our affair started. Thus, I was not worried that Tricia or Yssa would knock in my room that morning.
Around11:00 am, Amy and Aida arrived in my room. Amy held the food tray, and Aida brought two bottled water. Liz was already awake but still sleepy, and she watched Amy and Aida place the food on the table. They had seen us in the past in my room as Liz would spend time doing some ordinary father and daughter kinds of stuff, like simply hanging out or talking about other matters. Besides the night Aida caught us having sex, that morning was the first time Aida and Amy had seen Liz and me inside my room and appeared as a couple.
“Amy, gising na ba si Yssa at Tricia?”
“Si Yssa nagising mga alas dies.”
Lumingon ako kay Liz at tinanong ko, “what time ba kayong natulog?”
She yown first, “around 4:30 na yata.”
“Kaya pala late na kayong nagising,” komento ni Aida.
Tinanong ko naman ulit, “Eh, si Tricia?”
“Manga 9, gising na siya,” sagot ni Amy.
Me: Anong ginawa niya?
Aida: Nag-almusal na siya.
Me: Umuwi na ba siya?”
Aida: Hindi pa.
Amy: Tumulong siyang mag-luto ng tanghalian.
Dun ko lang napansin na hindi na almusal ang dala nila at pang-pananghalian na pala: creamy sipo egg with added shrimp, beef afritada, and white rice.
Me: Nasaan na siya ngayon?
Amy: Kasama ni Yssa sa T.V. room.
Me: Kumain na din si Yssa?
Aida: Pang-tanghalian na kinain niya.
While Tricia and Yssa were hanging out, I thought I had time to talk to Liz. Pagkatapos lumabas ni Amy at Aida, dumeretso ng restroom si Liz at umihi. The room was quiet, and it was arousing to hear the sound of her pee dropping on the bowl. It took her a while before I heard the faucet when she washed her hands and face, so I teased her when she went out of the restroom.
“Enjoyed the bidet?”
She extended her right hand to me and forcefully opened her fingers at winisik niya ang tubig mula sa kanyang mga daliri papunta sa akin.
Since she was being playful, I approached her, moved slightly behind her, and from behind, I placed my right arm under and between her thighs.
I reached up until my right hand held her pubic area (my right wrist on top of her pussy), and simultaneously, my left arm held her chest (my left hand cupping her right breast), picked her up from the floor, and swung her side to side. Liz extended her legs and arm and pretended she was flying like Supergirl.
After a few swings, I brought her down, and we faced each other and embraced. She looked at me, pointed her lips, and I kissed her.
We continued our embrace and swung gently, as if we were slow dancing. I should have been enjoying the moment with my daughter, but my mind struggled in the same manner as if I was facing several deadlines at work/business. My heart beat faster because I was nervous about confessing to Liz.
My daughter felt my uneasiness and stopped our slow swaying. She looked at me at asked, “Dad, are you okay?”
“Yes, baby, but I need to tell you something.”
She appeared curious but not bothered. I wondered if she somehow suspected something had happened between Tricia and me, but Liz still seemed not suspicious.
Ang pagtataksil sa asawa o kasintahan ay maaaring maging traumatiko at isa sa mga mabigat na problemang ma-aaring kaharapin sa isang relasyon. May ibang tao naman ang nasa denial pa din matapos natuklasan nila ang cheating ng asawa or partner. Ang iba ay maaaring maghinala ng pagtataksil dahil sa mga pagkilos na hindi karaniwan.
Ngunit wala pang bente-quatro na oras and nakalipas matapos ang pagtatalik namin ni Tricia kaya wala talagang clue si Liz sa pangyayari. Kaya’t lalo akong nangamba na siya’t lubos na mibibigla at masasaktan. Gayunpaman, walang perpektong oras upang ihayag o aminin ang pangangaliwa.
Tinignan ko ang pagkain sa lamesa at naisip ko na kumain muna.
“Do you want to eat first?”
“You can tell me now.”
I hugged her and thought of confessing as we embraced and her cheek on my chest. But I decided to look her in the eyes; she deserved to be told with as much respect as anyone deserves in a similar situation.
“Liz, Tricia, and I hooked up last night.”
My daughter froze but managed to utter, “you had sex with her?”
“Yes, baby. I’m sorry.”
Liz walked towards my bed and lay prone, facing away from me. I slowly approached her and lay next to her, behind her. She was on the right side, and I was on the left of the bed. I placed my hand on her back and gently caressed her. Her breathing was normal. I did not say anything, and the room was silent for a while.
I did not realize she was crying until she turned her head to face me. My heart broke as I stared into her teary eyes. I mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
With her head on the pillow, she nodded.
I could not tell whether her nod meant that she accepted my apology or that her nod was just an acknowledgment that she heard me.
I reached my left arm and hand to her, and Liz moved closer. I held her, and I embraced her when she held me back. She snuggled her face on my chest. Bagama’t hindi siya humihikbi, may luha pa din sa kanyang mga mata at suminghot ng mahina.
A girl or woman could react differently in a typical adult relationship. Some may storm out and leave. Others might become angry and say harsh words. Or do the same as Liz did, but very likely rarely does that happen.
Liz could have dashed to her room and avoided me or could have poured her heart out. I’m glad she stayed, but I felt horribly sorry for her because I thought she was left with no other option, that she could not leave had she wanted to go.
Though I had ambivalent feelings about wanting her to be free to leave my room if she wanted to or stay so we could talk, I was glad that she chose to retreat to my arms despite the circumstance. I did not speak for a while and let her heart starts slowly healing in silence.
She looked at me. Her eyes were puffy and glistened in tears but no longer flowing. She caressed my right cheek.
Although in the heat of lust, we imagined having a threesome, voyeurism (watching each other having sex with another person), sharing her with another man, sharing me with another girl, and other fantasies, our excitement and interest in these thoughts aren’t necessarily the same when it happened.
Well, it seemed like that at that moment.
I mouthed again, “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay, dad.”
“You’re heartbroken, baby.”
“I would be lying if I said no, but I’m not angry at you.”
“I was selfish and hurt your feelings.”
“Dad, you had girlfriends after mommy Becca.”
“That’s true, but it’s different now.”
“Yes, it’s different now, but I know, too, that we’re not exclusive.”
“But that’s only our fantasies.”
“Fantasies?”
“Like when we imagined about Stella, some guys at the debut, our driver Nap.”
“Oh. Hmm, I guess I’m still not ready for that.”
When she said that, it seemed she considered those fantasies to happen but was not “ready” yet. I must still be delicate and respect her feelings.
“Everything happened so soon, and it made you upset. I’m still sorry, honey.”
“It’s unexpected, kase siguro.”
“You feel jealous?”
Liz did not speak for a while, so I said, “you can be completely honest about what you feel.”
“Yes, a little jealous.”
“I understand, anak.”
“Somehow, kase, I felt I would lose you kaya nag-selos ako.”
“You know that’s not going to happen.”
“I know, dad.”
“You’ll lose me only when I die.”
“Stay with me longer, daddy.”
She moved closer to me, and we embraced tightly. Liz did not cry anymore but was still filled with emotions.
“How do you feel?”
“I don’t know. Not sad, maybe.”
“You feel betrayed.”
She nodded her head, “uhmm.”
“God, I’m so sorry.”
“But I don’t feel abandoned.”
The truth is obvious, and I said, “I cheated. The same way a husband or a boyfriend cheated on his wife or girlfriend.”
She finally admitted her feelings, “Yes.”
She turned and faced the other way, but she let me hug her from behind. My right fingers interlocked with her left fingers.
“I deeply regret hurting your feelings.”
“Somehow, I guess, I must experience heartbreaks,” she softly spoke.
“I’m sorry if I was the one who broke your heart.”
“I had experienced the best with you, so I would rather experience the worst with you.”
“But baby, I will not physically abuse or hurt you.”
“Hmm, you hurt me once.”
“Anak, never naman kitang pinalo nung bata ka.”
“No, hindi noong bata ako, dad.”
I was slightly confused as I tried to recall when I hit or slapped her.
“Like when I hit you on your butt?”
“When I was a kid, but you never hurt me. Kunwari ka lang papalo.”
“I know, those were gentle slaps because minsan you’re makulit, but not salbahe.”
Liz wriggled from my embrace, turned, and faced me. She still looked upset, at tila mukhang natutuwa na siya ng kaunti sa akin.
She hugged me and softly said, “sinadista mo ako, diba?”
Her tone slightly changed, and she sounded a little affectionate and not resentful.
“Sorry about that.”
She teased me, “hmm, you’re not really sorry.”
I took a deep breath and joked, “I know.”
Liz suddenly opened up.
“I was scared for a moment, dad.”
“You looked terrified, anak,” I regretfully said.
“I imagined that might be the closest feeling of being raped.”
I confessed, “For a moment, at that time, I felt I was raping you.”
“And you liked it, dad.” I saw it in your eyes.”
What I did to her suddenly replayed in my mind:
I pressed a little further inside until I felt that resistance again. Her face revealed her discomfort as she opened her mouth and gasped for air, “Uhgh…Uhmm, was her only futile protest.
I pushed a little further to stretch her more, but that made her more uncomfortable, “Oh dad, medyo masakit…” she said, with a trace of tremor in her voice.
I just looked at her eyes as I paused and held the pressure pushing on her hymen.
“Daddy…wait lang…it hurts dad.” I did not respond and did not ease off the push.
Instead, I pressed and stretched her hymen a little bit more.
“Dad, it really hurts na….”
I kept staring at her pretty face as she slowly showed more distress. She was somewhat a little scared, but for some sinister reason, as I watched her, I felt hornier. I pushed and stretched her a little bit more but not wholly rupturing her delicate membrane.
[A]s her eyes started to well up, [Liz] looked me in the eyes as if asking what she could have done wrong. My heart slowly melted, but lust took over and further engulfed me.
So, I paused and sustained the stretch to make the pain linger a bit longer.
“Hhuu, mmm, dad….masakit na po…”
The immense lust, the heightened excitement, and the punishing anticipation suddenly transformed me from a loving dad into a sexual sadist.
With my right hand, I grabbed and placed her left hand above her head and firmly pressed her hand on the bed. I grabbed her hair with my left hand that supported her head. With her hand above her head at habang bahagyang naka-sabunot ako sa buhok niya, Liz looked so vulnerable. She was so helpless, and I pulled her hair harder as I gradually inserted my penis.
I could see the nervousness on her face as she twisted her body, but her apprehension overpowered her, and she lost the strength to move away.
I slowly slid my erection until I felt her hymen further stretched, and I kept going slowly. Liz showed discomfort on her face as she attempted again to wriggle from side to side. Her effort was futile because her fear froze her and pinned her body to the bed.
I gave my penis a little push until her cherry completely burst. My daughter looked at me in a shocked reaction, and tears fell on the side of her eyes and down to her ears as I continuously buried my erection inside her newly deflowered pussy. Not only I can see in her teary eyes that she was in pain, but I also felt her pussy was bleeding.
… … …
“Did I rape you, anak?”
“Somehow, but not really.”
I understood what she said because, in rape, there is a lack of consent, or the other person is not legally capable of giving consent, like being underage. It seemed there was a brief suspension of consent with us, and the consent was given back in the same instance of sex. The allowance of continued penetration was equivalent to a pardon that cured the momentary raped.
“Do you still think about it?”
“Yes, but not as a traumatic experienced. Well, at least, not anymore.”
“How do you feel about it now?”
“I feel aroused when I think about it?”
“Of the idea of being raped?”
“I mean, I feel aroused when I remember losing my virginity to you.”
“Even though that was borderline rape?”
“Yes, that idea, too, but, of course, I would never want to be raped.”
What she said made sense. If a woman fantasizes about being raped, it’s just a fantasy because to suffer rape would mean not wanting to have sex at all. However, a man, though wrong and illegal, can derive pleasure in raping someone because of the fact of potentially having to reach an orgasm. Thus, some men like both rape fantasy and actual rape.
“I’m still very sorry about Tricia.”
“Dad, when I said I’d rather experience the worst with you than with someone else, I mean that I still feel safe with you having to encounter anything that life could throw at us.”
I looked at her; I did not want to anticipate her thoughts incorrectly, so I listened.
She continued, “It is like experiencing the best and worst of adulthood in a safe environment.”
“I see, baby.”
“Parang bang OJT palagi.”
A little confused and I asked, “what do you mean?”
“Parang trial and error. After an issue is resolved, I could be ready again for tomorrow’s life lessons. A learning process without the same level of the blame of the wild world or judgments of other people.”
I thought I understood her and said, “so kung sa ibang tao nangyari, like a boyfriend, you think any problematic situation will be toxic.”
“Ganun na nga siguro. At saka, dad kita.”
Liz and I have a full appreciation of our relationship. There is a mixture of father-and-daughter love and the kind of affection between lovers or between husband and wife. Therefore, passion is more wonderful.
“I’m glad we’re talking, but I still did not mean to hurt you.”
“Just give me time, dad.”
Speaking of time, I hate to rush things, but a lot happened and required us to deal with the situation rather quickly.
“Yes, baby, but how soon would you want to talk with Tricia?”
“Oh, she still here nga pala.”
“Also, she knew about us.”
Siya naman ang medyo nalito, “What does she know?”
I tried to speak in general terms, “That we have a relationship?”
But Liz sought clarity, “That we’re having sex?”
“Yes, baby.”
Liz’s eyes widened, and she propped herself on her elbows.
“Oh my God.”
“But it seems she’s fine with our relationship.”
My daughter sat on the bed and leaned on the backrest of the bed.
“Dad, are you sure.”
I described Tricia’s actions and demeanor while we were in bed this morning.
“You had sex in my bed?”
“No, I took her to your room so she could sleep. I took a shower and fetched you from the basement.”
“So, it seems ate Trish is okay with our situation.”
“Yes, otherwise, she would not be sweet when I left her in your room and would have probably left already with Yssa.”
“I understand.”
“Maybe not at this moment, but do you think we can talk to Tricia later today.”
“I guess.”
“I don’t mean to rush you.”
“I trust you, dad. We need to talk about this sooner or later naman talaga.”
“Sorry, sunod sunod ang mga nangyayari.”
Liz returned to my side and cuddled with me.
“But the best part is that Yssa and I are full-blood sisters.”
“I’m happy for you, baby.”
“Oo nga pala. Nandito pa din pala siya.”
“Let’s go eat na, so we can meet them.”
“Okay, please get me some food, and I’ll eat here in bed.”
Nanlalambing si Liz kaya syempre pagbibigyan ko siya. Tumayo ako at umupo sa tabi ng lamesa. Muli siyang sumandal sa backrest.
Liz suggested, “just put the food on one plate, and we’ll eat together.”
I thought that was a good idea. I put small portions of rice, sipo egg with shrimp, and afritada on a plate. I moved the chair next to the bed, and she moved to the edge, closer to me.
Using one spoon, we ate at sinubuan ko siya. I’d placed the plate under her jaw at sabay subo ng pagkain sa kanya. Liz would seal her lips as I carefully pulled the spoon out so as not to spill food while she was in bed.
After she swallowed, “But Yssa doesn’t know anything at all?”
“No, unless Tricia told her now while they hang out.”
“Dad, they are very close, and ate Tricia may tell Yssa about the two of you.”
“Yes, they still treat each other as sisters. They are still family and open to each other.”
But that concern suddenly shifted to another question.
“But dad, are you and ate Trish a couple, or was it a one-night stand?”
“It could be something more than a one-night stand.”
I could see on her face some disappointment.
“Baby, I can stop my relationship with her, and she’ll understand.”
Liz continued chewing her food and said nothing. I understood her silence because I knew she did not need to answer me immediately. She had the prerogative to think about it and tell me what she wanted whenever she would like. We continued eating.
… … …
Having enough food in our stomachs to not feel hungry, I stood up, grabbed the water, and gave one to her.
“There’s a lot to process, dad.”
“I know, but do you still want to talk with her later, the three of us?”
“Yes, dad, so this matter won’t be left hanging in the air for a while.”
When she said that, I understood why Liz agreed to meet with Tricia though Liz’s feelings could still be hurt.
“How could we leave Yssa out of this meeting for now?”
“Text ate Trish to come here and tell her to make an excuse to Yssa.”
“Okay, I’m sure she could come up with something.”
“Besides, Yssa likes to binge-watch Netflix during weekends.”
“I see, so she would not mind being alone for a while in the T.V. room.”
“Yes, dad.”
“But you can always cut our talks anytime if you become uncomfortable.”
She smiled at me, “I’ll be fine, dad. It’s you and ate Trish, and I love you, and I have known her all my life.”
“Yeah, she’s not a stranger to us, baby.”
“We all grew up together, with Yssa, Danielle, and kuya Raymond.”
“Deth knows Tricia, too.”
But the same question returned but rephrased and more direct.
“Dad, before we talk to ate Trish, do you consider continuing to see her?”
“The relationship?”
“Yeah.”
“Honey, as I said, I can stop my relationship with her.”
“So, it seems that you consider?”
I don’t want to lie to Liz, so yes, babe.”
Liz scooted to her left, making a space, suggesting I sit next to her. I sat on her side, and we turned a little to each other to embrace.
“Dad, this would happen sooner or later. It’s just you’re the one who meets a partner first.”
“I guess, baby, we kinda anticipated this.”
“Yeah, we talk about meeting someone.”
“So, it was not because of the heat of passion.”
“It’s not. It’s just happening soon and unexpectedly.”
“And apparently, we can’t anticipate either of us meeting someone, even if there was a forethought.”
“That correct, daddy.”
“I still regret to see you sad.”
“I will be fine, daddy.”
“We’ll get through this, baby.”
“I know. And I know that we’ll face more problems in the future.”
“We’ll tackle them together.”
“I’m glad that you’re also my partner. Had it been a different person, it would be hard or impossible to get through this issue.”
“Yes, anak. We know each other very well.”
Liz turned further toward me, and we hugged more tenderly.
“I love you, daddy.”
One of the purest forms of love is the affection and lust of a father for her daughter. If it is mutual, the bond between father and daughter is unbreakable.
“I love you, too, Liz.”
But there was a lingering mystery that she deserved an answer.
“Dad, how come ate Tricia knows about us?”
My daughter and I have already established our great love for each other. The continued trust depends on honesty. So as not to weaken our bond, we must always be truthful.
“I admitted it to her.”
“When? I meant, I know recently, but how?”
I spoke softly, trying to be delicate, “When were we intimate?”
“What made you admit it?”
“I first shared my interest in incest.”
“Like in general?”
“I described it more specifically, but not directly.”
“How?”
“I love you, and you’re my real daughter, but in the heat of passion, I kinda mentioned to Tricia that I wish she were my daughter.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry, anak.”
“It’s okay, dad.” But there’s still some trace of unease on her face.
“We don’t have to talk about it for now.”
“Now is okay.”
“Well, she seemed to put things together and suspected I’m attracted to you.”
“She asked you?”
“Yes.”
“What did you say?”
“I admitted that I have fucked you.”
“Your exact words, do you remember?”
With some hesitation, I said, “Yeah.”
“What were they?”
“I said, “nakantot ko na si Liz.”
“Oh my God!” She said in surprise but not in a disapproval tone.
“But like I said, during and after, she never showed disgust and seemed fine with it.”
“During and after?”
“During and after we become intimate.”
“Well, at least, even if you were with someone, somehow, you still think of me.”
“I always think of you of you, sweetheart.”
She stared at the bed for a while before facing me and asked, “Dad, do you want to be intimate with her again?
“Only with your approval, baby.”
I realized I was so bold in saying that because I indirectly admitted that I still wanted to have sex with Tricia.
I was glad Liz was ready to compromise despite what I had done. “Can we settle something, daddy?”
“Ano iyon, anak?”
“If we’d be involved, either you or me, with another person, let us tell each other first.”
I thought it was a good idea, and it was also a better approach to protect her.
“So, you’ll seek my approval first if you want to be with someone,” I asked.
“Yes, dad.”
I knew the answer, but I stated for the record, “And you must approve my relationship, too?”
“Yes, dad.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“So, no more sudden hook-ups?”
“No more, baby.”
“And also, dad, we must limit the people who know about us.”
That totally made sense, so I said, “I agree.”
“So, ate Trish knows na. Wala na?”
“Anak, Aida knows.”
“Oh, right. She caught us pala.”
“And if Aida knows, Amy knows, too.”
“Dad, we must have a meeting with them, too and have them reveal kung sino pa ang sinabihan nila.”
“Yes, we’ll talk to Amy and Aida later today or tonight.”
“But, dad, I think Amy and Aida knew even before Aida saw us.”
Liz’s observation was accurate, “Alam nila bago tayo ma-aktuhan ni Aida.”
Liz teased me for not saying things in plain words. She looked at me and smiled “ma-aktuhan?”
It seemed the worry on her face was gone.
“Alam na nila bago tayo ma-aktuhan ni Aida na nag-kakantutan.”
Finally, Liz laughed, even though it was subtle.
“Nagulat ako nun.”
“Yes, pero sa una lang. Tapos tuloy lang.”
“May sinabi ako, eh.”
“Dumating na kasi si Nap sabi ni Aida. Ang sagot mo yata, ‘paki sabi wait lang.'”
“Yun nga yata. Pero umalis si ate Aida kaagad.”
“Not right away. I saw her through the mirror, and she watched us for a few seconds.”
“Nagulat din kasi siya.”
“Ikaw ang unang nakakita sa kanya, diba?”
“Yes, I remember nasabi ko bigla ‘ate!‘”
“Then it took her a while to say na dumating na nga si Nap.”
“So, she really watched us.”
“And you knew she was watching us.”
“Oo,” at sabay ang tango niya.
“It seemed you enjoyed it.”
“I think I was enjoying more that you were fucking me.”
“But did you like it, too, that she was there looking?”
“Yes, dad,” at tumango din siya.
“Baby, that’s the first time someone watched us having sex.”
“You like that, dad?”
“I did not know I would like it until Aida caught us, and I like it so much, anak.”
“For sure, kinwento niya yun kay ate Amy.”
“Sigurado iyon. Kaya kakausapin natin sila to tell them to keep our secret.”
“Bale so far, si ate Tricia, ate Amy, at Ate Aida, ang may alam.”
“Unless Aida and Amy told someone nga.”
“Do you think sinabi nila kay kuya Roger?”
“Ka-close nga din pala nila si Roger, lalo na si Amy.”
“Kaya assumed na lang natin na alam ni Kuya Roger.”
“Pero kausapin muna natin si Tricia while she’s here.”
“I’m ready to talk to ate Tricia.”
I texted Tricia to invite her to my room and make an excuse to Yssa, but she did not reply after ten minutes, so I assumed she had not read my text.
Maaring hindi matuloy yung “plan A” namin na mag-usap kaming tatlo kaya nag-plan B kami. Sa planong ito, ako na lang muna ang kakausap kay Tricia dahil nakausap ko na din naman si Liz at alam ko na din naman ang saloobin niya tungkol sa amin ni Tricia.
“Walang reply si Tricia. Puntahan ko na siya at sasabihin ko na lang ang napag-usapan natin.
“Sige, ikaw na muna ang kumausap kay ate at sasamahan ko si Yssa.”
“Anong sasabihin mo?”
“We’ll see. I’ll go with you, and I will come up with something so you and ate can have privacy.”
We exited my room and walked to the main living room. The main living room connects the hallways, and The T.V. room is in the other hallway. However, we also have to pass the main dining room, where we found Yssa and Tricia having some ice cream.
Yssa wore white denim shorts with a raw hem and classic navy polo with white buttons. The polo was one of the clothes Liz bought for her. The sleeves were short and covered the upper fourths of her tanned arms. Her right arm’s biceps and triceps are more developed than the left side because of playing tennis. Yssa is right-handed and neglected to work out her left arm muscles. However, her left arm muscles are toned but not as “muscular” as her right arm. Her navy polo and denim shorts accentuated her developing figure. She has a nice curve, and her chest is still blossoming. Her thighs and leg muscles are defined and toned for being athletic at her age. I have yet to see her practice or compete, so I have not seen her wearing a tennis skirt and sporting a racer-back top if those were her preferred sports apparel.
Tricia wore one of Liz’s oversized printed black t-shirts, and I noticed the khaki shorts with a drawstring waistband that she was wearing.
Me: Oh, I thought you’re watching Netflix.
Yssa: Ice cream lang po muna.
Me: Pwede naman kayo dun sa T.V. room manood at kumain.
Tricia and I looked at each other, and we both smiled.
Liz stood next to me, on my right side, hugging me. She saw the smiles and was nonchalant about it.
Tricia: Okay lang dito. We need to stretch our legs.
Hindi napansin ni Yssa na hindi na nag “opo” at “po” si Tricia.
Liz: What you’re having, sis?
Yssa: Mango, ate.
Liz: Oh, I thought the Thai Tea yan. Diba iyon yung mas gusto mo?
Inasar siya ni Tricia, “Nahihiya daw siya.”
Yssa: Uy, si ate talaga . . .pero meron ba? (At nangiti siya)
Natawa naman kami sa kanya. Malakas din minsan tumawa si Yssa kapag magkakasama sila. Madaldal din. Nag-aadjust pa siya kapag malapit ako pero alam ko din naman na medyo kalog din siya.
Tricia: Huwag ka ng mahiya bahay mo na din ito.
Yssa: Kahit na ba ate…pero syempre sa una lang. (Tuloy lang ang kain niya ng ice-cream at may ngiti habang tikom ang bibig)
Me: Sa basement na yan mag-kukulong.
Napatawa na pigil si Yssa na kapansin pansin dahil sa biglang buga ng hangin sa kanyang ilong habang tikom ang bibig dahil sa ice cream. At ng biglang napa-ubo siya ay hinimas himas ni Tricia ang kanyang likuran.
Liz: Bakit, dad? (nagtaka siya kung bakit ko nasabi iyon)
Me: Wala lang (ang sagot ko na lang pero nakangiti)
Nag medyo okay na si Yssa
Yssa: Saan yung Thai tea, ate?
Liz: Nandun sa ref dun sa kabila.
Liz referred to the second kitchen, where cooking is mainly done.
Yssa: Ang dami nyo namang ref.
Tricia: Ang dami nyo namang ref. (ang biro naman ni Tricia na pa-sarcastic na ibinalik kay Yssa ang sinabi niya)
Tricia: Sige kunin ko.
Tricia looked at me and took that as a cue to talk without Yssa being around.
Me: Let me get more cups, too.
Liz understood that was an opportunity for me to talk first to Tricia, so she sat next to Yssa and shared the spoon together to enjoy the Mango flavor. I followed Tricia to the other kitchen.
The second kitchen is as spacious as the main dining area/kitchen. There’s a big center island with a sink and four chairs on either side. It has six-seater dining set na extendable—one chair on either end, two on one side, and a bench on the other. It has big screened windows always open throughout the day for better ventilation, especially when cooking. Nandoon na yung full range oven for baking and cooking, extra stoves, microwave, blender, mixers, at lahat ng ibang cooking ware and utensils.
Nadatnan namin si Aida at Amy dun at sila na ang pinakuha ko ng Thai Tea flavored ice-cream and extra cups. I don’t feel like eating ice cream, for it was just an excuse to have a private talk with Tricia.
I thought it would be awkward to see Aid and Amy, but they were deferential towards Tricia, considering they know about Liz and me. I still don’t know which of them placed the blanket on us early that morning.
Me: Amy, pweding paki-dalhan mo sila ng Thai Tea ice-cream dun at sabayan ninyo silang mag-desert.(Gets nila na nais naming mag-usap ni Tricia)
Amy: Okay po.
Me: Paki-kuha na din yung food sa room ko.
Aida: Sige ako na dun.
Me: Pero, Amy, pag-brew mo din kami ng coffee. (Sakto naman na ang coffee maker naman ay nasa main dining area/kitchen.
I gestured for Tricia to go to the far end of the center island. She sat on one side, and I stood at the end. She’s on my left side, and we held hands and chatted about random stuff.
“Kay Aida yang shorts na suot mo no?”
“Hiniram ko, masyadong maiksi yung mga shorts ni Liz.”
“Maiksi lahat ng pambahay niyang shorts.”
Tricia gave me a devilish grin, and I just shook my head.
I waited for Amy and Aida to leave before I mentioned our relationship, but Tricia started discussing family matters first.
“I talked to papa over the phone earlier.”
“Anong sabi niya.”
“Well, nakita niya kaninang umaga yung text ko kagabi sa kanya na dito kami tutuloy ni Yssa.”
“Kinwento mu na yung nag-usap tayo nina Liz at Yssa sa cafe?”
“Yes, sinabi ko yun kay papa.”
“Ano, mag-memeeting pa ba tayo?”
“I think hindi na daw. Enough na yung conference natin noon with the lawyers, at alam na din man ni Yssa.”
“So, mag-usap na lang yung sino dapat ang mag-usap.”
“Yes, you could talk to tita Jess or to Yssa.”
“Kami ni Liz okay naman pagdating kay Yssa. I don’t need to talk to Yssa alone kaya mag-usap na lang kami na kasama si Liz.”
“Kayong tatlo?”
“Oo, kase kung anong pag-usapan namin ni Yssa ay involved na din dapat si Liz.”
“Kung sabagay. You don’t have to repeat everything to Liz.
“Pero, I think I need to talk to Jess muna alone.”
“It is all up to you.”
“We’ll take our time threshing things between Yssa, Liz, and me.”
“And Deth,” paalala ni Tricia.
“I need to inform Becca and Deth pala.”
“Don’t worry. Nag-video call na sila kagabi.”
I was not surprised to hear that since it was expected that Liz would contact Deth and her mommy Becca. Hindi nabanggit ni Liz sa akin ang kanilang pag-uuusap dahil sa ibang bagay na tinalakay namin sa kwarto.
“Sinabi sa iyo ni Yssa?” I asked to confirm.
“Kinwento niya sa akin kaninang nanonood kami.”
I whispered, “I guess nag-usap-usap sila habang magkasama tayo sa may bar at patio kagabi.”
“Ganun na nga.”
When we noticed that Amy and Aida weren’t looking, we moved closer to each other and kissed quickly, and she remembered something.
“Oh, sabi ni papa, kung puwede daw sana, he wants to talk to you first before you talk to tita Jess.”
“Did he say why?”
“Hindi eh. Pero siya na ang kumausap kay tita Jess.”
“Well, I’m sure mag-uusap na sila since out na yung result ng DNA.”
“Can you meet papa this week.”
“Yes, sige. Ikaw na mag-coordinate.”
“Sige, pag-drive ko siya if you want to meet somewhere. But of course, kayo lang ang mag-uusap.”
“Okay, so you could be there, too,” and I smiled at her.
After na lumabas nina Amy and Aida papunta kina Yssa at Liz, I leaned to Tricia and we kissed longer.
“I missed you,” lambing niya sa akin. I slowly realized that Tricia is indeed very sweet.
“Missed you, too.”
“We don’t have to tell everyone about us if you want, and focus first on Yssa.”
“Yes, but you, me, and Liz maybe should talk later today. Could you stay for another night just in case we need more time?”
“What about Yssa?”
“Does she have school tomorrow?”
“Oo nga pala.”
“Pahatid ko na lang siya kay Nap o Aldrin.”
“I have to work tomorrow, too.”
“Hatid na kita.”
“Eh, si Liz?”
“Afternoon pa yata class niya pag Monday, the driver can take her to school.”
That was when Tricia asked to clarify what I said to her about Liz.
“But wait,” and squeeze my hand a little.
“Ano yon?”
“Yung sinabi mo about Liz when we’re at the patio.”
I had an idea of what she was saying, but I wanted to be sure.
“About what?”
She paused for a while, trying to weave the right words, “Yung may gusto ka sa kanya at saka,” another paused, “at may nangyari na.”
Since Liz and I discussed this matter earlier, I thought it was best to talk about it with Tricia separately before the three of us meet.
“Yes, that’s true.
Though she already knew, Tricia was still surprised after I confirmed it. She still held my hand but looked at the table, “I know that kind of relationship happens, but I never knew it happened with you and Liz.”
“And I assure you, it was mutual, and there was no abuse.”
“You groomed her?” It was a fair question from her
“Believe it or not, it was spontaneous.”
Tricia had shared with me about her past relationships, and it was clear that she had been active in sex before. Therefore, she’s not a prude and admitted that she was not oblivious to the idea of incest. So, I shared more when she followed up.
“What do you mean spontaneous?”
I could not tell everything in detail then and did not even admit that I had a crush on Liz. But such infatuation with one’s daughter happened to and seemed natural to some fathers anyway.
“We were playing, running around the house. I caught her, and there was more contact.”
Tricia appeared very interested in the particulars but could not or was not yet comfortable asking for them.
“Noon iyon?” ang natanong niya lamang.
“It is still going on, Trish.”
“Oh,” was her reaction, for it appeared that although she acknowledged the relationship, she thought it had stopped.
“Liz seems okay with our relationship, so we want to know how you feel about us.
“You and Liz?”
“Yes.”
“This is very complicated.”
“Take your time absorbing all these facts.”
“I’m open-minded, and I understand. It’s just I never expected that this is happening to you and Liz.”
“I know that you seem to accept our relationship, but do you feel somehow repulsed?”
“I am not. It’s just that it is impossible and will never happen in my family. I cannot even imagine.”
“It is a taboo. That’s why when it happened, it happened in secret.”
“I also understand that at her age, her hormones are raging, and she has to have a sexual outlet.”
“She’s safe with me. Of course, that is what every pervert father would say, but she’s safe with me than finding sex elsewhere.”
“You know that is not entirely true,” Tricia said in a non-adversarial tone.
“But it is true for Liz and me. We discussed our distrust with other people.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes, because you are not just other people. We know you, Trish.”
“And I know you and Liz. At least, that is what I thought.”
“Nowyou know us very well,” with an emphasis on ‘now.’
“Knowing each other well could help with this matter.”
“If you want to work things out with us, we’ll talk to Liz.”
“If it is still going on, does it mean we all share one bed?”
I got excited about that idea but had to keep it to myself, “It doesn’t have to be. We could keep our relationship separate and my relationship with Liz separate.”
“Will I be a mom to Liz?”
“Oh, I know that’s bizarre, but when we talk together, that will be between you and Liz.”
“We could be best friends.”
I thought that made sense since she knew that Jess and I were not annulled, so I could not marry her. She is not Liz’s sister, too, so I agreed, “Yes, you could be best friends.
“But this is so much to think about.”
“I know, sorry. Take all the time that you need.”
“No, it’s okay. What happened to us was spontaneous, and I did not mean to enter the most private part of your lives.”
“Do you regret what happened to us last night?”
“I don’t regret it, but I’m not fully prepared for what I am learning now.”
“That’s fair to say, for no one could be prepared for the idea of having an incest relationship.”
“So, what do you want?”
“Liz is my daughter, so it’s reasonable to say I prioritized her. She’s open to the idea that you and I continue our relationship. And if you decide that we stay together, you must accept my relationship with Liz.”
“I want to be with you, and I understand now that we can’t be exclusive.”
“But if you decide in the end that you don’t want to continue having a relationship with me, I hope that you keep my relationship with Liz a secret, primarily to protect her privacy.”
“It’s hard to decide, but I will keep your secret either way. I love Liz, and I don’t want her privacy violated.”
“But where does your inclination lean? To end our relationship or join Liz and me?”
Tricia paused and thought for a while, and I was prepared for whatever her decision would be.
“My heart says to be part of your family.”
“Then let’s explore that idea.”
“Okay, we can start with that.”
“We don’t have to rush things, but we need to be on the same page at the beginning.”
“So, this means that you’ll have two lovers?”
“Yes, and in the same manner, I cannot demand that you and I should be exclusive.”
“I don’t want another man, right now.”
“Then, consider staying with us.”
Biglang bumalik na sina Amy at Aida pero hindi namin binitawan ang pag-holding hands.
Me: Ah…yung coffee?
Amy: Ay, sorry sir. Nalibang akong kausap sina Liz at Yzza.
Me: Okay lang. Maski mamaya na lang.
Amy: Pero pina-ubos ko kay Liz yung tang-halian niya.
Me: Kaunti nga lang pala yung kinain niya nung sabay kami kanina.
They placed the dirty cups and utensils on the sink upon realizing that Tricia and I were still talking. Amy and Aida then proceeded to their quarter, which is connected to the kitchen by a small hallway. Across the quarter is their bathroom/restroom.
But before they enter the hallway, “Amy paki-text si Nap o si Aldrin na baka ipahatid ko si Yssa sa kanila. May pasok kasi siya bukas at wala siyang uniform.”
“Okay, po” confirmed naman ni Amy.
“Ikaw ng bahala gumawa ng excuse kay Yssa kung bakit kayo hindi sabay uuwi,” ang suggest ko kay Tricia.
“Okay, I’ll think of something.”
“Go ahead and join the girls. I need to talk to Amy and Aida.”
“Okay Sige.”
Tumayo siya sa kinauupuan at niyakap ako. Ang kanyang halik ay nagsasabi na gusto niyang makasama ako, ngunit hindi ko din siya maaring sisisihin kung magbago ang isip niya.
Ang sitwasyon na natuklasan niya ay likas na kakaiba, subalit naisip ko din na kay ganda ng maaring kahihinatnan kung magagawa naming pag-usapan at unawain ang lahat ng bagay sa ganitong relasyon.
Totoo na ang madalas na sumisira sa ilang relasyon ay selos. Kung maiiwasan natin ang selos, at kung maayos din ang lahat ng aspeto ng pakikipagsama, alam kong magkakasundo ang mag-asawa o magkarelasyon. Subalit hindi nga pangkaraniwang ang sitwasyon namin. At sana, maski na ang selos ay normal lang naman talaga, hindi sana mag-seselos ng masyado sina Liz at Tricia sa isa’t isa,
Tinawagan ko sina Amy at Aida para samahan ako sa center island. Nanatili akong nakatayo at pina-upo sila sa magkabilang gilid—si Amy ay nasa kaliwa ko, at si Aida sa aking kanang bahagi.
Me: Ito na yung tamang oras para pag-usapan ito.
Tahimik lamang silang dalawa. Walang gustong magsalita at naghintay sa aking tanong at sasabihin
Me: Sino pa ang may alam dito tungkol sa amin ni Liz?
Nag-tinginan muna sila at tumango si Aida kay Amy, hudyat na si Amy ang sasagot.
Amy: Kami lang pong dalawa.
Me: Eh, si Roger?
Amy: Hindi niya po alam.
Hindi ko na tinanong kung gaano katagal na nila alam, bagama’t kamakailan lang kami nahuli ni Aida sa akto.
Me: Buntis na ba si Liz?
Amy: Hindi pa siya nagmens kasi.
Me: Paano ka sure.
Aida: Hindi na niya ginagamit yung pads niya.
Me: Yung lang din ang sinabi kagabi na hindi na siya gumagamit ng pads kaya sa tingin mo ay posibleng buntis siya.
Amy: Yun nga po.
Me: Kayo ang bumibili nun diba kapag nag-grogrocery kayo?
Aida: At hindi na niya ginagamit yung nasa drawer ng restroom.
Amy: Papalitan ko sana kasi alam ko yung period niya kaso hindi nabawasan.
Me: Posibleng bumuli siya sa labas.
Amy: Posible pero regular na niya kasing ginagamit yung nasa banyo. Ngayon lang po hindi talaga nabawasan.
Napa-isip ako at tahimik din silang dalawa. Then, bigla kong naalala na minsan hinipuan ko si Liz bago siya bumaba sa kotse ng ihatid ko siya sa morning class niya na I felt a string.
Kaya narealized ko na she’s been using tampons. When I asked why she started using tampons, Liz said she was afraid to use them before when she was still a virgin.
Me: Tampons na ang gamit niya.
Nagtinginan silang dalawa upon realizing why Liz was not using regular pads anymore.
Aida: Pero posibleng buntis na din siya.
Aida has a point since Liz and I are still having sex.
Amy: Or pwedi siyang mabuntis kung hindi pa.
Me: Aida, bili ka ng pregnancy test pagkatapos.
Aida: Okay po.
Me: Sino pala ang nagkumot sa amin ni Tricia kanina.
Amy: Ako sir.
Me: Kayo yung mata at saksi sa nangyayari dito sa bahay, maaasahan ko ba na tikom naman yung mga bibig ninyo at sekreto ang lahat ng ito?
Gets nila ang hinihiling ko sa kanila.
Aida: Opo.
Amy: Karelasyon ninyo pareho si Tricia at Liz?
Me: Kung anong nakikita ninyo, yun na yon. Hindi naman siguro kailangan ipaliwanag namin lahat sa inyo ang mga nangyayari. Usapan na lang naming tatlo iyon. (Ito ay aking sinabi na may pag-kukumbaba, mahinahon, at walang halong demand)
Aida: Opo, basta hindi rin namin kakausapin si Tricia tungkol sa relasyon ninyo.
Amy: Kung nandito siya parang katulad lang noon.
Me: Kilos normal lang.
Aida: Eh, paano si Deth?
Si Amy na ang kumausap kay Aida
Amy: Aida, sila sila nag ang mag-uusap. Wala na tayo doon. Normal lang ang kilos natin gaya na dati.
Aida: Okay, ate.
Me: Sige yun lang muna.
Aida: Bili na ako ng pregnancy kit.
Me: Ibigay mo kaagad kay Liz. Alam na niya yon.
Aida: Opo kuya.
I thought I had given enough time for Tricia to provide Yssa with some excuse. Tricia needs a reason so she can stay later for our talk.
I returned to the main dining area to join them but found the table empty. I heard conversations and followed the voices to the main living room.
After the previous night’s emotional rollercoaster, the kids had sobered up and acted normally as sisters. For sure, the time they had spent since we all met at the cafe was for them to plan what to do next. And because of the recent revelation, it was expected for the girls to contact their mother.
I was a bit surprised, but considering the situation, it made sense to see Jess with the children, though I wondered why she had not arrived sooner or in the morning.
Yssa was hugging their mother, but both were calm and sweet. Yssa seemed to have moved on emotionally and accepted the reality as it was. They stopped the swaying motion upon seeing me. Liz leaned her butt on the main couch’s armrest, hugging a throw pillow covering her tummy and lap. Tricia sat on the single sofa, located on the opposite end where Liz was leaning.
I saw Daniella leaning on the terrace’s baluster through the window and fanning the smoke from Raymond’s cigarette as Raymond faced up and to his side to blow smoke from his lips. Both did not see me at that moment.
Jess: Hi!
Me: Oh, hello!
There was a pause because no one dared to say anything for a few seconds, so it showed that another family conference might not be proper. Roland is right; it is better to talk separately with anyone involved.
Me: Kumain na kayo?
Jess: Yeah, nag-lunch na kami sa mall. Nag-simba kami kasama si Roland.
Me: Nasa sasakyan siya?
Jess: No, nagpahatid sa bahay at kami na lang ang pinapunta niya dito para sunduin si Yssa at Tricia.
I remember that Tricia told me that Roland wanted us to meet before I talked to Jess. But Jess was already in the house, and the circumstance warranted a changed of the plan.
Me: Would you stay for a while?
She knew why I asked and what ought to be discussed.
Jess: Yeah, of course.
Me: Girls, I would like to talk to your mom alone for now.
Liz: Yes, dad. Pero, is Yssa staying with us?
Tricia: Hala, kukunin na ni Liz sa amin si Yssa (biro ni Tricia)
Liz: Ay hindi naman ate. Pwedi naman siyang salitan dito at sa inyo.
Tricia: Joke lang iyon.
Liz: Okay lang ate. Saka nandun din kase si mommy kaya hindi naman pweding iwanan ni Yssa.
I was glad the Liz and Tricia were interacting normally as wel…