Broken Strings novel Chapter 30

MELISSA QUIZON

I was about to leave the kitchen when I saw my son and his father in the living room. I hid on the wall near them to hear their conversation. I think Reid just woke up because his hair was still messy. I left them to cook our lunch.

Reid looked up as Wright held his hand.

"Maliliit na gagamba, umakyat sa sanga." He sings while gapping Reid's hand. Reid smiled when he felt a tingle because of what Wright was doing with his hand. "Dumating ang ulan, at itinaboy sila. Sumikat ang araw, natuyo ang sanga. Maliliit na gagamba, ay lagging masaya!” (It was a Filipino song for kids)

Wright teased Reid. He lifted Reid's pajamas and blew wind in his stomach. His laughter was so sweet to hear. Their laughter. They are both tired when they stopped. And now lying on the sofa bed, Reid was lying on Wright’s arm.

"Daddy, do you know how to play the piano?" Reid asked politely.

He wiped the sweat off Reid's forehead and kissed him there. "No, e. Will you teach me?"

Reid suddenly sat up. He nodded. "Yes. On one condition."

Wright sat down as well. He placed his hand on Reid’s lap and the other was on the sofa. "Anything."

"Please be kind. Don't make my Mommy cry, because I love my Mommy so much. I love you too but-- Ay! I slipped!"

Wright's smile sweetened. "What? You love me?"

Reid averted his eyes. His cheek is red. "Y-Yes. My teacher told us, we need to love our parents. Daddy, that's why I love you too. But the Daddy, the love I have for you got minus points for making my Mommy cried a while ago .”

"I’ll make it up to you, Son. Promise."

Reid raised his fist and tilted his little finger. "Ate Bobbie said, when you make a pinky promise, you can never break your promise. So, Daddy, when you break your promise I will get mad on you. If you do, I will not going to talk or even get near you."

"I won't let that happen." He said softly.

They pinky-promised. Wright messed up Reid's hair. Reid stood up and jumped to get off the sofa. He pulled Wright upright to the Grand Piano located on the side of the elegant staircase. They both sat in front of it. Wright lifted the cover and Reid immediately placed his hands on the piano keys.

"This is basic, Daddy." Reid doesn’t take his eyes off the Piano. HIs fingers began to move. "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do. Try it."

Wright mimicked what Reid was doing. He looks like he is happy with the attention our son is giving him.

They started talking in front of the Grand Piano. Even when Bobbie comes down to watch them, and sometimes she gets involved as well. All day Reid taught him what he knew. Sometimes he would ask me when he forgot some of the keys and then immediately run to Wright to teach him.

The next day he woke up early to take us in the school. I sat in the passenger seat and Reid was in the backseat. Bobbie has already been in the school.

"Mommy, my birthday is coming up. I want a bike. Do we have the money to buy it? If I save five pesos every day until my birthday, can I buy a bike?" Reid asked as he fiddled with its cap.

I smiled. I also heard Wright's weak laugh. "Don't save, Baby. I'll just buy you one."

"Mommy, did you hear that? Daddy is going to buy me! I don't have to save five." Reid said cheerfully.

"Yes, Baby, I heard. Put your shoes on. We're close to your school." I said softly.

He did what I said. Wright turned off the car engine and got out. A lot of people looked at Wright. He opened the backseat door and removed Reid's seatbelt. Reid kissed my cheek before he got out of the car. Wright went to the back of the car to retrieve Reid's bag. They saluted each other before Reid entered the large gate of his school.

Wright got into the car when Reid disappeared from his sight. It started the car and we made our way to the school I was teaching. I was surprised when his hand touched my hand that was above my thigh.

"I'm not the clutch so take your hand off." I said coldly.

He laughed but still didn't remove his hand.

"You know, when I saw you. Twenty becomes my favorite number." He says.

Wait. Is it a pick up-line? "Why?"

"Because twenty-ngin on you, I love you even more." His grip tightened on my hand. (“Twenty-ngin” in Filipino language “Tuwing titingin” in English “Everytime I look at you”)