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Mingyu and Wonwoo always wanted to have a child on their own. Kahit pa mag-nobyo pa lang sila ay iniimagine na nila pareho kung ano ang itsura ng anak, saan ito papasok, at ano ang magiging pangalan nito. So when Wonwoo found out he was pregnant in the first year of their marriage, it felt like everything fell into place. Mingyu swore to himself that he’d protect their child from everything and anything. He didn’t realize that “everything” should’ve included himself, too.
Pang-ilang pang-aasar na ba ito ni Mingyu sa anak? Hindi na mabilang ni Wonwoo kung ilang beses na tumakbo ang anak na nila sa kaniya na umiiyak dahil inaasar ng ama. And here it was again: the sound of tiny footsteps pounding against the hardwood floor, followed by a familiar sobbing wail echoing through their living room.
“Mama! Si Papa!” Nag-mamaktol na iyak ng anak.
Wonwoo sighed as he bent down to pick him up. Agad nitong pinalibot ang maliit na mga braso sa leeg niya at doon umiyak. Wonwoo looked past his son and shot a sharp glare at the culprit sitting smugly on the couch—Mingyu, who was chuckling to himself like he had just won. Kaya mas gusto pa ni Wonwoo kapag on-site nagtatrabaho si Mingyu dahil mas tahimik ang bahay nila. But no—his husband just had to be a CEO now, working from home and calling it “quality family time,” when in reality, he spent that time making their toddler stomp around in rage.
Mingyu’s giggling halted the moment a slipper made contact with his shoulder. He winced, rubbing the sore spot with a pout.
“Babe…” Mingyu whispered.
Pinandilatan siya ni Wonwoo at itinuro ang anak na tahimik na umiiyak at mahigpit pa rin ang kapit sa kaniya. Mingyu could only raise his hands in surrender, chuckling under his breath.
“Ayaw ko kay Papa, Mama!”
“Yes, baby. I know,” Wonwoo murmured while gently patting his son’s back.
As far as Wonwoo was concerned, the math was simple: whatever brought Mingyu joy, brought the exact opposite to Minwoo, their son.
🌼
It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon. Tahimik ang bahay. Nakapalibot sa buong living room ang iba’t-ibang laruan at may kokonting tipak pa ng pagkain. On the couch sits Wonwoo, on his phone, hair messy, wearing an oversized shirt that belonged to Mingyu before. Just in front of him was little Minwoo, legs crossed, tongue poking out in full concentration as he stacked block after block into a wobbly tower. Nung tinanong siya ni Wonwoo kung ano raw iyong ginagawa niya, Minwoo answered:
“This is what Papa does for work, right?”
Ngumiti si Wonwoo. Iniwan niya saglit ang anak para makapagluto ng meryenda. And sure enough, as if on cue, Mingyu walked in from the home office, fresh from wrapping up his work day. His eyes immediately landed on the focused toddler, and a mischievous grin grows on his face. He crept toward Minwoo’s project like a villain. Halatang mang-aasar na naman.
“ Nuyan ?” Mingyu asked, grinning wider.
“Tower,” Minwoo answered without throwing a glance at his father.
Mingyu crouches down and watches Minwoo. Unti-unting napa-ngisi ulit ang lalaki sa naisip na pang-aasar sa anak.
“Ganda, ah. Parang one blow lang, tutumba agad.”
“No! ‘Wag mo galawin, Papa!” Natatawa na agad si Mingyu dahil wala pa man din siyang ginagawa ay namumula na agad ang tainga ng anak sa inis.
Manang-mana sa Mama niya
.
“Hindi, dapat may quality test ‘yan. ‘Di ba ganyan work ni Papa? Dapat alam ko kung maganda ‘yung quality ng building na ginagawa ko o hindi.” Mingyu said, voice full of mock seriousness.
“Eeee! Ayaw!” Naiinis na sagot ni Minwoo.
Mingyu laughed. That face—squinted eyes, puffed cheeks, and clenched jaw—was exactly how he looked when he was young and being teased.
“Bahala ka,” Mingyu said, standing up.
But just as Mingyu rose, his foot nudged a few blocks on the floor. The tower wobbled then crashed completely. Siguradong natabig nang hindi sinasadya pero natawa si Mingyu nang makitang malakas na umiyak ang anak. Binato ni Minwoo ang hawak na block sa inis at galit.
“Oh! ‘Di ako ‘yon, ah! Tumayo lang ako!” Mingyu protested, hands raised in defense.
Minwoo wailed, wiggling his little legs out of frustration. Tumayo ang bata at tumakbo kay Wonwoo na abala sa kusina.
“Mama!” Iyak nito.
“Oh, what happened?” Mingyu heard Wonwoo’s gentle voice.
“Si P-Papa! He d-destroyed my tower!” Saka malakas na humagulgol ang anak. Wonwoo sighed before carrying his son. Umiyak si Minwoo sa balikat ng ina habang hinahagod nito ang likuran niya.
Wonwoo cradles his son as he rubs slow circles into his back. “Shhh, baby. It’s okay.” He looked over his shoulder and locked eyes with Mingyu, who stood frozen in the living room like a suspect in a crime scene.
“Oy! Anong ako? Tumayo lang ako, e!”
“Ayaw ko kay Papa!” muling iyak nito at nagmamaktol sa ina. Wonwoo hissed quietly at Mingyu and shot him a warning glare while continuing to soothe the toddler. Mingyu pressed his lips together, biting back laughter, and sank into the couch with a hand on his forehead.
🌼
It’s around 5:00PM on a rainy afternoon, the kind that wraps the house in a soft quiet hum, punctuated only by the occasional sound of raindrops tapping against the windows. Minwoo, in his dinosaur pyjamas, is sprawled out comfortably on the rug watching Cars for the nth time, surrounded by stuffed toys. But clutched tightly in his small arms is his favorite one—Bubu, a strange-looking toy with big eyes and a crooked smile.
Just a few steps away, Wonwoo is in the kitchen preparing snacks—leaving their son alone just for a moment. On the couch, Mingyu is napping, head tilted. But he stirs at the faint sound of cartoon cars and the quiet murmurs of his son.
Naalimpungatan si Mingyu at pinanood ang anak. His brows furrowed. His face slowly contorts into an expression of horror. It was the first time he’d gotten a proper look at it, and honestly? This toy is not kid-friendly. Saan kaya napulot ng anak ‘to? Imposibleng si Wonwoo ang bumili—alam niyang ayaw ng asawa niya na maging spoiled si Minwoo, kaya bihirang-bihira ito magdala ng bagong laruan sa bahay. Which made Mingyu suspicious.
“Anak, what’s that?” turo ni MIngyu sa yakap na laruan ni Minwoo
“This is Bubu. Ninang Jisoo gave this to me,” sagot ni Minwoo.
Oo nga pala. Nakukuwento sa kaniya ni Seokmin kung gaano ka-baliw ang misis niyang si Jisoo sa labubu ngayon. Iyon daw yata ang pinaglilihian, e. Alam na ni Mingyu kung ano ang itsura ng inaanak niya paglabas.
Then Mingyu got that glint in his eye again. The urge to cause trouble. He sat up slowly, cracking his knuckles, and looked at Minwoo—who was still snuggled on the floor, oblivious.
“Nagugutom si Papa. Can I eat Bubu instead?” Pang-aasar ulit ni Mingyu sa anak.
“Huh?” Minwoo asks, blinking innocently.
Without warning, Mingyu snatches the toy from his son’s hands, lets out a playful growl, and dramatically chomps on the plush toy’s neck. He then hides it behind his back with exaggerated evil laughter.
“Wala na si Bubu. Kinain ko na,” Mingyu said with a wide grin.
Minwoo lets out a blood-curdling scream like he just saw a murder happen in front of him. Well… his dad ate his favorite toy so that counts. Malakas na umiyak si Minwoo at tumayo, hinahanap sa likuran ni Mingyu ang laruan. Mingyu, the mapang-asar he is, leaned farther back against the sofa, effectively blocking any chance of his son finding it. Muling humagulgol ng malakas si Minwoo.
At that moment, Wonwoo walked back in, balancing a tray of snacks. He paused at the doorway, lips twitching in restrained annoyance. He settles the tray down with a sigh.
“Oh, what happened na naman?” Wonwoo asked in his calm voice.
“Mama!”
Minwoo ran straight to his Mama, wrapped his tiny arms around Wonwoo’s legs, and buried his face sobbing. Agad na binuhat ni Wonwoo ang anak. Umiyak ito sa balikat niya at hindi mahiwalay ang kapit. Samantalang ang asawa niya ay naka-ngisi at nagpipigil ng tawa. Wonwoo raised his fist, showing knuckles to Mingyu in warning.
“
Nikain
ni Papa si Bubu! Ayaw ko na kay Papa, Mama! Si Bubu ko, wala na! Gagalit si Ninang Jisoo!” hagulgol na sumbong ni Minwoo kay Wonwoo.
“Hindi magagalit si Ninang, okay?” He peeked down to check if Minwoo was calming. “Papa didn’t eat Bubu. Don’t cry na. Just watch Cars, hmm?”
Umupo si Wonwoo sa tabi ni Mingyu at kinalong ang anak patalikod sa ama. Mabuti na lang at tumigil na ito umiyak at tahimik na nanood na lamang habang sinisinok pa rin sa pagka-iyak. Wonwoo mouthed ‘Akin na’ before Mingyu handed it over.
“Oh, here na ulit si Bubu,” Sabay punas sa pawis ng anak.
“Bubu!” Minwoo gasped, hugging the toy tightly, then positioning it to watch the movie with him, still leaning against Wonwoo’s chest like nothing ever happened.
Wonwoo let out another sigh of relief, though he made sure to smack Mingyu’s shoulder behind their son’s back.
“Ikaw, inasar mo na naman,” bulong ni Wonwoo kay Mingyu.
“Okay lang ‘yan para mahaba pasensya niya paglaki. Tsaka, baka ma-trauma anak natin sa laruan na ‘yan. Pang-bata ba talaga ‘yan?”
“Hayaan mo siya! Kung ‘yan ang gusto niya, e. Huwag ka na magulat kung lumaking may galit sa’yo ‘tong anak mo,”
Mingyu chuckled, then leaned forward to kiss Wonwoo on the cheek. He gently rested his head on his husband’s shoulder while reaching out to comb his fingers through Minwoo’s soft hair—their son now peacefully watching Cars again like he didn’t just cry over a plushie three minutes ago.
🌼
The sun was peeking lazily through the curtains. On a random morning at Kim’s household, Minwoo was lying tummy-down on the floor, deeply focused on his sketchpad with his crayons scattered everywhere. An episode of Sesame Street played softly in the background but Minwoo was too absorbed in drawing to notice.
Samantalang nasa kusina si Wonwoo at nagluluto ng agahan. On-site kasi ang trabaho ngayon ng asawa at maaga rin nagising ang anak kaya nagluto na siya. From time to time, Wonwoo peeks through the arch frame connecting the living room and kitchen to check on Minwoo. Nakapamewang na naghahalo ng sarsa ito nang maramdaman niya ang mainit na katawan na pumalibot sa buong likuran niya. Mingyu, hair slightly damp and only wearing sweatpants, wrapped his arms tightly around Wonwoo’s waist, and rested his chin on his shoulder.
“Good morning, misis,” Mingyu quietly planted a soft kiss on Wonwoo’s hair.
Wonwoo hummed, softly tracing his husband's face with his fingers while still cooking. He tilted his head slightly to the side, making Mingyu to snuggle in closer.
Walong taon na silang nag-sasama kung susumahin pati ang mga taon na mag-nobyo sila. Pero hindi pa rin nagbabago ang pag-tingin ni Mingyu sa asawa. It feels like they just started dating yesterday.
“You smell like a baby… My baby,” panlalambing ni Mingyu.
“Huwag mo ‘ko masyado singhutin. Baka amoy laway pa ‘ko ng anak mo,” bulong ni Wonwoo na ikinatawa nila pareho.
They swayed a little, enjoying the peaceful morning together. Just the two of them.
Until Minwoo got up and was about to show to Wonwoo what he drew. He stiffened in place, seeing his mortal enemy hugging his mother. Lumipad ang papel dahil tumakbo ang bata papunta sa mga magulang niya. With every strength of his little fist, Minwoo smacked Mingyu's thigh.
“Akin si Mama!” Minwoo shouts, brows furrowed, lower lip trembling.
“Minwo—”
“Pinagsasabi mo? Mama’s mine,” Mingyu sticks his tongue out and hugs Wonwoo even more.
“No! Mama is mine!” Namumula na naman ang ilong at tainga ng bata sa gigil sa ama. Wonwoo bit his lip, containing his smile.
Mingyu, with a smug grin, replied, “E kami ni Mama, we got married. Tingnan mo wala ka nga sa wedding photo,” Tinawanan ng nakaka-asar ni Mingyu ang anak.
“No! Mama ko siya! Sa tummy niya ko galing. Ako ang nauna!” Minwoo stomped his foot. Wonwoo turns to hide his laugh, smiling down at his son.
“Oh, when you were born, who was with Mama? ‘Di ba ako? It's Papa, ‘di ba? Kaya ako ang nauna!” lalo pang pang-aasar ni Mingyu.
Hindi pa natatapos ang litanya ni Mingyu ay malakas na umiyak na ang anak nila. Minwoo’s wails echoed through the kitchen — loud and broken. His small face had turned red from the sudden burst of emotion, his tears falling one after another like a flood that wouldn't stop. Minwoo sobbed so loud Wonwoo felt bad and went to scoop him up, cuddling him.
“Hindi, baby. Papa’s just joking—”
Behind Wonwoo's shoulder? Mingyu still teasing his son, shaking his head. Para bang sinasabi sa anak na huwag maniwala at siya pa rin talaga ang nanalo sa kanilang dalawa. Minwoo wailed even louder, his tiny legs kicking the air out of frustration.
“Mama! Papa is bad! Ayaw ko na kay Papa!” iyak ni Minwoo.
Wonwoo gently shushed Minwoo, bouncing him lightly while soothing his back. He tries to keep a straight face, but his cheek is pressed against Minwoo’s puffy one, and he’s choking back giggles. Hinayaan na lamang ni Mingyu na aluin ni Wonwoo ang anak at siya na ang nag-luto habang tumatawa pa rin.
“Don't love Papa anymore, Mama!” hikbi ni Minwoo.
Wonwoo smiled softly as faced his son. Namumula ang ilong at mga mata nito. Pinagpawisan na rin dahil sa pag-iyak. No doubt this child is Mingyu's. Si Wonwoo lang ang nag-dala pero nakuha lahat kay Mingyu.
“Edi who's gonna do the dishes na kapag wala na si Papa?”
Minwoo pouted, thinking for a second. Yumakap ulit kay Wonwoo at sumiksik sa leeg niya.
“Kay Papa pa rin ‘yun…” bulong ng anak.
Wonwoo let out a chuckle as he pressed a gentle kiss to Minwoo’s hair, still bouncing him lightly to calm him completely. Tumingin siya kay Mingyu na naka-ngiti rin sa kanila. Tinuro ni Wonwoo ang niluluto saka nagmamadali si Mingyu na inasikaso ito.
Later that night, after Wonwoo had finished washing up and called it a day, natagpuan niya ang mag-ama na natutulog. Mingyu, exhausted from work, was snoring under his breath, one arm stretched out across the bed. And there's Minwoo, deeply asleep, curled against his father's arm. Naka-dantay din ang kamay ni Mingyu sa bandang binti ng anak. Wonwoo’s heart melted at the sight. Dahan-dahang tumabi si Wonwoo kay Minwoo. Hinalikan niya ang anak sa ulo at sa labi ang asawa.
And yet even though their house feels like a warzone almost every day, it never ends without the two snuggling close—like they didn't just turn the whole house upside down.
🌼
It was a gloomy afternoon. Wonwoo is chilling on the rug, back leaning on the edge of the sofa, rubbing his son’s back. Busy naman si Minwoo sa pag-ddrawing na ginagawa. It was supposed to be a family artwork but instead Minwoo drew Mingyu as a monster while he and his mother were drawn in a usual stick figure, holding hands. Mingyu, who’s also in the living room, is behind Wonwoo taking a nap.
Mukhang tahimik naman ang araw na ito at walang kaguluhan na mangyayari. Mingyu’s last tease to Minwoo was when he ate the last hotdog. Well, hindi naman alam ni Mingyu na gusto pa rin ng anak iyon after asking him a thousand of times if he wants to eat it. Sa huli ay binilhan niya na lang ito ng sandamakmak na hotdog at nilutuan. Problem solved watching Minwoo quietly eating a hotdog while watching a movie.
Habang nanonood si Wonwoo sa ginagawa ng anak ay bigla itong humarap sa kaniya at tumayo.
“Mama,” Minwoo whispered.
Wonwoo hummed in response, attentive and caressing his son’s legs. Lumapit si Minwoo sa tainga ni Wonwoo at bumulong.
“Prank ko po si Papa,”
Wonwoo smiled, “Prank? What prank?”
Minwoo shushes him immediately, putting his index finger in front of his pouting lips. Wonwoo nodded getting what his son wanted. Secret nga pala.
“I’ll draw something on his face,” Minwoo giggled, shoulders even going up because of excitement.
Ngumiti na lang si Wonwoo. Hay, this will definitely end badly.
“You want Mama to help you?” Wonwoo asks.
“No, Mama. I got this.” pagmamayabang nito. He even got Mingyu’s smug look.
Hindi na tumanggi si Wonwoo dahil alam niyang fed up na fed up na ito sa tatay niya. Kung halos araw-araw ka ba naman pikunin, e. Sinong hindi mag-iisip na gumanti? After telling his whole plan to his Mama, Minwoo is now ready to execute the prank. Wonwoo just prayed na sana makisama na lang si Mingyu sa trip ng anak and for once… let him win. Wonwoo signed goodluck to his son when he was about to leave to do some household chores.
After a series of heavy sighs and countless encouragement to himself, Minwoo grabs a red sharpie and climbs to the sofa where Mingyu is sleeping. Minwoo can’t contain his giggles as he doodles on his Papa’s face. He gave Mingyu a funny mustache, a scribble on his forehead and made his eyebrows thick and red. And when Minwoo was about to draw a large red dot on Mingyu’s nose, that is when Mingyu’s eyes slowly opened and found his son on top of him.
Minwoo laughs and tries to climb down. Na-gets agad ni Mingyu kung anong ginawa sa kaniya ng anak nang makita ang sharpie na hawak nito. Mingyu had already grabbed a black marker, and in one swoop, picked Minwoo up, holding him mid-air with one arm while uncapping the pen with the other.
“No! No! Stop, Papa!” Minwoo screams, giggling and dodging every movement his Papa is making trying to draw his face.
Walang kaeffort-effort na nalagyan ng drawing ni Mingyu sa mukha ang anak kahit pa malikot itong umiiwas at gustong kumawala sa kaniya. Mingyu was laughing hysterically while cornering his son, drawing a scribbled lines on his son’s face. Minwoo’s loud giggles turns into a cry of help.
“No! Stop! Papa! Stop na!”
Minwoo starts to sob and now is wiggling his little body because he is mad. Natawa ulit si Mingyu nang malakas na umiyak ang anak. He wiped his son’s tears and carries him into a proper one. Pero gusto pa rin makawala ni Minwoo sa kaniya. Kahit pa tatawa-tawang pinapakalma ni Mingyu ang anak ay nagwawala pa rin ito. Pikunin talaga.
“Oh, why are you mad? Sino nauna, ha? Sino? Gumanti lang si Papa, ‘di ba?” Pang-aalo ni Mingyu sa anak.
Kumawala ito nang tuluyan nang makita si Wonwoo na bumaba galing kwarto. Minwoo runs to his mother’s aid again. It did not surprise Wonwoo when he saw his son’s face with a lot of scribbles. Wonwoo bent down to pick him up. Agad na pinulupot ni Minwoo ang mga braso sa leeg ni Wonwoo at doon umiyak.
“Mama! Si Papa!”
Wonwoo sighed looking at Mingyu’s doodled face. Lumapit si Wonwoo kay Mingyu habang karga pa rin si Minwoo at hinaplos ang mukha ng asawa. He tried to remove the marker off of Mingyu’s face pero mahirap. Kailangan pang kuskusin nang maigi. Wonwoo tsked. Habang si Mingyu ay hingal na hingal dahil sa katatapos lang na laban nila ng anak. Wonwoo mentally shook his head. Tinalikuran niya ang asawa at naglakad-lakad habang inaalo ang anak.
“Shh, shh. Papa didn’t mean it,” Wonwoo said, rubbing Minwoo’s back. Nakita ni Wonwoo na habang naghihilamos ng mukha si Mingyu ay naka-ngiti ito.
“Papa is bad! Ayaw ko na kay Papa!” Minwoo sobbed. Wonwoo continues to shush his son while Mingyu is having a hard time removing the marker’s ink on his face. Madami pa man din ang nalagay sa mukha. Sinilip ni Wonwoo ang mukha ng anak at napa-pikit nang makitang mas madaming na-drawing ang asawa niya sa mukha ng anak nila.
Eventually, Wonwoo decided for Minwoo to take a bath. Mabuti at nawala ang toyo ng anak dahil busy sa bath toys. Wonwoo was busy wiping ink off their son’s face when he looked up and saw Mingyu, his face just barely clean enough to pass. Nakuha agad ni Wonwoo ang gustong sabihin ng asawa kaya ito nagpaalam sa anak at nag-sabing magluluto muna ng hapunan. Wonwoo patted Mingyu’s shoulder on his way before exiting the bathroom.
Siguro’y na-guilty ito ng kaunti dahil mahirap nga naman alisin ‘yung sharpie sa mukha. Habang nagluluto si Wonwoo ay naghihintay siya kung may sisigaw mula sa bathroom but it was surprisingly quiet and you can only hear some splashes of water. And when Wonwoo decides to check on them, he found Mingyu cleaning Minwoo’s face. Basa ang buong braso dahil minsa’y nalulublob sa bathtub.
“And then, what happened?” Mingyu asked in a gentle voice, busy rubbing his son’s cheeks and listening to his stories.
“And then Gabby Gabby said to Woody na she only wants his voice box. Tapos po… he, he gave his voice box to her kasi want niya na may mag-laro sa kaniya.”
Habang tuloy-tuloy ang daldal ng anak, Wonwoo couldn’t help but wonder how Minwoo had already forgiven Mingyu. Napansin niya iyon sa bata. Kahit pa araw-araw siyang asarin ng tatay ay hindi ito nag-tatanim ng galit at nawawala agad ang pagka-pikon—basta ay susuyuin. Their day ended with Minwoo asleep on Mingyu’s shoulder as he carried him.
🌼
“Are you sure you two will be okay?” Wonwoo asked, worry evident on his face.
“Love, you asked me that question 9 times already. I told you, we’ll be fine. Isang araw ka lang mawawala.” saka hinagkan ni Mingyu ang asawa at hinalikan ang pisngi.
Nag-aya kasi si Jeonghan, Wonwoo’s friend, after 5 years without hangouts to have a quick getaway for the whole day. Since they’ve been so busy with their personal lives, especially taking care of the kids, napag-isipan nila na magpahinga muna atleast for a day, away from the responsibilities. And when Mingyu heard of it, he convinced his husband to go with his friends. Wonwoo was hesitant at first dahil hindi niya kayang iwan ang dalawa. Surely, chaos will happen without him in present. But Mingyu assured him na he will be matured for once at siya munang bahala sa bahay. Mingyu also took a leave from work dahil sa dami na rin ng workloads, feeling niya wala na siyang oras sa pamilya.
“Okay… Remember, don’t—”
“Don’t make him eat too much sugar. No toys while eating. Don’t let him take a bath with his clothes on. Got it,” Mingyu recited with a wink.
Wonwoo exhaled, torn between laughing and rolling his eyes. He nodded and finally gave in, arms wrapping around Mingyu again.
And there stood Minwoo—still in his dino pajamas, just woken up, his bed hair wild and his expression slightly trembling at the sight of his Mama leaving. The moment realization hit, Minwoo’s lips started to quiver, and before anyone could speak, he ran toward Wonwoo with outstretched arms.
“Mama…” Minwoo’s voice broke.
Ngumiti si Wonwoo saka hinawi ang buhok ng anak, “Mama will be gone just for a day. Uwi rin ako later. Be a good boy to Papa, okay?”
Saglit na lumingon si Minwoo sa ama. Mingyu gave him a mocking smile. Saka ito ulit bumaling sa ina at para bang humihingi ng tulong. Marahang hinampas ni Wonwoo ang balikat ng asawa. After a few more reassuring whispers and kisses, Mingyu finally reached out to lift Minwoo from Wonwoo’s embrace. Wonwoo planted a kiss on Minwoo’s forehead, then leaned in to whisper into Mingyu’s ear.
“Huwag mong asarin ng asarin, ha.” Then Wonwoo kisses MIngyu on the lips.
Wonwoo finally left. Sumilip ang mag-tatay sa bintana at nakita na sinalubong si Wonwoo nina Jeonghan, Jisoo at Seungkwan at pumasok sa sasakyan.
Fast forward to Mingyu and Minwoo’s first morning without Wonwoo. Everything is going smoothly. Mingyu is cooking pancakes for breakfast and from time to time, checking on Minwoo who’s scribbling on his sketchpad. Akala ni Mingyu ay magiging tahimik ang umaga nila… or so he thought.
“Anak? Matatapos na si Papa. Can you come here?” Mingyu called out.
Mingyu was met with silence. Kinutuban si Mingyu kaya sumilip sa anak. His eyes widened when he saw Minwoo giggling as he drags the crayon creating large lines across the wall. Mingyu rushed toward him, spatula still in hand, ready to grab his son. But Minwoo was fast enough to run from his father while laughing. Nag-ikutan sila sa sofa. Gumulong pa si Minwoo para lang maka-takas sa ama.
“Minwoo, come here! Anak!”
Tatawa lang si Minwoo habang si Mingyu ay hindi malaman ang gagawin dahil siguradong nasusunog na ang pancake na niluluto. Mabilisan niyang tinaob ang pancake at napa-pikit ng makita na itim na ito. Minwoo watches his father stressing out. Muling tumakbo ito at nag-doodle sa pader ulit.
“Kim Minwoo!”
This time, Mingyu didn’t miss. He lunged forward and caught his son mid-run, lifting him with one arm like a sack of rice while still holding the spatula.
“‘Pag hindi natanggal ‘yang drawing mo, lagot ka kay Mama.” pananakot ni Mingyu habang nag-aasikaso ng agahan.
“I’ll tell Mama it’s you!” Minwoo giggled, still holding the crayon he used.
“You think Mama will believe na I did it? Ikaw lang naman nag-ddrawing dito. Inay ku po , lagot na naman kay Mama.” pang-aasar ni Mingyu. Minwoo whined, his little legs kicking the air.
“Oh, kaya stop being makulit. Look, pancakes for breakfast.” Mingyu settled Minwoo down.
Minwoo’s tears instantly stopped. The second his eyes spotted the pancake, his tantrum vanished. They ate quietly, the soft sound of Paw Patrol playing in the background. Minwoo held his milk bottle in one hand and his pancake in another. Mingyu just chewed in silence, watching his son, and laughed.
At 9:34AM, Mingyu decided to wash Minwoo up. They ended in about an hour and a half. Everything was going well—naligo, nagsabon, tumawa pa nga si Minwoo habang nilalaro ni Mingyu ‘yung mga bath toys niya. Hanggang sa oras na ng paghihilamos ng mukha ng anak. The moment Mingyu’s large palm covered his son’s entire face repeatedly, Minwoo immediately burst into tears. He complained his Papa was being too rough, comparing it to Wonwoo’s gentle style. He threw a tantrum calling Wonwoo’s name. And so began another round of Mingyu trying to calm down his crying child.
A day without Wonwoo felt like a decade. Nagpasalamat si Mingyu sa lahat ng santo nang makitang madilim na. Hudyat na malapit nang umuwi ang asawa. Mingyu is currently vacuuming the floor. Katatapos niya lang din linisin ang pader na sinulatan ng anak.
Minwoo, bored out of his mind while Mingyu was busy vacuuming, quietly snuck into the gaming room. Sinigurado muna niyang walang nakatingin, tapos marahang sinara at nilock ang pinto. With curious eyes, he tiptoed toward the computer table and slowly climbed up on it, careful not to make any noise.
Doon niya muling nakita ang pinakaaasam-asam niyang hawakan—the Bearbrick collection of his Mama. Matagal ng gustong laruin ni Minwoo ang mga ito, pero paulit-ulit siyang pinagsasabihan ni Wonwoo na hindi ‘yon para sa bata.
With his small and gentle fingers, hinaplos ni Minwoo ang mga collectible, isa-isa. His eyes sparkled with wonder. Pero isang maliit na galaw niya ay natabig niya ang isa. A loud shattering sound echoed through the room.
Mingyu, still vacuuming the hallway, instantly stopped in his tracks when he heard a noise. He turned the vacuum off, his heart dropping. “Minwoo?” he called out, rushing to the gaming room. He twisted the doorknob—locked.
Mingyu knocked urgently. “Minwoo? Anak? Open the door, please.”
From inside the locked room, Minwoo stood frozen, staring at the broken porcelain Bearbrick lying in pieces on the floor. His lips started to tremble, his eyes blinking rapidly as if trying to undo what he just did. His hands were shaking. Narinig niya ulit ang sunod-sunod na katok ni Mingyu mula sa labas.
Minwoo's heart pounded as he shakily unlocked the door. He then promptly hit his head on the table trying to step back. Minwoo started crying, loud and wild. Mingyu panicked and scooped him up instantly, checking him.
“Papa, untog ako!” Minwoo cried, voice breaking as he clung tightly to his father's shirt.
“Saan? Saan? Dito ba? I’m sorry. Hindi sinasadya ni Papa.” Mingyu whispered gently, brushing the soft hair from Minwoo’s forehead. There were no bruises. But the mix of fear, pain, and guilt made Minwoo sob like his world ended.
Saka lang napansin ni Mingyu ang basag na collectible sa sahig. Mabuti na lang at hindi nasugatan ang anak. Minwoo clung to him tightly, face buried into Mingyu’s neck, sobbing loudly as he hiccupped from all the crying.
“Papa!”
“Shh, shh. It’s alright. Hindi magagalit si Mama, hmm? Hindi rin ako galit. Accidents happen.” Mingyu kissed the part where Minwoo bumped his head. “Papa should’ve watched you better. I’m sorry too.”
Eventually, Minwoo's sobs died down into quiet sniffles. He was emotionally spent, arms limp but still wrapped around his Papa. Mingyu rubbed his back in soothing circles, slowly walking around the room like Wonwoo would do, humming the lullaby that always put their son to sleep. And just like that, Minwoo fell asleep on Mingyu’s shoulder.
Mingyu carefully laid him down on their bed, pulling the blanket up to his chest and placing one of his favorite plushies beside him. He sat beside the bed, watching his son’s flushed face, still puffy from all the crying. Bumuntong-hininga ito si Mingyu habang pinagmamasdan ang anak na tulog at namamaga ang mata, remnants of tears is still evident. Mabilisan na nilinis ni Mingyu ang nabasag na porcelain figurine. Sa isip-isip niya ay papalitan niya na lang iyon bukas.
Wonwoo was expecting a loud and messy home but was surprised when he found it completely clean and quiet. Hindi nga lang naitabi nang ayos iyong vacuum pagtapos gamitin. Wonwoo went to their bedroom and found Mingyu sleeping, obviously exhausted. Napangiti si Wonwoo dahil yakap na yakap ni Minwoo sa leeg ang ama habang mahinang humihilik.
🌼
Mingyu had just finished testing his son’s patience again. At ngayon, si Minwoo ay nakasimangot habang tahimik na nagd-drawing at hindi man lang siya pinapansin. Holding a pack of Sour Patch candies, Mingyu quietly sat beside him.
“What are you drawing?” tanong ni Mingyu.
Pero hindi sumagot si Minwoo. Nakakunot ang noo habang abala sa paggu-guhit, na para bang hindi nakaupo sa tabi ang tatay niya.
“Still don’t like Papa?” Mingyu teased with a smile.
“Ayaw ko sa’yo… minsan lang,” his son muttered, pouting, eyes still focused on his paper without even glancing at him.
“Sorry na, oh. I brought Sour Patch ,” Mingyu smiled as he showed Minwoo the candy as a peace offering.
Pigil na ngumiti ang bata. Mingyu, sensing the weakness, pounced—tickling his son’s belly until Minwoo burst out laughing, giggling uncontrollably, almost out of breath from all the laughing. Nang matapos kilitiin ni Mingyu ang anak ay binigay nito ang candy. Minwoo excitedly tore it open and popped one into his mouth. Mingyu was surprised when Minwoo took another piece and gently handed it to him before going back to drawing, like nothing happened.
“Okay lang kung ayaw mo kay Papa minsan,” Mingyu said with a chuckle, kissing his son’s hair. “Basta mahal na mahal ko kayo ni Mama.”
A few moments later, Wonwoo’s voice echoed from the kitchen, calling them for lunch. Mingyu scooped Minwoo into his arms. Laughter filled the hallway, especially Minwoo’s distinct giggles as Mingyu swung him Superman-style all the way to the dining table.
Left behind in the living room was Minwoo’s drawing. This time, Mingyu was no longer drawn as a scary-looking monster. Instead, there were three smiling stick figures holding hands, with a big sun and a small house behind them.