Kabanata 21
Kabanata 21
AFTER doing something embarrassing, what's the best thing I am good with? Running away.
Parang tanga akong tumakbo paalis pagkatapos ko siyang iwanan doon habang tulala. I am positive what he did–what we did made a commotion pero wala na akong pakialam! Ang mahalaga sa akin ngayon ay makaalis at hindi na siya muli makita!
As in never! Never! Never!
Nakalabas ako ng museum matapos kong makipagpatintero sa mga tao, nagugulat pa ang iba dahil sa bilis ng takbo ko pero wala na akong pakialam kung mukha akong nakakahiya! Basta mawala lang sa paningin ko si Salcedo!
"Darshana!" I even heard him call me pero para akong si The Flash na sumalisi paalis sa lugar.
When I got out, nagpa-panic ako, mabilis kong tinakbo ang pwesto mula sa exit papunta sa gilid ng museum para magtago kahit napapatid na ako sa suot.
I saw Chance got out of the museum's exit, nag-ikot siya ng tingin na parang may hinahanap at mabuti'y nasa tago ako kaya hindi niya ako makita.
I saw him brush his hair frustratedly, inilibot niya ang tingin para suyurin ang lugar pero hindi niya pa rin ako nakikita.
I heard him curse and it made me smirk, nakita kong bumaling siya sa guard na lumapit sa kanya at may sinabi.
"Why are you hiding?" I almost jumped when I heard a voice, napahawak ako sa dibdib ko bago mabilis na napalingon sa likod.
I saw a man familiar to me behind, nakikidungaw din sa sinisilip ko. I got scared Chance would see him kaya hinila ko siya patago.
"Don't!" I said quietly at mukhang nagulat siya pero napasulyap sa akin.
"Why?" I saw confusion in his eyes.
"Just... don't." I sighed and shook my head.
"May tinataguan ka, ano?" he asked kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.
"Wala, ah!" I defended. "Bakit naman ako—"
"Hala, ayan na—"
"Huh?!" I almost jumped, lumingon ako pero wala kaya nahulog ang panga. He suddenly laughed, sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero ngumisi lang siya at umiling.
"Joke lang, Daru." He smiled. "Hindi kaya makita tayo rito? Kapag naglakad—"
"Shit, oo nga!" I gasped, mabilis na kinuha ang kamay niya at hinila siya kung saan.
Hindi naman siya nagreklamo, we ran for at least three minutes until we reached a bench nearby.
"I'm positive he won't see you here, though," aniya kaya nabitawan ko na siya.
"Hay!" I gasped loudly, napasalampak akong paupo sa upuan, pawis na pawis at hinihingal. "Muntik na!" reklamo ko at mabilis na tinanggal ang camera sa leeg at ipinatong sa hita ko.
"Water?" Kaagad akong napabaling sa tabi ko at nakitang hinihingal din ang lalaki pero nakangiti sa akin.
He's tall, maybe as tall as Chance, he looked a bit older than me, maybe for a three or five years?
"Huh?" I asked, hinahawi ang buhok na dumikit sa leeg ko.
"I said, water?" He smiled. "Baka gusto mo?"
"Uh, sige..." I agreed, still catching my breath.
Hinayaan ko siyang umalis para bumili ng tubig. I was touching my chest, trying to relax myself while waiting for him. He really looks familiar! Nakita ko na talaga siya pero hindi ko matandaan kung saan?
Not a moment later, he came back, nakangiting inabutan niya ako ng bottle water na kaagad kong kinuha at binuksan.
"Thank you." I flashed a small smile. "Uhm..."
"You don't remember me, don't you?" he asked, startling me. Nag-init ang pisngi ko, biglang nahiya sa kanya.
"U-uh, well..." I laughed awkwardly, slowly opening the lid.
"Chase." He smiled at me kaya unti-unting nanlaki ang mata ko at nagsalita.
"Oh! Chase! As in sa birthday ni Dette?!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, Miss Darshana." He smiled kaya suminghap ako at napainom bago inilahad ang kamay sa kanya.
"I'm so sorry! You are familiar to me pero hindi ko maalala! That's so bad of me," I apologized as he accepted my hand. "Nice meeting you again, Chase. I didn't know I'll meet you here."
"Nice meeting you too." He squeezed my hand a bit. "So... museum, huh? May art exhibit ngayon doon, ah? Are you into art?"
"Well, yeah. Binigay sa akin ang invitation para sa pinsan kong 'di makakapunta so here I am!" I laughed a bit. "Ikaw ba?"
"I'm a manager sa museum,"
My jaw dropped.
"Really?!"
"Yeah." He chuckled, "I just ate outside tapos nakita kitang tumatakbo palabas so I got curious and check on you."
"Thank you!" I chuckled again before drinking water. "May ano, may pinuntahan lang sa loob."
I noticed him staring at me kaya binaba ko ang inumin ko at ngumiti. "Hmm?"
"You're pretty," he suddenly said and it made me smile.
"Thank you, Chase. You're handsome yourself too." I smiled, staring at his face.
"Thanks, you're a bit sweaty." He noticed kaya napakurap-kurap ako, naibaba ko ang tubig, mabilis kong kinapa ang bag para sa panyo ko pero nahuli niya ang baba ko at iniangat.
My eyes widened. Nahihiya siyang ngumiti.
"I have one, let me dry your sweat." Hindi na ako nakagalaw at nakatanggi nang punasan niya ang noo ko.
He looked good, alright. He has black hair and eyes, tall and handsome too. Mukha ring gentleman. Maamo.
Bumaba ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko, pinunasan din iyon pero noong bahagyang bumaba na ang panyo sa may leeg ko ay hinuli ko na ang kamay niya at inilayo.
"It's okay," I said and smiled. "Kaya ko na, salamat." Kinuha ko ang panyo ko at ako na ang nagpunas sa batok at leeg ko.
He was watching me silently as I do that, ngumiti naman ako at muling uminom ng tubig.
"So, who's running after you?" he asked kaya umiling ako.
"No one, just some... ugly ape man." Ngumiwi ako nang maalala ang pangit na mukha ni Salcedo.
"Ugly, huh?" he chuckled a bit. "Isn't that Chance Salcedo?"
Muntik na akong mabilaukan ng sariling laway.
"How did you—"
"I saw when I took a peek kung anong sinisilip mo, he's the main artist of the exhibit. Most people came to see him today and I'm the manager so..." he shrugged at napatango ako at ngumisi ng hilaw.
"Well, there's no use for lying so, yes," I confessed.
"Ex?" he asked kaya natawa ako at tinitigan na lang ang kamay.
"He's... nothing important," I answered instead. Inangat ko ang tingin ko at napansing malapit pala kami sa palaruan. Sa kabilang dako ay may mga batang naglalaro at sa gitna ay may iilang nagbibisikleta.
Natahimik kaming saglit na dalawa, pinagsawa ko ang tingin sa mga batang naglalaro sa kabilang ako at napangiti, suddenly remembering my sweet, handsome Cookie.
"I'm sorry for being nosy, Darshana," aniya kaya nilingon ko siya. "It's not that I'm being creepy or what but when I saw you back in the party, I find you attractive."
Napalunok ako pero ngumiti rin.
"Well, thank you?" I chuckled a bit. "I'm sorry, I don't know how to react. You're handsome too, sabi ko nga sa 'yo kanina."
"Thank you." He blushed a bit which I found amusing.
"Oh, you're blushing!" I exclaimed kaya mas nahiya siya.
"Sorry, I'm just... fluttered a beautiful woman like you would say that."
"Asus," hagalpak ko. "I know your type, Chase, kunwari nahihiya pero I know naman na marami nang nagsabi sa 'yo niyan!"
"Uh, medyo..." he answered kaya nanliit ang mata ko, hindi naniniwala. He noticed my disbelief. "Alright, medyo marami na nga."
"Sabi na, eh!" I laughed and smacked his arm.
Nakita kong natigilan siya, natigilan din ako at sabay na nanlaki ang mata namin na nauwi na naman sa tawa.
I shook my head in amusement, nanatili siyang nakatitig sa 'kin hanggang sa magsalita na.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" he suddenly asked kaya natigilan ako. "Sorry, am I too fast? It's okay if you won't answer."
Napangisi ako at umiling, muling inikot ang tingin kung nasaan ang mga batang naglalaro.
"No," I answered him. "I don't have a boyfriend but I have a son."
"Oh, Cookie?" he asked kaya bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko at nilingon siya.
"Paano mo nalaman?" I asked him.
"I assumed?" he answered. "No'ng birthday ni Audette, I saw you playing with three kids. 'Yong dalawang kambal tapos 'yong baby?"
"Ahh..." Napatango ako, naalalang nakipaglaro nga pala kami nina Scira sa mga batang maliit no'ng birthday ni Dette. "Pamangkin ko 'yong dalawa, the small boy's my son. How did you know his name?"
Natigilan siya saglit bago sumagot. "Wait, I think I heard it from your brother? Marcus, right? He called the handsome small boy, tama ba?"
I nodded.
"Right, 'yon nga, I don't have a boyfriend but I have a son,"
"I see, wala ka bang manliligaw? Gano'n?"
Nagkibit-balikat ako.
"There are attempts but I don't entertain them. You see, my son is one year and half pa lang, he's still small kaya wala pa sa isip ko 'yan. Isa pa, I don't think I'll enter a relationship again. Masaya na ako kay Cookie."
"Why not?" he asked. "You've been hurt before?"
"Hmm, at saka I don't think I can have a relationship with someone again." Natigilan ako. "Teka... bakit ko ba sinasabi sa 'yo 'to?"
Muli kaming nagkatawanan.
"Maybe, you find me comfortable?" he suggested.
"Yeah, I think so," pagpatol ko.
"On the other hand, hindi naman lahat ng lalaki sasaktan ka?" aniya. "Maybe there's still someone who could understand you, who could love you completely."
"Oh, there are." I smiled. "My family, sina Papa, Kuya, mga pinsan ko... ang pamilya ko."
"Family is always there talaga 'no?" he agreed. "But what I meant was, there are people who could love you romantically, 'yong kasama mo sa pagtanda, 'yong kasama mo magpalaki kay Cookie."
"Nah, I don't need that." Ngumuso ako. "Not that I am giving my son a responsibility but I don't think my Cookie would abandon me when I'm old and gray."
"Yeah, pero iba pa rin talaga kapag may kasama ka o katuwang, right?"
"So, what are you trying to imply?" I asked, glancing at him suspiciously.
He's hitting on me.
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at napangisi siya roon.
"I just wanna tell you that I'm attracted to you, Daru. Kahit noong una pa lang kitang nakita. Yeah, I see you in magazines, the internet, and ads but still, I think I like you." He said straightforwardly.
Natigilan ako roon, I just didn't expect na ganito kaagad ang usapan namin.
"I'm so sorry for being weird and all but I just don't wanna waste my chance now that I saw you, hindi ko nga alam kung magkikita pa tayo muli pagkatapos nito."
"I have a son, Chase,"
"So? Bawal na bang mag-boyfriend dahil d'yan?"
"And I don't want relationships." Umiling ako. "Not anymore. I already gave chances before when I said I didn't want to anymore, I took risks but it failed me in the end."
"Iba naman ako."
"I don't know you, Chase," I confessed. "Ngayon nga lang tayo pangalawang beses na nagkita."
"How about we become friends first?" he offered. "Let's try to meet in our spare time if you like, then, we can try? Or I will court you kapag komportable ka na sa akin?"
"I don't know..." I sighed. "I honestly don't know, Chase."
"Let's be friends first, Daru." He stared at me. "I will understand if you won't like me but if you did, I will court you."
I stared at his face and saw his gentle eyes, he looks trustworthy so I sighed and nodded.
"Alright," I said, making him gasp.
"Yes!" he exclaimed kaya nangiti na ako.
"Pero... saan muna ang pinakamalapit na grocery dito?" I asked. He grinned.
"I can bring you there," he smiled.
Sabay na kaming naglakad ni Chase pabalik sa museum para kunin ang sasakyan ko. I was cautious and anxious about seeing the senior citizen around the are kaya OA ako makalingon sa kaliwa't-kanan.
"He's nowhere near the exit," I heard Chase when he took a peek. "Saan ang kotse mo?"
"Parking near the front," I said, tinuturo ang mga sasakyan malapit sa entrance. "Sure ka, wala?"
"Sure," he said and smiled. "Come on, I'll take you there para makapunta na tayong grocery."
I was nervous but I followed him, mabilis kaming dumaan sa may tapat ng entrance para makapunta sa kotse ko.
"Here, pasok ka na!" I said and opened the shotgun seat for him.
"Wait, you should go in first—"
"Sige, pasok na," I said and confused, he nodded, dinungaw ko siya sa gilid bago dali-daling isinara ang pintuan, I took a peek to the entrance and froze when I saw Chance getting out of the museum.
Nakita kong ang tingin niya ay nasa kotse ko na, mabilis siyang bumaling sa akin, kunot na ang noo at madilim ang tingin.
He probably saw who got in inside my car kaya tumikwas ang kilay ko.
"Darshana!" I even heard him call, nakatiim ang bagang ang seryoso at doon na ako napangisi.
All my nervousness vanished, I slowly walked towards the driver's seat and opened the door, binalingan ko siya na hindi gumagalaw at madilim ang tingin sa akin.
I raised my hand, showing him an L sign na idinikit ko sa noo ko.
"Whatever, Lolo!" I exclaimed.
"You—"
"Bleh! Loser!" I exclaimed loudly at nang nakita ko na siyang mabilis na naglakad pababa ng hagdan ay napatili ako.
"Ingat, Lo! Ang rayuma mo!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and quickly entered the car.
"Daru, what's happening—" napatili lang ako at mabilis na pinaandar ang sasakyan palayo kay Chance na hindi kami nahabol.
I glanced at the side mirror and saw him stopped, bumubuka ang bibig niya na parang sumisigaw kaya napahagalpak na ako at napapalo ng manibela, binaba ko ang salamin ng sasakyan at sumigaw pa.
"Sorry, ayaw ko sa senior citizen!" sigaw ko.
"Darshana!" he screamed. "You brat! Come back here—" humagalpak lang ako at mabilis na pinabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan.
I didn't know kung ilang minuto akong naka-recover habang tumatawa sa loob ng sasakyan, Chase has been watching me silently, almost wheezing at no'ng matanto kong nakakahiya ang ginagawa ko ay napatikhim ako at natigilan.
"S-sorry," I cleared my throat. "I-I'm just—"
"You two really are close, huh?" he asked kaya napanguso ako at binalingan siya.
"Hindi naman." I shook my head, nahihiyang nakita niya akong gano'ng kagalawgaw.
"It's okay." He smiled. "I'm just shock and amazed hearing you laugh like that, it's adorable and... your face brightened a lot unlike earlier."
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela at napakurap-kurap.
"Really?" I asked, realizing I laughed like that way again right now because of a man other than my family.
Mahinhin kasi ako sa iba pero ewan ba, kung kay Chance para 'kong nakalabas sa hawla.
Damn... really?
"Yeah, it's cute. I hope I could make you laugh like that, too."
"Why not? I'm like this to people I'm comfortable with, you know, magulo. My Mama said I may be talkative because of my mole here." I pointed the side of my lips.
"Yeah. Sabi nga rin nila gano'n daw 'yon and well, you looked sexier too with that mole of yours."
–
KASAMA ko si Chase na nag-grocery sa malapit sa area, I bought chicken for my Cookie's chicken-manok request. I wonder where he got the words, naisip ko nga ay dahil sa mga pinsan niya o kaya ay sa TV kapag nanunuod sila.
He's exactly like his father. Pati ang mga paborito.
"Choco nom-nom," I muttered after taking a few things na wala na sa condo ko. Naalala ko ang request ng anak ko kaya pumunta ako sa beverage area para kumuha ng chocolate drink.
I immediately saw it, tinulak ko ang cart ko at lumapit doon bago i-angat ang kamay para kumuha pero masyadong mataas ang lagayan kaya suminghap ako.
"Let me," ani Chase na nasa likuran ko. "Ilan, Daru?"
"Hmm, make it five." I answered, thanking him after.
"Welcome." He smiled. "Ang taas no'ng lagayan, dapat ilipat sa ibaba."
"Oo nga, eh,"
"Para kay Cookie?" he asked kaya tumango ako at binalingan ang cart ko.
"Yeah, he likes chocolate drinks. Minsan lang naman kaya pinagbibigyan ko." I pushed the cart.
"You really love the little kid, hmm?"
"Oo naman." I smiled. "He's my baby boy so of course, I do. Bakit mo naman na-topic?"
"I just saw your tattoo," aniya kaya bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay ko.
"Oh, this?" I lifted my hand and showed him my small, minimalist tattoo.
It was a small cookie, it was tattooed with a thin, black ink. Hindi halata sa unang tingin pero kung tititigan ay mapapansin.
"Ganda ba?" I asked him. "Pinagawa ko noong magwa-one year old na siya."
"Yeah, it's beautiful and unique. Cute." He smiled and took my hand to check. "Hindi ko napansin kaagad, I saw it while you're raising your hand to check the drinks.
"Mayro'n pa rito," I showed him my other hand and near the side of my thumb, sa gilid lang pababa sa may wrist ay may maliit na sulat din. It was inked in a thin black tattoo too, type writer ang paraan ng pagkakasulat.
"Cole," he muttered kaya ngumiti ako.
"That's his name," I said happily.
Being with Chase is fun, he's a good, funny man. Ngayon ko lang siya nakausap at nakasama ng matagal ay magaan ang loob ko sa kanya. He's a good friend, we even exchanged numbers and social media accounts before I went home.
Bitbit ko ang plastic bags pagkarating ko sa condo, I input my password and got inside but froze when I saw a bunch of kids running towards me.
"Mama!"
"Ma!" The three kids came running towards me, hila-hila ni Sunny si Sky at si Cookie ay nakasunod din sa kanila.
They all hugged my feet, mabilis kong ibinaba ang mga hawak kong plastic at niyakap ang mga bata pagdukwang ko.
"Oh, kids, what brought you here?" I asked, kissing their cheeks one by one before winking at my Cookie who jumped towards me.
I giggled and kissed his cheek. "How's my baby pogi?"
"P-play!" he told me. "Toys, Ma. Play."
"Aww, naglaro ka kasama si Ate at Kuya?" I asked. He nodded, kumapit siya sa leeg ko at sumiksik.
I grinned at the twins.
"Hello, kids,"
"Hi po, Mama!" Sunny smiled.
"Macaroons?" Sky suddenly muttered kaya napasinghap ako at nakagat ang labi.
"Oh, baby, sorry. Mama Daru didn't know you'll come kaya 'di ako nakabili," I apologized, making his lips protrude. "Don't worry I will buy you some if Mama could go out, okay? Ilan gusto mong box, baby?"
"Three..." He showed me his three fingers kaya ngumiti na ako at ginulo ang buhok niya.
"Alright, Mama Daru will give you three boxes. Come on, let's go to the sofa," I called and took the kids to the living room.
Lumabas ang Yaya ni Cookie kaya nakisuyo ako sa mga plastic sa mga pintuan na hindi ko nakuha dahil ayaw humiwalay sa akin ni Cookie. He's been hugging me tightly kaya hinaplos ko ang kanyang likod at hinalikan ang ulo niya.
"Alex, bakit nandito ang mga bata?" I asked when she got out of the kitchen after taking the grocery bags.
"Ay, galing po rito kanina si Sir Marcus, Ma'am," aniya. "May flight daw po siya, wala raw pong tao sa mansion at ayaw paiwan ng mga bata sa Yaya kaya dito na lang daw po at gusto raw ng dalawa makipaglaro kay Cookie."
"Hmm." I nodded. "Si Storm?"
"Ay, hindi ko po alam, Ma'am. Wala po ata ulit kaya walang mapag-iwanan sa mga bata."
The bitter feeling spread in my mouth hearing it. It wasn't new but it still pisses me off.
"Sige, salamat." I smiled. "Pasuyo naman ako at pahugasan no'ng binili kong manok, magluluto ako mayamaya."
I rested my back on the sofa, nakasubsob pa rin si Cookie sa dibdib ko kaya hinayaan ko lang siya habang ang dalawang bata ay abala sa panunuod ng movie.
"Mama Daru, Mama Daru..." Napalingon ako kay Sunny nang kalabitin niya ako kaya ngumiti ako sa kanya.
"Yes, baby Sunny?" I reached for her cheek.
"Okay lang po ba if here po kami nag-stay ni Sky po, Mama Daru?" she asked in a cute voice. "If no po, uwi na lang po kami—"
"No, baby..." I gasped. "Of course, Mama Daru wants you here, why would you think that?"
"Kasi po, always po kaming here ni Sky, Mama Daru. B-baka po mad na ikaw—"
"Oh, my baby..." My heart melted, marahang kinuha ko si Cookie sa dibdib ko at pinaupo sa hita ko bago akbayan si Sunny at halikan ang ulo niya.
"Mama Daru would never feel mad, okay?" I said softly. "Sunny, Sky and baby Cookie, love na love kayo ni Mama Daru from the bottom of my heart."
Mas sumikip ang pakiramdam ko nang makitang may luha na sa mga mata ni Sunny.
"Okay po, Mama..." Sunny sniffed, suminghap ako at niyakap siya.
"T-thank you po, Mama Daru." Sumulyap ako kay Sky na lumuhod pa sa sofa para halikan ang pisngi ko. "I love you po, Mama Daru. Okay lang po kahit no macaroons basta po Mama Daru po, mayro'n."
"Aww..." I swooned and embraced them tighter. "I love you too, Sky. Love na love namin kayo ni Cookie, right, baby?" baling ko kay Cookie na nagmamasid sa amin.
His wide, round blue eyes brightened and his chubby cheeks moved noong pumutok ang laway niyang lomobo kaya napatawa na ako.
"Love!" he cheered, his dimples deepening and he looked so handsome. "Wavyu! Wav ni Cookie all!"
It made me happy when the kids embraced me. They didn't know but their tiny arms meant the whole world to me. Niyakap ko sila ng mahigpit at hinalikan ng paulit-ulit.
Kung ganito ba naman ang dadatnan ko pag-uwi? Sulit na sulit, nawala kaagad ang pagod ko sa yakap ng mga bata.
"Alright, kids." Marahang binaba ko sa lapag si Cookie na nakamasid sa akin. "Who wants Chicken-manok?!" I cheered.
"Us! Us po!" the kids cheered.
"Yey!" Cookie danced a bit. "Iken-manok! Iken-manok!" he moved his hand adorably kaya napatawa na ako at binuhat siya para pugpugin ng halik.
I cooked the kids their chicken, I made sure na malambot ang kay Cookie para makakain siya ng maayos kaya medyo natagalan ako roon. While the three of them were waiting for me, gumagawa ng assignment ang kambal para sa kanilang klase and my Cookie's busy trying to color things in his coloring book, magulo iyon, panigurado but he likes seeing colors so I bought him that.
I took a photo of the foods I cooked, may chips doon at ang chicken nila. Nilagyan ko pa ng mga dahoon-dahon at gulay para maganda sa paningin bago ini-story sa Instagram.
"Mama Daru, sorry po sa abala, p'wede po pa-help?" ani Sunny kaya tumango at ngumiti.
"Alright, what is it?" I said and washed my hands first.
"Here po." She showed me her notebook. "Sabi po ni Teacher write raw po name ni Mommy at Daddy po kaso po hindi po namin know ni Sky po ang spelling."
"Oh." I nodded and smiled. Binalingan ko ang notebook nila at binasa iyon, mga personal infos lang naman ng mga bata. The two got their names correctly pero may napansin ako kaya bumaling ako sa kanila.
"Why Papa Macky lang nakalagay?" I asked and chuckled.
"I don't know the spelling," Sky said shyly kaya ngumiti ako at tumango.
"Alright, your Daddy's name is Marcus Aristaeus Sandejas," I said and took a scratch to show them the spelling. "Here, medyo mahirap pero memorize the spelling, okay?"
"Yes po..." the two nodded at me.
"Mother, kulang din ito, dapat hindi Mama Storm ang nakalagay lang," I said. "Whole name ni Mommy n'yo, what's her whole name ba, baby?"
"Storm Raina po, Mama Daru!" Sunny told me.
"Oh, okay. What's the spelling?" I asked and took the scratch paper again.
"Storm po like the storm po and Raina po like... like rain po ata, Mama Daru. Not Reina po, Raina. A po."
"Alright, here." I showed them the spelling. "Saan ba kasi ang Mommy n'yo? She should've taught you lessons."
"She's always gone po, Mama," ani Sky doon kaya napabuntonghininga ako. "Papa is looking for her but she's always late po mag-come home, I hear them fight po always."
"It's..." I sighed. "It'll be alright, okay? And Papa Macky loves you both and Mama Daru too and the whole family, okay? Punta lang kayo rito sa akin if you like, you can play with Cookie. Mama Daru would never be mad."
I checked Cookie first who's busy drinking his Chocolate Nom-nom while coloring his coloring book with no direction at all kaya natawa na ako at hinalikan ang pisngi niya.
"Chicken-manok?"
"Iken!" he giggled. "Cookie want iken-manok!" he cheered.
Sinubuan ko siya at pinakain din ang dalawang bata, sinabi sa akin ni Alex na pupunta rito ang Yaya ng dalawa mamaya para may mag-asikaso rito bukas ng umaga pagkapasok sa eskwelahan.
Binalingan ko si Cookie, mahina siyang kumain dahil maliit pa pero sunod-sunod kung makahingi. He has chubby cheeks, his blue eyes are like that of ours, blue as the vast ocean. His dimples made he look more adorable.
Parang na-i-stress na ako habang iniisip na habulin ito ng mga babae pagkalaki, parang 'yong Tatay niyang pangit.
Buti na lang ay gwapo ito anak ko, hindi mukhang ewan kagaya ng Tatay niya.
I suddenly stopped when I realized his father. I know when he grew up, he'll ask me about his father. What will I tell him?
I sighed, maybe I am overreacting. Matagal pa naman iyon.
Habang kumakain ng paunti-unti si Cole ay uminom ako ng juice habang tumitingin ng reactions sa story ko.
I saw my cousin's replies, pahingi raw. I saw a message request kaya pinindot ko iyon.
"AnonymousCutie_69?" I muttered. I clicked the message and saw that it was full of heart reaction, I realized it wasn't the first time he reacted, madalas pala, 'di ko lang nakikita.
"Hmm." I nodded, hindi na bago iyon. Ibabalik ko na sana nang may mag-comment sa lumang picture ko kaya nangunot ang noo ko at mabilis na pinindot.
It was my photo in my red F.A. uniform. I have my hat there, saluting while smiling in the camera, sa background ko ay ang loob ng eroplano.
AnonymousCutie_69 commented: very nc pics..
AnonymousCutie_69 commented: wow very byotipul 😍
Halos mabuga ko ang iniinom ko nang napahagalpak na ako ng tawa.
"What the fuck—" I froze when the kids glanced at me. "—punch! What the punch!" nagkunwari pa akong sumuntok sa ere at tumawa.
The fuck is this?!
–
KINABUKASAN ay madaling-araw akong umalis para sa flight ko. Hindi ako nakapag-welcome ng mga pasahero dahil nag-ayos ako ng mga pagkain na ise-serve namin mamaya sa cart. I fixed my hat and my skirt when the senior F.A. called me for the safety instruction.
I strode gracefully towards the center. Ako ang nasa unahan na parte para sa safety routines namin. Habang pinapatunog ang voice over ay nagde-demo kami sa tamang pagsuot ng seatbelt at paggamit ng life vests.
I was smiling while doing it but my smile froze when I caught someone's gaze, the man two seats away from me, walang kurap siyang nakatitig. When he caught me eyes, he smirked, lumubog ang dimples niya kaya halos itapon ko na ang seatbelt na hawak ko sa puwesto niya.
"Darsh..." I heard my co-cabin crew behind kaya suminghap ako at mabilis na itinuloy ang demo, may maliit at pilit na ngiti.
He is staring at me while I'm doing that. Hindi ko napagkaila na kumalabog ang puso ko sa irita sa kanya. Oo, sa irita.
What is this man doing here?!
I bit the inside of my lip when he won't stop smirking at me.
The audacity of this gago?
When it's our time to do rounds to double check the passengers safety and the compartments, I was aiming for the other side of the aircraft in the hopes of avoiding him but I was called.
"Doon ka na, Darsh, sa likod akong part," aniya kaya nanlaki ang mata.
"Why—"
"Sige, bye!" She smiled and walked towards the back.
I fisted my hand, halos magwala na pero kalmado lang dapat kaya may nakapaskil na ngiti sa labi ko habang nag-che-check ng seatbelts at compartments.
Doble-doble na ang irita ko habang papalapit ng papalapit sa senior citizen na nakamasid sa akin. He licked his lower lip, brushed his clean cut hair when I'm closer.
Noong nasa upuan na ako sa unahan niya ay nakita ko kung paano niya mabilis na kinalas ang seatbelt niya at sumandal sa window at pumikit.
"Putang..." napatingin sa akin ang dalawang matanda na nanlalaki ang mata kaya napalunok ako.
"Puti..." I said, "p-puti ang sagisag ng kalinisan. Amen!" I preached.
"Amen..." ani ng matanda. Naguguluhang nagbaba sila ng tingin at narinig ko ang mahinang tawa kaya napabaling ako kay Chance na mabilis na ipinikit ang mata niya at nagkunwaring tulog kaya halos magwala na ako.
Nangangati ang kamay kong abutin siya para manakal pero kinuyom ko iyon pasara.
Ikalma mo, Daru! Pasahero 'yan! Be professional!
I cleared my throat as I stood in the aisle of his seat, wala siyang katabi at mag-isa lang sa bintana kaya nanggigil na ako.
"Excuse me, Sir, your seatbealt," malumanay ko pang sabi pero hindi ito gumalaw at nakapikit pa rin habang nakasandal.
"Sir..." I said. "Sir?"
Still nothing.
"Sir?" I said calmly again, "your seatbelts—" he suddenly snored, making my eyes widen.
"The fuck?" I whispered to myself.
Talagang inaasar ako nito, ah?
"Sir!" I said in a bit serious tone now. "Kindly fix your seatbelts—"
"Ikaw na mag-ayos, Darsh." Biglang dumating ang Senior F.A. sa tabi ko. "Kalabitin mo at magising at magte-take off na tayo."
"Pero Ma'am, he's fooling around, he's not asleep!"
"Oh, he is. Tignan mo nakabukas ang seatbelt," aniya at bumulong. "At saka ang gwapo, ah? Tanong mo ang name, 'di ba, wala kang boyfriend?" she joked.
"What? Ma'am—"
"Ayiee, sige na, gisingin mo na, sabihin mo...ser, gishing na, ser..." pinaarte niya ang boses kaya nahulog na ang panga ko, she suddenly chuckled at me. "Joke lang, sige na. Malay mo." She winked and left me there.
I was annoyed pero hindi ako p'wedeng magtantrums dito kaya lumapit na ako at pumasok sa seat dahil wala naman siyang katabi.
I sighed when I smelled his perfume, it's same as before! 'Yong pinili kong perfume na gamitin niya! Damn it!
I shook my head, sinundot ang balikat niya. "Sir, wake up. Fix your seatbelts." But he's unmoving.
Humilik pa ang gago at pumikit ng mariin kaya halos makurot ko na ang sarili para pigilan ang pagwawala.
I sighed. Inaasar talaga 'ko nito, eh. Kinuha ko ang seatbelt at iniangat, marahang dumudukwang at nagsalita ng kami lang ang makakarinig.
"Aayusin mo 'tong seatbelts mo o itatali ko 'to sa leeg mo?" mariing sabi ko at nagmulat ang mata niya bago nagpigil ng ngiti.
"Oh, that's wild, doll." He smiled at me kaya pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.
"Isa..."
"Ayaw..." he said stubbornly, his damn dimples showing.
"Buang ka ba?" I asked. He smirked.
"Buang sa 'yo, baby doll." He even winked kaya umawang ang labi ko. "Ayaw ko, tulog ako." He closed his eyes again kaya nagmura na ako sa isip-isip at lumapit pa lalo sa kanya.
I decided to fix seatbelts in the end, halos magwala pa ako roon dahil sobrang lapit ko. I felt his breath on my cheek, sinadya pa ata ng gago na ipitin ang kabilang side ng seat belt!
This senior citizen!
"I miss you, doll..." he suddenly whispered while I'm fixing it.
"Ayoko sa mga Tandang, Sir," I snapped.
"I love you."
Kumalabog ang puso ko pero seryoso pa rin ako sa ginagawa.
"I love you, so much," he whispered. "If only I could take back the time, I'll fix everything. If only I can take away the pain, I would."
"Aww, you will?" I asked and moved my gaze to see his, meeting that sinful liquid brown eyes of his.
I saw his eyes soften, regret filled the hollows of it.
"I will." He sighed. "I miss you so much, I love you and if only I could change everything, I will."
"Aww... such a baby. Bakit?" I asked softly, even my gaze on him was gentle. As if he did nothing wrong.
"Bakit?" he asked, confused, his face looked so sad and lost.
"Bakit hindi mo 'yan i-kwento sa pagong?" I asked, tumaas ang sulok ng labi at napasinghap siya nang hinigitan ko ang seatbelts sa tiyan niya para 'di siya makahinga.
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