Kabanata 24
Kabanata 24
HE shifted his gaze from me to the man beside me, confusion etched in his expression.
"Gel?" he called the man beside me.
"Chance..." My heart raced painfully when he called his name. "Nakuha mo na?"
"Yeah." Chance lifted an envelope to show him and glanced at me again.
"Darshana..." he called again. "Why are you here?"
Parang lalabas na ang puso ko at hindi na alam ang sasabihin, napasulyap ako kay Angelo na tumikhim kaya napasulyap sa kanya si Chance.
"I saw her here so I said hi," ani Angelo kay Chance. "Anyway, nice meeting you again, Miss Sandejas. I gotta go."
Nakahinga ako ng maluwang sa kanyang sinabi kaya ngumiti ako at tumango.
"Nice meeting you too," I said, biting my lower lip to try and stop my nervousness.
Angelo glanced at me knowingly, his cold eyes felt like it's telling me something and then he nodded, nang ialis niya sa akin ang tingin ay bumaling siya kay Chance na naguguluhan at tinapik ang balikat nito.
"I gotta go, cous..." he said. "I have some patients to attend."
Nang umalis si Angelo ay nagkatinginan kami ni Chance. I saw the confusion in his eyes as he roamed his eyes from my feet up to my face.
"Are you hurt?" he suddenly asked, stopping me.
Marahang hawakan niya ang balikat ko at ineksamin ang mukha ko.
"Do you have wounds? Darshana?" he asked.
"I-I'm okay." I slowly moved away from him at nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo niya pero marahang tumango at ibinaba ang kamay niya.
"What are you doing here at this time of the night?" he asked, glancing at his wrist watch. "You remembered Angelo, right? He's my cousin. He works here."
Tumango ako, napasulyap sa clinic ni Dra. Philie, kinakabahan na baka may lumabas mula roon.
"U-uh..." I nodded. "S-sige, ano, una na ako." I turned my back at him pero mabilis niyang nahawakan ang siko ko para pigilan ako.
"What?"
"What are you doing here?" he asked me worriedly. "It's late, bakit nasa ospital ka? You aren't injured, masakit ba ang tiyan mo?"
"No..." I sighed.
Your son is sick. Gusto ko sanang sabihin pero wala akong lakas ng loob.
"Then why—" Sabay kaming natigilan nang makarinig ng pagbukas ng pinto kung nasaan si Cookie.
I saw the twins running towards me, hugging my legs.
"K-kids?"
"Mama Daru! Mama Daru! Can we buy some ice cream po?" Sunny asked. "Tita Philie told us we can eat po inside!"
"Really?" I asked, my heart felt like lurching out of my throat. Sumulyap ako kay Alex na kararating lang at mukhang hiningal pa sa kakahabol sa mga bata.
"Pasensya na, Ma'am, nagmamadali palabas at gusto raw kumain..." ani Alex kaya tumango ako, kinagat ko ang labi at bumaling kay Chance na nakamasid sa dalawang bata sa harapan ko.
"These are my niece and nephew... Sunny and Sky," I introduced and met Chance's confused eyes. He nodded at me, looking again at the two kids na nasa kanya na ang atensyon.
"Kids, this is Tito Chance, Mama Daru's friend," I told the kids who were staring at him as if studying his face.
"Hello, Sunny and Sky." Chance flashed a smile at them, offering the two his hand for a high-five. Lumubog pa ang dimples niya sa ginawang pagngiti.
"Hi po, Tito Chance!" Sunny cheered. "Wow po! Ang ganda po ng smile mo! You have dimples just like Cooki—"
"I-ice cream, kids?" mabilis na putol ko bago dumukwang at hinarap si Sunny na ngumisi kaagad sa akin.
"Yes po!" she cheered. Sumulyap ako kay Sky na nakamasid lang sa akin at nag-oobserba. I gave them both a smile.
"Alright, you two should buy ice cream first." Tumayo ako at bumaling kay Alex bago bigyan siya ng pera.
"Bili muna kayo d'yan sa may convenience store," I told her.
"Salamat, Ma'am. Si Dra. Philie raw po muna bahala kay Cooki—"
"I know, I know..." I cut her off, chuckling nervously. "Sige na, punta na kayo at baka maubusan kayo ng ice cream."
Hinawakan ni Alex ang dalawang bata. Sunny even waved at Chance at si Sky ay tahimik lang na pinagmamasdan lang ang huli bago sila nawala sa paningin namin.
"They're cute," Chance commented, a smile on his lips before asking. "Philie as in Philomena? She's a pediatrician. Ang mga bata ba ang pinatingin mo?"
I found myself nodding.
"Yeah. Si Sky." I would rot in hell for lying like this.
He nodded, sumulyap siya sa pintuan ng clinic ng doktora at bumaling sa akin.
"Are you going? I can drive you home," he asked kaya mabilis akong umiling.
"It's okay, I brought my car. I can drive us home," pormal kong sabi sa kanya.
"I see, drive safely, okay?" he nodded and glanced at the door again. "I guess I should go say hi to Philie first."
Umikot ang tiyan ko, mabilis kong hinuli ang pulsuhan niya at suminghap.
"No!" I exclaimed, stopping him. Nilingon niya ako kaya mabilis akong umiling-iling sa kanya.
"S-she has a patient," I told him. "Ayaw paistorbo."
He watched me in confusion, tinitigan ko naman siya pabalik kahit na kinakabahan.
"Alright," he drawled. "You... left me earlier."
Muli ko iyong naalala, marahang bumitiw ako sa pulsuhan niya at tumikhim.
"I have some matters to attend to," I said. "It's not my responsibility to wait for you, right?"
I saw pain mirrored his expression but he nodded.
"Yeah, right," he breathed, licking his lower lip. He sighed and ran his fingers in his hair, contemplating if he'd ask for something. In the end, he did.
"Daru, can we talk?" he asked, his eyes soft. "Please?"
I wanted so badly to say no but I wanted us to stop this, to stop meeting like nothing happened in between us before so I nodded.
"Sige," I said. "Let's... talk outside."
Side by side we walked outside the hospital, malakas ang kalabog ng puso ko habang naglalakad. Narating namin ang garden sa ospital at dahil anong oras na ay wala ng tao roon at kaming dalawa lang.
I sat on the bench, naramdaman ko ang pag-upo niya sa tabi ko. Our shoulders almost touched but he didn't cross that line, he knew na ayaw kong magdikit kami kaya hinayaan niya ako at pinagmasdan lang.
I saw him holding an envelope, he was wearing a simple brown shirt underneath his black jacket. He's just wearing his pants and shoes while me?
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa damit na suot at napailing.
I'm wearing a white shirt and pajama, sa sobrang panic ko para kay Cookie ay tsinelas lang din ang nasuot ko makarating lang sa ospital.
I shivered when the cold air touched my skin, hinawakan ko ang braso ko.
"Here," Chance said.
I saw him removing his jacket, nilingon niya ako at inabot iyon sa akin kaya umiling ako.
"No..." I muttered. "It's okay, malamig kaya sa 'yo na—"
"I can stand the cold well, doll," he said. "Just take this, please. Baka magkasakit ka."
I hesitated but he was just concerned at dahil ayaw ko nang makipagtalo't nilalamig din ako'y tinanggap ko iyon.
He moved a bit closer, placing his jacket on my shoulder. His scent invaded my senses and when I caught his eyes, I noticed the determination in his gaze.
"Salamat," I whispered.
He nodded. Inangat niya ang kamay niya at halos mapaatras nang tumama ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko.
"Let me just fix your hair," he said and slowly placed the hair near my cheek behind my ear.
My heart thumped but let him be. Nag-iwas nga lang ako nang matapos na siya bago bumaling na lang ng sulyap sa mga kamay ko.
Bumuntonghininga siya, kinurot ko naman ang daliri ko para hindi masyadong kabahan.
My son and his father are in the same place at the same time. How funny fate was, huh?
"What are you doing here?" I asked to stop the awkward silence.
"I just took this." He lifted the envelope. "Papa called and asked me to get his files in his office here kaya dinaanan ko na."
"Ah..." I nodded, didn't know what to say anymore.
"You left earlier," he started after a moment of silence. "I just helped someone, I thought you'll wait for me. Hinanap kita pero wala ka na sa labas."
"I have to attend something as I told you," sabi ko. "I know these days we're talking casually like nothing happened before but you know, I thought that wasn't a good thing to do now. You knew why.
"Daru..." He sighed. "I know I will sound inconsiderate and an asshole to say but I like how we both treated each other these days."
"I know," I said and sighed. "Kasi ako rin..."
"Daru," he called kaya sumulyap ako sa kanya. "May kasalanan ako sa 'yo. Alam ko. Mali ako. Alam kong wala akong karapatan na hilingin mula sa 'yo ang mga 'to pero gusto ko sanang bumawi sa 'yo. I wanted so badly to make it up to you, to explain my side. I don't care if I'd suffer asking you for another chance.
"This is wrong, Chance," I breathed and shook his head. "The comfort we've been feeling with each other after all everything that happened in the past is so wrong in any way."
"Why? Why is it wrong?" he asked me, his eyes glassy, begging. "I'm in love with you, Darshana. Simula noon hanggang ngayon. I admit I had a bad past, I admit I'm an asshole for playing around with girls when I was young..."
Mas nadagdagan lang ang pait.
"What makes me different from all those other girls, Chance? Y-you could just find someone, you could have any girl you want, bakit sa akin ka pa rin?" I snapped. "B-bakit sa akin ka pa sunod nang sunod? You fooled me! Tapos na kayo ni Delilah sa akin, 'di ba? You won! I got hurt! Why don't just go away and leave me—"
"I love you, Daru," he confessed without even blinking. "What makes you different from them? I don't love them pero ikaw? Mahal kita, you probably would not believe me but I've been loving you for years. Kahit noong naghiwalay pa tayo. Ikaw lang."
Masikip ang dibdib ko. Umiikot ang tiyan ko. I remembered all the good and great things we shared, only to be broken with lies and deceptions.
I felt him reach for my hand, nangilid na ang luha ko nang maramdaman ang palad niyang kumikiliti sa akin. I tried pulling it away but he gripped it, not letting me go.
"I lied, yes..." he sighed. "And fuck me for doing that. You are nothing but a blessing to me, Daru. Y-you became the light to follow when I was lost. The only right thing I know I did was to love you."
"S-stop lying, Chance," I scoffed. Kinagat ko ang labi at muling sumulyap sa harapan, takot na kumawala ang mga luha at makita niya. "Y-you didn't know what happened to me when you fooled me. Y-you didn't know what I've been through, k-kung paano sa akin nagalit ang Papa, kung paano ako binastos no'ng kumalat 'yong painting."
"I-I'm sorry..." I felt him gripped my hand, nahulog na ang luha ko nang dalhin niya ang kamay ko sa pisngi niya. "I-I'm so sorry for failing to protect you."
I bit my lower lip when I felt the liquid from his tears when it touched my skin.
He was crying.
I refused to look at him and remained staring at the emptiness.
"I-I promise you, I promise I protected it. I would never spread that to disrespect you, Darshana. Gago ako, oo, pero kahit kailan hindi ko magagawang ikalat ang gano'n para bastusin ka ng ibang tao." He sniffed, slowly reaching for me to look at him.
Wala na akong lakas para pigilan 'yon kaya nasa kanya na ang mga mata ko. Namumungay ang mga mata niya't kagaya ko'y may luha na roon.
I could see the hurt, the regret, the longing because it mirrored mine.
"Then who would do it?" I said, trying to dry my tears with my other hand. "Who would spread it, Chance?"
"I am sure it was Delilah," he said and it stopped me, kumuyom ang isang kamay ko nang marinig na naman ang pangalan ng babaeng 'yon. "She came into my house, she's a client as I told you before. I didn't know na siya ang tinutukoy ng secretary ko. Your painting's inside the studio and I'm finishing it up so I could display it inside my room and... I don't know, I don't have evidence but I can't think of anyone doing it but her."
Bullshit...
I tried taking my hand away from Chance but he wouldn't let it go, natakot pa ata at mabilis na inabot ito. "P-please, just... just let me hold you."
"Bakit hindi mo alam? I thought you two helped each other to ruin me—"
"She's gonna kill herself, Darshana," he confessed, surprising me. Kinuha ko ang kamay mula sa kanya at bumilis ang paghinga.
"What?" My forehead creased.
"I swear to my life, Daru. I'd never... I'd never do that to you. I would never hurt you just to help someone. I love you, Daru. All of me. Mahal na mahal kita. Hurting you means hurting myself too." He closed his eyes and brushed his hair frustratedly.
He violently dried the tears on his cheek, trying to stay composed but couldn't.
I waited for him to gather himself.
"She's my childhood friend," he told me. "S-she's my only friend when I was a kid. I admit we had a relationship before, that's before I met you. We tried to be together but we didn't work because I couldn't love her that way more than friends so I called it quits. We are still friends after that and—"
"Are you bullshiting me, Salcedo?" mariing sabi ko at mabilis siyang umiling sa akin.
"No, I am explaining why I did that." He sighed. "She wasn't like that before. She used to be good and I don't understand why she changed for the worst. She isn't the friend I knew before anymore. Matagal kaming hindi nakita dahil umalis siya. She had never told me anything that much but I know it has something to do with her family."
"At anong kinalaman ko roon?" I gasped and closed my eyes tightly. "I was living peacefully but when she came! When you came, nasira na!"
"I'm sorry." He lowered his head as if ashamed of himself. "She didn't know you, she didn't know anything about us p'wera lang noong nakita niya tayong dalawa sa parking sa airport. I don't know if you remember it but that's the first time she'd seen us together, she said she knew about me noong exhibit ko sa Cebu but it was a lie, and yes, I lied too because I was confused about what she's planning to do and after that, I confronted her."
Seryoso ko lang siyang tinignan, ramdam na ramdam ang hapdi at panggagalaiti.
"She told me... your family ruined hers."
"What?" I scoffed and laughed at that, hindi makapaniwala. "What would my family do to her? Huh? If you're just doing and saying it to save her then stop your bullshit—"
"Listen to me, okay?" he said frustratedly and brushed his hair. "I would never lie to you, Daru, never again."
My jaw clenched as I shook my head at him.
"She never elaborated but she wants me to help her hurt you, she kept on telling me everything is a mess because of your family. I tried talking to her out of it but she pointed a gun at me, Darshana." He closed his eyes at natigilan din ako. "I would never think twice but let her shoot me if she's gonna ask me to hurt you because I couldn't but she..."
I heard his frustrated sigh, nasapo niya ang noo at tumungo.
"She pointed the gun at her head. She threatened me she'd kill herself if I said no so I had no choice but to agree." He sighed, mukhang nahihirapan din. "I-I made an agreement with her, in exchange for saying yes and helping her. I asked her never to touch you and try to hurt you. Pumayag akong gawin iyon, na kunwari'y saktan ka but to hell I'll do it."
Nahuli ko ang paghulog ng luha sa kanyang pisngi roon bago niya mabilis na pawiin iyon, kunot ang noo at tunog nahihirapan din.
"Mamamatay muna ako bago kita sasaktan ng gano'n, Daru. I just wanted to stop her from hurting herself. My conscience won't be able to handle it if did that." He was flustered now, his face red. "Everything I told and did was the truth, lahat ng pinakita ko sa 'yo noon ay totoo. No'ng sinabi kong mahal kita, totoo 'yon. I tried stopping Lilah from hurting you, I even stopped our communication but maybe I was too weak to even protect you that in the end, it ended up still hurting you."
I just stared at him, hindi na alam ang gagawin.
"I swear, Daru," he pleaded. "I swear to my life, I never wanted to hurt you..."
"I don't..." I muttered and lowered my head. "I don't know what to say, I don't even know if I should believe you."
"I love you, Daru," he whispered. "Mahal na mahal kita. I don't care if it took you so long to believe me, o-or if you'd believe me at all but what I felt. What I showed you before, it was the truth. Mahal kita. Sobra."
His voice broke.
My tears betrayed me again. I dried it off again, still running out of breath. I admit, what we had before was beautiful but I was doubtful. I don't know if I'd still believe it. If I'd still believe him.
Napansin kong tumayo siya kaya nagtataka ko siyang sinundan ng tingin at nabigla nang walang salitang nagtungo siya sa harapan ko at lumuhod.
"W-what are you doing..." My voice broke. His tears betrayed him too.
"P-parang-awa mo na..." he whispered.
"T-tumayo ka nga r'yan!" I exclaimed, trying to toughen myself but still failed.
"A-ayaw." He shook his head at me. "M-mahal na mahal kita, Darsh, please..."
Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili. I let myself feel the hurt, the disappointment, the heartbreaks.
I was a fool way back at hindi ko alam kung tama pa bang magpakatanga sa isang tao ng paulit-ulit?
"I-I don't..." Tumayo ako pero nahuli niya ang kamay ko.
"D-Darsh," he begged with his voice breaking. "P-please, k-kahit matagal, g-gusto ko lang sumubok ulit. Isang tiyansa pa, please."
"F-find someone else, Chance," I whispered. "Find someone who could l-love you entirely kasi h-hindi ko na kayang magbigay ng pagmamahal na gano'n ngayon."
"H-hindi mo na ba ako mahal?" he asked brokenly, meeting my eyes. "I-I saw how you talked to me and I felt like I-I still... somehow have a place. Na baka may pag-asa pa, k-kahit asarin mo lang ako palagi, o-okay lang."
"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered.
Umiling siya at humigpit ang hawak sa kamay ko.
"P-please? H-hurt me too if you like, come on." Isinampal niya ang kamay kong hawak sa pisngi niya. "H-hurt me, sampalin mo ako, pahirapan. I-it's okay. I'll do everything. Kahit ano, lahat, Daru. Please? Just give me a chance."
"I-I'm so tired of wasting my chances with unworthy people,"
"Am I one of them?" Pain flickered in his eyes,
"You're the reason why," I confessed and I saw how it broke him. "Sorry, but my love... my love for you is gone."
I pulled my hand from him and turned my back.
"Daru..." he called but I didn't look back, diretso akong palayo sa kanya, kuyom ang kamay, nararamdaman ang basa sa pisngi.
I remained calm and composed walking away pero nang makapasok na ako ng ospital ay nag-uunahan na naman ang luha sa aking pisngi at nanghina na.
I saw how shock the doctor was when I came back with tears in my eyes, nakita ko ang concern niya pero hindi na siya nagkomento. She smiled, gave me a glass of water and tissue. Tinabihan niya rin ako at nginitian.
"I don't know what happened but I want you to know tomorrow will be better," she smiled.
"P-pero paano kapag hindi?" I sniffed, nagpapasalamat na tulog si Cookie at wala ang kambal dito.
"Then, tell it again to yourself tomorrow. Habang may bukas pa, there's always a chance to be better. Hindi man bukas talaga, malay mo sa susunod na bukas?" She reminded. "Because I know, there's always that one tomorrow that will make everything better. It will be, in time."
–
I took a day off for my Cookie when I got home the next morning, nakarating kina Mama ang nangyari at nagsabing pupunta sila ni Papa para bumisita pero sinabi kong h'wag na.
I can still remember Papa with that woman. Ayaw kong isipin at tanggaping si Papa 'yon. Baka nagkamali lang talaga ako at ayokong mapatunayang 'di ako nagkamali kapag magkita kaming dalawa.
"What does my Cookie want for his second birthday?" Lambing ko kay Cookie nang maging maayos na siya kinabukasan pagkauwi namin sa ospital.
Nawala na ang lagnat at thankfully bumalik na ang energy niya dahil medyo makulit at playful na ulit.
"Ma, when birthday?" he asked me with his small voice. Nakadapa siya sa dibdib ko.
"Hmm, days from now, Cookie." I smiled at him. "Your birthday's next Monday but we want to celebrate it on Sunday para marami tayo, you like? We can party too tapos sa Monday sa birthday mo, celebrate tayong two?"
"Ow...kie!" he muttered kaya natawa na ako at hinalikan ang noo niya.
"So, what do you like for your birthday? What gift do you like?" Lambing ko sa kanya.
His blue eyes widened, thinking and excited.
"Cookies? Toys?" I asked excitedly.
"P-papa..." he said in a small voice and I froze.
"W-what?" My heart jumped, still processing his words.
Did he just say...
"Papa..." He repeated. "Gift... for Cookie."
"You..." My voice trembled. "You want Papa?"
He nodded at me, his innocent blue eyes bright.
"Cookie happy," he mumbled. "Papa gift."
My eyes stung, surprised by everything.
"Oh, baby..." Nagtubig na ang mata ko at mabilis na niyakap ang anak ko.
Nakatatatak iyon sa utak ko buong araw na tinawagan ko na ang mga pinsan para pumunta sa condo dahil takot akong malunod na naman sa emosyon at makagawa ng mali. Alam kong pansin kaagad nilang may bumabagabag sa akin kaya sineryoso nila ang pag-uusap namin.
"Cookie want his Papa?" ani Scira kaya tumango ako, sumimsim ng wine at sumulyap sa maliwanag na mga establisyimento sa ibaba.
"Anong sabi mo?" ani Zire na sinimsim ang grape juice niya, inggit daw siya sa wine namin kaya grape juice ang kanya para kakulay ng amin.
"I broke down," I said. "Niyakap ko lang si Cookie, alam mo naman at matalino iyon. I just mentioned his Papa one time at paulit-ulit na siya sa akin, there's this time I even let him see his photo kasi umiyak na."
"Ayokong makialam sa desisyon mo, Daru," ani Scira doon kaya hinarap ko siya. "But I think Cookie deserves to know his father, same as his father na wala pa rin kaming pangalan ngayon. I think he deserves to know Cookie, yeah? Still, the decision will be yours to make, I'm just telling you my opinion."
"She's actually right, bakla," dagdag ni Zire na marahang iginalaw ang wine glass na may lamang juice na animo'y wine talaga ang iniinom. "I feel sad for you and Cookie, you know? Sa tingin ko rin ay nakikita ni Cookie kung paano si Kuya Macky sa kambal kaya naghahanap din 'yan ng Tatay."
My stomach twisted.
"You think... I should introduce them to each other?" I asked and they nodded at me.
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Kasi may anak ka na rin, Darsh. Alam naming nasasaktan ka kapag nakita ulit ang Papa ni Cookie pero para kay Cookie, you have to adjust." Zirena smiled but then stopped. "Wow, inferness, ang galing kong mag-advise."
Nagkatawanan kaming tatlo roon.
"Wave would be proud, for sure." I pointed out kaya ngumisi siya at nagsalin ulit ng juice sa pitsel.
"Mas maghahanap na iyan ng Papa ngayon, Darsh," Scira said. "Kaya I think, well, nasa iyo pa rin ang desisyon, na ipakilala na ang dalawa sa isa't-isa. Masasaktan ka kapag nakita mo siya ulit—"
"Yeah, nasaktan ako no'ng nakita ko sa airport pero medyo nakapag-usap—"
"Nagkita na kayo ulit?!" halos mapatalon ako sa sigaw nila sa akin.
"Hoy! Ang ingay n'yo!" I gasped, kicking their feet. Nakanganga lang sa akin ang dalawa kaya tumango ako at humawak sa dibdib.
"Oo, kumalma nga kayo!" I said. "I met him accidentally in flights tapos sinusundan niya ako para kausapin, we actually talked when I brought Cookie in the hospital—"
"Nag-usap kayo sa ospital?!" sabay nilang sabi, nanlalaki ang mata kaya napairap na ako.
"Ano, kambal ba kayo? Bakit sabay kayo sumigaw?" I frowned. Sabay na ngumisi ang dalawa at nag-peace sign. "And yes, we talked, he told me his reasons, why he lied to me in the past and yeah, he has a reason but I still don't know if I'll believe him or not. Sa dami ng nangyari noon, hindi ko na alam kung kaya ko pa ba."
"Jumbo hotdog ka naman," ani Zire kaya natigilan ako.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Kasi kaya mo na 'yan." She said seriously. My jaw dropped but then started laughing, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko roon habang tumatawa kaya nag-apir kaming dalawa.
"Uhm, guys?" Natigil kami nang magsalita si Scira kaya napasulyap kasi sa kanya. "I'm sorry but I don't get it,"
Napahagalpak na naman kami ni Zirena habang nawe-weirduhan lang sa amin ang pinsan.
"Alam n'yo, ang weird n'yo" she mumbled, nakabusangot. Sinubukan naming magpaliwanang pero 'di niya naman kami na-gets.
After a few moments of weirdness with best friends-slash-cousins, nagtanong sa akin si Scira.
"But, do you still love him?" she asked.
"Me?" I muttered. "Hindi na, I've moved on."
"Weh?" they said in unison, nanliliit pa ang mata kaya suminghap ako.
"Baka malaman ko lang, nag-twerk ka no'ng nakita mo?" Zire teased. "Kilala kita, eh, ikaw ang leader ng marupokpok."
"Of course, I've moved on!" I defended. "Wala na akong paki roon."
They gave me a suspecting gaze. Umawang ang labi ko't mas naging agresibo.
"Promise! Hindi ko nga pinapansin, eh."
"Well, have you tried dating again?" ani Zire kaya umiling ako.
"I don't have time 'no. I am busy with my son and work, I have no time for boys."
"Why don't you try dating?" ani Scira kaya sinulyapan ko siya.
"For?"
"To refresh, to find out if you still love Cookie's father."
"I'm not in love with him—"
"I-kwento mo 'yan sa turtle, Daru," ani Zire na ngumuso pa sa akin. "I suggest you should try and go on a date to refresh. Date lang naman, it doesn't mean you'll have a relationship, try going out again."
"Okay..." I sighed and nodded. "I don't love him anymore, right? I should try dating, kahit isang beses lang."
"Tama 'yan, pero patingin ng picture. Ilang taon na at ilang beses na nating napag-uusapan ang mukbang artist na 'yan pero wala pa ring visual!" ani Zire. "Kaya bayad sa advise namin ni Zire, ipakita mo na."
I sighed, mabilis kong kinuha ang phone. Tinignan ang album sa date namin noon sa museum at nakita kong nakiusyoso si Scira.
"Ay, akala ko nakamove on? Bakit may album—"
"I-I forgot to erase it!" I exclaimed. "Busy kasi ako kay Cookie at sa trabaho! It's not like I have the time in the world to erase that, hindi importante kaya wala akong time!"
"Eh, bakit defensive ka, 'te?" ngisi ni Zire sa akin.
"I'm not!" I exclaimed pero tatawa-tawang kinuha sa akin ng dalawa ang phone at kinulikot. They clicked that one photo where Chance and I are together, nakita kong zinoom ng dalawa ang picture.
"Oh, that's the same man sa airport dati," Scira pointed out. "I don't remember the face much because you know? 'Di talaga ako tandain sa mukha kapag mabilisang kita pero I remember that handsome smile. Look oh, Zire. Ang pogi ng dimples pero mas gwapo sa personal 'yan."
Tahimik lang si Zire kaya nagtatakang napasulyap kami sa kanya.
"Zire?" I called.
"I... think I saw him," ani Zirena kaya bigla akong natigilan.
Suddenly, a memory flashed in my mind. Kumalabog ang puso ko roon at mabilis na inabot ang wine glass.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
"W-wala, 'di mo pa 'yan nakikita," I said nervously, sipping on my drink.
"Hindi, I saw him..." she said then suddenly gasped. "Oh my fucking gosh? Isn't this Kuya Chiel's cousin?!"
"Oh?" ani Scira at sumulyap ulit sa picture.
"H-hindi, ah!" I snorted. "Hindi mo pa 'yan nakikita—"
"Shit!" She gasped and shifted her eyes at me. "Si wild ito!"
"H-huh? Sinong wild?" I asked, dumiretso pa ng inom.
"This is him! I am positive! Kung ex mo 'to at matagal na kayo don't tell me..." Nanliit ang mata niya. "Uh-huh! Darshana lang mabangis! Kaya pala nabulunan ka ng shanghai!"
"I-I'm not—"
"Shit, pokpok ka, Darshana! Ikaw 'yong umararo?!" she exclaimed loudly kaya malakas na akong tumili, tumayo sa upuan ko at wala ng pakialam kung buntis ang pinsan at dinamba na siya.
Halos 'di na ata ako nakatulog dahil sa daldalan naming tatlo, ala-una na sila umalis at anong oras na akong nakatulog kaya kinabukasan pagpasok ko ay para akong lutang.
Ni hindi ako makasabay sa energy ng mga kasama ko sa flight. Malalim ang iniisip ko, tungkol sa kay Chance, kay Papa at kay Cookie.
My phone beeped, I checked on it and saw a message.
From: Chase Lejez
Hi, Daru! Can I ask you on a date later? Please?
I sighed, remembering my cousin's ideas. Maybe I should give it a try? Para malaman kung ano pa talaga ang nararamdaman ko kay Chance?
To: Chase Lejez
Sure :)
From: Chase Lejez
Great! I'll fetch you at the airport later at six? 'Di ba 'yon ang out mo?
I wonder how did he know at akmang tatanungin ko siya ay kaagad na may panibagong text.
From: Chase Lejez
You told me last time na six ang uwi mo.
I nodded and replied.
To: Chase Lejez
Okay, see you :)
From: Chase Lejez
See you, Darsh. I love you :)
Nagulantang ako, binasa ko pa ulit at napatawa na lang at napailing.
He's just too fast.
It's weird.
Biglang umirit si Imee. Akala ko pa at aatakihin ako ng heart attack sa gulat! Sinundan ko ang tingin niya't halos mapairap nang makita kung sino ang papasok ng eroplano.
It's the great Chance Salcedo. Nice. Very nice.
"Welcome aboard, Sir!" Ceejay greeted happily.
Chance smiled, inangat niya ang shades niya bago tumango sa kanya. He glanced at me and I cleared my throat, looking away.
Ramdam ko ang tingin ni Chance sa akin habang papasok kaya bumaling ako sa kanya at plastik na ngumiti.
"Welcome aboard, Sir," pormal kong sabi.
"Thanks, dear." He smiled and turned his back on me kaya ngumiwi ako.
What a weird senior.
Sa buong flight ay ginawa ko ang best ko para making pormal. I felt off too because of what happened last time kaya wala akong gana makipag-away sa kanya.
I don't love him anymore and if... if he thinks I still love him because of what happened nitong nakaraan, I should stop it.
I noticed his stares, kahit saan ako pumunta ay nakasunod ang mata niya sa akin.
Ang yaman siguro ng lalaking ito at parang lahat ng flight ko ay nandito? When we took off, we pushed our carts and offered snacks for the passengers. Mukhang pansin din nina Ceejay na wala ako sa wisyo kaya hindi nangungulit sa akin ngayon.
"What would you like, Sir?" I asked Chance formally when we reached him, nakita kong iniwan ng mata niya ang sketch na ginagawa at bumaling sa akin.
"How about a sandwich?" he asked, smiling.
"Okay, Sir," I said and took the sandwich before giving it to him.
His smile faded. Alam niyang wala ako sa mood makipagtalo. He remained observing me and I became conscious.
"How about some drinks, Sir?" I asked.
"Just some tea," he said. "That one you like, 'yong pangwalang rayuma—"
"Sorry but wala pong gano'n ngayon," I said coldly.
"Darsh..." Marahang siniko ako ni Ceejay kaya tumikhim ako at may kinuha.
"Maybe you should try this, Sir," I told him and smiled a bit. "Excuse po." Bumaling ako sa kabilang parte at kinausap ang pasahero.
I heard Ceejay talk to him and he answered her too, smiling. Kahit magkausap ay dama ko ang sulyap sa parte ko ni Chance pero hindi na ako lumingon.
Nang matapos kami sa pag-iikot ay ngumuso si Ceejay at tinawag ang atensyon ko.
"Ayos ka lang, Daru?" she asked after a while kaya nilingon ko siya at ngumiti.
"Yes? Bakit naman hindi?" I even laughed a bit.
"Nothing, you're just a bit off and sad today," aniya at nakita ko rin ang pagtango ni Imee roon.
"Pansin ko rin, Daru," Imee agreed. "Nasanay akong nakikipaglokohan ka roon sa poging pasahero? 'Yong sinasabi mong senior na hindi naman mukhang senior at papalicious pa rin."
"Halata ba masyado?" I asked. They nodded.
"Oo, palagi ka kayang nakangiti tapos makulit. So, naninibago lang kami. Ayos ka lang ba? Baka may problema ka, I know you don't open much pero kung gusto mo magsabi, dito lang naman kami."
It made my heart soften.
"Thanks, Ceej, Imee." I sighed. "Wala lang siguro ako sa mood, it'll get better, promise."
Muli akong nag-ikot habang kumakain ang mga pasahero, a man called my attention kaya ngumiti ako at lumapit. I know this, they will be having a medical mission or a volunteer work, I guess?
"Hi, Miss. Can you please pass this paper bag to Dra. Lia? Tell her it's from Dr. Sean." He smiled at me.
"Oh, sure po."
He told me the seat number, kaagad akong lumapit doon at nakita ang babae. I smiled when I saw two people in her shoulders, magkabilaan. Babae ang nakasandal sa isa at lalaki ang sa kabila, halos 'di na nga siya gumagalaw pero mukhang hindi naman nahihirapan.
"Dra. Lia?" I called.
"Hello, yes?" The beautiful woman smiled.
"Pinapabigay po ni Doc Sean sa inyo." I showed her the small paper bag. "May snacks po and drinks."
"Really?" mas lumapad ang ngiti niya. "Thank you, p'wedeng palagay dito kasi..." Mginuso niya ang nasa balikat niya kaya napangiti ako at tumango bago ilagay sa lamesa ang paper bag.
"Thank you, Miss...?" Mukhang gusto niyang malaman ang pangalan ko kaya nagsalita ako.
"Daru po, Ma'am."
I bid my farewell after that and roamed around. I could notice Chance glancing at me then back to what he is doing. Kumunot ang noo ko pero hindi na siya pinansin at muling naglakad.
"Saan ang banyo?" I jumped when I heard a voice behind, napalingon ako at nakita si Chance na nakangiti sa akin. "Hi, doll."
"Crazy ka?" I asked, clutching my chest. "Bakit bigla-bigla kang susulpot?"
"Hmm?" His lip twitched. "I just want to know where the toilet is."
"Seriously, Salcedo?" I asked as he stalked me around. "Impossibleng hindi mo alam."
"Hindi, nauntog kasi ako kanina, parang nagka-amnesia ako," he said kaya nilingon ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay.
"H'wag ako—"
"Sino ka?" he suddenly asked kaya halos masapo ko ang noo ko.
"Hindi ako sinuka, inire ako ni Mama." I smiled timidly.
"Nasaan ka?" he asked kaya suminghap na ako.
"I'm not playing with you—"
"Alam ko kung nasaan ka," he said.
"Huh? Baliw ka ba—"
"Nasa puso ko..." He smiled at me and winked when he saw my expression.
Nasapo ko ang noo. This man, really!
"Jusmiyo, Salcedo. Ewan ko sa 'yo!" I gasped and turned my back on him, natatawang sumunod siya habang napapairap ako.
I even saw the girls waved at him kaya sumaludo siya roon.
"Nice naman, Sir. Palaging may flight, ah?" Imee noticed.
"Gano'n talaga kapag may sinusuyong flight attendant." He glanced at me. "Kahit saang parte ng mundo lilibutin para lang sa minamahal."
It made my heart sway but I didn't let it show.
"Luh?" I frowned. "OA mo, Lolo."
Nagtawanan ang dalawa.
"Buti at 'di ka bankrupt n'yan, Sir?" Ceej teased.
"Malapit na pero kung ang kapalit ng bankruptcy ay si Darshana, ayos lang malugi at panalo na 'ko rito." Hirit pa niya bago pumasok sa banyo.
Inalog ako ng dalawa, napatawa naman ako at kumalabog ang puso, naiiling.
"Corny, amputa..." I cursed pero inaasar lang ako ng dalawa.
We reached Cagayan Valley after a while, bumaba rin si Chance pagkaraan at pinuntahan pa ako.
"Would you roam around here?" he asked. "Sama ako."
"No," I said. "Bakit? Ano bang pinunta mo rito?"
"Ikaw," he answered casually.
I shot my brow up to him.
"Sorry, Lo. My flight's just an hour from now. To Cebu. Sorry." I smiled devilishly pero ngumuso lang siya at may kinuha sa bag niya.
"Can you check this flight details," he asked kaya nagtatakang kinuha ko iyon at binasa.
I saw his name and his flight details kaya umawang ang labi ko.
"How did you—"
"Sorry, I think I had a flight an hour from now to Cebu too." He smiled at me. "What a coincidence, right?"
Of course, Chance Salcedo never disappoints. When we got to Cebu, he was there too, I remembered how his eyes widened dramatically when he saw me.
"Ay, flight mo pala 'to? What a coincidence!" He even covered his mouth kaya pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at halos dambahin na.
Our flight from Cebu back to Manila, our last stop for today, nandoon din siya at nakakaasar man ay hindi ko na pinatulan.
Ang dami sigurong time ng lalaking ito para mangulit, ano?
I was tired when we reached Manila when afternoon came, hindi ko na nakita si Chance pababa dahil may inasikaso ako kaya hindi nakabati sa mga pasaherong lalabas.
"Darsh, pinapabigay ng manliligaw mo. Ikaw, ah? Kaya pala tinu-turn off mo kami kay pogi kasi bet mo," asar pa ni Ceej na may inabot sa aking papel kaya nagtaka ako.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Ah, pinapabigay ni Sir Chance," aniya bago kumaway kaya nagtatakang binuksan ko iyon.
I was shocked when I saw it was a sketch of me smiling from earlier. Kita roon ang hanggang sa bust ko. My heart quickened, remembering how he used to make me his subject in his drawings and paintings way back.
Sa ibaba ay may pirma niya kaya bumaba ang tingin ko roon at binasa ang nakasulat na maikling message.
Bebe doll,
D8 tau ha? antay keta sa labas. tnx..
-Bebe boy <3
What the hell? Bigla akong napabughalit ng tawa na pinagtitinginan na 'ko sa naging tunog no'n. Nawala ang bigat sa dibdib ko habang binabasa iyon ng paulit-ulit.
Jejemaster talaga.
I went outside the airport and saw Chance waiting for me, nakaupo siya sa may hagdan at kaagad na ngumiti at nag-jog nang makita ako.
"I want to ask you for a date," he said. "I hope you'd say yes—"
"Darshana!" Natigil ako sa pagtawag, napalingon ako at nakita si Chase sa hindi kalayuan na kumakaway. "Let's go!"
"Daru," I heard Chance say kaya umiling ako sa kanya.
"Sorry, Chance. I have a date today," I informed him.
I saw the pain registered in his expression but he still managed to smile at me.
"Hanggang anong oras?" he asked. "I-I reserved a restaurant nearby, 'yong kinakainan natin palagi noon. 'Yong favorite natin. Hanggang ten bukas 'yon, hanggang anong oras ba kayo? I can wait—"
"You should go home," I told him. "And... we should stop meeting. You shouldn't waste your money traveling just to see me."
"I don't care about the money, Daru," agap niya. "I just want to—"
"Darshana?" Chase called again kaya lumingon ako at kumaway kay Chase.
"Wait lang!" Muli 'kong bumaling kay Chance. "I should go,"
He panicked.
"I'll wait for you, kahit ten," he offered.
"No, I'm not coming. I am busy and—"
"Aantayin lang kita," he said kaya napailing na ako roon.
"I won't come, bahala ka, nagsasayang ka lang ng oras." I turned my back on him. "I gotta go."
Chase smiled when he saw me approaching, kaagad niya akong pinagbuksan ng pinto kaya pumasok ako roon.
"Sorry, may kinausap lang."
He got inside the car, napalingon ako at nakita ko si Chance sa kung saan ko siya iniwan, nakatayo at nakamasid.
"Chance Salcedo?" ani Chase kaya sinulyapan ko siya at tumango. Pinaandar niya ang sasakyan hanggang sa nawala na si Chance sa paningin ko.
"We just talked about something,"
"I don't want to meddle with your business, Darshana." He started.
"Huh?" Nilingon ko siya.
"Ayoko sanang makialam pero I gotta warn you about him," he told me. "Masama ang kutob ko sa lalaking 'yan."
"Bakit?" I asked, nagtatakang pinagmasdan siya.
"That man looks like bad news," he mumbled. "May mga kakilala akong niloko ng lalaking 'yan. If tama ang narinig ko, I think he harassed those girls—"
"What are you saying?" I asked. "Chance won't do that—"
"I just heard it somewhere, Darsh," pilit niya. "Better safe than sorry. I don't want to meddle but I love you so I gotta warn you, that man is crazy. Baka masaktan ka lang."
I decided not to comment on it because I know for a fact, na kahit anong galit ko kay Chance ay hindi ko maiisip na gano'n siya. He's not like that, he never took advantage or harassed me noon o kahit ngayon.
I don't think he's that kind of person, as far as I know, Chance loves his mother so much. He treasures his younger sisters kaya impossibleng gano'n. He even rejected me because I was too young and he respects me.
Well, I understand Chase's concern too kaya nanahimik na lang ako at nirespeto ang opinyon niya.
Like what we intend to do, we ate in a fine restaurant. Magaan kasama si Chase, palasalita at palangiti kaya gumaan din ang loob ko. We talked about work and things like hobbies or so.
Tama nga ang sinabi ng dalawa na sumubok akong mag-date dahil okay naman siya. The last person I dated for years is Chance, it even took us a while para maging kami kaya being with a new person, a new man is kinda refreshing.
After we ate dinner, nanuod kami ng sine. It was a romance-comedy movie kaya natatawa ako habang nanunuod.
"What do you think of sex, Darshana?" biglang tanong ni Chase kaya nagulat ako at napalingon sa kanya.
"Huh?" I asked.
He smiled and glanced at the movie and me.
"Sabi ko, do you have some preference in sex? Like... kapag boyfriend ba or ano—"
"I... think we should just watch the movie," I said, hindi na bigla komportable.
It stunned him, too.
"Oh, sorry..." He cleared his throat. "D-did I make you uncomfortable? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I was just curious kasi..."
"Uh, hayaan mo na." I let out an awkward smile. "Let's just watch."
Ayos na rin naman kami pagkatapos no'n, well, at least that's what I showed him. His sudden topic about that is so weird to me and it made me a bit uncomfortable. I am not like this, actually.
Kapag kasama ko ang mga pinsan ay bulgaran kami mag-asaran ng sex life. We often teased Scira for being like an innocent girl, Zire for being maharot and me... as the Darupokpok. And Chance, we often talked about mukbang and it's kinda perverted, yes, pero komportable naman ako.
Think straight, Darsh. Normal naman na ata ang usapang sex ngayon? O hindi ko lang alam kasi hindi na ako nakipag-date simula no'ng kay Chance?
I sighed, nababaliw na ata ako.
"Ang lalim naman," Chase said kaya napangiti ako at binalingan siya.
"Uh, nothing. Thank you nga pala ngayon, Chase. Nag-enjoy ako."
"Welcome, Darsh. I hope there'll be next time?" He hinted. "And I'm sorry if I somehow made you uncomfortable by asking that, I was just curious. Sorry, I hope you'll forgive me."
"Kalimutan na lang natin," I dismissed.
"Can I ask you out again next time?" he asked kaya napaisip ako pero ayaw ko namang tanggihan kaya tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanya.
"Yeah, kapag free ulit."
Natahimik kaming dalawa, sumulyap ako sa bintana at nakita ang daraanan ng sasakyan. It was the restaurant Chance is telling me earlier. Sumulyap ako sa orasan at nakitang mag-e-eleven na.
I saw a familiar build sitting in front of the closed restaurant when we were near kaya suminghap ako.
"Stop the car," I told Chase.
"Huh?" Nakita ko ang pagdungaw niya sa tinititigan ko. "That's Chance, no, you shouldn't be with him in this time of the night, baka may gawin siyang masama sa 'yo—"
"I said stop!" I exclaimed. It shocked him but stopped the car on the side, mabilis kong tinanggal ang seatbelt ko at bumaba.
"Daru, I don't think it's good—"
"Sorry, Chase." I sighed. "I enjoyed the date and sige, p'wede pa sa sunod. I-I'm sorry for raising my voice like that. I just have to check on him."
His forehead was creased.
"But he's not a good thing for you, sabi nila ay masamang tao—"
"No one knows Chance better than me, Chase," I told him. "And unlike what those people saying, alam kong hindi siya gano'n. He will never harass someone. Never."
Mabilis akong bumaba ng sasakyan, naka-heels man ay halos takbuhin ko na pabalik ang nalagpasang restaurant kung saan ko nakita si Chance.
Malayo pa lang ay kita ko na siya, he's still wearing his clothes earlier. Nakaupo siya sa hagdan, nakatungo at may hawak na pumpon ng bulaklak.
It made my heart ache, habang naglalakad ako ay nakita ko ang pagtayo niya sa hagdan at paglalakad pababa. He glanced at the flowers, walking to the trash can and was about to throw the bouquet when I spoke.
"N-nagsasayang ka talaga ng pera, ano?" I blurted, stopping him. Nag-angat siya ng tingin at nakita ko kung paano nagliwanag ang mata niya nang makita ako.
"Daru..." he called and stepped closer to me.
I sighed and brushed my short hair.
"Sa akin ba 'yan? Akin na," I demanded.
Nagulat pa siya't biglang 'di mapakali kung saan niya dadalhin ang bulaklak na itatapon na niya sana. Then, he recovered and strode closer to extend me the flowers.
"Here," he muttered, nagpamulsa siya nang tanggapin ko iyon at sumulyap sa resto. "Sorry, I asked the resto to open it even if it's late, I paid pero magsasara daw bago mag-eleven kaya..."
"I'm full, anyway," I informed so he wouldn't worry and smell the flowers. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. "Kumain ka na ba?"
"I'm full," he told me. "Nabusog ako sa tubig sa loob."
It made me laugh, nakita kong lumambot ang tingin niya sa akin at marahang inangat ang kamay at hinawi ang buhok ko.
"Should I take you home?" he asked. "Gabi na..."
"Aba, dapat lang." I scoffed. "Bumaba ako rito kasi mukha kang kawawang senior. Worried lang ako kasi baka malamigan ang buto-buto mo at atakihin ka ng rayuma."
His lip twitched.
"Well, I don't practice my rights, doll."
"Huh?"
"Senior, priority lane pero mas inuna mong i-date ang nasa regular lane. I'll report you for the abuse of my rights. Dapat ako ang una sa pila," he teased and I couldn't stop chuckling.
"Gago..." I cursed and embraced the flowers tighter on my chest.
It made him smile. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin, mabilis na hinubad ang jacket na suot at nagulat ako nang marahang itinali niya iyon sa baywang ko.
"It's a cold night, baka malamigan ang hita mo," aniya kaya tumango-tango ako. "Come on, let's get you home."
I nodded, kinuha niya ang bag sa kamay ko. He slowly took my wrist, assisting me as we made a way to his sports car. Inilagay pa niya ang kamay sa ulo ko para hindi mabangga pagpasok bago iyon isinara.
I rested my back on the seat while watching him walk towards the driver's seat.
Why is... everything feels comfortable with you, huh?
I tried to compare him and Chase, I compared how they both made me feel but this... with him? It really felt unique.
"Address?" he asked.
I told him where it is, tahimik lang kami sa biyaheng dalawa at nang makarating sa tapat ng building ay inihatid pa niya ako sa mismong entrance.
"Goodnight," he muttered while staring at me, drinking me in.
"Goodnight too," I said and flashed a small smile.
He nodded, glanced at the entrance longingly. "Pasok ka na, I'll see you in first before I go–"
"Chance?"
He stopped. Nakagat ko ang labi ko sa tanong sa mga mata niya.
"This... Monday, are you free?" I asked.
Maybe my offer excites him. I saw the way his face brightened. May namumuo ngang ngisi sa mukha niya pero kaagad niyang ikinubli sa pagtikhim.
"Well, yes," he answered casually. "Why?"
"U-uh, can we meet? Maybe lunch?" I asked. "I-I want you to meet someone."
Kumunot ang noo niya roon pero tumango rin sa akin. "Sure, where?"
I told him the location and he nodded, smiling. I know the excited glint in his eyes.
Would he still react that way if he knew who he was meeting?
I was nervous, lalo na noong dumating ang second birthday ng aking pinakamamahal na Cookie. Everyone is invited in our house, ang mga pinsan at pamilya ko ay kompleto at masayang-masaya si Cookie.
I was happy too but I couldn't get my mind off of Chance and his meeting with Cookie.
Will he like him?
When Monday came, I was so scared and nervous. Inayusan ko si Cookie, I made sure he would be as handsome as his Papa and he seems excited when he found out we're going to a mall.
I reserved a restaurant for the three of us, 'di ko pa rin sinasabi kay Cookie ang tungkol sa Papa niya ngayon.
"Mall! Cookie go mall!" Tuwang-tuwa at halos tumalon na si Cookie habang buhat ko, gusto ngang maglakad pero natatakot ako at baka matalisod kaya binuhat ko.
"You're excited going to the mall, baby?" I asked.
"Yes! Cookie happy!"
I chuckled, nang ituro niya sa akin ang isang toy store at tuwang-tuwang pumunta kami roon. I saw how his eyes brightened when he saw stuff toys of dinosaurs and trucks. May nakita akong Lego roon kaya napangiti ako.
Gustong-gusto ito ni Cookie, 'yong mga makukulay na mga laruan.
"Baby Cookie, you want Lego?" I asked, kissing his cheek.
"Yesh! Cookie want!" he cheered.
"Okay, anything for the birthday boy." I smiled.
While I was checking Legos out, Cookie pointed at something, nakita kong may mga laruan doon sa malapit sa amin lang at kumawala siya sa akin.
"Baba!" he pleaded. "Cookie down!"
"Oh, alright." I chuckled, slowly lowering him on the ground. Tinignan ko ang paligid at malalambot na laruan lang ang naroon kaya hinayaan ko na siya. It was also on my line of sight. "Careful, okay? Mama will take you from there in a while, check ko lang 'to."
Nakita ko ang bibo niyang lakad papunta sa mga laruan. I smiled and checked the Legos again and took a few to my cart. May nakita rin akong Barbie na para kay Sunny kaya inilagay ko iyon sa cart.
For Sky, madalang naman maglaruan 'yon, eh. Daanan ko na lang ng macaroons niya.
"Okay na siguro," I said. "Cookie, come on—" Nilingon ko si Cookie na nasa gilid ko lang kanina pero natigilan nang matantong wala siya.
My heart flinched as it painfully throbbed. I panicked.
"Cookie?" I called nervously, naibaba ko ang cart at kaagad na naglakad. "Cookie?"
Shit! What the fuck are you doing, Darshana?!
Nangilid ang luha ko, takot na takot at kinakabahan.
My son! Where's my son?!
"K-kuya, may nakita kayong bata? Blue eyes, this small." I motioned his height to the guard. "Nandito lang kanina."
"Ah, 'yong gwapong bata po?" he asked. "Binuhat po ng lalaki kanina, Ma'am. Hindi po ba niya Papa? Nandito lang sa store—"
"T-thank you," I said and turned my back.
My hands were shaking as I roamed around to the direction the guard was saying. Inilibot ko ang tingin at halos mapatalon nang makita si Cookie na nasa isang aisle at buhat ng isang lalaki!
"O-oh my God..." I blurted and ran.
"Cookie!" I exclaimed and he shifted his gaze at me, waving.
"Mama!" he cheered happily. "Mama!"
The man stopped, hindi ko na nabalingan sa sobrang kaba at tinakbo na ang anak ko. When I was near and Cookie is smiling at me, pumihit ang lalaking may karga sa kanya at kaagad akong natulos nang makita iyon.
His brown eyes widened when he saw me, nakita ko ang pag-awang ng labi niya roon.
"Mama Daru!" Cookie cheered and suddenly hugged the man carrying him. "Papa ni Cookie! Cookie happy!"
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