YOU ARE MY HOME

Chapter 29

When I saw Marcus' freaking cold stares, I looked away. I can't stand him looking at me like that as if I'm the most disgusting person his eyes ever laid on.

I stood up and pulled Kio away from him. "We're going home now, Kio!" I said angrily.

"Mommy!" si Kio. Pumalahaw siya ng iyak na nagpataranta sa akin.

"Shh. Kio, wag kang pasaway. Uuwi na tayo," sabi ko habang hinihila ang kamay niya para sumama sa'kin.

Kumunot ang noo ni Kio at ngumiwi habang nakatingala sa akin. Mapula ang kanyang pisngi at patuloy ang pag-agos ng luha sa kanyang mga mata.

"Mommy, you're angry at me," singhot niya at patuloy pa rin sa pagpahid ng mga luha niya. Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi ko nang makita ang nakakubling takot sa mga mata niya.

I might have frightened him when I shouted earlier. I didn't know it would affect him this much.

Bago ko pa man siya daluhan at yakapin ay binuhat na siya ni Marcus. I saw how his bicep flexed when he carried Kio using only his right arm. His other hand rested on his face and gently wiped away his tears. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako at hinayaan silang dalawa.

Nakakapanibagong tingnan. It feels surreal but comforting as well.

Nanatili akong nakatayo at mataman silang minamasdan habang nakahalukiphip.

Pa'no ko ba kukumbinsihin si Kio na umuwi?

"Baby, listen to your Mommy. Okay?" malamyos na sabi ni Marcus. "As much as I want you to stay here but you need to go home first. Someone's waiting for you at home aside from your mom, I think."

Damn. Is he trying to fish out information?

Tumango-tango si Kio na bahagyang nakadukwang sa kanya. "Yes. Lolo is waiting for me.

"See? Don't you want to see your Lolo first, do you?" he smiled. "Balik ka nalang dito bukas." He slightly raised his brow.

Nanatiling tahimik si Kio habang seryosong tinititigan si Marcus sa mga mata.

"Hmm. Is that a good idea?" tanong ni Marcus na pilit kinukumbinsi si Marcus.

"Yes. But Mommy's angry. I'm afraid of her. Can you take me home instead?" pag-aamin ni Kio.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya at tila aahon na naman ang mga luha ko nang mapagtanto ang tunay na dinaramdam ni Kio. That wasn't the first time I raised my voice at him but he must've been surprised. Napapagalitan ko rin naman siya paminsan-minsan kapag di nakokontrol ang kakulitan ngunit nadadaan iyon sa masinsinang usapan.

"Kio..." mahinang sabi ko.

Marcus started taking few steps towards the door while carrying Kio. Sinabayan ko ang paglakad niya.

"Hmmm," Marcus pouted his lips. "Bakit kaya nagalit si Mommy?" tanong nito na tila nag-iisip. Bumaling ang mapaningkit na tingin ni Marcus sa akin.

"Kasi umalis ako ng bahay nang hindi nagpapaalam kay Lolo," Kio answered weakly.

"Oh," Marcus dramatically said. "So, ano ang dapat gawin ngayon since you know what you did is wrong?" hamon ni Marcus sa kanya.

Napatuon ang tingin ni Kio sa akin. "Mommy, I'm sorry," sabi niya sa mahina at malambing na boses.

"I'm sorry too, baby," I said, half-smiling.

"Ihahatid ko na kayo," si Marcus.

Is he talking to me now? Aware na pala siya sa presensya ko?

"There's no need for that. Kaya na namin umuwi," giit ko at umambang kukunin na sa kanya si Kio.

"Wag muna kayong umalis. Mag-snack muna kayo," habol sa amin ni Frances.