When Destiny Misfires

Kabanata 3

Chapter 3: Support

As I watched him laughing and playing with the children, I couldn't look away. There was something about the way he knelt to their level, the way he let them pull at his sleeves and laugh freely with them, that made my chest tighten. I didn't understand why it ached every time I saw him smile.

Every time our eyes met, we both quickly looked away, pretending the moment didn't exist. Like two strangers holding a secret we couldn't name.

"I didn't expect that he's the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Villanueva," Monique whispered beside me, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Mr. Santiago.

I glanced at her, but before I could look away, I caught Mr. Santiago smirking at me when he realized I'd been watching him.

"Noong bata pa siya, madalas siyang dinadala ng mag-asawang Villanueva dito para makipaglaro sa mga bata. At kahit noong nag-binata na siya, hindi parin siya tumigil sa pagbibisita dito." Sister Alicia shared warmly.

Pareho kaming napatingin ni Monique sa kanya.

"Napakabait ng bata na 'yan, kaya laking gulat namin nang mabalitaan naming nakulong siya sa napakamurang edad." I looked away as that familiar heaviness crept back into my chest.

"Kaya sobrang nagulat kami nang bigla siyang bumisita dito," sister Alicia continued at hindi ko alam sa bawat kuwento niya tungkol sa kanya ay mas lalong sumisikip ang dibdib ko.

'Tsaka lang nawala ang bigat na nararamdaman ko nang tinawag na kami ni Sister Gellian para kumain, kasama ang mga bata.

We helped the sisters serve food to the children, and the kids were clearly delighted, excited to receive the snacks Monique and I had brought for them.

My eyes suddenly drifted to Mr. Santiago again who was feeding Lolot at the table across from us. Lolot was the youngest one here. At just four years old, he had already lost both of his parents in a tragic accident. The rest of the children were mostly five and older.

My eyes widened when Lolot suddenly waved at me, which made Mr. Santiago glance in my direction. I offered a small smile and quickly turned away.

Monique nudged me and smirked. "Pasulyap-sulyap lang kunwari, patingin-tingin sa akin 'di maintindihan ang ibig kong sabihin,"

She burst out laughing when she saw my cheeks turning red. I scowled and pinched her arm. "Cut it out, Monique. It's not funny anymore." sabay irap ko at binalik ang tingin sa mga bata

Nagulat ako nang makitang pumunta si Lolot sa deriksyon ko. Nang makarating siya sa harap ko ay ngumiti ito habang nakatingala sa'kin.

"May kailangan ka ba, Lolot?" I asked with a smile.

"Hingi snack, ate," she said. I smiled and pinched her chubby cheek before handing two fudge bars and a KitKat.