Chasing Heartaches (Shattered Pieces Series #1)

Chapter 48

With him

The sun was already on its beam when I woke up. Lola and Zeiya were in the garden while Tita was cleaning the house. Uminom muna ako ng tubig bago puntahan sila Lola. 

"Apo, you must be tired from the party last night kaya't hindi ka na namin ginising." 

Yes, Lola. I was probably tired from thinking of what he had told me last night. 

"Did you eat already?"

"Hindi pa po." 

"Let's go. I'll prepare your food."

Binitbit niya si Zeiya sa kanyang pag-alis. Sinundan ko lang silang dalawa hanggang sa makarating na kami sa hapag kainan. 

"Lola kaya ko naman po. Just stay still, ayokong napapagod kayo." 

Walang talab sa kanya ang aking sinabi. Tila ba pumasok lang iyon sa kaliwang tainga niya at lumabas sa kabila. Nagpatuloy pa rin siya sa pag-aayos kahit na pinipilit ko siyang umupo na lang sa tabi ng nananahimik na bata. Zeiya was just watching us like a keen observer. 

"Let me do this, apo. I wouldn't have a chance when you get back to your place." 

I should be the one who's treating Lola like a queen right now. May edad na si Lola, hindi na ganoon kalakas ang katawan niya pero dahil sa tigas ng kanyang ulo ay mas pinipili niyang hindi sumunod.

"La, do you want to come with me? Let's live together." 

I suppose her answer will be a strong no. I already know but I still want to ask since there's a possibility that she had a change of heart. 

At gaya nga ng inaasahan ko, she answered a firm and unwavering 'no.'

Instead of pushing Lola to come with me, I played with Zeiya. Naalala ko na hindi na nga lang pala ako ang nakatira sa bahay. Insensitive of me to don't think about their feelings. 

"Zeiya, should we go to the mall now?"

Nagningning ang mata ni Zeiya nang marinig ang sinabi ko. Mayroon namang mall dito. I think it will give us thirty minutes to arrive at the mall. Paglabas kasi ng barrio ay may pamilihan na, nadaanan ko iyon nang papunta ako rito kahapon.

"Yes, Weyds!" 

Punong puno siya ng energy. I will definitely buy her all the things she wants from the market.

"We'll ask your mama first, alright?" 

After moments of pursuing Tita she gave up. She doesn't want to let Zeiya with me alone, baka raw biglang magtantrum but still, I pursued Tita.

I looked at Zeiya on the shotgun seat. She was tightly buckled on my car's seat belt. Gusto ko nga sa akin na lang siya tumabi para mas mahawakan ko siya but Tita insist to let Zeiya there. 

Maingat na maingat ako sa pag mamaniyobra ng sasakyan. I didn't let my reckless driving skill possess me right now since I have Zeiya as a passenger. 

"Where should we go first, hmm?" I asked her even though I knew that she wouldn't answer my question. How could a two-year-old kid know about this place?

The mall was three-story. It was indeed a huge pero hindi katulad sa mall doon sa amin. I don't have a problem about how huge this mall is, I don't care. It's not like I have a plan to buy this. 

Zeiya held my hand gently. She pulled me softly. Nagpaanod ako sa maliit niyang hakbang, hinayaan ko lang kung saan niya gustong pumunta. We stopped in front of a cotton candy stall. Itinuro niya ang hugis bear na cotton candy. I pinched her cheeks softly. My cousin looks adorable.