Loving The Light [Cosmos Series#4]

Simula

I caught our dark silhouette on the ground slowly vanished as the place were shrouded by darkness. The sky turned dark apace than usual.

It didn't took me awhile to catch on what's happening. An eclipse. Sooner or later, the light will come.

"Don't look up, kiddo." My eyes darted at Prestin as I heard him stopped my son who's trying to look at the dark sky.

He cupped my son in his arms as he slowly lowered Rye's head while we're walking side by side towards the airport.

Napalabi ako nang nagtatanong ang mga matang bumaling sa akin ang aking anak.

I didn't regret naming him after his dad 'cause he looks just like him. He got his dad's tamed eyes. Far from mine who always looks smoldering. And my arched brows are not a good help on my sharp features. Rye's nose, even his lips, he got it from his dad. Kulang na lang ay ang perpektong hugis ng panga ng kanyang ama. But I know soon, as he grew up, he'll also have his dad's jaw shape.

"Listen to your uncle, baby." Bahagya kong ginulo ang kanyang buhok at matamis na ngumiti. "It might damage your eyes. You can look at it later."

But it'll be gone before he can finally look at it.

I was tempted to glanced at the sky but I didn't risk it.

Sumilay ang ngiti sa aking labi nang unti-unting bumalik ang liwanag ng kalangitan.

Napatikhim ako nang tuluyan kaming makapasok sa airport. I tour my eyes around the place to looked for something suspicious but I saw nothing.

"What happened to the bad guys, mommy?"

I glanced at my son when I heard him asked.

Napalabi ako at bahagyang napailing. "They're gone. We're now safe, huh?"

I hope we really are. I can't risk my son. I'll be insane if I lose him.

"Look at what Cosmos did to you," matalim na sambit ni Prestin at agad na napakunot ang aking noo.

"Let's not talk about that, Prestin. Besides, we're still not sure if everything behind what happened is really because of Cosmos."

I don't know what I'd do if it's really them. I hope not. 'Cause I can't stand the fact that they tried to kill not just me but also my son. I hope that's not Cosmos.

There's still a part of me who's telling me they can't do it. I still have faith in them, I trust them.

Though it's been years, I'm not sure if I can still trust them. After what I did, hindi na dapat.

On the second thought, naisip ko lang naman na Cosmos ang mga iyon dahil sa mask na suot nila. Hindi nila ako kilala kaya imposibleng sila iyon. Unless, they already know who I really am.

"Auriese!"

My smile froze as I heard a familiar voice called my name. Maging si Prestin ay napahinto dahil sa narinig. Bumaling ako sa aking likuran at nakumpirma kung sino iyon.

"Tito Ryker!"

Mariin akong napapikit at pinigilan ang sarili na mapahilot sa sentido.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Hinarap ko siya ngunit hindi niya ako pinansin at dumiretso sa aking anak.

Kinuha niya si Rye mula kay Prestin at wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang hayaan iyon dahil kusang sumama ang aking anak.

"Saan mo dadalhin ang anak ko?" Bungad niya.

Nahihiwagaan ko siyang tinignan at sarkastikong napatawa. "It's been four years, Ryke. When you learned about my pregnancy, you started claiming Rye as your son. But my answer's still the same. He's my son, mine alone. Hindi sa'yo," mariing sambit ko.