Return of the Groom (Groom Series Book 2)

Kabanata 17

Kabanata 17: Son

Goob's Point of View

"Is everything settled?" tanong ko sa babaeng registrar pagkatapos mapirmahan ang consent form.

"Yes, Mr. Mansell. Okay na po ang lahat. Elliot can start attending his kindergarten classes tomorrow."

"Thank you, Ma'am." I slightly bowed my head as courtesy, stood, and walked out of the room.

Siguro ay dalawampung minuto ako roon sa opisina ng registrar. Mabuti na lamang at airconditioned iyon kaya hindi mainit. Nagtungo ako pabalik sa headmistress' office.

Natanaw ko si Headmistress Helen sa labas ng kanyang opisina kaya kumunot ang noo ko. Nag-alala ako kasi naiwang mag-isa si Elliot at walang nagbabantay. Bukod sa takot akong makasira ng mga gamit ang aking anak ay natatakot ako dahil baka may mangyaring masama sa kanya.

Bumilis ang lakad ko. The headmistress smiled at me as she resumed talking to someone over her phone.

Kumunot ang noo ko at lumakas ang kabog ng aking dibdib nang mapansin na wala si Elliot sa loob.

I checked the small comfort room but he was nowhere to be found. I hurriedly went out.

"Excuse me headmistress, but Elliot is not in your office. Where did he go?" puno ng pag-aalala ang aking boses. Kabadong-kabado ako.

Where did he go? I scanned the small campus, hopeful that he just went somewhere near. But he was nowhere out of sight.

I anticipated for her response as she put down her phone. Kumunot ang kanyang noo.

"What?" she asked. "He's not inside?"

"He isn't."

Tinungo niya ang loob ng kanyang opisina upang kumpirmahin ang aking sinabi.

"I left him here with Mr. Dela Merced because I went out to talk with my mom. I would have seen them if they went out. Pero baka lumabas sila noong pumunta ako sa aking sasakyan." natataranta niyang sabi. "Oh my gosh! Maybe he is a pedophile! Oh gosh!"

Mas lalong kumunot ang aking noo dahil sa aking narinig.

"D-dela Merced?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

"Mick Dela Merced."

Mistulang humiwalay ang aking kaluluwa sa aking katawan. Kasabay noon ay ang panghihina ng aking tuhod at panginginig ng aking labi.

Fuck! Oh my gosh! What have I done! This can't be real! Fuck!

I began to panick. Nanginginig ang aking mga daliri habang nagtitipa sa aking cellphone. I called Techno.

It took five rings before he answered his phone.

"Yes mamsh?" tanong niya.

"Mick kidnapped my son!" tumaas ang aking boses. "He fucking kidnapped my son! Oh my gosh! I don't know how to react! Oh my gosh! Fuck" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili.

"Where are you? Puntahan kita. Saan niya nakuha ang bata?" nagsimula na rin siyang magpanic. "Oh my god!"

"Nandito ako sa Beverly Hills Kindergarten. Iniwan ko lang siya sandali sa opisina ng headmistress dahil may binabasa siyang libro tapos pagbalik ko wala na siya! Ang sabi ng headmistress ay bumisita raw si Mick sa office niya. What should I do, Techno? I'm panicking! My hands are shaking! He took my son! My baby Elliot!"

"I am on my way. Stay calm. Mahahanap natin si Elliot." sinubukan niya akong pakalmahin. "For now, wait for me there, okay?"

"Please hurry!"