GONE WRONG (Gone Series 1: Summer Aine Quin)

Kabanata 34

"Sigurado ka na ba talaga na babalik ka ng Pilipinas, Anak?"

Napatingin ako kay Nanay Myrna nang magsalita siya. Ibinaba ko nalang ang tingin ko kay Zacky na nasa loob ng stroller sa gilid ko para maiwasan ang tanong. Binuhat ko siya paalis doon at kinarga sa mga bisig ko. Tumatawa ang anak ko at pilit inaabot ang maiksing buhok ko na nasa bandang leeg ko na.

My long, cloak-black hair has been cut short. Pinaputol ko ang dating mahaba kong buhok na ngayon ay hanggang nasa aking balikat nalang. It was difficult for me because I've always had long hair, but now that I've begun my new life, I've decided to cut it. I felt lighter as if the weight on my shoulders had been lifted.

"Yes... I need to."

Nakita ko ang pagbaba ng hawak niyang tasa sa mesa. "Ang tanong ko ay kung magiging okay ka ba doon? Baka mapaano ka, Sam. Gusto mo bang sumama nalang din ako sayo?"

I looked at her and gave her a reassuring smile. "H-hindi na po. Magiging okay lang ako Nay," I paused and sighed heavily. Unti-unting bumibigat ang dibdib ko. " Alam ko naman na hindi ko habang-buhay na matatakasan ang mga nangyari. Darating din ang panahon na kailangan ko pa ding bumalik doon."

Nakita ko ang lungkot sa mga mata niya at tumingin sa anak ko na hawak ko ngayon. "Hindi ko alam pero ayoko na maapektuhan din si Zacharael. Masyado pang bata iyan, Sam."

Tiningnan ko si Zacky at marahang hinaplos ang kanyang pisngi. Nakatuon na ang atensyon nito sa laruan na kotse na binili ni Caleb sa kaniya noong nakaraang araw. Ito na marahil ang bago na paborito niyang laruan, dahil hindi na niya ito binitawan simula ng maibigay ito sa kaniya.

"I'm not going to let my problems affect him. I'll make certain of that. "

Nakita kong bumuntong-hininga si Nanay Myrna at inilibot ang paningin sa loob ng cafe ng hotel kung nasaan kami ngayon. I didn't go to work because I needed to get fully prepared for my flight back to the Philippines. Nakangiting kinain ko ang slice ng red velvet cake sa harapan ko habang nakatingin kay Zacky na inaabot ang hawak kong tinidor.

"Anong oras daw ba matatapos ang meeting ni Caleb, Anak? Mukhang busy ang isang iyon."

Napatingin ako sa entrance ng cafe dahil baka pumasok na ang lalaki pero wala pa siya doon. I opened my phone to check if he had called, but he didn't. Baka mamaya pa iyon matatapos. I just placed it back on the table and roamed my eyes around the cafe of one of their hotels here in California.

I've been to the cafe several times before and it was really nice. If he wants to spend some time with me or talk about my clients, he usually brings me here. He's been extremely patient with me, particularly when I was handling my first criminal case. Even in law school, I was always impressed by his intelligence. He is a successful businessman who is also a fantastic public speaker. He's still the same way now.

I was eating the last piece of the red velvet cake when my son accidentally bumped my hand into the table which causes my drink to spill. Napasigaw ako dahil malapit kaming mabasa. Napangiwi ako ng makitang nabasa ang carpet and the table cloth.

"Akin na muna, Si Zacky, Sam. Malikot talaga ang batang ito." Naiiling na saad ni Nanay Myrna at agad kong ibinigay sa kaniya ang bata.

Hindi na ako nagtaka ng pinagtinginan ang table namin ng mga tao. Kumuha ako ng tissue at pinunasan kahit papaano ang lamesa. Nakakahiya!

"What's happened here, Miss?"

Napatingin ako sa staff ng cafe na nakatayo sa harapan ko. Her voice sounded irritated, which made me feel even more humiliated by what had happened.

"Oh, I-I'm sorry. My son accidentally spilled my drink on the floor. C-can you wipe-"

"How irresponsible. You should never have brought your children to places like this in the first place! Control your child. What a mess. "