Sina

Chapter 5

Naunang bumaba si Dazza pagka-park ng sasakyan. Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Dash sa loob. Tahimik lang ako buong biyahe. They tried talking to me, but I barely spoke a word because Dazza was being so epal. Ayoko siyang kausapin. Kung p'wede lang, ayoko rin siyang makita.

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asks, intensely staring at me with his dark and deep set of eyes. "Kanina ka pa hindi nagsasalita. What happened?"

"Nothing, baby. Let's go inside na. Mommy Sophie's waiting."

He gently takes my left hand and squeezes it. "Baby, please speak to me."

I stare at his hand holding mine. Gusto kong sabihin ang lahat, pero natatakot akong sa iglap lang, maaaring mawala lahat ng pinaghirapan niya at masira ang kanyang pangalan. Dash did all his best to achieve all his dreams. I don't want him to fail because of me. I don't want him to fall back. Tama na iyong ako lang. Takot din akong masira kami.

"I love you, Dash." These words are enough.

"I love you too, baby," he mumbles then leans closer to kiss me on the lips.

My heartbeats become peaceful as I kiss him back. Dash is the warmth in my thunderstorms. His touch and kisses always calm me down. I just need him in my life. Ayokong mawala siya sa buhay ko. Hindi ko kakayanin.

We pull from the kiss chasing for air. Tinanggal niya ang seatbelt ko tsaka ako niyakap. I smile a bit as I feel his warmth. His arms are my safe place. Ayoko ng bumitaw sa pagkakayakap pero kailangan. Hindi naman p'wedeng nakayakap lang ako sa kanya.

Kung p'wede lang, gusto ko na sanang umuwi sa unit namin. But we promised Mommy Sophie that we will stay for dinner tonight. Sayang naman kung hindi kami tutuloy. Nandito na rin kami. I've missed her too.

"Let's go, baby?" he asks.

I nod.

Binitawan naman niya ang aking kamay tsaka kami lumabas ng sasakyan. He waits for me to get down and then, he snakes his arm around my waist as we walk towards their house. Binati kami nila Ate Sabel at Ate Jodi, ang dalawang yaya nila.

Ang yaman talaga nila Dash. The chandeliers and decorations of their house, you can actually see that they're more than financially stable. Kuwento pa nga ni Mommy Sophie noon na ang furnitures nila ay galing pa sa France. Iyong Daddy daw kasi ni Dash, napakaarte at gusto ng magarbong style.

Halatang kalilinis lang din ng sahig nila. Kulang na lang ay mag-sparkle ang tiles dahil sa puti. I love their family picture displayed on the wall here at the sala, except that I cringe whenever I look at Dazza's face. Tatlo silang magkakapatid na Serran - Dark, Dazza at Dash. Dash is the youngest among them, but the tallest.

"Sinahana, anak!"

Automatic na napangiti ako nang makita si Mommy Sophie na galing sa kitchen. She's wearing a yellow maxi dress and white flat sandals. Naka-hair bun din siya. I really love his mom's personality. She's always smiling and sweet.

As we approach her, she kisses us on the cheeks and gives a motherly hug. Amoy na amoy ko ang pabango ni Mommy Sophie na tingin ko ay pinaghalong pomelo at chocolate. It's soft and alluring. It suits to her charming personality. No wonder that even though she's a widow and she already has wrinkles, there's still a lot of men attempting to make a move on her. Naiinis nga si Dash kapag nalalaman 'yon.

"Good evening, mommy," sabay naming bati ni Dash.

"Wala pa ba kayong baby? I want to have an apo na," sagot ni Mommy at tumawa. Madalas siyang magbiro tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng apo tuwing kausap namin siya. Minsan nahihiya tuloy ako dahil hindi pa namin maibigay.