Right DNA

Chapter 13

Isa-isang tinitingnan ni Claudia ang mga peanut butter na nasa harapan niya. Namimili siya ngayon para kay Jakob dahil ilang araw itong nasa medical mission kaya hindi na nakapamili ng groceries niya. That's why she volunteered, plus she feel bored in her house while watching Glade. She certainly don't like dogs.

She took a jar of peanut butter when she noticed in her peripheral vision a curly headed boy in a cart. Sandali niya itong tinitigan ang she smiled. Kahit hindi niya pa nakikita ang mukha ng bata ay natutuwa siya. It made her remember Jakob, when he used to ride on shopping cart when he was young. "Mama, nakalagay po sa list is butter," Sabi nito. Luminga-linga ang bata at nang makita ni Claudia ito ay montik na niyang mabitawan ang peanut butter na hawak niya. Sandaling nagtama ang mata nila pero umiwas din agad ang bata at tinulak na ng kaniyang ina ang shopping cart palayo.

Napahawak si Claudia sa kanyang dibdib, "What in the world is that? Why does he look like Jakob?" Kunot noong tanong niya sa sarili. She took a step forward to follow the kid but then she hesitated. "No. That's impossible," She told to herself. "Maraming taong magkakamukha sa mundo. But," Claudia sighed. She go back to the rack of peanut butter assuring herself that maybe she didn't saw the face well and the kid doesn't really look like Jakob. But then again her mind drift to the thought why he looks like Jakob. "I'll stop wasting my time," she strode to the cashier and decided to go home forcing her mind to forget the events.

"Tito Jakob! Nandito ka na!" Patakbong pumunta si Cross kay Jakob. Binuhat naman agad siya nito. "I missed you. Ako, na-miss mo ba ako?" Tanong ni Jakob sa bata.

"Syempre naman po! Buti po iningatan ka ni Lord makauwi," ngiti nito. "Ikaw po Mama na-miss mo ba si tito Jakob?" napahinto si Rachel sa ginagawa niya. "H-ha?"

"Oo nga Mama Rachel di mo ba ako na miss?" Panunuya ni Jakob sa kanya. Napa-ismid na lang si Rachel tsaka umiling.

"Cross, marami nga pala akong pasalubong for you. Your mama said that you like sweets," Binaba ni Jakob si Cross at naupo sila sa sofa. "Thank you po Tito Jakob. May gift din po ako sa'yo," Sabi ni Cross tsaka tumakbo sa kuwarto. Napatingin si Jakob kay Rachel na nagtatanong, pero umiling lang ito.

Nang bumalik si Cross may dala-dala itong sketch pad na puno ng drawings niya at ilang tula, kahit pa dalawang linya lang ang mga ito. Obviously, hindi forte ni Cross ang creative writing. Napangiti si Jakob nang tingnan niya ang mga ginuhit ni Cross. Silang dalawa habang nasa duyan sa school nito. Sa susunod na pahina naman ay noong tinuturuan niyang mag-swimming si Cross. At nang ilipat niya ay ang guhit nilang dalawa pero ngayon kasama na si Rachel at Glade. Jakob smiled widely as he flipped through the page, most of it are the good memories he have with Cross and Rachel. Kinukuwento pa ng bata kung ano-ano ang nasa bawat guhit. He was detailed. "Thank you, Cross," He said and hugged the child. They stayed like that for a minute, him thanking Cross and just feeling happy. This is the first time someone gave him gift that affect him this much. It made him emotional.

"Nagustuhan niyo po ba Tito Jakob?" Tanong ni Cross.

"Oo naman. Salamat sa gift na 'to. Idi-display ko mga 'to," Sabi niya.

He stayed with them until dinner. Rachel insist so, she said that it'll be hassle for him to cook for himself in a rush. He accepted the offer, after all, he likes being with the two of them.

"Ang sarap na naman ng luto mo, Rachel. Puwede bang makikain dito araw-araw?" Biro ni Jakob.

"Seryoso ka ba?" Tanong ni Rachel. Jakob laughed, "Of course not. Ang lakas ko kaya kumain. Magagastusan ka lang," sabi niya.