Right DNA

Chapter 14

Claudia visit the hospital she used to work in. But to her disappointment, Jakob isn't there. "Katatapos lang ng shift niya," sabi ni Martha sa kanya.

"Really? Okay, I'll call him," she dialed his number but after a few rings, there's no answer. "He's not answering."

"Claudia, okay ka lang ba? You look... worried," nag-aalalang sabi ni Martha.

"I'm okay. It's just," she paused, "Do you know Jakob's whereabouts these past few days?" Napakunot ang noo ni Martha sa tanong ng kaibigan niya.

"Bakit naman? Wala naman akong nakikitang iba niyang pinupuntahan maliban sa eskuwelahan malapit dito sa ospital. Naging kaibigan niya kasi 'yung batang pasyente niya noon," kuwento ni Martha. "Alam mo naman si Jakob, sabik sa bata."

"School? Do you think he's there?"

"Possible. Why don't you visit? Puwedeng-puwede mong lakarin," Martha suggest.

Claudia rolled her eyes, "Nah, waste of time. Pupuntahan ko na lang siya sa bahay niya." She bid a goodbye to Martha and headed outside of the hospital.

Nang nasa sasakyan na siya, she hesitated in her mind. "Should I visit in that school?" She drew a sharp breath and shook her head, "No," Claudia start the engine, "I should go there."

Naglalakad sa school grounds si Jakob at Cross habang hinihintay na dumating si Rachel. "Dito po kami tinuturuan mag-soccer," kuwento ni Cross.

Jakob smiled, "Do you want to play soccer with me?"

"Sanay ka po?"

"Of course!" The two of them played. He let Cross score and taught him some tricks.

Patakbo si Cross papuntang goal at siya naman ay todo harang. Malapit na sa goal si Cross nang bigla siyang mapatid at nadapa. Jakob immediately run towards Cross and help him stand, "Ayos ka lang ba?" He worriedly asked.

"Okay lang po," sagot nito at pinagpagan ang damit niya. Ayaw na matanggal ng ibang dumi.

"Wala ka namang gasgas?" He checked Cross' body for any sign of scratch or injury, thank God he found none.

"See, Tito Jakob? May guardian angel po kasi ako kaya hindi ako napahamak," ngiti nito, "Huwag na po kayo mag-alala."

He nodded. Aaminin ni Jakob, ninerbiyos siya kanina.

"Cross, Jakob." Lumingon sila at nakita si Rachel na naglalakad patungo sa kanila.

"Kala ko nandoon kayo sa duyan. Buti nakita ko si Sir Janitor, sabi niya nandito raw kayo," sabi nito.

"Oh, okay lang ba kayo? Mukha kang worried Jakob?"

Jakob scratched the back of his neck, "Nadapa kasi si Cross. I was worried," he explained.

"Mama okay lang po ako. Wala naman po akong sugat," sabi ni Cross.

"Ayon naman pala. Normal lang madapa ang bata Jakob," ngiti ni Rachel, "Thank you sa pag-aalala."

He nodded, "You're not mad?"

"Ha? Bakit naman ako magagalit?" Natatawang sabi nito.

"Siya nga pala, kailangan naming pumunta sa tita niya dahil nagpapatulong siya sa'kin mag-bake. Kaya para hindi ka maiba ng route magta-taxi na lang kami," sabi ni Rachel. Naglakad na sila papuntang gate ng school.

Nasa unahan nila si Cross at sumabay si Rachel ng paglalakad kay Jakob at mahinang nagsalita, "Nakalimutan ko rin palang sabihin sa'yo. Sa Saturday na pala ang birthday ni Cross. Kung okay lang sa'yo tulungan mo ako magluto? Tuturuan din kita. Pag-usapan na lang natin later kung kailan," suhestiyon ni Rachel.