DS #4: Our Bloody Life

Kabanata 19

"Okay ka lang? You look tired," she said, worrying. I stared at the photos I took. I am not into this, but this photos mean a lot to me. The smiles of the kids are treasurable. They indeed need a brother to play with.

Umupo siya sa tabi ko. We are now sitting in a green grass, "I'm fine, don't sit here. Baka may dumi," aniya ko. Tumayo ako saka inabot ang kamay sa kaniya. Nakangiti siya habang nakatingala sa 'kin, "Why?"

She hold my hand, "You look so happy too. Was this program fulfilling?" she asked while grinning. Yumuko siya at may kinuhang bagay mula sa pouch niya. Binaba ko ang hawak kong camera. I got a lot of pictures of her here.

"Same as what you are feeling when helping them," I whispered. She pouted her lips. I smirked crazily. I found it cute side of her. Napaatras ako ng lumapat ang kamay niya sa noo ko. My eyes widened, I couldn't look at her directly at her eyes. My face heated, hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Damn, she's wiping my sweats.

"Salamat sa pagtulong mo, naging masaya ang mga bata dahil sa 'yo," sambit niya. Her hand are so soft, she is drying my face using her light hand.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin, "W-Wala 'yon, they should thank you instead," I answered out of tense. Napabuga ako ng malakas na hangin. Lalo tuloy akong namamawis dahil sa ginagawa niya. I gulped.

I thought  it was Pri who is pulling  my clothes but it's impossible, she is in front of me. Hinawakan ko ang pulsuhan ni Pri kaya nagtaka siya. Ibinaba ko ito at lumingon. I look down and there I saw the girl again that named Cindy. She is lending her hand in open palm.

Mula kanina hindi siya nagsasalita. Sabi niya wala naman daw siyang malalang sakit like deaf or can't talk. Maybe there is something  that made her like that.

"What?" I asked  her. Her long eyelashes wiggles cutely. Umupo ako sa harapan niya para magkaharap kaming dalawa.

"Hi, Cindy," bati ni Pri. She just slightly smiled then eyes on me, "She is having a trauma, Cholo,"  she whispered. Napatango ako. I'm curious about her, "Do you wanna play with your kuya? He's free," she added. I waited for her answer pero wala kaming natanggap. She is still extending her hand at me.

Bigla kong naalala ang kending binigay niya sa 'kin kanina. I slide my hand inside my pocket. Tumabi si Pri sa 'kin, started wearing her stethoscope. I picked up the candy from my pants. Nilagay ko 'yon sa palad niya.

"Cindy, puwedi ba kitang ma-check? Mabilis lang si ate at kuya," sabi niya. Nakatungo lang ang bata.

"Hindi mo pa siya natse-check?" I asked, whispering. I tried to smile at Cindy. I can see myself at her. Masyado siyang tahimik, pero merong rason kung bakit siya ganiyan.

"Hindi pa, ayaw niya kasi," she whispered back. I nodded my head.

"Cindy, gusto mo bang buksan ni kuya ang candy mo? Sa susunod na pupunta kami bibilhan kita ng madami," ani ko. I fixed her bangs. She's so cute. Bilogan din ang mga mata niya.

Her eyes glowed, she nodded her head. Binigay niya sa 'kin ang candy niya.

"Pahingahin mo siya ng malalim," Pri whispered at me.

I gave it to Cindy after peeling off the cover, "Can you do inhale and exhale, Cindy? Like this o!" tumayo ako sa harapan niya. Tumingala siya sa 'kin.

"Inhale, exhale," I persuaded her. Habang ngumunguya siya nakatitig lang siya sa 'kin. Hindi naman niya ako sinusunod, "Hinga ng malalim." I widened my eyes then look at Pri. She smiled at me. Damn, "Kaya mo 'yan. Sige na, dadalhan kita ng madaming kendi sa susunod." Napakagat ako ng labi. Nagsimula siyang huminga ng malalim.