Against All Odds (Ranao Series #2)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Chapter 14

"Hafidh, come on, baby. We're gonna be late." Panggigising ni Hasmin sa anak niya, isang malamig na umaga. Alas-siyete na pero nasa kama parin si Hafidh at mukhang wala pa itong ganang pumasok sa eskuwlehan. Today is the start of another school year and if her son doesn't leave the bed anytime soon, surely, they will be both late for school and for work. Hindi naman niya ito kayang iwan dahil nakaalis na ng bahay ang mga magulang niya pati si Yasmin. At kapag ganitong wala sa mood ang anak ay napakahirap nitong kombinsehin paalis ng kama.

"Mama, I don't want to go to school today." Maktol nito habang nakasubsob parin ang mukha sa unan.

"But you need to, baby. Aren't you excited to see your classmates? Diba ayaw mo umabsent sa school?" pangungumbinse niya rito.

"But I am not feeling well" palusot pa nito kaya pinigilan niyang matawa. Sumampa siya sa kama at tinabihan ang wala sa mood niyang maliit na binata.

"You look fine naman. And you don't have fever." Aniya at sinapo pa ang noo nito.

"I just don't want to..." sa wakas ay nagtaas ito ng tingin sa kanya at kunot na kunot ang noo nito na para bang may napakalaking problemang kinakaharap.

"How about Mama? Mama is going to work pa." Pagpapaawa niya rito kaya mas lalong bumusangot ang mukha ng anak. Muli ay isinubsob nito ang mukha sa unan at nagtalukbong ng kumot. She sighed.

"Are you mad at me? What did Mama do? Did I upset you?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa malambing na boses. Minsan lang talaga mangyari ang ganito kaya alam niyang may malalim na dahilan kaya ito nagkakaganito. He loves going to school. What happened now?

Hindi ito sumagot at nanatiling nakatalukbong ng kumot.

"You don't want to talk to Mama? What did I do? C'mon baby, talk to me." Lambing niya pa.

"I said I don't want to go to school..."

"Why? What's the problem huh?"

Muli itong hindi umimik at mas lalong hinigpitan ang pagtatalukbong ng kumot.

"No. You will go to school. You shouldn't be absent in your first day. C'mon, let's wash you up..." Aniya pero bago pa niya mai-angat ang kumot ay hinila na nito iyon pabalik.

"Hafidh, huwag matigas ang ulo. Galit na si Mama. Gusto mo bang mapalo?" Nagkunwari siyang galit.

"Ayaw" he answered.

"Good. C'mon, let's go to the bathroom na." Aniya at muling inangat ang kumot pero hinila lang nito iyon pabalik ulit.

"Ayaw mo talaga? Isa!" Bilang niya pero hindi parin ito gumalaw.

"Dalawa!" he remained on the same position.

"Tatlo!" bago pa niya nagawa ay inangat nito mag-isa ang kumot at humihikbing nilingon siya.

"I said I don't want to gooo..." umiiyak na wika nito kaya laglag ang panga niya itong tinitigan.

"I said...I said I don't want to go to school. I just don't want to, Mama. I don't want to!" lumakas ang iyak nito kaya natataranta niya itong nilapitan.

"Sshhh...I'm sorry. I'm sorry for shouting at you." She kissed his head and hugged him tight.

"If you really don't want to go, then okay, we won't be going. Stop crying na." Dagdag niya habang patuloy itong pinapatahan.

"Papa. I want Papa, Mama." He cried and she felt like her heart just dropped.

"He promised he will come. He promised, Mama. Where is Papa?" Nagpatuloy ito sa pag-iyak.