Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 28

I watched my Tati grooming her hair while examining her outfit in our human-sized mirror. She looked adorable and gorgeous while wearing a black top, a denim jumpsuit, and white sneakers. Her hair is unfastened, but a black headband has been attached to complement her entire style.

"Let's go, baby," saad ko, nakangiti.

She flashed a gentle nod as she looked at me. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin at hinawakan ang kamay ko habang lumalabas kami mula sa kwarto.

Nakasalubong namin si Kuya na kakalabas lang din galing sa kwarto niya. His smile brightened when he caught a glimpse of us. He cleaned his glasses and rolled his white long sleeves to his elbow. Ngayon ko lang siya ulit nakitang nakasuot ng glasses. He quit using them when he graduated, but he seemed to be in the game to wear them today.

"I believe I just saw a stunning goddess," he said, smirking at us.

My daughter seemed puzzled. "Really, Tito? Where?" she asked, searching around.

Sabay kaming natawa ni Kuya. He approached us and crouched to the same level as her.

"You are the goddess," he said.

Napangiti ako. If Achi was here, I'm sure she'd be drooling over Kuya. I mean, as the years passed, he became more sophisticated and appealing. Balita ko nga galing kay mommy na maraming mga kaibigan niya ang humihingi ng tulong para ireto ang mga anak nila kay Kuya, pero tinatanggihan niya kasi alam niya naman kung sino ang gustong mapakasalan ng panganay niya.

Nang makababa kami, hindi nakalagpas sa mata ni mommy ang ganda ng anak ko. She persisted in taking photos, and Tati graciously obliged by posing from multiple angles.

"Papasa siyang model," naaaliw na saad ni mommy habang nakatingin sa picture na kinuha niya.

"Mom," sabay naming saad ni Kuya sa kanya.

She rolled her eyes at us as she shrugged her shoulders. "What's the problem? All I'm doing is speaking the truth."

"I want my daughter to have a quiet life, and media exposure will not provide her with that," sabi ko para hindi na siya magkaroon pa ng mga ideya.

Nakasimangot pa si mommy nang umalis kami. Gusto niya talagang sigurong ipasok si Tati sa modeling industry.

Kuya screeched his siren as he dashed ahead of us. Pasulyap-sulyap ako kay Tati habang nagmamaneho. Nakangiti lang siya habang nakatingin sa labas, inaaliw ang sarili sa mga nakikita.

I thought that we should start by having fun at the amusement park. As a grownup who never came here as a child, I'd like to give it a whirl with my child.

"Mommy, are you okay?"

Sigurado akong namumutla na ako ngayon habang pinapanood ang mga nakasakay sa pendulum swings. Tumalikod ako at ilang beses na nagpakawala ng malalim ng buntong hininga.

"Hanap na lang tayo ng iba, baby. 'Wag na d'yan," saad ko habang marahan siyang hinihila palayo roon.

I came to a halt as she snorted. Kunot ang noo ko siyang nilingon.

"Are you terrified, Mom? It's only a ride!" She chuckled, cutely mocking me.

Napabuga ako ng hangin. Manang-mana talaga sa tatay. Sobrang hilig akong asarin.

I was taken aback when I realized I was thinking about him again. I scratched my head and stared down at Tati.

"Oo na! Takot ako," pag-amin ko.

Sa huli, wala ring silbi ang pagpunta namin sa amusement park. Tuwing nakikita ko kasi ang mga rides, hindi ako tumutuloy dahil sa takot.

I watched Tati pedaling the carousel and having a good time with the unending slow movement. Kumakain ako ng ice cream para libangin din ang sarili.