Timelapse of Catastrophe (Solis Occasum Series 1)

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38

Skips

"You done resting, Nanay?"

Maingat kong iniiwas ang tingin sa batang katabi nang ulitin ang iisang katanungang hindi ko kailanman kinatakutang sagutin.

"Nanay is still tired..." I replied. "But you know what, kid? I'm happy now. I know how to make myself happy now, unlike before."

A little laugh came out from his mouth. "Me, me... I know how to do it before. Sho always happy whenever alone and playing with toys."

"Hmm. I taught myself."

"You're a good teacher."

"I appreciate it." His simple compliment made me smile. "Hindi ka ba galit sa 'kin, anak?"

Napadiretso siya ng upo at sunod-sunod na umiling. Halos matanggal na ang ulo niya. Humaba pa ang nguso.

"No, no." He shook his pointing finger along with his head. "That bad. Nanay only wants to be happy because she's not happy before and her life full of problems. I'm not mad at you, Nanay. I just miss you so much but I will never get mad at you."

I sighed. Thank you for assurance, Sho. It was a relief.

"If you're happy, then good for you, Nanay." Maamo na napayuko ang bata. "I wish that Tatay is happy too."

Natigilan ako sa bulong niya. Sinadya kong ibaling sa ibang direksyon ang ulo upang tingnan ang mga nakapalibot sa 'min.

Nagtutungo ako sa dome sa araw na maisipan ko. May trabaho si Yael ngunit balisa pa rin daw dahil sa paglisan ko d'un. Nitong unang beses na magkita kami ng anak ko ay hindi siya umiyak, tuwang-tuwa siya na yumakap sa 'kin habang nasa labas ng malaking pasilidad. N'ong umuwi ay d'un niya lang ini-record ang sarili na umiiyak sa sobrang pagka-miss sa Nanay.

I pouted like a child when I looked at my son. He mimicked my movements and even pouted more.

"Tinutupad mo ba 'yung sinasabi ko?" I asked him.

"Yes, Nanay. Tatay always happy-happy and laughing together with me, early in the morning. Pero lagi ka kasama sa iniisip niya po, Nay. Lagi niya nibabanggit pangalan mo bago kami kumain, if he's waiting outside before the sunrise. Or even in simple things. He will never forget about you... He's only sad, but he's not mad at you."

"Are you sure?"

"Hmm. He's always telling me that he loves you so much and he can't wait for you to come back to our house. If you come back, he will bake a cake for you and then cook delicious food. Anytime... Nag-aabang siya po sa labas ng house natin kapag nagising siya maaga po. He will make coffee. I am always shocked because he will wake up so early just to wait for you. Sometimes, it rains a lot too. But no one can stop him. He will bring an umbrella outside, sit on the bench in front of our house, then he will bring his coffee and will still wait for you, Nanay."

Nangusap ang mga mata ko sa kawalan ng rumirehistrong salita sa isipan ko. Ginagawa niya 'yun sa bawat araw? Ano na lang ang nagiging reaksyon niya sa araw-araw, kung gan'on, kapag wala siyang makikita na Hillary na uuwi?

"Hindi ako babalik ng gan'un kaaga, anak... Tulog pa 'ko n'un."

"But it was his choice, Nanay. Besides, I can't stop him. I don't want him to get mad..."

Yael is giving himself false hope. "Anak, that's not right..."

"I know, Nanay. So I will wake up early too!" He shouted happily. "Mga 5!" And then raised his hand. "So that, masabayan ko siya sa pag-wait and he will not get bored. I will sing a song for him. And then he will ask me to sing it again."