Back In Your Arms (GM Series #4)

18

"Behave, baby, okay? Always listen to Teacher. And please, do not talk to strangers. Wait until mommy and daddy comes to pick you, okay?" I reminded Mari. Tumango naman ang anak ko. I smiled and kissed her cheeks.

Today is her first day at school. Kindergarten na siya at nakakatuwa lang makita ang milestone na ito para sa anak ko.

"Don't play with Kairus, okay?" Aydan butted in.

Mari and I's brows creased.

"Aydan." I called him.

tinaasan niya naman ako ng kilay. "Baka ayain na naman ng batang yun tumakbo nang tumakbo ang anak natin. Hindi pwede," sagot niya.

I sighed and faced Mari again, smiling at her. "You can play with Kai, baby. But you can't run around. Understand?" I talked to my daughter and she nodded again. "Very good."

"No running, Mari," Aydan reminded his daughter again.

Mari nodded and answered, "Yes, daddy."

Aydan smiled and kissed his daughter's forehead. "Very good, baby."

We walked Mari until her classroom's door. Nakasabay pa namin si Caius, hinahatid ang anak niya.

"Mari, hi!" Kairus greeted Mari.

Ang anak ko naman, tumingin muna sa daddy niya, para bang nanghihingi muna ng permiso bago batiin si Kairus.

"Say hello to Kai, anak," I told her when Aydan shook his head.

"Hello," Mari followed, she was smiling at Kairus.

Kairus waved his hand. "Daddy, classmates kami ni Mari?" Tanong pa nito sa ama.

Caius nodded. "Yes, anak."

I heard Aydan tsk-ed. Ano ba ang problema ng isang ito?

"Aydan," I called him in a low tone. "Don't be like that to a kid," I told him when he turned to me.

"It's fine, Amara. I would probably act the same if I have a daughter," Caius said.

Aydan scoffed. "Just tell you son to stop bothering my daughter," he said.

I shook my head.

"Kai's just being friendly, Aydan. You don't have to worry about him," Caius said.

Aydan scoffed, again. Inilingan ko nalang silang dalawa at hindi na pinansin. Binalingan ko na lang ang dalawang bata at kinausap.

"Kai, can you do Tita Amara a favor?" I asked Kairus. Agad naman itong tumango. "Alright. Can you please look after Mari?"

Kairus nodded. "Yes, Tita. I will stay beside her," he answered, smiling.

I smiled and reached for his hand. "Okay. But can you promise me that you won't play outside? Like, running until you exhaust yourselves?"

Kairus nodded again. "I promise, Tita. I know Mari can't exhaust herself."

I nodded and smiled again. It's nice to know that he kept in mind what we told him the other day. "Thank you, Kai." I told him then turned to my daughter. "Remember what Mommy and Daddy told you, okay?"

Mari smiled. "Yes, Mommy."

"Alright. Pasok na kayo," I told them.

They both nodded and waived their hands at me. Kai even held Mari's hand as they walked to their seat. Kai sat beside Mari. Natanaw ko pang nasa likod nila sina Orrin at Mackenzie.

"I will pick her up later," Aydan said. We are already in his car and on our way to work. Nag undertime na kami para maihatid si Mari sa school.

"Wala ka bang gagawin later?" I asked instead. Ang balak ko kasi sana ay ipasundo na lang muna si Mari kala mommy and daddy.