The Song of the Wolf and the Moon (Published Under PHR)

Chapter 22: The Song of Happiness

"SAAN MO MAKIKITA ang maraming cow?"

                Kanina pa sumasakit ang panga ni KM sa kakatawa sa mga punch line ni Christian. Seryosong-seryoso ito sa pagbibitaw ng mga banat nitong hindi naman mabenta sa kanya. "Saan?" tanong niya.

            "E 'di sa Mos-cow," anitong sa tumawa.

            Bumingisngis siya. Bumalik ang pagiging masiyahin nito sa buhay. Sa loob ng dalawang buwan, ito ang tumulong sa kanyang itayo ang kanyang maliit na ornamental farm. Iyon ang naisip niyang business nang bumukod siya. Hindi na siya bumalik sa bahay ng kanyang ama. Sinabi niya rito ang balak at pumayag naman ito at nagbigay ng dagdag puhunan sa kanyang negosyo.

            Hindi niya makakalimutan ang unang araw na dumalaw ang kanyang Papa Albin sa kanya. Natakot siyang pagagalitan siya nito o sisihin sa sinapit niya pero ngumiti ito ng malungkot sa kanya saka siya niyakap ng mahigpit. Hindi na niya kailangan ng mga salita para mapawi ang mga hinanakit niya sa ama, sapat na ang yakap na iyon sa kanya.

            She cried instantly the moment her father hugged her. It was then she found solace. She wasn't expecting when he said he was sorry. Kailangan siguro talagang may balance ang buhay, natutuwa ka kasi may nalulungkot sa ibang panig ng mundo. Nalulungkot at nasasaktan ka para bigyang daan ang mga natutuwa sa mundo.

            Kung may isang bagay ng ikinaganda sa nangyari sa kanya iyon ay ang pagkakabati nila ng kanyang ama.

            "O heto pa, saan makikita ang mga bakang mahilig magsugal?" seryosong tanong ni Christian.

            "Saan?"

            "Sa Ma-COW."

            Naluluha siya sa katatawa. It was not the joke that made her laugh. It was his conviction. "Kung baka si Christian, ano siya?" she dared.

            He was challenged and amused. "Ano?"

            "COW-wawa," napahagikgik niyang sagot.

            Hinawakan nito ang puso, "Ouch," he acted coyly.

            Masaya silang nagtatawanan nang may nag-doorbell sa gate. "Baka iyan na 'yong delivery, excuse me for a while, Mr Cow-loving Man."

            Nag-e-expect si KM ng delivery ng fertilizer. Ngunit iba ang nabungaran niya paglabas ng gate. Her world stopped from revolving and she held her breath away. Her heart started pounding as if she was seeing a rockstar. He was still as handsome as before, but he looked bothered and haggard.

            Napalunok siya at parang may nakabara sa kanyang lalamunan. He had that unnerving effect on her. And she was hating and loving it at the same time.

            "W-what brought you here?" she broke the silence, stammering.

            "He missed you," he said, his voice was like a wildfire consuming her whole body, lingering and engulfing.

            Doon napansin ni KM si Anthony na kasama nito. He was eyeing her with hesitation. She lowered down, smiled to him and held him to her arms. And it felt good hugging him.

            "Oh, I missed you, young boy."

            She planted butterfly kisses into his face. Anthony giggled.

            "I missed you, too," he eagerly said, embracing her tightly.

            She couldn't handle Paul's moulting stare so she backed out without saying a word. Ayaw niyang tignan si Paul dahil baka ipagkanulo siya ng kanyang puso. She focused his attention on Anthony.