The Magnate's Holiest Sin (Cavanaugh #2)

Kabanata 18

Kabanata 18

Sacred

It's been a week since Laki's nephew surprisingly visited here. Luzon was much of a genuine yet a little snobby cute boy. That time, I was about to guide Laki towards the bathroom door near the kitchen but delayed, more like cancelled.

A trusted driver along with a maid came. Laki knew them, they were asked to take Luzon back in the Cavanaugh mansion.

Luzon complained, whined whilst stomping his feet against the hard floor. It was not that easy for them to take the little boy against his will. Laki also surrendered from Luzon being a recalcitrant nephew. Eventually, I managed to coax little Luzon to go home.

In his good condition, Laki can finally walk on his own.

Noong una ay nag-iinarte pa siya sa paglalakad. Gustong laging may alalay at hinahawakan siya. Lumipas ang araw na sa wakas ay nakakapaglakad na ito ng maayos dahil na rin sa pag-eehersisyo nito.

"Kawawa naman 'tong sisiw, cherub," Laki commented as he inspected the egg that he just cracked open.

Pinayagan n'ya ako kaninang alas singko ng hapon na bumili ng balut. Hindi ko na nga s'ya pinasama para makapagpahinga naman s'ya. Sa kasamaang palad ay nagpumilit s'ya. Maggagabi na raw kasi at baka ay mapano ako sa daan.

Ginamit namin ang kaniyang kotse dahil medyo malayo mula rito ang bilihan ng balut. Napagpasyahan din namin na rito na lamang sa bahay kumain kaya ay umuwi rin kami agad matapos bumili.

"Laki, kainin mo na lang." Matapos kong lagyan ng asin at suka iyong binuksan kong balut ay hinigop ko ang sabaw nito.

I could not remember the last time I tasted a balut. Now, I was savouring it like it was my last supper.

"Ilibing na lang siguro natin 'to. Nakakaawa e'."

Umangat ang isang kilay ko matapos higupin ang sabaw ng balut. Pinagmasdan ko si Laki na ngayon ay nakatitig sa hawak nitong balut. Gamit ang kaniyang mahabang hintuturo ay marahan n'ya pa'ng ginalaw ang sisiw.

Hindi pa ba s'ya nakakain ng balut?

Focusing on my own food, I tried not to ignore him. "Ano'ng nakakaawa? Balut 'yan, pagkain."

Laki's dark brows furrowed, he seemed worried and troubled whilst his handsome eyes were scanning the balut. "Tignan mo parang humihinga pa 'tong sisiw."

"Kainin mo na, Laki," I sighed before sprinkling a little salt and vinegar to my food again.

I devour the whole balut, leaving the eggshell and the hard white thing under.

"Pero, cherub. Look o', may bulbol pa 'yong sisiw," pagrereklamo nito at ibinaba ang hawak na balut sa kaniyang kaharap na mangkok. "Ayaw kong kumain nito."

"Hindi ka pa nakakain ng balut?" I asked, curious why. "Don't chew it, so you won't feel its small hairs. Lunukin mo na agad."

"Ilibing na lang siguro natin 'to, cherub?" pag-uulit n'ya sa kaniyang binabalak kanina.

Napailing na lamang ako.

"No." Kinuha ko ang kaniyang balut mula sa kaniyang bowl at ako na mismo ang naglagay no'n ng asin at suka. Inilahad ko iyon sa kaniya. "Pumikit ka habang kakainin mo 'yong sisiw. Isipin mo na hindi talaga sisiw ang kinakain mo. Isipin mo na ibang pagkain ang kinakain mo na magkatulad ng lasa ng balut," I instructed.

Tinanggap n'ya ang inilahad kong balut. "Okay. . ."

He followed what I instructed him to do.

Smiling from ear to ear as I witnessed him eat then finally swallowed the balut. "Masarap ba?"