TRADING INNOCENCE ✔️

Chapter Twenty Two

    "He's coming to get me..." Riley said and held my arm with her cold and shaking hands.

"S-Sino?" Tanong ko. Napa-pikit ito na tila nahihirapan siyang sumagot, "Riley, tell me who's coming to get you?"

"S-Siya..." Anito, "He's...coming Mico. I'm scared. A-Ayaw ko nang bumalik sa kanya."

"Shh..." I said and pulled her for a hug, "I will never let him get near you Riley. I promise."

"Mico, h-hindi mo siya kaya." Bulong nito at muling humagulgol, "He's evil Mico. He will destroy you, us! M-Magtago na tayo p-please..."

"Riley, calm down." Sagot ko ngunit umiling lang siya, "If I can't handle him, I can always ask for a help okay?"

"No, you don't understand!" Aniya at tumingin sakin. Katahimikan ang bumalot samin kaya naman inalalayan ko si Riley na humiga sa kama. I massaged her head until she fell asleep.

I watched Riley as she sleep and wiped the tears in her eyes. I sighed before covering her with a blanket. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang lalaking tinutukoy ni Riley pero sa tingin ko ito ang lalaking kinwento niya sakin noong nakaraan.

I know I'm not that strong when it comes to fighting but if fighting for Riley will hurt me physically, then I'm willing to be in pain just to save her from whoever that man is.

Hindi na ko papayag na may taong manakit kay Riley. What she had in the past is already enough and she deserves a life more than this. She deserves to be loved and I'll do anything just to see her smile again.

Kinabukasan ay pansin ko pa din ang pagiging tahimik ni Riley. Hindi ito kumikibo habang kumakain kami ng breakfast at hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain ay tahimik pa din siya. I sighed as I wash the dishes. What should I do to make her feel better?

"Riley?" I called her. Hindi siya umimik kaya pinunasan ko ang kamay ko at pinuntahan siya sa loob ng kwarto. Naka-higa lang to at nakatulala sa kung saan, "Baby?"

Hindi to umimik kaya nilapitan ko siya at hinawakan ang braso niya. Tumingin ang mugtong mata niya sakin kaya pilit akong ngumiti at hinawakan ang pisngi niya.

"Do you want to see mom?" I asked. Marahan lang siyang tumango, "Alright. Maligo ka na at mag-bihis. We'll go to my parent's house."

"Mico..."

"Yeah?"

"Don't leave, okay?"

"I won't. I promise." I whispered and kissed her forehead. Tumango ito bago dumiretso sa banyo kaya inantay ko siya dito sa kama. Nang matapos siya ay pinanood ko lang tong mag-bihis at mag-ayos ng sarili bago ako naligo.

We drive to my parent's house hoping that Riley will cheer up a bit. Tinext ko si mommy na pupunta kami doon at sinabi niyang nando'n din ang mga pinsan ko. Naisip kong mas mabuti yun para naman ma-entertain si Riley kahit konti.

"Hey, smile." I said when I parked the car. Nakarating kami sa bahay nila mommy na tahimik siya buong byahe, "Magaalala si mommy pag nakita kang ganyan."

"Okay." Sagot niya at pilit na ngumiti.

"Baby, don't think about it too much okay?" I said but she didn't answer. Napa-buntong hininga na lang ako at sabay kaming bumaba ng kotse at pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

"Hey kuya Mico!" Bati ni Jupiter nang makita ako, "Hello ate Riley. What's up and down?"

"Hi Riley." Bati ni ate Sera, "Shit, ang laki talaga ng boobs mo nakakainis. Halika nga dito at i-chika mo sakin pano lumaki yan."