Under the same sky

Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Adventure

Katulad ng gusto ni Austin ay dinala nga namin ito sa kung saan kami pupunta, hindi kasi ito tumigil sa pag-iyak at humiga pa sa sahig para sumama, so we left with no choice but bring him with us.

And here we are now, walking quitely as we head through the clinic. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang intensyon ni Wayne kay nurse Kath pero hindi na rin ako nagtanong pa.

Habang naglalakad ay may nakasalubog kaming nagtitinda ng ice cream. Kahit hindi pa ito nakita ni Austin ay binilhan parin siya ni Wayne. I never did thought he was this nice with kids.

Well, what's also good in this resort is that they let outside vendors in. Hindi sila masyadong istrikto sa pagpapapasok ng ibang mga naghahanapbuhay. I guess it's one of the reason why the residents in this place loves this resort.

Pagdating namin sa clinic ay sinalubong kami ni nurse Kath ng ngiti. Nagulat pa siya dahil sa batang aming dala pero naintindihan din naman nito.

Wayne asked for a privacy so I had no choice but to bring Austin with me outside. Inaliw ko nalang siya sa nga tanawin ng paligid. Sa kabutihang palad ay hindi na din ito umiyak pa.

"Ate Jean," I heard the kid mentioned my name.

"Yes Austin?"

"Do you think we can still find mommy?"

Tumango ako. "Of course, we just need a little more time to find her okay?"

Tumango siya, "ate Jean how long have you been vacationing here?"

I shrugged, "a month I guess"

Lumaki ang mata nito, "a month?"

Ngumiti ako. "Well, I'm not really here for vacation. Napadpad lang naman ako dito."

"What do you mean napadpad po?"

"Well, I guess it's a long story to be told. Tara d'on tayo sa may duyan"

Umupo kami sa may duyan. Napangiwi pa ako noong kumandong si Austin sa akin, medyo mabigat kasi ito.

"Ate Jean, I want to hear your story. Tell me please."

I shook my head, "wag na"

"Why?"

"That's a tragic one Austin, I can't easily share it"

Tumango lang siya. Bumaba si Austin sa may duyan, agad naman siyang tumakbo sa may dagat upang salubungin ang alon sa kanyang paa. Tiningnan niya ako at ngumiti kaya nginitian ko din siya.

For a kid like Austin, he was too innocent to doubt those strangers around him. He was just like me, I never planned about doubting those person I just knew that have been so good at me. But rather did I know that those person showing me nothing but kindness, will just betray me at the end. Funny how cruel this life can be. Fortunately, Austin ended up with us.

Nakuha ang atensyon ko sa lalaking naglalakad patungo sa amin. It was Wayne, casually walking in the sand beach with his hands on his pocket. Nakasuot pa ito ng pang Hawaiian na shirt, kung titingnan ay mukha lang siyang isang turista sa lugar na ito.

"Tara Jean!" he shouted.

"Saan? uuwi na tayo?"

He formally shook his head. "I received a call, dumating daw ang nanay ni Austin!"

Tiningnan ko si Austin na naglalaro sa may alon. "Hey, Austin! Did you hear what kuya Wayne said? Hinahanap ka na daw ng mommy mo!" 

I could see how wide his smile after hearing what I said. Agad naman siyang tumakbo patungo sa amin at sinalubong ako ng mahigpit na yakap.