August's laughter danced within the walls of Scarlett's condo Oo, nandito ako ngayon. Ang tanging dala ko lang dito ay ang essentials ko na palaging dala sa opisina. August wanted to make a fort in the living room kaya gumawa kami. We laid the soft mattress on the floor and placed chairs on either side to support the blanket on top. And now, she's bouncing up and down inside.
"Camping pala ang gusto," bulong ko habang pinapanood siya.
"This is fun, Sienna!" she chuckled.
I couldn't help but smile. "Really?" I asked.
"Uh-hmm!" she nodded. "Come here,"she gestured for me to join.
Pumasok ako at naupo sa tabi niya. She kept jumping, kaya nang matumba siya ay hinila ko siya papalapit sa akin saka kiniliti. Her giggles were infectious, making me laugh.
"Siennaaaa," she called me between laughs.
"I'll stop if you stop being cute."
"I can't," she laughed. "I'm always cute." Doon ako tumigil.
"Ang taas ng self-confidence mo. Pahingi naman ako," sabi ko na hindi niya naman naintindihan kaya hindi niya pinansin. I sighed as her laughter subsided, her hair falling over her face. I gently brushed it aside and tucked it behind her ear. She looked at me, her lips pouting, samantalang ako ay nakatingin sa kaniya nang may malaking ngiti.
"Dahil sa 'yo gusto ko ng magkaanak. Kaso hindi pa puwede. Wala pa akong bebe," bulong ko. Kasi 'yong dati kong bebe, nanay mo na tapos may Yves pa.
"I don't understand you, Sienna," she whispered back.
I smiled. "I said, you are a cutie goof-ball!" saka ko siya hinalikan sa pisngi.
"Yes! Kiss me because we are friends now!" tuwang-tuwang sabi niya.
Naputol ang pagbonding namin nang lumapit si Scarlett at sinilip kami.
"It's time to eat," she called, her gaze shifting from her daughter to me.
"Alright, Maman!" saka ito bumango ako. Hinila ni August ang kamay ko. "Come on, Sienna, let's eat."
Nakayuko akong tumayo para hindi masira ang fort ni August, hindi binibitawan ang kamay ng bata sa akin. When I saw Scarlett's face, she's looking at her child's hand on mine. Hindi ko 'yon pinansin at nagpatangay sa paghila ni August.
"Wow, ratatouille!" exclaimed August as she settled into her kid's seat at the dining table.
Noong pumunta ako rito, wala pa ang upuan na 'to. Wala ding decoration ang walls, pero ngayon ay mayro'n na. Kakalipat niya lang ba? Gusto ko sanang itanong 'yon kay Scarlett kaso tahimik siya. Nakapokus lang ang tingin niya kay August. Oh, edi ako na ang invisible.
Sa sala, nagkalat ang mga picture niya kasama si August, picture ni Yves kasama ang bata, at picture nilang tatlo. "Sana all, happy family," I thought.
Scarlett served August, putting just enough amount for her to consume. Then, plato naman niya ang nilagyan niya.
"Maman, how about Sienna?" August asked when her mom sat down.
"What about her, darling?"
"How can she eat without food on her plate?" August looked sadly at my empty plate.
"Augus--" natahimik ako nang lagyan ni Scarlett ang plato ko. Oh my gosh, ang dali niya talaga ako makuha. "T-thanks," I bit my lips, trying not smile.
"Let's eat now?" she asked her daughter.
August nodded. "Mangeons!" And we started eating.
BINABASA MO ANG
Break Fresh Ground
RomanceScarlett and Artemis are two women from vastly different worlds. Scarlett, born into wealth and privilege, has always had everything she's ever wanted handed to her on a silver platter. She lives in the fast-paced city, surrounded by skyscrapers and...
