Art of Letting Go

CHAPTER 22

The Watchful Eye

Hours swift quickly, The sky is already dark, I didn’t notice that it’s almost 6. Szhen walks towards our direction, she really enjoyed playing but now she starts to cry and she instantly hug me.

“What’s wrong baby” I worriedly ask pero nagpatuloy lang sya sa pag-iyak. I’m not good at making babies stop crying since my mom is the one who took good care of Szhen when she’s still young.

I check her body if may sugat ba sya o galos pero wala naman akong nakita, I think she’s just already tired and sleepy. I tried to pamper and comfort her and she instantly stop crying. She already fall asleep in my arms.

I look at Wayde and caught him staring at Szhen na ngayo’y mahimbing na ang pagkakatulog. I thought I would die on nervous if he’ll get closer to child but I was wrong. I feel safe right now even he is besides us.

“We have to go. It’s been a long day, she’s tired already.”

“Yeah, I see. She already loses all her energy but at least she enjoyed a lot. Napaka-hyper nyang bata, no wonder saan nag mana.” he response

I don’t get his point but I still throw him a smile.

“You’re right. It’s late already, siguradong nag-aalala na si mama. We have to go.” pagpapaalam ko sa kanya. I already stood up and I was about to walk papunta sa kung saan naka parada ang kotse ko.

“Would you mind if I’ll drive you home?” he offered.

I turn my head to loook at him.

“No thanks, may dala naman akong kotse” I declined.

“I can drive your car at babalikan ko nalang ang kotse ko after. That’s better, Para hindi na sya ma disturbo sa pagtulog nya, siguradong magigising sya kung ilalagay mo lang sya sa front seat.” he insist.

“ At aside sa maaring magising sya eh kung hindi man ay hindi rin sya magiging komportable sa ganoong posisyon.” he added.

I agree, may punto sya. Sigurado akong mapuputol ang pagtulog nya at magigising sya kung ilalagay ko lang sya sa front seat but I don’t want him to drive us home. There’s an argue inside me to either accept or decline his offer.

“Let me borrow your keys.” aniya at inilahad ang kanyang kamay.

Dinukot ko sa pouch ang aking susi at ibinigay sa kanya. I guess wala naman sigurong masama kong magpapahatid kami sa kanya besides he’s the one who offered. He stood up and walk towards my cars direction, I immediately follow him.

Binuksan nya ang pinto ng front seat ng kotse at agad naman akong sumakay, pagkatapos ay sumakay naman sya sa drive seat ng kotse at pinaandar ang sasakyan.

Tahimik syang nagmamaneho. This is new to me, naninibago ako sa pakiramdam na nandito sya sa tabi ko. Ang lapit-lapit nya pero hindi ko sya magawang hawakan, na para bang may isang matayug na pader na nakaharang sa pagitan naming dalawa. He is meter away from me pero parang sobrang layo ng distansya nya sa akin. I can’t deny the fact that there is still something inside me who’s still longing for his presence.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas pero tahimik pa rin syang nagmamaneho, there is no tense between us but I can really feel the awkward atmosphere that’s covering us. Binasag nya ang katahimikan sa loob ng kotse sa pamamagitan ng isang tanong.

“Is that the nicklace that I gave you in your birthday?” he ask.

Agad naman akong napatingin sa suot kong kwentas, na gulat ako sa tanong nyang ’yun. Ibinaling ko ulit ang tingin ko sa kanya na ngayo’y seryosong nakatingin na sa daan habang nagmamaneho. He notice it, this is such an embarrassment.