"Lucio. Mahal? Gising kana?" I asked my husband who's hugging me tightly. Then I gently tapped him.
"Hmm?" he hummed.
"Mahal you need to wake up na po. We still need to check Bunchoy. Baka gutom na yun." I informed him and he manage to quickly stand.
Aba! Kagaling ah.
"What?"
"Nothing. Come on na. You're so tagal mahal!"
We then proceed on brushing our teeth and washing our face. Then with our hands intertwined we walk down where Bunchoy's room is located.
"Mahal?"
"I know she's not here. Let's check the kitchen baka gutom na siya. Hindi nag dinner yun."
We then both walked to the kitchen and also passed the living room still no sign of Bunchoy.
Where could she be?
"Tanongin ba natin sina Ate, mahal? Kaso Baka tulog pa sila eh."
I was shocked when we heard a manly voiced,
"Ohh? What's going on here? Okay lang kayo? Gutom na ba kayo? Teka.. mag papaluto ako."
"Hindi Kuya. Umm. Si Ano.. Si Ella kasi.."
"Ohh are you looking for her?"
"Oo Greg. Wala kasi dun sa kwarto niya."
"Ay nilipat namin ni Irene sa kwarto namin. Dumating kasi sina Alfie at Luis pag ka tulog niya eh. Gusto sana namin siya makatabi. Eh mas malawak kasi higaan sa kwarto namin. Para naman di kami mag mukhang sardines."
"Oh. Akala ko kasi san na siya napunta Kuya. Eh di pa kumakain yung batang yun."
"Pinakain na namin siya ni Irene kagabi. Nagising kasi eh."
Ah. May gumagawa na pala ngayon sa dati naming nakakasanayan gawin.
"Halikayo. Mag kape muna tayo. Mahimbing pa ang mga tulog nung mga bata eh baka mamaya maya pa sila magising." alok ni Kuya Greggy and I just nod my head.
Honestly, I don't have the right to feel hurt din naman.
Im just her temporary mother or should I say substitute mom?
I shouldn't be feeling this way but no matter how much I scold myself it'll never take away the pain I'm feeling right now. Yes, this is for her own sake. Pero sakit pala talaga pag nandito na.
Ang tapang at ang dali kung sabihin sa asawa at mga anak ko na ayos lang. Na mali na ipagkait namin siya pero...
Ito ako kinakain lahat nang mga sinabi ko.
My husband seems to notice my uneasiness and started to gently rub my back.
"I'm okay." I mouthed.
I am confused. Ganun ba talaga ba dapat? Ganito ba talaga dapat? Na saamin siya nang ilang taon tapos ngayon? Kukunin na siya?
Hindi naman laruan ang anak ko.
"Half and half or plain lang?" I heard Kuya asked but my mind is too occupied to even answer kaya si Lucio ang sumagot.
"Half and half kami Kuya."
"How's your night with her?" Lucio asked.
"Peaceful. It's the first time na hindi umiyak si Irene dahil sa pangulila kagabi kundi saya. Parang bumalik kami sa dati."
"Kuya ano ba talagang nangyari dati? Bat sumakay si Ella nang barko?" I asked immediately.
