Passion and Revenge (ON HOLD)

Chapter 38

Nikki sat next to me in the long bench after she gave Hunter his feeding bottle. We watch as he hungrily suck the bottle he's holding in his both two hands. He's comfortably sitting on his stroller na namumungay ang mga mata nito sa pagod sa kalalaro.

I, myself is breathing heavily for running after him. I consider myself a fit person, going to the gym regularly pero hindi ko akalain na mapapagod ako ng sobrang ganito sa katatakbo sa paghahabol kay Hunter or sa kakasunod sa lahat ng gusto nitong ipagawa.

But the joy and happiness I feel is worth the ache in my muscle.

"Water?" Nikki asked me habang nagpapahid din ito ng pawis.

"Sure." I replied.

Nikki opened the bag she carried and took out a small bottle of water and handed it to me. I saw the bag is full of Hunter's stuff. Extra clothes, milk, diapers, wipes and god know's what else. I never been interested to this kind of stuff before but now, I can't hide my curiosity kung ano-ano ang mga nasa loob ng bag that mother's always carry with them and I'm amazed na sobrang dami pala ng kelangan bitbitin.

I notice the milk dripping on Hunter's lips kaya hinugot ko ang panyo ko na nasa bulsa and squatted in front of him. His gray eyes following my every move and rewarded me with his famous grin after I cleaned his face. Shaking my head, I chuckled and ruffled his thick brown hair that he start kicking his legs playfully, na ibig sabihin gusto na naman nitong makipaglaro.

"After you finish your milk, okay Tiger?" his eyes shone brightly sa narinig that he bob his head up and down.

Nangingiti na bumalik ako sa bench, I don't know if I still have energy left to drive myself back dahil mukhang papagurin talaga ako ni Hunter ngayon.

"He really likes you." Nikki commented.

I glanced at her, pleased with her observation. "And I'm very fond of him."

Saglit na namayani ang katahimikan sa aming dalawa habang pareho kaming nakatingin lang sa bata at binabantayan ito. Nakakaaliw panoorin si Hunter habang pilit nitong minumulat ang mga mata para labanan ang antok.

Masyado akong nag enjoy na pansamantala kong nakalimutan ang rason kung bakit gusto kong makausap si Nikki. Now that I have my chance, tsaka naman ako nawawalan ng lakas ng loob.

I don't know how to ask.

Where to start.

"I wanted to..to talk about Hunter." I fumbled for right words na yun lang ang tanging nasambit ko.

Nikki didn't say anything, tahimik lang ito na parang pinag iisipan nito ang sasabihin.

"Nik?"

"When I saw you and Vic together, I knew there's something between the two of you..deeper than attraction and when,..and when I saw Hunter with you.." her words trailed.

My heart thumped loudly, pakiramdam ko lahat ng dugo ko ay dumaloy lahat papuntang puso ko that I can hear the throbbing sound in my head. My throat went dry.

"Is Hunter my? Is he..?"

Nikki turned and look at me straight in the eyes. "Allen, may itatanong ako sa'yo and please answer me truthfully. Do you..do you know each other bago pa man nag join si Vic sa C&S?"

I dropped my gaze from her. Hindi ko kayang makita ang mapanghusga nitong tingin sa akin. "Y-yes." ang tanging sagot ko.

"When? When Allen, sa New York ba?"

I still remember vividly the first time I laid my eyes on Vi's frowning face, habang may kausap ito sa telepono and how irritated I was when I realized she's going to sit next to me dahil sa maingay ito.