Just Us

Chapter seventeen

Ang usapan na iuuwi rin agad si Amelie dahil susunduin ng kaniyang nanay ay hindi natuloy. The child seems to had a good time with Mackenzie so it was okay.

Abala raw sa opisina kaya naman baka masyado na itong gabi makauwi at kung maaarinraw ay sa hapon na kinabukasan sunduin na agad pinayagan ni Kenzie.

"T-ta!" A small hand were trying to pull my jeans kaya napatingin ako sa ibaba ng inuupuan ko. I am watching television but I admit that my mind was haywired to something else. Ni hindi ko na ngabrin maintindihan kung anong nangyari kay Ming at Joe sa bl series na pinapanood ko.

I looked around only to see an empty surrounding. Walang bakas ng babae sa silid nila kaya bumaling ako sa bata. I sighed as I carried her to put on my lap. I even smile unconsciously when I try to ruffle her disheveled hair.

"Hmm? Is there something wrong? What do you want?" I didn't even know how the hell did I speak with so much softness in my voice.

The child beam and she even put her hands upwards like she wants me to carry hr on my shoulder kaya wala akong nagaws kung hindi pagbigyan siya.

Amelie was nuzzling on my neck when the door in front of my room opened. Mackenzie was now wearing her maong shorts, an inch above the knee, and a baby pink tee with a bear print in the center. She even ponytails her hair. She looked shocked when she saw what's our position Pero hindi rin naman iyon nagtagal kaya naglakad ito palapit sa akin nang may marahang ngiti.

"T-tata," she mumbled.

Marahan kong inalis ang pagkakadikit niya sa akin saka siya tiningnan. "Hmm? What do you want?"

"T-tata... join."

Doon ako nabaling Kay Mackenzie. She has a gentle beam on her lips. I raised my brows, asking what's her niece talking about.

"She wants you to come with us in the park."

Lumikot sa kung ano-anong tanong at bagay ang ulo ko. It was spinning in wheel kaya wala akong naging sagot na naging dahilan ng katahimikan.

Hindi ko alam pero unti-unti kong binaba ang bata na ngayon ay nakatingala na sa akin. I even saw a glint of sadness in Mackenzie's face when I did that.

There's a hesitation but when I saw how disappointed Mackenzie is, I tried weighing the circumstances...is it really that hard to open up in possibilities? To face the things that gave you trauma.

Actually, no. I realized that her sad and dissatisfied is much scarier than my own battles. Mas nakakatakot palang makita niya na hindi ako ang best choice na pwedeng ibigay sa kaniya.

I sighed, in defeat. I looked at her and smile before looking down to the girl who is waiting for my answer. "I'll just take a bath and we'll go, okay ba 'yon?" mahinahon kong tanong sa bata nang lumuhod ako sa harap nito.

The child happily nodded her head before running towards her aunt. I shook my head and watched them for a second before I walked towards my room to take a bath.

Natatakot ako, pero kaya ko naman siguro. I am not scared for myself but for the child who would accept criticism. Yes, it's not ours, but being with me, us,—

You shouldn't go there, Amari! Your traumas will not affect them. Pwede naman sigurong magbago ang tingin ng mundo sa same-sex couples, hindi ba?

The world on our viewpoint was said to be perfect. Sabi nila, madali lang daw magmahal. The heart will just best erotically, the butterflies will just fly on your stomach. Or para sa akin na baker, para ka lang raw nagbebake ng chocolate dip cookie. The simplest form because it was simple to fall in love.