Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 26

"Did you know that bullying could put you in jail?"

Unang bungad ko nang maabutan ang isang batang binubully ang mahal ko. I shook my head in disappointment. I know, I shouldn't meddle in a kid's fight, but I can't just sit back knowing my girl can't fight for herself.

She's too pure to even do that.

"Momma!" Naluluhang tawag nito at nagkukumahog na tumakbo patungo sa akin, yumakap sa aking binti.

I looked down at her as she tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ears, trying to hide her delicate face. Humaplos sa mala-anghel niyang mukha ang kalungkutan dahil sa pambubully ng kanyang kaklase.

I wanted to be mad, but I know better. It wasn't entirely the kid's fault. Madalas ay dahil rin sa pagpapalaki ng magulang, wala pa sila sa tamang edad para malaman ang mga bagay na tama at mali.

"Why would I believe you? My mama said that I'm too young to be put in jail, eh hindi naman ikaw yung mama ko!" She argued and stuck her tongue out.

I smiled at Malaya, showing her that everything's fine. Because momma will take care of it, as I would. Always.

"Well, you won't be, but..." I glanced behind her and spotted her mother searching through the sea of kids scattered across the school premises. "Your mother would."

Kabisado ko na ang mga kaklase ni Malaya sa tagal kong hatid-sundo siya, kahit ang mga magulang ng mga ito na madalas ko ring kasama maghintay sa oras ng uwian.

And this kid never fails to make her feel unwanted and less of her worth.

She's still a kid, but her actions can lead to traumas that her victim might carry until they're older.

She's still a kid. She is just a kid. But I was never a good person to those who tried to hurt my loved ones.

"Alam mo ba? Kapag yung mga bata may ginawa silang masama, ang mama nila ang nakukulong," I explained in a child's voice. "Imagine, what would happen to you if your mother would be put in jail because you're bullying your classmates?"

"Kawawa ka naman. Hindi mo na makikita yung mama mo, gusto mo ba yun?" I smiled gently, flashing my white teeth.

I inwardly smirked as tears began to well up in her eyes. I wanted to laugh, but I stopped myself when she started crying, calling out for her mother.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan niya at mabilis na inalo. Marahan kong hinimas ang likod nito. I leaned near her ear. "Wag kang maingay ah? Kung ayaw mong makulong ang mommy mo. And of course, you'll stop bullying Malaya, along with your other classmates."

"Okay?" I said with finality.

Lumaki ang ngiti ko nang tumango ito sa gitna ng kaniyang hikbi. Gosh! I can't believe I'm making someone's kid cry!

Nagkukumahog na lumapit ang ina ng bata ng marinig ang iyak ng anak. Mabilis na sinimulan ang pag-alo sa bata.

"Mommy's here, stop crying na!" pagpapatahan niya, ang tingin niya ay tumama sa akin.

"Oh my! Sorry for bothering yo—" I cut her apology.

"No, no, it's fine." Mapagpanggap akong ngumiti. "Maybe your kid thought you won't pick her up, since nagsimula nang mabawasan ang mga students." I lied smoothly.

I stood beside Malaya as we watched them walk away from us. Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay at kinukuha ang atensyon ko. I turned, giving her my full attention.

My gaze roamed over her face, studying every detail. She did look like me—a mini version of myself. I never knew how I looked until an angel like her came into my life.