Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 34

"Akio! I told you, not tonight!," angil ko pagkabukas ng pinto.

"What?" He scowled. "I just wanted to see you, it's not as if I'll sleep in here."

He looked like a kid saying those words that I wanted to laugh at how he sounded so soft in front of me. Pero pinigilan ko ang sarili dahil sa isipang nandito ang sariling pamangkin. It doesn't feel right for my niece to see him.

Binuksan ko lang ang pinto sa maliit na siwang at idinukwang ang ulo habang minamasdan siyang nakapamewang sa harap ko. He looked worn out, his tie was not in place and the sleeves of his polo rolled up to his arm.

"Come on, let me in. I will be quiet, I'll stay in the living. I just missed you." He said with a hoarse voice.

I breathed, I felt it shake a bit in a manner that I, who can only hear. Defeated, I pulled the door open but jumped in surprise when I heard a voice behind me.

"Who's that Momma?"

Mariin akong napapikit at sa huli ay sinamaan ang lalaking nagpupumilit bumisita dis oras ng gabi. Ang kulit talaga! Wala akong nagawa kung hindi mapakamot sa ulo. I looked back and saw Malaya still looking so sleepy, she must've woken up because she didn't feel my presence in bed.

I whispered a series of grumbles at Akio, knowing the kid's supposed time for resting was disturbed by his unannounced visit.

"Why are you whispering po? Eh dinig ko pa rin po kayo." I heard her comment as I pursued Akio to leave already.

But the brute only acted like he didn't hear me, and pushed me lightly, inviting himself over to my place. Aren' devils needed to be welcome, so they can walk inside your house? Ibang breed siguro ang isang 'to at ang kapal ng mukhang dumiretso sa loob na akala mo ay inimbitahan ko.

"Why make me leave, when I could stay." His remark as he sat on the sofa in the living room. "I won't bother you, I swear."

He raises his left hand, swearing. Para siyang namamanata— yung ginagawa sa monday ceremonial ng mga high school. I scowled but it turned into a small laugh. He's really pursuing me to let him stay, even just for a short period of time.

"Are you my momma's boyfriend?"

Si Malaya ng makabawi at tuluyan ng mawala ang antok. For sure, I'll have to accompanied her until four in the morning before she'll sleep again, buti nalang at weekend, wala siyang pasok. Mataray itong tumayo sa kanyang harapan, her arms were even crossed.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa kaniyang tanong.

"Yes."

"No!"

We answered at the same time but with different answers, I shot him with daggers. What the heck is he saying? Nag-iisip ba siya. When did he become my boyfriend? I wasn't informed that I had one, o na may sinagot pala akong lalaki para hindi na ako maging single.

"Ano..."

I threw him a quick glance that silenced him immediately because he was about to butt in. Kung ano pa man ang sasabihin niya, he should just keep it to himself. It won't help, baka maniwala pa ang bata sa kung anong kalokohan na sasabihin niya.

"He's ano... Momma's friend." Alanganin kong pakilala. "His name's Akio. You can call him Tito." dagdag ko pa.

From me to him, Malaya checked him out. She looks at him from head to toe judging his whole being, while she is occupied binalingan ko ang isa na parang wala lang ang pangingilatis na ginagawa ng bata sa kaniya. In fact he was even leaning on the sofa with his arms wide open, looking so amused.