The Letters of Paris

Chapter 02

Sinapo ang noo ko bago umayos ng pagkakaupo nang ilapag ni Manang ang pagkain sa harapan ko. I stared at my food for a minute bago iniwas ang paningin at tumayo.

"Hindi ka kakain?"

Umiling ako at kinuha ang bag. "I'm not hungry po," just by looking at it, I don't feel like eating.

"Gusto mo ba magdala ng tinapay?" She offered.

I shook my head. "I'm good."

Sinabit ko ang bag sa balikat ko at dumiretso palabas ng bahay kung saan ko ipina-park ang kotse.

I couldn't say I slept last night. Mama was hysterically looking for comfort, and my conscience wouldn't let me leave her. Bandang ala-una na rin ako nakapag-aral at nakagawa ng mga gawain bago natulog at pagkagising ko, I'm not even surprised that she left.

I sighed and started the car when I got in before instinctively maneuvering the steering wheel to leave. The next thing I knew, I was already stepping firmly on my brakes nang isang nakakabinging busina ang nagpabalik sa aking katinuan.

My forehead thumped hard on my hands that were gripping the wheel. Doon ko lang napansin na kahit seatbelt hindi ko naisuot. I quickly opened the car door to step out and breathe when I instantly felt nauseous and dizzy.

Mariin akong humawak sa pinto ng kotse para kumuha ng lakas bago ipinalandas ang nanginginig kong kamay sa buhok ko. I steadied my breathing first bago umikot sa unahan para tingnan ang nangyari. When I saw a man stepped out of his car, I approached him immediately.

"Sir, are you—"

Lumaki ang mata ko nang makarinig ako ng isang malakas na iyak.

I know the color quickly drained from my face as my heart started pounding at an increasingly rapid pace in alarm. A baby?

Sinilip-silip ko ang loob ng kanyang kotse at napahawak na lamang sa bibig nang makita ko ang sanggol.

"Oh gosh." Napahilamos ako sa mukha ko at kinagat ko ang aking daliri sa nerbyos habang nakatitig sa lalake. The unsettling feeling worsed when he didn't even glanced at me at nagmamadaling buksan ang likod ng kotse niya.

Nanggigilid ang luha sa mata ko. Should I call the hospital? Should I call an emergency chopper? The ambulance? My mom? A driver? Should I shout for Manang?

I anxiously stared as he held his baby and coaxed her into his arms, napansin ko ang pagtaas-baba ng kanyang dibdib at ang malikot na paggalaw ng mata niya dahil sa pag-iyak ng sangol. At the same time, he's checking the baby if it was hurt or not.

I jolted in surprise when he turned to me with his piercing gaze. I waited for him to shout pero nagbuntong-hininga ito at nanatiling kalmado kahit nakikita ko na ang balisa sa mata niya.

"I'm sincerely sorry. Is there anything I can do? Money—I-I can pay for the damages and expenses," I nervously offered, "It's my m-mistake. I will give you anything you need."

"Move your car."

Natunganga ako sa sagot nito. "Po?"

"Igilid mo ang kotse mo, we're leaving." malamig na pag-uulit niya.

Nanatili akong walang kibo at patuloy ang pagtitig sa kanya. He gently stroked the baby's hair, then planted a small kiss on her forehead. Nang tuluyang tumigil na ang pag-iyak nito, I just watched him until he settled his baby in the infant's car seat that was attached to the back seat.

"Aren't you going to move your car?"

Napapitlag ako at agaran na kumilos dahil sa mariing utos nito.

Inayos ko ang pagkakagilid ng kotse, and I was hoping we could settle in agreement to strip my conscience. But before I knew it, he drove off as soon as makagilid ako.