The Last Light of Firefly

CHAPTER 18

I AM now cooking sinigang— Valerian's favorite food. He's currently sleeping in his room. He's so tired from crying and playing earlier. Kaya pala pawis na pawis siya kanina kapag uwi ko, nakipag laro sa kapitbahay at kauuwi lang.

Cooking his favorite dish is a  good choice.

I looked at the wall clock... 11:30 am.

Nang matapos na akong magluto ay dumiretso ako sa kwarto ni Valerian at tinabihan siya sa kama.

"Mommy loves you, baby. I do... I really do love you." I said while caressing my son's hair.

"You look exactly like your father..." Ani ko habang tinitignan ang kabuuan ng kaniyang mukha.

Grabe, kilay lang 'ata ang namana niya sa akin! Nasan ang hustisya? Ako ang nagdala sa kaniya ng nine months at ako ang nagpapalaki sa kaniya, tapos kamuka siya ng tatay niyang oa? 'Eh ni-hindi nga siya kilala ng siraulo na 'yun.

"M-mommy..." Mahinang sambit ni Valerian ng hindi binubuksan ang mga mata niya.

He's dreaming about me. Ano kayang panaginip 'yun?

"Sleep well, my little one."

"MOMMY. Hey, mom, wake up po." Nagising ako sa isang mahina at maamong boses ni Valerian. Mahina niya din akong niyuyugyog.

Nakatulog ako.

"Hm?" Naupo ako habang kinukusot ang mga mata ko.

"Are you mad po? I'm sorry that I disturb your sleep—"

"Shh, it's okay, baby. Besides, you're so gentle. Keep it up, baby. That's a very good trait." I smiled to say it's okay. "Yes po! I will, mommy!"

"So, why did you wake mommy up?"

"Uhm... C-can we...go to the playground po?" Nahihiyang tanong niya habang pinipisil ang sariling daliri.

Damn, anong sasabihin ko? Should I say yes? But damn! Baka may makakita sa amin. But saying no will make him upset. Shit...

Napansin niya yata na hindi ako makasagot kaya nag-salita na siya. "Saying no is okay po, mommy." He smiled to assured that what he said is true.

"Baby, come here and listen to mommy." Gaya ng sinabi ko, umupo siya sa tabi ko at sumandal sa akin.

"Mommy is protecting you from bad guys, baby. So you can't go outside with mommy because the bad guys will see us." Paliwanag ko sa aking anak.

"But why, mommy? Aren't they happy that the kids are happily playing with their mother?" My baby asked innocently.

"It's because they're a bad guys, baby." I answered with a smile.

Just looking at him makes my heart flutter. I can't believe that I have such a cute, innocent, caring, and gentle son.

"Why do bad guys existing, mommy?" He pouted.

I reached out and stroked his hair.

"You will know that when you grow up, mahal. For now. Let's eat. Mommy cooked your favorite dish earlier." I smiled and gently squeezed his nose, making him grin wide.

"Yey! Thank you, mommy! You're the best mom ever!" He jumped up happily and excitedly, then hugged me tightly, and then started bouncing on the bed.

"Careful, mahal."

Pumunta na kami sa kusina at nag hain na ako bago tabihan si Valerian. Akmang kakain na siya pero tumigil siya nang makita na hindi pa ako nagsisimula.