This time, it's Our Chance

VII

The family spent the day at Enchanted Kingdom. Just like any ordinary family, Alanda and Edgar were just watching France and Xyville getting to almost all the rides at the Theme park.

Simula ng dumating sila sa EK, halos hindi na matahimik si Xyville sa sobrang ligalig at excitement. Buti na lang at mabilis at maliksi din kumilos si France kaya walang hirap kung habulin niya ang anak na panay ang takbo sa sa kung saan saan.

"Dahan-dahan sa pagtakbo bear! Baka naman madapa ka na niyan", tumatawang saway ni France sa anak.

"I'll be ok Teddy! Don't worry too much. I can take care of myself...," nakangiting sagot ni Xyville sa ina ng makalapit ito dito.

Lumuhod sa harap ng bata si France para punasan ang pawis ngunit napahinto siya ng bigla ulit magsalita ang bata.

"....and I will take care of you when I grow up. I'll protect you, Teddy! No one will harm you. I love you too much!", nangingislap ang mata ng bata habang sinasabi ito.

Hindi na napigilan ni France na mapaluha at yakapin ang anak. 

"Thanks, Bear. You're the only reason right now why I'm still fighting. Stay with me always, promise?," bulong ni France sa anak.

"Promise Teddy! Forever!," natawang ginulo na lang ni France ang buhok ng anak. Hindi pa nito naiintindihan ang salitang forever. Masyado pa itong bata. 

"Alright kiddo. Go and have fun. Just don't stray too far," kinawayan ni France ang bata habang nag-iikot ito sa mga rides. Xyville is tall for his age kaya hindi mo mapaghahalataan na 5 years old lang ito. Matalino din ito para sa edad niya at madaling makaintindi na akala mo ay matanda na.

In the Meantime habang naglalagalag si Xyville;

Hindi naman lumayo si Xyville pero habang nagtitingin siya sa mga rides at sa mga batang naglalaro din katulad niya, hindi inaasahang makakabangga niya ang isang dalagang nag-iikot din.

"OW!," nabigkas ni Xyville dahil mejo napaupo siya. Hindi naman siya ganun nasaktan dahil nakabig ng dalaga ang isa niyang kamay hindi lang umabot kaya sumayad pa rin ang bandang pwetan ng bata sa lupa.

"Oh my! Sorry baby. Sorry. I didn't see you there. Are you hurt??", nag-aalalang tanong ng babae sa bata.

Tumingala si Xyvile para tignan ang babaeng nakabungguan nya. Parang familiar ang mukha nito sa kanya.

"No. It's ok. I'm alright! See," and umikot at lumundag pa siya sa harap ng babae. "I was the one who's not looking so I accidentally bumped into you. I'm sorry miss.", yumuko lang si Xyvile dahil sa hiya. He won't deny it but the lady in front of him is so beautiful and yet so familiar.

"It's ok baby boy. Who are you with? Why are you alone?," tanong ng babae habang palinga-linga ito sa paligid.

"I'm with my mom, and my grandparents.," Xyville said smiling and looking over to where his family is resting. It's not too far from where France was seated.

"There they are," points out Xyville.

The lady looked at where the kid was pointing and froze.

"What's your name kid?" the lady suddenly asked.

"Xyville Yue Salvejo ma'am!" the kid happily introduced himself. "What's yours?", he asked.

"Well, uhmm...", the lady looked hesitant and Xyville just stared at the lady intently.

"I'm Steph," the lady finally answered.

Xy suddenly stop staring thinking about where he had heard the name before. It sounds so familiar even the lady's face.

"Uhm, Steph, Have we met before? Because you look so familiar even your name sounds familiar. I think I've heard of your name before. I just can't remember", Xyville said with a matching pout.

Steph couldn't help herself that she suddenly just pinched Xyville's cheek.

"Aww! you're so adorable, baby boy. Can I keep you?," Steph said while laughing. But she noticed Xy just keep on pouting waiting for her answer.

"Alright kid, I don't think we've met before coz for sure, with how cute you are, I'll surely remember you. So i dont think i've seen you around until today. How old are you anyway?," Steph said kasabay ng pagpisil ulit sa pisngi ng bata. Xyville seems to not mind her pinching his cheeks so she kept doing it. Natutuwa talaga siya sa batang ito. At pilit na winawaglit sa isip ang isang kabang namumuo ng marinig nya ang apelyido ng bata at makita kung sino ang kasama nito.

"I'm 5 1\2 years old," Xy answered. Steph mentally calculated.

"You're too young to be wondering around yourself little boy," amazed na sagot ni Steph.

"Yes, I know. But my mom taught me everything I need to know to be smart so I won't get hurt nor get bullied nor get played at. I know my way around," the kid answered too smart for her. 

Natameme si Steph. Hindi ordianryong 5 year old ang batang kaharap niya. At pilit man niyang itanggi eh talagang nauubusan na siya ng oxygen at dugo dahil english speaking ang bata.

"Lengya. Kelangan ko ng magpaclinic. Mahihimatay na ako dahil sa complete blood lost dahil sa batang ito.", isip-isip ni Steph.

"Alright kiddo, let's get you back to your grandparents ok?," nakangiti si Steph sa bata habang akay -akay niya ito sa kamay.

"Ok!," masigla namang lumakad ang bata patungo sa mga kasama nito.

"Jusko Lord! Wag sana nila akong makilala. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa din alam paano sila haharapin! Tss! Baka lumabas akong burado ang mukha neto. Oh No!!! Kenat be! barow wan prom tri! Ang ganda ko kaya. Di pede! Pero buti na lang nakashades at cap ako. Di naman siguro nila ako makikilala diba????", pagkausap ni Steph sa sarili na animo eh baliw dahil yung alter ego niya yung lumalabas. 

(A/N: Pasensya na. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi lagyan ng ganitong eksena! hahahahahah)

Palapit ng palapit sila Steph sa kinaroroonan ng mga kasama ni Xyville. Ngunit napansin niyang wala doon yung taong matagal na niyang hinahanap at hinahantay.