Over The Rainbow (COMPLETED)

Alarm

"Chaaaarm!" M called out from the little girl's empty room, her heart raising in her chest.

She ran out to the hallway and bumped into R who was also calling out their daughter's name.

"Nakita mo, Love?" He asked, flustered as sweat beaded on his forehead.

M started sobbing. "No... Nasaan na si Charm? Where's my baby girl?" She asked as tears fall incessantly from her eyes.

R hugged her and held her tightly in his arms. "Ssshhh... We'll find her, Love. I'm sure she's just around the house."

M suddenly pushed him away. "Saan?! We looked all over. Tatlong beses na nating inikot tong buong bahay!"

"Love..." He reached out his hand to M.

"Ikaw! You were the one who stayed with her last night while I stayed with Seb coz he won't stop crying. Nasaan ka? How did you lose her?!"

"Love, lumabas lang naman ako sandali habang tulog pa siya. Binilin ko din sa yaya niya na akyatin sa kwarto. I was gone ten minutes, Love. I didn't..."

"You didn't what?! This is your fault!" She said, beating on his chest.

R watched M cry as tears fell from his eyes.

"Mama... Please don't blame Papa. I'm sure he didn't want this to happen." Thirdy looked up at them, his eyes and nose were all red and it looked like he's been crying too.

M fell to her knees and hugged her son tight. Thirdy hugged her back and gently brushed her hair with his hand.

"It's okay, Mama. We'll find Charm. I'll help you."

M sniffed and wiped her tears as she faced Thirdy and looked him straight in the eyes. "No. No, baby. Listen to me. I want you to stay with Seb and Yaya Pe in his room, okay. Keep your eyes on your little brother. Keep him safe. Can you do that?"

Thirdy nodded. "Yes, Mama. I will keep Seb safe. I promise."

"Take care of yourself too, buddy." R said from behind M.

Thirdy looked up at him and said, "I will, Papa."

M kissed their son and watched as he ran to go inside Seb's room.

Without looking at R, M got up and rushed downstairs.

R felt his heart ache as she shrugged off his hand from her shoulder. He quietly followed his wife to the living room.

"Charm! Oh my god!" M cried as she saw Charm, still in her sleeping dress and slippers, running from the front door.

"Mama!" The little girl beamed. She ran into M's waiting arms.

M sobbed and cried as she held her daughter in his arms. "Where have you been? I was so worried."

"Ang aga nagising niyang bata eh. Tapos nagpumilit sumama sa akin."

"Tay!" M looked up at her Tatay Ted who stood by the doorway with paperbags in both hands. "Tatay naman eh..." M shook and sobbed.

"Ay hala! Bakit humahagulgol to?" TD asked R who stood just a few feet away.

"Natakot po, Tay. Akala nawala na si Charm. Pag gising po kasi niya, di nakita yung bata at walang may alam kung nasaan." R calmly explained as he walked towards TD, paid his respects and relieved him from the bags he was carrying.

"Naku lagot. Menggay... Halika ka nga, iha." He said as he helped M stand up. He hugged his daughter who continued to cry on his shoulder.

"Sorry, anak. Sorry, RJ. E di ko naman akalaing magkakagulo kayo. Sandali lang naman kami umalis ng apo ko. Pagdating ko kanina. Sinilip ko kayo sa taas. Kita ko nga na tulog ka pa kasama si Sebastian, si Thirdy tulog pa din at itong si RJ nasa CR. Eto namang Charmaine gising na at nakita ako. Sabi ko sa kanya, babalik na lang ako at bibili muna ako ng regalo para kay Matteo. Di ba ang plano sa beach house nyo sa Batangas gagawin ang birthday niya? Ayun na nga itong Charmaine ay nagpumilit na sumama kaya sinama ko na at baka maiyak pa."