Monster's Pet (Phoenix #2)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Yehet

"Auntie Charlotte."

"Auntie Shallot."

"Char..."

"Chaw..."

"No Derek, not Chaw... Char... Charrrrr."

"Chawwwww."

"Charrrrlotte!"

"Chawwwwlotte!"

"Auntie Charlotte!"

"Auntie Chawlot!"

"I give up." Kanina ko pa siya tinuturuan ng tamang pagbigkas ng pangalan ko pero kanina pa rin siya nagkakamali. 

Last day na ngayon ni Derek sa'kin. Bukas kukunin na siya ng mama niya. Ang bilis palang lumipas ng araw kapag may kasama kang ganito kakulit at ka-cute na bata. I bet Barbara and his husband never had a boring day because of this little ball of sunshine sitting on my lap.

"This is your punishment." Kiniliti ko ang tagiliran ni Derek, he laughs hysterically and cutely. "One more, if you don't get this right ibabalik kita sa Lolo mo, ngayon na."

He stops laughing in an instant, eyes suddenly filling with tears. 

Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata, "Hindi na tatalab sakin ang acting mo."

At bigla na siyang umiyak. "Auntie Shallot don't love me?"

Natitigan ko lang si Derek. 

Shit Charlie! He's just a kid! Sumagot ka!

"Do you love Auntie Shallot, Derek?" I ask him back instead. 

He sniffs and nods cutely. 

Seriously, how could I not love him? He's only been here for days, but I will give him the world. 

But what about the rule huh, Charlie? The don't get attached rule? It's the only rule that is keeping you away from feeling, from having too many emotions. Don't break it now. You'll only hurt yourself. 

Humugot ako ng hininga, at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. "I'm sorry Derek but I... don't. I'm sorry."

Ang expect ko, ngangawa siya. But Derek just stares at me, sniffing hard to keep his tears at bay. I expect him to move away, but he caresses my cheeks instead with his cute little hands. He still tries to smile, kahit pa alam kong gusto niya talagang umiyak. "It'sh okay Auntie Shallot. Me shtill love you... Dewek shtill love Auntie Shallot."

Ako naman yata ang maiiyak ngayon. That's just so fucking sweet. Lumambot yata ang puso kong bato. Muli ko siyang niyakap ng mahigpit. "Shit Derek, why are you being like this? You shouldn't, Auntie Shallot doesn't deserve it."

He frowns, confused. "Shit? But we're already shitting."

Okay Charlie, patay ka. "Uhm... well... ganito kasi 'yan Derek... what I said is uhmm... actually another word for poop... but it's a bad word so don't say it again, okay? Lalo na sa harap ni Uncle Thumner! Magiging halimaw 'yon, baka kainin ka niya."

"If it'sh bad, why did you shay it, Auntie Shallot?"

"Nadala lang ako ng emotion ko, okay? Basta, wag mo nang sasabihin 'yon ulit! That's bad okay, Derek?"

There's a sudden knock at the door kaya hindi na nakasagot si Derek.

"Uncle Thumner!" He shrieks excitedly, tumalon paalis sa hita ko at tinakbo pa ang papunta sa pinto.