ward (completed)

35

"Hanz, ano sabi ni Chie-boy?" Nicky asked when they took a break from searching for Nic.

"Nasa labas nga daw. Di naman sinasabi kung saan."

"Hmm...o sige, Babe, you stay here with June and take care of Gaby...you need to rest din...kami nalang ang maghahanap. She wouldn't have gone too far naman e. Remember the last time, dun lang sya sa kabilang playground naglaro...baka pumunta ulit dun. I told Mendoza and his team to search everywhere, kahit na dun sa malayong side nung estate...the staff in the other wings are also aware that Nic is missing...I told them to check the rooms and storage areas properly....sabi ko mag-double, triple check pa..."

"Okay. Haay Nic...bakit ka umalis?" Ruth replied; she was worried. She knew that Nic did not like the dark like Richard. The cottage was unusually quiet without Nic's happy groans and giggles.

Nicky gave Ruth a kiss on the head and kissed Baby Gabi as well. "...I'll call you..." Nicky said as he went out of the room.

"Sir..." Sally said as Nicky approached the front door.

"O, Sally? Lalabas ako ulit...kayo na bahala dito..."

"Sir..."

"Ano Sally?"

Sally opened the front door fully and there, standing at the foot of the steps leading to the front door were Nic and Mommy Ching. Nic was busy nibbling on a piece of bread.

"Nic!"

"Good evening, anak! Sorry ha, ngayon ko lang naihatid si Nic. Wala kasi akong mapag-iwanan nung tindahan at bahay. Eh, sira din yung cellphone ko. Buti nalang dumaan si Concha at sinabing hinahanap nyo nga raw etong si Nic..."

"Mommy Ching! Good evening. Pasok po kayo...Nic, go with Sally. Pasok ka dun sa room mo ha? Sally, sabihan mo si June na paliguan na si Nic..."

"Yes, Sir..."

"Naku, hindi na. Pinabantay ko lang si Concha ng sandali dun sa tindahan. Baka mamaya may bumili...ahh, nakakain na pala si Nic...gustong gusto yung nilutong kong sopas...yun lang, kumupit din ng ilang tinapay sa bakery..." Mommy Ching recounted, giggling at Nic's mischief.

"Sorry po! Hatid ko na po kayo..."

"Salamat. Salamat."

"Paano ba napunta si Nic sa bakery eh naglalaro sa playground yun kanina..."

"Busy ako dun sa tindahan kasi kaka-bake ko lang ng mga tinapay at cake. Bigla syang tumawa ng malakas habang may hawak na ensaymada. Pumunta ata sa tindahan at kumuha lang ng tinapay nung mga ala-sais...puro margarine na yung mukha kasi ensaymada ang kinuha..."

"Naku Nic!"

"Okay lang. Nakakatuwa nga dahil pilit nyang isoli yung tinapay nung napansin ko. Sinabi ko nalang na sa kanya na yun. Happy naman sya. Eh hindi ko naman masabi sa inyo na nandun nga sya sa akin kasi nga sira ang telepono ko tapos wala pa akong mapag-iwanan nung tindahan...pinakain ko nalang...at yun, buti nalang dumaan si Concha..."

"Thank you talaga, Mommy Ching."

"Walang anuman. O sige, goodnight. Salamat ulit."

"Salamat po. Good night."

Nicky entered the house and witnessed a very heartwarming scene, Richard and Nic in a tight embrace.

"Buti naman umuwi ka na. Kanina ka pa nila hinahanap e. Ayaw nilang maniwala na nasa labas ka lang..."

"Ang bango kasi nung bread na gawa ni Mommy Ching! Masarap din yung sopas nya. Kain tayo sopas ulit!"

" ...dy....Niii!" (Daddy, si Nic!)

"Chaaa!"