Copper

13

"Cucu, you have to drink your medicine. Magagalit sayo ang mama mo" I struggle and try to escape his hand from inserting the medicine dropper sa mouth ko.

but Dada is too strong. After taking that awful medicine. I bark at him trying to tell him I'm mad.

"Wag kang attitude, Copper!" he said while walking away para itabi ang mga gamot ko.

I followed him and bark again trying to tell him na dapat last na yon but he ignored me. I actually know he's annoyed already because he called me Copper. He uses my full name when he's mad.

I try to run back to the carpet to fetch my toy and play it inside Tita Dani's guestroom.

I saw a Siberian Husky sleeping in there. I went to him. His name is Leo. That's Tita Dani's baby. He is so lazy and clingy to my dad which makes me hate him. I sniff his butt to wake him up but he didn't even flinch.

This dog is so big and lazy. I wonder why Tita Dani likes him. He always go to any room with aircon. I'm sure the electricity bill is high because of him.

I know that since Dad always computes the bill, he curses when it is too high and ignores me when I bark to watch TV.

I miss my mom. She lets me watch the TV all day with her.

A few more sniffing and I try to bite Leo's tail. He immediately stood up. I forgot that he's taller than me so I ran around and bark, a signal that we should play and fight each other. He barks back but sleeps again.

What the hell. He is super lazy.

Dada opens the door and check on us, I sat like a good boy hoping he got a treat pero wala, humiga siya on the bed and closes his eye.

I can feel his sadness so I went to him and fake a cry so he could carry me to the bed and of course it works. He kisses my head and whispered

"I love you my Cucu"

I lick his cheek and it made him smile.

I wish he's okay. Dada never talks about his feelings. Sometimes I feel like I am biased since Momma tells me everything. I wish I can tell Dada that mom has plans to leave us.

I want to whisper it using human language instead of barkings.

I stare at him maybe he's sleeping already. Leo's awake now attempting to leave the room. Tita Dani told dada that Leo can do that. He knows how to open the door but I doubt. Who can do that? What are you human? I wish I can roll my eyes like my mom always do.

I continue to stare at Dada. he looks so peaceful.

A few more tries and Leo escaped the room. Hindi pa sinara ang door. hmp. Annoying.

I jumped and closes the door. So dad will sleep well.

I stayed in the floor playing some of the toys Dada brought.

While playing, Dada's phone rang. I got excited by the sound. I hope its Momma. I bark so Dada will wake up and he did. He motioned to me to keep quiet so I did.

"Yes Maki?"

oh its Auntie Maki. I like her but not as much I like Auntie Cel. She's straight forward and funny but hates giving me belly rubs. She also teases me when I poo.

"What do you mean aalis?"

"She can't do that Maks. She can't do that to me and to Cucu"

I was shocked to hear my name. I wonder what Auntie Maki's saying. Is she inviting Dada to drink again?

I tilted my head trying to guess what's their topic but of course I failed.

Dada's frowning now. I can't read if he's mad or hurt.

"Okay. I'll go to her condo now"

"Yes. Thank you Maki! I owe you one"

Dada changed clothes after the phone call when he's done he looks at me and kneel.

"I'll make our family complete again. Wear this" he puts the leash in my neck

maybe we will walk again. Sana hindi malayo or sana he'll carry me nalang.

When we went out of Tita Dani's apartment, we walked into a familiar streets.

It was late when I realized we are going to Momma's. I saw my friend in the lobby. He's the guard says momma. He protects the building just like how I protect momma and dada.

I bark and wag my tail. I wanna play with him but Daddy is walking so fast. I hate it.

We entered the elevator. I wonder what will happen if I poo in here. Will mama get mad?

When we are outside of Momma's door, dada cursed "Shit. I forgot my key"

He carrried me trying to think what will happen. After a few second, he clicked the door bell.

Momma opened up after the second ring. She's shocked to see me or dada or maybe both of us.

"Why are you here?" she asked

I try to make likot so Dada will put me down syempre I succeeded. I went iside the unit and let them talk.