(S.P.U. Series #2) Lost Steps (COMPLETED)

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

"Mommy, we have an assignment!" masayang sigaw ni Alvin habang abala sa pagbubukas ng kanyang school bag.

"Really? What was it about?"

"Our teacher said that we should bring a picture of our family and we should write their names on it..." Alvin answered.

Agad akong natigil sa ginagawa kong pagwawalis. Tumingin ako sa kanilang dalawa na nakaupo ngayon sa sofa ng apartment ko. Madalas kasi talaga silang bumisita dito pagkatapos ng klase ni Alvin... and today is my day off. Si Cia ay mukhang nagulantang sa sinabi nung bata at nabahiran ng pag-aalala ang kanyang mukha.

I exhaled a sigh.

Naiintindihan ko 'yung sitwasyon ni Alvin. Kasi ganoon din ako dati nung bata pa ako... 'Pag tuwing magpapa-assignment 'yung teacher namin ng family picture, hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa teacher ko na wala na kaming family picture... Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin na nasunog na lahat ng mga picture namin ng pamilya ko. Kaya ang ending, isinasama na lang ako sa family picture nila Tita Zel... para lang may maipakita ako sa school.

Ganun din 'yung kay Alvin ngayon...

May similarity 'yung karanasan niya ngayon sa naranasan ko noong bata pa ako...

Tumingin ako sa wall clock at nakita kong 2 pm pa lang. Ibinalik ko rin agad ang paningin ko kina Cia at Alvin. "It's still early. We can go to the mall and get Alvin a family picture..." I said, smiling.

Cia quickly nodded. Agad na naibsan ang pag-aalala na mayroon sa mukha niya kanina. "Yes. And if we still have time left, I promise you we'll go to the TimeZone to play."

"Mommy, what about Daddy Alvis?" asked Alvin, his eyebrows formed a furrow. "He won't be in the family picture..." he sadly continued.

Cia exhaled a sigh. "Is it okay to you if your Tito Gab will be in the picture instead of your Daddy Alvis?"

"Why, Mommy? Can't he make it?"

Cia gently ran her fingers through Alvin's hair. She seemed like she doesn't know how to make up an excuse that will not make Alvis look like a bad guy to Alvin. I want to help her. But I can't... because it's a family matter. It is their matter. I'm not in the right position to meddle with them.

"I think, your Daddy is busy..." she answered. "But don't worry, Tito Gab's here. He'll be with us." She smiled.

I just took a bath and changed my clothes into a decent and formal one. Syempre, family picture 'to 'no. Dapat maayos 'yung itsura ko. Lalo na't assignment pa ito nila Alvin.

"Family picture po?"

Mabilis akong tumango at ngumiti sa lalaking photographer na kukuha ng picture namin. "Oo, Kuya."

"Ang ganda at ang gwapo ng Mommy at Daddy mo, hijo, ah. Bagay sila," naka-ngiting sabi niya kay Alvin. Si Alvin naman ay ngumiti lang din dito.

"Ready na po! Smile lang po muna 'yung sa first shot..." Itinapat na ni Kuya 'yung camera sa mukha niya. "One... Two... Three." At saka biglang lumiwanag sa studio dahil sa flash. "Isa pa pong naka-smile..." Muling lumiwanag dahil sa panibagong picture na kinuha niya. "Last na po, wacky naman."

"This is great, Mommy!" masayang sigaw ni Alvin habang hawak ang hard copy nung pictures namin. Naka-alis na kami sa studio at ngayon ay papunta na kami sa food court upang bilhan ng potato corner si Alvin.