The Badass Babysitter [The Final Kick]

Chapter 25: Vice President

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

SOUTHERN BENEDICTO

 
"North, talk to him," siniko ko ang kapatid ko sa balikat pero tinignan niya ako ng masama.

"H'wag mo akong sikuhin! Kapag natamaan mo ang tiyan ko ay makukunan ako! I'd lost my blood, my baby would die and I'd die too! And when we die, God knows what Vape would do — worst, he'd gonna commit suicide and die too!" she ranted at me.

My face went flat. Siniko ko lang nang mahina ang balikat niya at napunta na sa suicide ang mga sinabi niya. I shook my head in disbelief and pity for my pregnant sister. Na-untog ata ito at imbes na ulo niya ang bumukol, ang tiyan niya ang um-umbok.

"North, for fuck's sake stop being a Drama Queen and talk to Dad!" I hissed at her, annoyed at her wrong-direction attitude.

Imbes na maawat ay eksaheradong napahawak ito sa dibdib at hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa akin. Tila maiiyak na rin ito.

"You called me a Drama Queen? How could you!" and she started to sobbed. "How can you treat me like that!? What have I done for you to be this mean to me? You're not just hurting my feelings — even your niece feelings!" palahaw niya kaya nagtinginan sakanya ang lahat ng tao.

Hinilot ko ang pagitan ng mga kilay. Hindi lang ako stress, ang limitasyon ng pasyensiya ko ay malapit nang mapigti. Pigil-pigil ko ang sarili na h'wag sakalin si North at itabi ang kabaong niya kay Vice President.

"Pwede ba? Manahimik ka. Pagkamalaam ka pa nilang kabit ni Vice," awat ko rito. Daig pa ang asawa ni Tito Rodeo na padampi-dampi lang ng panyo sa pisngi at malungkot na ngumi-ngiti sa mga bisita. Mom was beside her as well as Tito Pantaleon's wife, comforting her.

My overdramatic-pregnant-mental sister just glared at me while caressing the bulge on her stomach. 

I sighed and looked at my Dad's direction. He was seated beside Tito Jackal, who was weeping and Tito Pantaleon was comforting him. Dad was silent with a faraway look on his face but I could see the sadness behind his blank stare.

"Seriously, North, you have to talk to Dad. I think he's nearing to lost his mind," I said, worried for my father's health.

Narinig kong humugot ng hininga si North sa tabi ko. Mula sa gilid ng mata, nakatingin din siya kay Daddy.

"I'm worried too, South, but I think we need to give him a little space for the mean time. He lost a friend — one of his best friend since the beginning. Hindi madali sakanya ang nangyari kaya hayaan muna natin siya sa mga kaibigan."

Hindi ako umimik at nanatiling nakatitig ng may pag-aalala kay Daddy. Nakita ko si Mommy mula sa gilid na ganoon din ang tingin sa ama ko. She's worried too but she choose to give him a little space. I guess, North is right. May sense rin pala minsan ang buntis.

Mula sa mahinang usapan ng mga tao ay biglang umingay nang pumasok sa loob ng Chapel ang dating Presidente kasama ang pamilya nito. They were wearing black like us and had a sullen smile for the wife of Vice President. Binati nila ito at naki-dalamhati bago nagtungo sa pwesto nila Daddy na nasa harap ng kulay kape na kabaong ni Tito Rodeo na napapalibutan ng napakaraming puting bulaklak at ilaw.

Dad, Tito Pantaleon and Tito Jackal stood and greeted the former President. They talked animatedly and sometimes glancing at Tito Rodeo's coffin.

"South? Oh my gosh!"

I was distracted by the alarm-like voice. I dragged my eyes away from the old men and looked at Imy passing through the small crowd. She smiled when our eyes met.