The Badass Babysitter [The Final Kick]

Chapter 26: Painful cries

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

GAB CORTEZ

 

"Thank you for coming."

Tipid na ngiti lang ang pinakita ko sa asawa ng yumaong Bise-Presidente. Umiiyak sa tabi ko si Papa, naka-suporta naman si Mama sakanya. I hold hand with Selendrina and it's a good thing she's not acting like a brat today. I'm not in the good mood — and never will I be.

Kakatapos lang ng libing ng Bise Presidente pero nandito pa rin kaming malalapit sakanya sa sementeryo. Umuwi na ang ibang bisita. Ang araw ay natatakpan ng makakapal at matingkad na ulap, pomo-protekta sa amin sa init. Maaliwalas ang paligid, maraming ibon ang nagliliparan sa himpapawid, presko ang hangin — but I could not appreciate all of these.

My somber expression was the perfect example of someone who had lost his mind and soul. Daig ko pa ang asawa ni Bise Presidente sa pagluluksa — nang magka-ibang dahilan nga lang. She lost her husband and I lost my heart and soul.

"You looked like the mistress of the man buried six feet under the ground," a small and girly voice pulled me back from my reverie.

I cast my gaze down and saw Selendrina looking up at me. Sumimangot ako kaagad.

"It's not funny, Selendrina. I'm not in the mood to withstand you right now."

She scowled but remained silent. Mabuti naman dahil baka maisabit ko siya sa puno nang patiwarik kapag nagsalita pa. Wala talaga ako sa maayos na mood ngayon.

Isang linggo na ang nakalipas magmula nang bumisita sa bahay ang mga Marso. Magmula noon, wala na ako sa tamang sarili ko. My family and friends are worried of me but I could not tell them how I really feel. I could not tell everyone.

Not even to him.

Especially not him.

"Jackal!"

Napatingin ako sa tinawag ni Papa at nakita si Tito Jackal na parang mas lutang pa sa salbabida. He looked worn out, just like Papa, who had sunken eyes and acting like a moth these past days.

Lumapit si Tito Jackal sa amin, pero wala sakanya ang atensyon ko kundi sa apat na kalalakihan naka sunod sakaniya — especially to the guy with honey coloured eyes standing beside Isaiah and Noah.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin at pakiramdam ko, na-revive ako kaagad nang magliwanag ang mukha niya. He flashed his sweetest smile, and for the first time, I appreciated the bright sky that kissing his radiant face.

Oh, God! I was dead one week ago but just seeing him again — I was resurrected. So this was Jesus felt when he came back to life.

"Hala, Gab! Bakit ka umiiyak?" Psalm waved his hand in front of me. He looked worried and panicking.

Napakurapkurap ako at kinapa ang mga pisngi ko — basa. I was indeed crying.

"Ah, n-nalulungkot lang ako. Mami-miss ko si Vice," dahilan ko.

He blinked his eyes adorably. "Ngumi-ngiti ka pala kapag malungkot? Hehe."

I allowed myself to smile, big, genuine and happy. I stared at the boy who gave me a reason to smile again. Oh, boy! I'm whipped.

"I saw an Angel," I said, advancing toward him.

His eyes sparks with astonishment. "Waaah! Talaga? Angel na agad si Tito Vice?"

"No. I saw my Angel."

Humaba ang nguso niya kaya hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa mga labi niya. They were plump and red as strawberry.  Damn, I was never tempted to taste a strawberry before but now. Are they sweet like how I imagined them to be?