The Badass Babysitter [The Final Kick]

Chapter 30: She's back

For everyone.

CHAPTER THIRTY

GAB CORTEZ

 
Hindi pa rin humuhupa ang tawa ko hanggang sa makabalik kami sa bahay. I high five Selendrina, giggling like kids after putting gums on the Teacher's chair.

"That was awesome, Selendrina!" puri ko sampung beses na simula nang umalis kami sa impyerno na iyon.

"I know right!" ngumisi ito.

I messes her hair like a proud brother that I am. Hindi mabura-bura ang ngiting tagumpay ko, hindi ko man nasakal ang matandang iyon, kinagat naman siya ng mga langgam ni Selendrina. I can sleep peacefully tonight now.

"Selendrina," Sabay kaming lumingon ng kapatid ko kay Papa na may nangangaral na mga mata sa amin. "I did not appreciate the ants," seryosong sabi nito. Selendrina and I swallowed in fear, never had we seen our father this serious. Kapag kaharap niya lang ang mga colleagues niya sa Senado at kapag walang sunny side-up egg na nakahain sa harap niya t'wing breakfast. Pero ang seryoso nitong mukha ay unti-unting nabinat sa ngiti. "You could have use scorpions. Marami tayo sa bodega."

Nakahinga kami ng maluwag ng kapatid ko. The smile came back to our faces as we laughed with our father. Mom appeared from behind him and laughed with us.

"It was my original plan but I got scarred, then I saw the ants pestering my classmates and I decided to use it to pest someone."

"His face! Damn! That was epic!" pinunasan ni Papa ang mga luha sa gilid ng mga mata.

"And his butt were dark," ngumiwi si Mama.  "Sorry, honey, but I accidentally saw his butt full of scratches."

"Buti nga sakanya, I know it's bad to wish someone to be miserable but that man deserves hell," I said full of distaste.

My father patted my back and sighed, looking at me with sympathy. "Makakawala rin tayo sa hawla niya, anak."

Tumango lang ako, tahimik. Makakawala nga ba kami? Babalik pa ba sa normal ang mga buhay namin? As long as we're a prisoner of the former President, our lives won't go back to normal. That also means that I have to marry Imy, whether I like it or not.

But what about Psalm? asked a voice in my head.

Bumagsak ang mga balikat ko sa pagkadismaya at lungkot. Pakiramdam ko ay may nakadagan na mabigat sa dibdib ko. Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata saka huminga ng malalim. Nang magmulat ay nakita ko si Papa na nag-aalalang nakatingin sa akin.

"You okay, son?"

"Opo," I lied. "Uhm, pwede po ba akong umalis muna?" maingat na paalam ko.

Agad lumapit si Mama sa amin. "Gabi na, Gab. Saan ka ba pupunta?" tanong nito, may bahid nang pag-aalala. 

Nagkamot ako sa batok at hindi siguradong sumagot, "K-kay Ace lang po. Ku-kopya ng notes."

My father gave me a pointed yet knowing look. Blushing, I looked away from him and looked at my mother. Nakakunot ang noo niya at halatang hindi kombinsido sa sinagot ko.

"It's late," she pointed out. "Delikado sa labas. The Devil has minions watching us."

Tumingin ako kay Papa. He looked at my mother and held her on the shoulders. "Honey, let Gab go. He's a big guy now I'm sure he can take care of himself and we have men to keep him safe," panghihikayat niya rito. Nang tumingin siya sa akin ay kumindat ito.