The Badass Babysitter [The Final Kick]

Chapter 32: Darna is out, Dora is in

Be safe everyone...

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

SOUTHERN BENEDICTO

 
"Ano na naman ba ang ginagawa mo dito?"

She gave me a bored look, popping the lollipop from her lips. "Supporting you?" she said unsure.

Bumuntong-hininga ako bago tinanggal ang suot kong maruming gloves, pinatong sa tuktok ng makina at dinampot ang bimpo. Sinabit ko ito sa leeg bago humarap sakanya.

Atarah was lying comfortably on the hood of pick-up truck, legs dangling at the edge. Gamit nito ang isang braso bilang unan at ang isang kamay ay hawak ang lollipop. Nakatingin ito sa akin na tila may inaabangang mangyayari.

"Supporting my solitude? Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes. "Hindi ka dapat nandito. Wala dito si South."

The corner of his lips tugged up. "Oo nga. Ang totoong South ay nasa mga bisig ni Genesis sa mga oras na ito," she said watching me cautiously and teasingly. "Who knows at this moment they are doing something a husband and wife thing — inside their room. Particularly in their bed who happened to be your bed before."

Kinuyom ko ang mga kamao at umiwas sakanya ng tingin nang may nagtatagis na bagang. I suddenly felt sick in my stomach, it made me want to puke. I averted my gaze from her. Green was never my colour.

"I don't care," I spat, giving her a side glare.

Lumapad ang ngisi niya na tila kaligayahan niya ang makita akong nalilito at nagagalit. She waved her lollipop in the air and said, "Wala ka ngang pakialam kaya pala halos mayupi mo na ang bakal na hawak mo," turo niya sa hawak ko.

I looked at my hand and saw the metal bar I just grabbed to let out my frustration. Binitawan ko ito kaya nakagawa nang nakakarinding ingay. "Gawin nila ang gusto nilang gawin, wala akong pakialam," walang emosyong saad ko.

"Just a friendly reminder, this was Genesis we were talking about. Your husband. Ikaw pa rin ang original na asawa."

"Anong gusto mong gawin ko?"

"Call him. Claim your position."

I shook my head, rounding the vehicle lift to examine Sakuragi. I felt guilty for its poor soul. Wala na siyang pag-asa pero hindi ko siya kayang bitawan. Marami kaming pinagsamahan na dalawa, mas marami pa ang memories naming dalawa kesa sa memories namin ni Atatah.

"South, ano ba! Tawagan mo na si Genesis! Dalawang araw nalang ang natitira sa isang linggong palugit niya sa'yo. He would come and punish you!" pagpipilit ni Atarah habang pilit akong dinudungaw sa pwesto ko.

"As I told you before, he won't find me," I said, glaring at the broken engine of my motorcycle. "I'd be gone before he could see me." Hinaplos ko ang sunog na parte ng motor ko. Dumikit sa mga daliri ko ang uling pero imbes na ipunas, pinakatitigan ko ito. Charcoal was now my second skin. It perfectly hid my scar, my true colour. But I wished this also conceal the scar on my heart.

"Hahayaan mo nalang na masira ang marriage niyo kung ganoon? Alam mo ba kung gaano kalaki itong sinasakripisyo mo?"

Her question made me still for a moment. Mabilis akong bumawi at walang emosyong tumingin sakanya. "If this would give everyone peace, then I would."

She sighed exaggeratedly, waving her hands in the air. Atarah looked at me as if she wanted to strangle me to death, but she remained on her position, just sending death glares on my direction.