Guarded (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

Chapter Twenty-Two

If there was one definition of clingy, it would be Voight.

Hindi niya ako halos lumbayan, kahit yata sa paglalabas ko ng sama ng loob, gusto niya akong samahan. There was no privacy with a little kid around. Napailing naman ako.

He wanted to visit Russle’s grave again. Palagi niyang tinatanong sa akin nitong nakaraan kung kailan kami bibisitang muli. Ayoko na sana siyang isama sa tuwing bumibisita ako sa kapatid ko pero alam ko na ang kahihinatnan. He would be having his tantrums.

Dumaan muna kami ng supermarket upang bumili ng mga pasalubong sa kapatid ko. Voight paid for all the things we bought. Itinaon ko iyong pagbisita kung kailan wala si Gotham sa penthouse, inaasikaso niya ang yacht na hiling ni Voight sa ama.

I even brought a picnic blanket. Nagbaon din ako ng lunch ng malikot na bata.

Nakumbinse ko naman itong hindi na dalhin ang toy truck niya, nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Paborito niya iyon at gusto laging dala.

We did commute, he was in awe riding a jeep the first time. Kinandong ko na siya para hindi siya maipit sa siksikan sa jeep. Yakap pa niya ang bag. Last time, he rode a taxi to follow me.

His little hands were covering his nose. Na-offend yata iyong kaharap niya, masama ang tingin nito sa maliit kong alaga. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from having any emotion showing in my face.

Sometimes, I caught myself smiling with Voight’s antics. He’s literally a kid and he’s innocent.

Kinarga ko siya nang makababa kami, bago muling sumakay sa tricycle patungo sa lote. Nagbayad ako sa driver bago bumaba. Binuksan ko ang gate ng lote bitbit si Voight pati ang snacks na binili namin.

“Fili, the man was l-looking at me with a-anger in the jeep. What did I d-do?” he asked me.

Inilapag ko siya sa upuan, pero ayaw niyang bumitiw sa akin. Napailing ako.

“He was offended, because you’re covering your nose. Baka akala niya, siya ang tinutukoy mong mabaho.” I explained.

“But it’s b-baho!” He giggled.

Pinisil ko ang kanyang pisngi. “Can we be subtle about it? Para hindi naman offensive sa ibang tao.”

Ngumuso siya pero tumango rin kalaunan. Ginulo ko naman ang kanyang buhok.

“Good boy,” I caressed his face. “Do you want to light the candle for him?”

He nodded.

Agad naman siyang bumaba sa akin. Hinalungkat niya ang mga pinamili namin upang kuhanin ang scented candles at ibang snacks. Mabilis ko namang inilatag ang dalang picnic blanket.

“Fili, h-help!” Dinaluhan ko siya para alalayan sa pagsisindi ng kandila. “Does he ever get l-lonely?” tanong niya sa akin na puno ng kyuryosidad.

Wala naman akong maisagot sa bata, hindi ko rin alam ang sagot sa tanong na iyon. I was hoping Russle was happy wherever he was and he was accompanied by little angels like him.

“Hindi ko alam. Siguro may kalaro rin siya… marami.”

He was friendly. He loved socializing with other kids even if he wasn’t exposed much. Russle had a great childhood, somehow. He even had a crush… sometimes, I was wondering if his previous classmates still remembered him.

Hindi na siya nagtanong pa. Binantayan na lang ni Voight ang mga kandila para hindi mamatay ang sindi nito ng dahil sa hangin. After quite some time, naengganyo na siyang maglaro sa paligid.

Voight kept coming to the swing. Bahagya ko naman siyang tinulak habang sakay nito. Nang napagod naman siya, bumalik kami sa kubo ni Russle. Pinakain ko siya ng snacks na dala namin. Most of it were shared with Russle.

Lumalambot pa rin ang puso ko sa mga malalapit sa aking kapatid. Voight wouldn’t be sharing it to his father, but he was sharing his snacks with my brother.

That bond was strong.

We spent the whole afternoon visiting Russle. Pinanood ko si Voight na maglaro sa kabuuan ng lugar. Namitas din siya ng mga bulaklak na tanim sa paligid. He arranged it at Russle’s grave.

Sumampa siya sa akin, nilagyan niya ng rosas ang aking tainga. Matagal niya akong tiningnan. I wonder what’s going on in his little mind. He was memorizing my face by tracing it with his little hands.

Pinanggigilan niya ang pisngi ko. “Voight!” Humagikhik na naman siya.

I thought it would be a sweet interaction. Puro kalokohan na naman ang tumatakbo sa isip niya.

Bumalik din kami sa penthouse nang mapagod ang bata. He was sleepy the whole ride back home. Nakayakap siya sa akin habang karga ko. Sino bang hindi mapapagod? Puro siya takbo at lukso.

Hindi naman ako nahirapan, siya lang ang bitbit ko at backpack niya. Pinaiwan na niya ang snacks sa puntod ni Russle. He opened it all for my brother.

Wala pa rin si Gotham nang dumating kami sa penthouse.

Ibinaba ko si Voight sa kanyang bed. I took the chance to clean the whole penthouse, and cooked something for them without being interrupted. Voight wouldn’t let me work around the house unless he was hanging from my neck.

Nagluto din ako ng merienda. Mahilig si Voight sa pasta dishes. I cooked some sweet spaghetti for him while he was still having a nap. Inihanda ko na rin ang ingredients na kakailanganin ko mamaya para sa dinner.

Nang matapos ako lahat ng gawain, kusang lumapat ang aking katawan sa couch.

Agad din akong napabangon nang marinig ko ang iyak ni Voight. Tumakbo ako patungo sa kanyang kuwarto, wala siya roon. Sinundan ko naman ang tunog ng palahaw niya, bukas ang pinto ng kuwartong tinutuluyan ko.

“Voight… what’s wrong?”

Lumingon siya sa akin at tumakbo. Yumakap siya sa aking baywang. Pumantay naman ako sa kanya.

“What happened?” Niyakap ko siya. I caressed his back.

“I t-thought you are l-leaving us…” Hikbi pa niya.

“It’s a bad dream, Voight.” I assured him.

Nanatili kami sa ganoong posisyon hanggang sa kumalma siya. Nakadikit na naman siya sa akin kahit saan ako magpunta. Tinuyo ko ang kanyang pisngi. Madalas naman kaming matulog na magkakasama sa isang kama.

“What happened to your eyes, son? Did you cry?” Gotham gave him a kiss on the head… and an awkward kiss on my cheek. Binuhat niya si Voight mula sa akin. He kept giving him kisses. “We can board the yacht this week. Do you want it?”

His face lit at the news. Nagbago ang gloomy mood niya sa narinig. Ilang araw na ring kinukulit ni Voight ang ama. His invitations were already ready. Bilang lang naman ang imbitado niyang kalaro, just the girls and Freedom.

He just wrote on the paper about inviting them to his yacht. Surprisingly, Voight knew how to write as well.

“What happened?” Gotham asked me.

“He woke up crying and looking for me. He thought I was gone.”

Ilang minuto siyang tumitig sa akin. I couldn’t comprehend the expression on his face.

“Two people would be heartbroken if you left us again. Please, don’t.” Agad naman akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

I couldn’t promise them that… I couldn’t even promise myself… I was still battling my inner demons. I wasn’t even stabilized enough to be caring for the people I love. I was severely damaged from losing my brother.

Even up to this day, I was still in denial I lost him.

***

Bumaba kami sa sasakyang naghatid sa amin sa pier. Bahagya pang nanginginig ang aking kamay. Pinilit ko na lang patatagin ang aking sarili sa mga memoryang bumabalik sa aking isipan.

Hinawakan naman ni Gotham ang aking kamay, nauna nang bumaba si Voight na agad tumakbo sa mga batang kasama namin sa pagsakay ng yacht.

Tumingin ako sa kanya. “You don’t have to worry, I’m here. You’re going to enjoy it just like before.”

“It’s different then,” mahina kong sinabi. “It’s different now…”

“It may be different, but I’ll try my hardest to make it enjoyable for you,” He pinched my cheeks softly. Kinabig niya ako papalapit sa kanya. Napapikit ako nang lumapat ang kanyang malambot na labi sa aking noo. “It’s okay, Fili.”

Maybe, his voice has charms, it calmed me down.

Sumunod kami sa mga batang sumakay na agad ng yate. Nanatiling nakahawak ang kamay niya sa akin, tinutulungan nitong kumalma ang aking sistema. Once we were aboard, the yacht started sailing.

Sumandal naman ako kay Gotham upang hindi mahilo. Bahagya akong naninibago sa pag-alog ng barko. I was a bit feeling sick with the motion.

“Napapaano ‘yan siya, burarat?” Lumapit sa amin si Badiday.

“She’s feeling dizzy. Don’t worry about Fili, I’ll take care of her. Play with them, Badiday.” Tumango naman ang bata at muling tumakbo. Inalalayan naman ako ni Gotham papasok ng cabin.

Marahan niya akong inihiga sa kama. “Take a nap, maybe, it will make you feel a little better.” I just stared at him. I’ll feel better if he stays with me until I get better. “Do you want me to stay with you?”

I nodded.

Agad naman siyang nahiga sa tabi ko. Pinalitan ng kanyang braso ang unan ko. Hinigit niya ako papalapit sa kanya. We were inches away from one another. Nanunumbalik ang tensyon sa pagitan namin.

He would always claim me whenever we have alone time. Masagana ang sex life namin noon, libog na libog kami sa isa’t isa kahit sa papel lang kami mag-asawa. We really fulfilled our duties as husband and wife.

I wouldn’t hold it against him if he did it with another woman while I was away. It would be unfair for him.

Ako ang may kasalanan. Ako ang lumayo ng walang paalam. I just vanished from his life without saying anything, he didn’t need to be faithful to me. I was the one who broke us…

Sumiksik ako sa kanya at yumakap. I closed my eyes to let myself fell asleep in his arms. I never had a peaceful sleep in the past years. Unti – unti naman akong hinila ng antok.

Nang magising ako, nasa ibabaw na ako ni Gotham, yakap niya ang aking baywang. He was also sleeping. Pinagmasdan ko naman ang kanyang mukhang maamo kapag tulog.

He was right. It helped with the motion sickness I was feeling earlier.

I never had a single bad dream while sleeping in his arms. Then, I heard a click of a sound. Napalingon ako sa gawi na pinagmulan ng tunog. Voight was holding a camera trying to capture us.

Agad naman akong umayos ng tayo. “Can I see the picture?” tanong ko sa bulilit.

He shook his head and ran around the cabin with his camera. “No, no, no! You’re going to d-delete my p-picture!”

“Hindi, why would I delete the picture? Let me see, Voight.” I told him.

Hinabol ko naman siya hanggang tuluyan kong naabutan. Umupo kami sa gilid ng kama. Pinindot – pindot naman niya ang camera upang ipakita sa akin ang mga litrato na kuha niya.

Kanina pa niya hawak ang camera, parehong tulog kami ni Gotham sa litrato. Tawang – tawa siya sa ama.

Halos mapasigaw kami pareho nang may pumulupot sa aming dalawa ni Voight.

“What are you laughing at, Voight Garrison?” Pumailanlang ang malagom na boses ng bagong gising. He rested his face on my shoulder.

“He took a picture of us.”

Nag-angat naman siya ng paningin. His lips formed a subtle smile.

“Let daddy see, my talented son.”

Humagikhik si Voight habang ipinapakita niya ang mga litrato sa ama, ang excitement ni Gotham nauwi sa pagkunot ng noo. His pictures weren’t even bad, he was still handsome.

“Voight, why would you even take pictures of us while sleeping? Look, daddy’s eyes were closed.” Nagreklamo pa siya.

Mas lalo namang tumawa ang kanyang anak. “It’s f-funny, daddy. You look p-panget! Your eyes is c-closed because you’re s-sleeping! Why would it be o-open?”

Simula na naman ng asaran nilang dalawa. Lagi namang panalo si Voight. Paano ba namang matatalo si Voight gayung sanay na sanay sa tatlong batang babae? They trained him.

Their relationship was cute. Kitang – kita kung gaano kamahal ni Gotham ang anak sa paraang alam niya.

“Why don’t you take a picture of us now?” saad ni Gotham.

Agad namang sumunod si Voight. Minsan lang mautusan ang munti kaya tuwang – tuwa ang ama, ang laki ng ngisi niya sa labi habang nakaakbay sa akin.

“Fili, smile!” utos niya. “I haven’t seen you smile!”

I tried to oblige. Nauwi naman iyon sa pagngiwi. It wasn’t naturally occuring to me.

Hinalikan ni Gotham ang pisngi ko, I was stunned and Voight captured it. Muli siyang tumakbo pabalik sa amin upang ipakita ang litrato. He was so proud of his masterpiece.

“Very good, son. What do you like? I’ll print this picture, this deserves to be hanging in the wall.” Hindi niya pinansin ang ama. Tumayo si Voight upang magpantay kaming dalawa.

“You should smile, Fili.” Hinawakan niya ang aking mukha.

Voight was trying to stretch my lips into a smile. Ever since Russle died, it was hard for me to accomplish things as simple as smiling. The light of life was taken away from me.

“Voight, don’t do that. Fili will smile if she wants to.” Kinabig naman niya si Voight.

“Why can’t she smile, daddy?” He asked curiously.

“She doesn’t feel like smiling right now. Maybe, when the time comes, she’ll feel like smiling again. Make her happy always.” Gotham explained. “Give some kiss to daddy.”

“I don’t w-want to kiss you, daddy!” Tumalon siya patungo sa akin. “I’m h-hungry, Fili.”

“There’s a chef onboard, Voight.”

Sumimangot naman siya sa sinabi ng ama. Nabasa ko na agad ang gusto niyang mangyari. His wants were easy to read. Mabait naman si Voight lalo na kapag naibibigay ang kanyang gusto.

It wasn’t always like that. Sometimes, there was no way his requests could be accomplished. Hindi naiiwasan ang tantrums niya. After long explanations, he would come to understand as well.

Now, he doesn’t want to eat anything I didn’t cook. Napailing naman ako. Hindi naman ganoon kasarapan ang aking luto.

***

The kids were still enjoying the pool after the dinner. Binantayan naman sila ni Gotham habang karga ko naman si Voight, ayaw niya pang makipaglaro. He was a bit sleepy already, but he didn’t want to go to the cabin yet. Pagod na pagod siya sa paglalaro sa buong maghapon.

Voight was the youngest among the kids. Sometimes, he couldn’t keep up with the energy of the older kids.

Tumabi sa amin si Badiday. Tinusok – tusok niya ang pisngi ni Voight. Nakapikit na ang batang makulit. Napailing naman ako.

“Hindi pa kayo nilalamig?” tanong ko sa kanya.

She shook her head. “Maga-date pa ngani kami ng boypren ko.”

“Boyfriend?” paglilinaw ko.

Kumunot naman ang aking noo. Uso na ba iyon sa mga bata? Si Voight din, mayroon daw siyang dalawang girlfriend. But he was mistaken with that. Sabagay, kahit ang kapatid ko mayroon ding crush dati.

“Oo, boypren. Hindi ngani laang niya alam. Ako lang ang may alam ay.”

Napailing naman ako sa sagot niya. Ginulo ko ang kanyang buhok. Crush niya pala si Freedom, anak ni Justise at Priam. Kasama rin namin ang batang lalaki sa cruising ng yacht.

Their definition of boyfriend and girlfriend thing was always funny.

“Hindi baya namin alam na may asawa na pala si Burarat. Paano man kayo nagkakilala? Saka bakit man wala ka nang matagal?” sunod – sunod niyang tanong.

Akala ko pa naman tapos na kami sa interview part, pero ang dami na naman niyang tanong. Ang totoo, hindi ko rin alam kung paano idedetalye ang unang pagkakilala namin dalawa.

Iyong ibang tanong nila, paulit – ulit lang.

How am I supposed to tell her without mentioning the full details? Once I answered her question, masusundan iyon ng panibagong tanong.

The kids didn’t have to know my illegal activities before… baka akalain nilang tama iyon.

Yes, the cause was right, but it was still bad. I still did bad things to save my brother from his heart illness… only to lose him because of the people who was haunting me. It should’ve been me… not him.

Hindi rin nagtagal, pinapunta na ni Gotham ang mga bata sa cabin. We would be staying in a big room just in case they got scared of the sea.

“Let me get him. Are you tired?” Lumapit sa amin si Gotham.

Umiling naman ako. “Ayos lang. Hindi naman mabigat si Voight.”

He tried to carry him. Hindi pa man siya nabubuhat ng tuluyan, nagising siya at pumalahaw ng iyak. Muli ko siyang binuhat.

“Shh, it’s okay. It’s just daddy trying to make you comfortable…”

Patuloy kong hinaplos ang kanyang likod. Muli akong naupo at sumandal sa beach chair. Gotham sat on the chair next to me. He was trying to calm Voight by caressing his back.

Muli siyang bumalik sa mahimbing na tulog.

My eyes focused on the sky. It was shining brightly than ever. Maraming mga bituin sa malawak na kalangitan. Russle was probably watching us from up there. Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi.

“He’s so clingy to you, Fili. You’re now his favorite more than me.” There was a small smile plastered on his face. “He really wants to have a mother figure.”

“You should’ve given him someone… someone more capable than me,” sinabi ko. “Hindi naman ako magagalit, Gotham. Kasalanan ko naman. Ako ang nang-iwan. Ako ang bumitiw. It was unfair to you.”

“You aren’t replaceable, Fili. I would still wait in uncertainty.” Hindi ko magawang tingnan siya sa mata. “It scared me I couldn’t find you… and Russle that day. You were good in hiding.”

Nabalot ng katahimikan ang paligid. I never wanted to be found.

“I’m sorry, Gotham…” I said with sincerity. “I’m sorry for leaving you… I’m sorry for leaving you alone with Voight… even if I said I would guide you be a better parent. I’m sorry for all the things I couldn’t tell yet…”

Pinaharap niya ako sa kanya. Dinampian niya nang masuyong halik ang aking mga mata, ilong, at panghuli… ang aking labi. It was the first time he kissed me properly on the lips again after being apart for too long.

Masuyo, sabik pero ramdam ko ang pangungulila sa bawat hagod ng kanyang labi. My eyes started to weep. Patuloy ang pagbuhos ng aking emosyon sa halik na pinagsaluhan naming dalawa.

I missed his kisses. I missed his calming presence. I missed him so much.

“Don’t cry.” Pinahid niya ang luha ko sa pisngi. “I missed you, sweetheart.”

Kinabig niya ako papalapit sa kanya at niyakap. Napapagitnaan namin ang kanyang anak.

“Daddy and Fili, I’m sandwiched!” reklamo nito.

Natawa naman kami pareho at naglayo. Nagmulat siya ng paningin. He slowly reached my face. “Why are you l-laughing now? You’re laughing with daddy! You’re a traitor, Fili!” Sumimangot siya.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Gotham. Pinisil ko naman ang kanyang pisngi. “‘Wag nang magalit, tulog na…” Hinalikan ko siya sa noo. Mahihirapan yata kaming pabalikin siya sa pagtulog dahil naudlot na ito.

Pinagtabi ni Gotham ang dalawang beach chair para tabi kaming tatlo habang nagkukuwentuhan.

“Come here, son. Let Fili have some rest.” Tinapik niya ang kanyang hita upang doon maupo si Voight, hindi naman niya pinansin ang paanyaya ng ama. Nanatili siyang nakapulupot sa akin.

“I w-want to d-draw on your face, daddy.”

“Next time, come here first. You don’t want daddy anymore since Fili arrived.” Ngumuso naman siya at lumipat patungo sa daddy niya. “Are you happy that Fili is here?”

He shook his head and buried his face on Gotham’s chest.

“Voight, I’m not raising you to lie. I always tell you to be honest, right?” Gotham said firmly, he wasn’t kidding this time.

Voight tried to pinch him on the shoulder while glaring at his father. “Don’t pinch or hurt someone if you’re being shy about the truth,”

“Fili, daddy’s being m-mean!” sumbong niya sa akin. He pouted at me.

Muli siyang bumalik sa akin at yumakap. “You’re happy I’m here?” I teased him.

Mas lalo naman niyang ibinaon ang mukha sa leeg ko. I grinned. Humalakhak naman si Gotham sa inasta ng kanyang anak. Nagsumiksik siya sa akin at mahinang humikbi. Umiling ako nang nagtama ang aming paningin.

“‘Wag na magtampo, nagjo-joke lang si daddy mo… Gotham, say sorry.” Iniangat ko ang kanyang mukha upang tuyuin ang kanyang pisngi.

“Dad’s just being silly, I’m sorry, son. Forgive daddy.” Hinalikan niya ang kabuuan ng mukha ni Voight. “Still, don’t pinch anyone, okay?”

“I’m only p-pinching you, daddy. Because you’re a-annoying!” He pouted.

“Kaya naman pala, annoying mo naman, Gotham,” gatong ko pa sa mag-ama.

“I thought we’re a team, Fili?” Ginaya niya ang ekspresyon ng anak.

Mas lalong naging magkamukha ang dalawa. Gusto ko sana iyong kuhanan ng litrato, wala lang malapit na camera. Wala man lang naiambag ang nagluwal kay Voight. Purong mukha ni Gotham ang nakuha niya, pati ekspresyon ay iisa.

“No, daddy!” Voight shook his head. “We’re kampi, not you and Fili! Right, Fili?” He hugged my neck.

Kinuha naman ni Gotham ang braso ko na pilit hinihigit ni Voight. Napailing na lang ako sa away ng mag-ama. They are so chaotic.

“Why don’t we sleep? It’s late already,” saad ko sa dalawa.

Finally, nagkaroon din sila ng pagkakasunduan. Bumaba si Voight sa reclining beach chair. Humawak siya sa kaliwa kong kamay. Pinagsalikop naman ni Gotham ang aming daliri.

We headed to our cabin.

***

Another day means another exhausting day.

Umaga pa lang sobra nang energy ng mga bata. Pati ako’y isinali nila sa habulan. I ended up climbing anything I could climb just to avoid being taya, but the kids are resourceful and competitive.

They tried to go fishing after the energy burst early in the morning. Sinamahan naman sila ni Gotham, lahat nang mahuhuli nilang isda ay iihawin para sa pananghalian.

I went with them, but I didn’t bother catching a fish.

Magaling manghuli ng isda ang tatlong batang babae, ang sabi nila sa akin, lumaki sila malapit sa dagat at isinasama sila kung minsan sa laot. Sanay na sanay sila sa ganoong aktibidades, samantalang kita ko ang frustration sa mukha ni Voight.

I tried to be supportive of him, encouraging him with words, Freedom was kind enough to help him.

Tumalon – talon naman si Voight nang magawa niyang makahuli ng isda. Agad siyang tumakbo sa akin upang yumakap, bitbit niya ang isda ipinagmalaki sa akin pagkatapos ay lumapit kay Gotham.

Gotham took a picture of him with the fish he caught. Ngiting – ngiti ang munti na may kasama pang hagikhik. Pinicture-an niya ang mga bata kasama ang kanilang mga huli.

“Are you happy?” I asked Voight.

He nodded his head.

Lahat sila ay masaya sa kanilang huling isda. We had fun grilling the fish and eating them. Masarap dahil fresh at bagong huli. It also kept the kids busy for hours.

Nagpaluto na lang kami ng merienda sa mga batang gusto pang lumangoy.

“Why? Daddy, I still want to s-stay here…”

Naabutan ko ang panaghoy ni Voight, ilang araw lang ang sinabi ni Gotham na pananatili sa yacht ng mga bata. The other kids have their classes.

“We talked already, right? Freedom and the girls have classes.” Gotham explained softly.

I bit my lower lip. Ayoko sanang pangunahan ang usapan nilang mag-ama kaya lang bumibigat ang loob ko… Russle didn’t want to leave the yacht as well, but I didn’t want him to miss his classes after our short vacation. If I only knew, sana pinagbigyan ko na lang siya.

“P’wede naman sigurong ihatid muna natin ang mga bata… tapos p’wede pang mag-stay si Voight hanggang kailan niya gusto.” They both looked at me. “Akin lang naman, p’wede namang hindi mo sundin.”

Voight went up to me. Nakahanap siya ng kakampi.

I was trying to be cold as ice… malambot pa rin ang puso ko pagdating sa mga bata.

Sinunod naman iyon ni Gotham. Pagkatapos naming maihatid ang mga bata, nag-stay pa kami sa yacht ng isang araw. Hindi rin nakapag-enjoy ang batang makulit dahil na-miss agad niya ang mga kalaro.

Napailing na lang si Gotham nang muling humiling si Voight na bumalik na kami sa siyudad.

Bumalik kaming siyudad na bahagyang maayos. There was a mutual understanding. Hindi pa naman lubos na nagkakaintindihan, hindi ko pa rin nasasabi sa kanya ang mahahalagang bagay… napanatag ako ng bahagya.

He was waiting for me to be finally comfortable opening up with all the pain I’ve endured throughout the years.

Hindi pa man sa ngayon, pero darating ang panahon…

“Fili, come quickly! The m-movie is about to s-start!” Tumakbo siya sa direksyon ko, tinulungan naman ako ni Voight na dalhin ang mga snacks namin sa panonood. This time, it’s Gotham’s turn to choose a movie. Gumitna si Voight sa aming dalawa. He made us as his barricade in case a scary ghost came up in the screen. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Gotham. He was clearly planning something. Paiiyakin na naman yata niya ang bata.

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