Guarded (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Nauna pa ang pagsisiping namin kaysa paliwanag ko at pagsasabi ng totoo. Sabik na sabik siyang inangkin ako buong gabi sa iba’t ibang posisyon. He kissed every part of my body. Wala siyang pinalampas.

I just realized how much he missed me… how he missed fucking me.

Pati ang shower, hindi niya pinalampas. Inangkin niya ako sa ilalim ng dutsa habang nakatayo kaming dalawa. My breasts were pushed toward the glass door.

Tangina ni Gotham, sinagad ang enerhiya ko at buong pagkatao.

Pagkatapos naming naligo, pinalitan ko ang mga kobre kama at nilinisan ang kabuuan ng penthouse lalo na ang mga parte kung saan niya ako inangkin.

Mayroon kaming batang malikot na kasama sa bahay, baka bigla na lang siyang makadampot ng kung ano… dapat malinis iyon at walang bahid ng mahalay naming tagpo.

Hindi naman iyon mahalay, gawain naman ng mag-asawa. Kasal pa rin kaming dalawa.

Si Gotham? Tulog na tulog ang gago.

Kung pagod ako, ‘di hamak na mas pagod ang aking asawa, siya naman ang gumawa ng lahat ng pagbayo, bumukaka lang ako at umibabaw sa kanya.

I was already done in the kitchen when I heard the door opened. Alam ko agad na si Voight iyon. Naghugas ako ng kamay nang marinig ko ang pagtawag niya.

“Fili! Fili!” Nakasalubong ko pa siyang galing sa kuwarto. Akala yata niya tulog pa ako.

His eyes lit up seeing me. Suot niya ang backpack sa likod niya, patakbo siyang tumungo sa akin. Pumantay naman ako ng tayo upang yakapin siya. Nakasunod sa kanya si Priam kasama si Freedom, he motioned to be going already.

“Say bye to Kuya Freedom and Uncle Priam,” I told Voight.

Nag-angat naman siya ng paningin. He waved his hand on them. “Bye, Priam! Bye, Freedom!”

“Bye, Voight!” Freedom smiled.

“Say thank you to them… they invited you to have fun,” sinabi ko pa.

I was just trying to remind him. It was okay if he didn’t want to say those things yet. I made sure every time he was doing something for me, I would tell him my gratitude.

“Thank you!” pahabol niya sa dalawa.

“You’re welcome, Voight.” Freedom answered.

They left the penthouse.

Ngumiti naman ako. “You’re very good. Did you have fun?” tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumango naman siya. “Why didn’t you extend?”

“I… I m-miss your pancakes!” saad niya. “I don’t w-want you and daddy w-watch movie without me!” Ngumuso siya.

“We won’t. I won’t let your daddy watch a movie without you.”

Iniupo ko naman siya sa upuan. Sakto lang ang dating niya, mayroon na akong niluto. I thought, he would be brought a little later, but he arrived early in the morning. He was already unpacking his backpack while I prepared his breakfast.

Inilapag ko iyon sa harap niya. I was waiting for him to ask me to feed him. Sometimes, he wants me to feed him. Minsan naman gusto niyang siya ang gagawa noon.

Kinuha naman niya ang kamay ko, may isinuot siya roon. It was a bracelet.

Hindi siya tumingin sa akin, nagsimula na siyang kumain.

I looked at the bracelet he gave me. DIY bracelet iyon na mayroong pangalan ko saka heart. Napangiti naman ako.

“Did you make it for me?” I asked him.

He shook his head, but his face was red. It was an indication he was lying. Masyado siyang halata kapag nagsisinungaling.

“Hindi ko kabati ang nagsisinungaling,” pasimple kong sabi.

He pouted. “I m-made it, but it’s not c-cute! Their bracelets are c-cute. I’m the only one with… not c-cute bracelet.”

“What? Sinong nagsabing hindi cute?” tanong ko sa kanya.

“M-me.”

Pinaharap ko naman siya sa akin. Pinisil ko ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi. I was touched that he even made bracelet for me.

“It’s lovely, Voight. I love it.” I said and kissed his forehead. “Thank you, Voight.”

“They can m-make flowers on their bracelet. Bebang is trying to t-teach me, but I don’t g-get it!” sumbong pa niya.

“It’s okay. It’s beautiful even without flowers.” Ngumiti ako. “Hm, how about we try to learn making flowers next time? Do you like the idea?”

Tumango naman siya. Ibinigay niya sa akin ang fork at pancake knife. I cut his pancake into bitesize and feed it to him.

“Did you make your daddy a bracelet?”

He giggled.

Kinuha niya ang kanyang bag saka ipinakita sa akin ang ginawa niyang bracelet. It had daddy on it with a poop and skull emoji. Natawa naman ako at nakipag-apir sa kanya.

Magrereklamo na naman iyon dahil heart ang emoji ng akin, but deep inside, I know he’ll be happy receiving a small gift and gesture from Voight.

“Is daddy still a-asleep?”

I nodded. “Do you want more?”

Voight shook his head. Pinainom ko siya ng tubig nang maubos niya ang pancake.

“Ano pang ginawa n’yo sa sleepover?”

“We played… lots of fun!” He started to detail everything with his little giggles. I was sure he really had fun on the sleepover. “Let’s g-go to daddy!”

Nagpabuhat siya sa akin na sinunod ko naman. Dinala ko rin ang kanyang backpack. We went to the room. Sa iisang kuwarto na an inookupa namin sa pagtulog, iyon ang request ni Voight noong nakaraan.

Nanatiling nakadapa pa sa kama si Gotham. Tumalon naman agad si Voight sa kanyang likod. He kept jumping up and down.

“Voight…” I called him. “Baka masaktan ang daddy mo.”

Tumigil naman siya. “Daddy, I’m here!” sigaw niya sa tainga ni Gotham.

Gumalaw naman ang kamay ng aking asawa upang i-wrestling ang anak. “I know you’re here, how’s your stay there?” Tumihaya naman siya. His eyes stared at me.

Bigla naman akong na-conscious, kahit mayroon akong suot na damit, parang hubad pa rin ako kung tingnan niya. He pat his other side. Naupo ako pero hinigit niya ako pahiga sa tabi niya.

“Daddy, I have p-pasalubong for you!” Iniabot niya ang backpack niya upang kuhanin ang bracelet sa loob. Isinuot niya iyon kay Gotham.

“Cool. This is such a cool bracelet, anak. Daddy loves it. Thank you.” Hinalikan niya ang sentido ni Voight. “Did you make Fili a bracelet, too?”

I showed my bracelet to him. “She has heart! I got a poop and a skull!”

Humalakhak naman si Voight. “Daddy, mukhang tae!” He stuck his tongue out. I laughed with him.

Gotham started to tickle him. “Stop, daddy. I can’t b-breathe!”

Tumigil naman si Gotham, humimlay si Voight sa kanyang tabi. Magkatapat kaming dalawa. Inabot naman niya ang aking pisngi.

“Daddy, you’re not h-helping Fili in the kitchen.”

“Daddy was tired last night…” Sinulyapan naman niya ako na may halong lagkit. My face was getting crimson. Kinurot ko naman ang kanyang braso ng hindi nahahalata ni Voight.

“You p-played without me?” Kunot na ang noo ng bata.

“Hindi… we wouldn’t play without you.” I poked his cheeks.

Nawala naman ang kunot niyang noo. Pasimple kong inirapan si Gotham. They continued their talk, I couldn’t keep up anymore. Unti – unti akong hinihila ng antok habang nasa bisig ng asawa ko.

Now they are talking in hushed voices.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakatulog. Nang gumising ako, nakahiga pa rin ako sa braso ni Gotham. He was staring at my face with such gentleness. Mukhang tulog din si Voight sa kabilang gilid niya na mahigpit na nakayakap sa ama.

The scene was too cute.

It probably feels numb catering two people in his arms. Bahagya akong nag-angat ng ulo.

“Where are you going?” He asked me.

“I’m just giving you space. Hindi ba namamanhid ang braso mo?” Minasahe ko iyon.

“Come on, Fili. Nothing would hurt me when you’re this close.”

“Hindi ka ba nagugutom? You haven’t eaten breakfast.”

“I’m full, sweetheart. You fed me well last night, remember?” Ngumisi siya.

Kinuha ko naman ang unan para ihampas sa kanya. Pulam – pula ang aking mukha. He caught me a bit off guard with that banter. Tama naman siya. We were both full temporarily.

He would crave for me the same way I would crave for him…

Muli akong nahiga sa kanyang braso. I nuzzled his neck. He smells so good.

Gotham kept caressing my hair.

I slept well whenever I’m with them. Nightmares couldn’t get me. Payapa ang aking pagkatao.

“Do you want to continue your studies, sweetheart?” He asked softly.

Nag-angat ako ng paningin, umiling ako sa kanyang tanong.

I was given opportunity before, but I wasted the chance. Wala na akong lakas upang mag-aral pang muli, wala na rin akong motibasyon. Maybe, in the future. I was just merely surviving right now.

“Didn’t you miss me? You’ve been gone for long, Fili. It’s the most excruciating pain I’ve ever known. I’d rather take a bullet than spend another month or years without you again,” seryoso niyang wika.

“I’m sure you have women on the sides,” komento ko.

He looked offended by my assumption. Nagsalubong ang kanyang dalawang kilay. I was enjoying his annoyance.

“You can ask everyone if I have other women when you’re gone.”

Ngumisi naman ako. Bumulong ako sa kanyang tainga. “Kaya pala tigang na tigang ka…” I didn’t want his son to hear what I said.

Minsan pa naman akala namin tulog siya, iyon pala nakikinig lang ito ng usapan. I was sure he was telling it to the other kids he was playing with. Tsismoso rin ang makulit na bata.

“Those were years of semen I buried into you…”

Napalunok ako.

Last night, he was totally a beast in bed.

Hindi lang sa kama niya ako inangkin. Sinulit niya ang ilang taon naming magkalayo sa isa’t isa. But the hunger for each other didn’t stop there… it just continued the fire. Inaabangan kong muli ang aming pagtatalik.

***

Gotham ordered the DIY bracelet beads for us to try making it. I kept watching some tutorials on the internet to teach Voight how to do flowers on making a bracelet. Magkasabay kaming nanonood sa Ipad niya.

He has his own gadgets, but with supervised time. Hindi rin naman siya mahilig gumamit noon dahil madalas siyang naglalaro o mayroong aktibidad na ginagawa. He’s such a busy kid to be focusing on his gadgets.

I was just giving him the beads and instructing him what to do next. Tuwang tuwa siya nang makagawa siya ng isang flower hanggang masundan iyon at mabuo niya ang bracelet.

“I made it, Fili!” He was jumping up and down with joy.

Sinukat niya iyon sa aking wrist. His happiness was lighting up the whole room. Gotham joined us with our fun activity. Nagpaturo din siya sa akin sa paggawa ng bracelet.

I made three bracelets.

One for Gotham, one for Voight, and one for Russle.

My brother would love making these bracelets with us, I missed him a lot.

Sinuot ko kay Voight ang bracelet na gawa ko. It was just simple with flowers and heart beads with his nickname on it.

Botbot. He pouted but he didn’t say anything.

I also wrapped the bracelet on Gotham’s wrist. Pinili ko iyong pinakamakulay na beads para gawing design ng bracelet, imbes na pangalan niya, Panget ang nilagay ko.

He kept the black-beaded bracelet Voight made for him, it was the exact opposite of mine with the colorful beads. He was goofy about receiving such bracelet.

I slid Russle’s bracelet on my wrist. Ibibigay ko iyon sa kanya kapag dumalaw akong muli sa kanyang puntod. Magpupumilit na naman si Voight na pumunta kami sa libingan ng kapatid ko.

Kinuha ni Gotham ang kamay ko. He looked at the two bracelet on my wrist. Wala akong nakuhang reaksyon mula sa kanya. He simply put another bracelet on my wrist with my name and his name on it.

Fili ♡Gotham.

Natawa ako at inirapan ko siya.

Hindi pa niya pinakawalan ang aking kamay, muli niyang sinuot ang isa pang bracelet sa aking kamay.

Agad na nawala ang ngiti ko sa labi. My heart stopped for a moment. Alam ko kung para kanino iyon.

It was for Russle.

Big boy.

It was what he used to call my brother before. Tumungo naman siya kay Voight upang ilagay ang bracelet sa kanyang anak. Hindi naman ako makagalaw sa aking tayo.

Natatakot akong kapag gumalaw ako, bubuhos ang emosyong pinipigilan ko.

Muling bumalik sa akin si Gotham, kinabig niya ang aking tagiliran. Sumubsob ako sa kanyang dibdib. I let my tears out and dried it using his shirt. Alam kong alam niya ang natura kong pag-iyak.

Naramdaman ko na lang ang pangangakyat ni Voight sa amin ng kanyang ama. Ayaw niyang magpahuli sa pagyakap sa amin. Gotham supported him. Agad ko namang inayos ang aking sarili.

“Daddy, you’re s-strong…” pambobola ni Voight sa ama. “I… I want to p-paint your face! You promised!”

“Daddy will buy you a face paint. It’s hard to remove your pen and markers.”

Nag-angat ako ng paningin. “Sumakit ang pisngi ko sa pagtanggal ng mga koloreteng inilagay mo sa mukha ko…”

Humagikhik siya. Hinaplos niya ang aking pisngi. “You’re s-sleeping for a long time, Fili! I was bored watching you s-sleep! Daddy told me to watch you closely.”

“Why?” Pinisil ko ang kanyang pisngi.

“So, you won’t l-leave us again!”

Huminga naman ako nang malalim sa narinig. Iniwasan ko ang mga mata ni Gotham na nakamasid sa akin.

Kung mayroon akong pagkakataong baguhin ang lahat, baka piliin ko ring hindi sila iwan. Pero anong kasiguruhan kong hindi mananalo si Bernabe noong araw na iyon? He couldn’t win against me so he took my most important piece.

Paano kung nanatili ako? Paano kung hindi lang si Russle ang nawala sa akin? Hindi ko alam. Wala akong kasagutan.

***

Ilang araw nang puro panakaw na sulyap at halik lang si Gotham simula ng huling sleepover ni Voight. He kept asking his son if there’s another schedule of the sleepover for kids.

Mayroon kaming usapan na hindi namin p’wedeng damhin ang isa’t isa kapag malapit ang kanyang anak. I don’t want to taint his innocent mind. Para pa namang kabute ang bata, sumusulpot na lang bigla.

He’s still innocent. Nabanggit niya ng minsan ang sex, pero akala niya tsokolate ito.

Hindi naman siya binigo ni Voight, mayroon siyang sleepover. To Gotham’s disappointment, the sleepover will be held in the penthouse. I was laughing seeing his defeated expression.

Akala yata niya maaangkin na naman niya kahit isang buong araw lang.

Nag-set na si Voight ng sleepover sa mga bulilit. He already called Justise, and Aramis to ask for Freedom and the three girls.

Tumungo naman kaming tatlo sa mall upang bumili ng mga kakailanganin ng mga bata. Nauna kaming pumunta sa grocery store, pinaghandaan ko rin ang kakainin nila. I asked Voight their favorite foods to try to make them.

They accompanied me, not to help me, mas lalong sumakit ang ulo ko sa dalawa. Ginawa pa nilang playground ang store. Kinurot ko na si Gotham, siya pa ang pasimuno sa anak.

Pumila kami sa counter, palagi namang hindi nasusunod ang mga kailangan kong bilhin. They always add more to the shopping cart.

“Fili…” I heard Gotham trying to get my attention. Kanina ko pa siyang hindi pinapansin. “Voight’s biting my cheek!”

I completely ignored him. Ako na ang kasunod sa pila. “Ang cute po ng family n’yo, ma’am. Ang cute ng mag-ama,” komento ng cashier.

Ngumiti naman ako. “Thank you.” I simply said.

Nakaramdam na lang ako na lumambitin si Voight sa aking leeg. Nakaalalay sa likod niya sa Gotham, sinalo ko naman at kinarga ang bata. Nakahawak naman sa tagiliran ko ang ama.

“I’m b-behaved,” rinig kong bulong ni Voight.

Gotham paid for the groceries. It would be packed by them. Mga tauhan naman ni Gotham ang bahalang mag-uwi noon.

Sunod naming pinuntahan ang shop para sa mga laruan, inflatable toys at camping materials. Gotham suggested indoor camping for the kids. Nagustuhan naman ni Voight ang ideya.

We had an ice cream break after shopping. Hindi na rin naman agad kami nagtagal sa mall, kailangan pa naming i-set up ang mga pinamiling camping materials at saka inflatable.

Umuwi kami sa penthouse ng hindi pinapansin si Gotham.

“Fili…” He kept tailing me in the penthouse. “Fili, talk to me, please.”

Humarap ako at inirapan ko naman siya. “Ano bang pag-uusapan? Anong topic?” Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

“Anything. Casual talks. Just give me your attention, I badly need it.” His expression looked sad.

“Papansin kasi…” Inirapan ko siya. “Sa grocery pa kayo nag-aaway at naglilikot.”

Lumapit siya, hinawakan niya ang aking baywang. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. Please, forgive me.”

Yumuko siya ng bahagya upang halikan ako sa labi. Sinagot ko naman iyon ng halik. Naghiwalay naman kami nang tumama ang isang kotseng laruan sapul sa ulo ng asawa ko.

“Daddy, your j-job is not kissing, Fili!” Sumimangot si Voight.

“Voight…” tawag ko sa kanya. “What did I say about hitting people? ‘Di ba, masama iyon?”

Ngumuso naman siya.

“Say sorry to daddy…” I opened my arms to him. Nagpabuhat naman siya sa akin. “Mukhang nasaktan si daddy. Say sorry to him…”

He apologized to Gotham. Napangiti naman ako. I’m sure, it also made Gotham’s day. Voight has this sweetness, it only needs patience.

Pinagtulungan naming tatlo ang paggawa ng tents malapit sa pool area. We also had a set up of inflatable in the pool. Nang matapos kami, um-order si Gotham ng merienda para sa aming tatlo.

“Maybe, we should go back to our old home. It has more space than the penthouse. We could easily build more in the premises. What do you think, sweetheart?” Gotham asked. “What do you think, son?”

“Do I get to s-sleep with you and Fili?” tanong ni Voight.

My husband nodded. “Of course, son.”

“I’m o-okay with that!”

Tumingin sa akin si Gotham. Pinaikot ko naman ang pasta at isinubo iyon kay Voight.

The mansion had a lot of memories with my brother. Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong maramdaman. Maybe, I need to face everything to finally heal. Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi.

“Ikaw ang bahala…” I just said.

He’s right, the penthouse is a bit crowded. Lalo na kapag mayroong mga bisita. Hindi kagaya sa mansyon, malaki pa rin ang espasyo. Pero handa na ba akong harapin ang mga bagay na magpapaalala sa nakaraan? Kaya ko na bang maging matapang?

“I’m sure it’s a good idea.”

***

Sinundo ni Gotham ang mga bata kasama si Voight.

Nagpaiwan naman ako sa penthouse para magluto ng treats ng mga bata. I fried some banana on melting sugar, some hash browns and fries, paborito raw iyon nila. Pancakes naman ang niluto ko para kay Voight.

Hindi na kailangang tanungin kung bakit pancakes sa batang makulit.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko nang marinig ko ang doorbell. Hindi iyon ang mag-ama. They wouldn’t be using the doorbell. Mayroon kaming mga bisita bukod sa mga bata, not that I know of.

I turned off the stove and went to see who the guest was. Sinilip ko muna iyon sa monitor, naka-side view naman ang babae. Tumaas ang kilay ko. Akala ko ba walang ibang naging babae si Gotham?

Binuksan ko ang pinto upang itanong kung anong kailangan ng babae. Humarap siya sa akin ng may ngiti sa labi. Her smile faded when she saw me.

Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

“You’re here?” she scoffed haughtily.

“I should be the one asking you that…”

Hindi ko alam kung paano nakapasok ang babae, nakita ko ang card na hawak niya. She probably stole it… or she had someone in the reception area. She was able to find one.

Bumalik si Celeste.

If I were correct, she also left after Gotham paid her tons of money right after we left. Mukhang ubos na naman ang pera ng babae kaya nanggugulo ito ngayon. I would make sure, she wouldn’t be getting any penny from Gotham again.

“Leave, Celeste,” mariin kong saad.

“I won’t! I will only leave if I have my son back!”

“Ano bang akala mo na p’wede mo lang iwan ang anak mo tapos babalikan mo kung kailan mo gusto? Gago ka ba? I was even generous to you before. Ngayon, hinding – hindi na.” I gritted my teeth.

Bumabalik ang inis at galit ko para sa babae. Hindi ko pa limot na sinaktan niya ang kapatid ko at ang kanyang anak. Ano na naman ang balak niya ngayon? Huthutan na naman ang asawa ko?

Para sa kanya, instrumento lang si Voight upang magkaroon siya ng pera.

“Kapag ginulo mo pa ang pamilya ko… hindi ako magdadalawang – isip na ilagay ka sa lugar mo. Hindi na ako kasingbait ng dati.” Tumawag ako ng mga tauhan ni Gotham upang iligpit ang babae palabas ng building bago pa dumating ang mag-ama kasama ang mga bata.

I also called the receptionist. Hindi naman basta – basta nagpapasok sa condominium building, she just had her way.

“I will get my son!” She screamed at me.

Isinara ko naman ang pinto habang kinakaladkad siya ng mga tauhan ni Gotham. I would talk to my husband about the sudden threat. Bumalik ako sa kusina upang tapusin ang ginagawa ko.

After a few minutes, I heard the voices of the kids running around.

“Fili! Fili!” agad na tumakbo sa akin si Voight.

Binuhat ko naman siya.

He doesn’t kiss me in the cheeks, but he rubs his forehead with mine. Binati rin ako ng mga bata. They hugged me. Inihain ko naman ang mga niluto ko para sa kanila sa dining table habang buhat ko pa rin si Voight.

Wala akong ideya kung hanggang saan ang alam ni Voight patungkol sa kanyang ina. Wala rin akong ideya sa reaksyon niya kapag nagpakita ito.

Nakaramdam ako ng lungkot nang maalala ko ang sinabi niya. She had no mama, because she didn’t like him.

Huling dumating si Gotham. He was probably informed about the commotion earlier, his expression hardened by what happened. Agad naman siyang naging kalmado nang makita niya ako.

I felt a hug from behind. He rested his head on my shoulder.

“Ya, ano mana ‘yan, puro pa-swit!” reklamo ni Badiday.

Tumawa lang si Gotham, pero hindi pa rin siya bumitiw sa pagyakap niya sa akin.

Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran. Sumimangot naman siya nang humiwalay sa akin. We let the kids eat in peace before they start playing. Voight wanted me to feed him. Nang matapos kumain ang mga bata, nagpahina muna sila.

They watched some animated film in the theater first.

Maraming movies na hinanda kami upang pagpilian ng mga bata. They are well-behaved and quiet all throughout the movie. Nagkaroon naman ako ng pagkakataong kausapin si Gotham.

“She’s back…” I told him.

“They told me. Don’t worry, I doubled the security. She can’t do what she did earlier.” Kinabig niya ang baywang ko. “Did she do something to you, sweetheart?”

I shook my head. “I can manage, Gotham. Paano si… does he know? Hanggang saan ang alam niya tungkol sa kanyang ina?”

“He knew she wasn’t present… will never be present.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what else she wanted, I gave her demands just to keep Voight. I only honor her life for him… maybe, one day he would like to know her.”

It was my same reason why I didn’t hurt the woman before… for Voight.

Ayokong kapag lumaki siya at hinanap niya ang kanyang ina, kagagalitan niya ako dahil may ginawa akong masama sa babae. Celeste doesn’t deserve to be a mother, but she happened to be Voight’s mother.

“She’s never part of the picture. You’re the one Voight considers as his mom.”

Pasimple pa niyang inilapit ang kanyang mukha sa akin. He was just targeting my lips. Umirap ako sa ere.

Seryoso ang usapan naming dalawa, pero nanlalandi pa rin siya. Napailing ako.

“Can I have a kiss? I kept craving your lips… your other lips… your body on mine…” It was dangerously flirtatious. Hindi niya ako p’wedeng akitin, my body wants him, too.

“Daddy!” Voight ran toward me.

Pumantay naman ako sa kanya upang buhatin ko siya. Nakita ko naman ang frustration sa ekspresyon ni Gotham. Inuna pa kasi niyang magbitiw ng mga kataga kaysa halikan ako, hindi tuloy siya nakahalik.

“Daddy, we want to w-watch a horror movie, please!”

“Sure, son.” Gotham answered. Pinisil niya ang pisngi ng anak. “I’ll make sure you won’t sleep without thinking about the horror you requested.”

Natawa ako.

He would suffer more, I’m sure Voight wouldn’t sleep without us. His son is the constant cockblocker. Palagi na lang na hindi niya ako malandi dahil laging nadadatnan ni Voight. Nakadikit naman sa akin palagi ang kanyang anak.

We went back to the theater room with Voight. The Conjuring ang request nina Badiday na pinagbigyan naman ni Gotham. Kasama kami sa panonood ng mga bata. Gotham was on the other corner. Katabi niya si Bebang, sumunod naman si Vikray, at Badiday. Si Freedom ang katabi ko, nakaupo sa akin si Voight na nakatahob na ang kamay sa kanyang mata. Nakayakap naman ako sa kanya para hindi siya tuluyang matakot.

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