Runaway

Chapter 4

“Toto, not like that!” I could hear Gab’s giggle all the way to the kitchen. I am cooking our lunch while the two of them play in the living room

This is not how I envision their meeting, what I have in mind is that after everything and once I have explained to Khalil everything that happened, then I will tell him about Gabrielle. I imagine us in a private room, talking about the things Khalil missed in Gabrielle’s life.

I know that sooner or later we will be found by Khalil, I know he’s close, but I didn’t think that he’s this close. My heart aches knowing that it’s my fault that Gabrielle didn’t know his father’s name, and how Khalil lived for three years without knowing about Gabrielle’s existence.

“Hey” I was startled when someone spoke at the door, cutting my fingers in the process as I was cutting something.

“H-hey, ahm..do you need something?” I hesitantly asked because I could already feel the pain of my wound. I didn't notice that Khalil had entered the kitchen because I was so deep in thought.

“Your wound’s deep” I was startled when he held my hand and looked at my wound. It was already bleeding and it did seem deep.

"I'm fine, do you need anything?" I asked as I pulled my hand away from his and walked towards the sink. I didn't want him near me; it felt like I couldn't breathe when he was close.

"Where’s your first aid kit?" he asked, ignoring my question as if he hadn't heard it. I saw him walk towards the bathroom by the kitchen and look at something there. He walked towards me when he found the first aid kit and grabbed my hand gently.

“Let me see”. He opened the kit and took out the ointment for the wound. He put some ointment on the cotton he was holding and gently dabbed it on my finger. I quickly pulled away because of the sting, causing him to look at me. I immediately put my hand back and looked away.

"Still jumpy, aren't you?" He asked as he applied the ointment to my fingers again.

“N-no, I just thought you and Gab were busy in the living room, so I was surprised when you spoke.” I looked down, realizing my explanation might have been too long. Well, it’s his fault anyway that I got wounded.

“Gab’s mine, right?” He asked when we were silent. I wanted to make a sarcastic remark because it's obvious from Gab's face that he is the father.

“Can’t you see his face? It’s literally yours”. I wanted to slap myself because I couldn't hold my tongue and ended up making a sarcastic remark at him. Well, Gabrielle’s face is enough proof that he is Khalil’s.

“Did you know that you’re pregnant when you left me?” His voice was laced with contained anger and pain. I could sense how he was just restraining himself from saying more, his jaw was moving from how he’s stopping himself.

“Y-yes” I answered him, trembling. I just closed my eyes because at the same time as I answered, he let go of my hand. I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. I calmed myself, trying to stop myself from crying.

“Are you that cru–” He didn’t get to finish his sentence when Gab entered the kitchen, and I don’t know if I should be thankful for that

“Toto, what took you so long? I thought you’re just going to drink water”, Gab was frowning as soon as he entered the kitchen and snorted while asking Khalil.

“I’m sorry, kiddo. I just treated your father’s wound”, Khalil explained, and went to Gab.

“What happened, Papa? Are you okay? Does it hurt?” Gab asked one question after another and ran closer to me.

“Papa’s okay” I said as I caressed his cheeks. I calmed down while holding Gab's cheek. He has this calming presence that makes me calm every time he’s within my reach.

“Go back to playing, I’ll continue cooking”. I turned my back on both of them. I can't bear to see Khalil pretending that we are fine in front of our son. Our situation is far from okay.

“Come on, kiddo. Let’s continue playing”, I heard Khalil say, and I looked at them, and he was holding Gab's hand as he left and went to the living room.

I don't know how I managed to finish cooking while my whole mind was occupied with something. Fortunately, even though I was occupied, I was not injured and nothing happened.

I don’t know where to start explaining to Khalil. Yes, I’m mad at him, but I also know that he doesn’t deserve not to be able to meet and be with Gab in his first three years.

Khalil insisted on washing the dishes, “You’re the one who cooks, besides your wound is still fresh”, he said as he rolled his sleeves up.

So I just gave Gab a bath since it was already afternoon, and he was feeling sleepy. Gab often falls asleep in the afternoon or after eating because he's also tired from school. So after Gab took a bath, he fell asleep right away.

I saw Khalil in the living room, seemingly talking to someone on his cellphone, so I went straight to the kitchen to drink some water. I could already feel he had many questions, so I really needed the water.

"Shiloah," I stilled when Khalil called my name. It’s the same tone he uses whenever he doesn’t like what I did or when we’re about to have a serious discussion.

“Ask away” I took a deep breath before facing him and gave him an uncertain smile. I really couldn't avoid him anymore.

“I have someplace to be, so I’ll cut this short for now. I want Gab to know that I am his father and not one of his uncles”, he said with finality in his voice.

“C-can I ahm…c-can we explain it to Gab some other time?” I saw how the emotion on his face changed after I said that.

“Please.. I don't know if Gab’s ready for that, Khalil. He’s just a child, let’s take it slow”, I explained further. I can see that he calmed down a bit after that.

"Then I want him with me". He bargained. And it was as if I lost my breath because of what he wanted to happen.

"W-what?" I stuttered.

"You heard me. We're taking it slow, but I want him to be with me." His voice is laced with finality, as if nothing can change it.

"N-no...y-you can't take him" I could feel the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. This was what I had been dreading, that he would take my child away from me. I could also feel my knees gradually starting to shake.

“Shiloah ca–” I can hear him talking to me, but I can’t seem to understand a word he’s saying. All I could think about are ways to hide Gabrielle from him, so that he can’t take my son away from me.

“Shi–”

“No! You can’t take my son away from me, Archimedes! You can’t!” I shouted at him as he went closer and held my arms.

“Calm down!” I only came to my senses when I heard Khalil's loud voice. He took a deep breath after seeing me calm down.

“P-please…don’t take him. Gab is my life, Khalil. I am begging you” I said, crying and trembling. I can’t let him take my Gabrielle away from me.

“Shiloah, I won’t take Gabrielle away from you. You’re coming with us, I want you both beside me” he said. He wrapped me in his arms and waited for me to totally calm down before saying that he needed to go.

“I’ll come again tomorrow, okay?” I just nodded as he walked away.

I know we still have a lot to discuss and clarify with each other. But there is one thing I'm sure of: I will protect Gab from anyone who tries to separate us.