Kabanata 24
1161 Words
"Are you sure it's okay?" halatang nag-aalalang tanong ni Coal sa akin nang sabihin kong ayos lang kung ako na muna ang mag-aalaga kay Coleen.
He needs to attend an important seminar in Baguio, at kahit gusto sana niya kaming isama ay may pasok din kami ng bata. Wala rin si Maggie dahil sa international conference of dermatologist sa Taiwan, habang inaatake naman ng vertigo ang mommy ni Coal.
I smiled. "It's fine. Magandang way na rin siguro 'to para naman kahit papaano ay makuha ko ang loob niya. I want to win her approval, too. Ayaw kong may sinasagasaan tayong inosenteng bata."
Coal pulled me close then kissed me on my forehead. "Why am I so lucky to have you? Baka kung ibang babae 'to, sinukuan na si Coleen."
"She's a sweet girl. Confused lang siya at hindi alam kung papaano niya iha-handle ang emosyon niya. Besides, Kylie promised to help me take care of her."
"Kumusta na nga pala siya?"
I sighed. "Nasa moving on stage pa rin."
Lumungkot ang mga mata ni Coal. "Wala na ba talagang pag-asang balikan niya si Jolo?"
I shook my head. "Kilala ko si Kylie, Coal. Kapag nagdesisyon 'yon, kahit masakit ay hindi na mababago pa ang isip."
"That's so sad. I know Jolo loves her a lot." He sighed then cupped my cheeks. "Let's just hope for the best para sa kanila. Oo nga pala." He held me by my hand. "Got you a little something."
"What is it?"
He smiled and guided me to sit. Nang makaupo kami sa sofa ay may kinuha siya sa kanyang wallet. Nang makita ko ang credit card mula sa isang prestihiyosong bangko ay kaagad na nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko.
"Para saan 'yan?"
"I added an extension card for you. You can use this whenever you wanna buy something."
"Coal. . . " I sighed. "You just paid my tuition fee. I can't let you do this."
"What's mine is yours now as well."
"But—"
"Kapag lumabas na ang hatol sa annulment case namin, magpapakasal na tayo. Gano'n din naman. Everything will be conjugal."
"Hindi mo man lang ba iko-consider na magkaroon tayo ng pre-nup?"
He smirked. "I know how important pre-nups are, but how could I ask you to sign one if you already own me wholly? The material things don't matter anymore when you already acquired this," he said as he placed my palm against his chest.
Tila may mainit na palad na humaplos sa aking dibdib. Napangiti ako sa kanyang sinabi at hindi napigilang sumandal sa kanyang balikat.
"Matagal-tagal ang limang araw. Mami-miss ka namin."
He pecked a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I'll miss you, too so make sure your phone is always ready for my calls, alright?"
I nodded. Nang magtama ang tingin namin ay kusa na namang kumilos ang aming mga katawan. God, why can't we keep our hands to ourselves even just for a day? Tila wala pa rin kaming kasawaan sa isa't isa kaya naman sinisiguro kong palagi akong nakakainom ng contraceptive pills nang hindi kami masalisihan.
We spent the whole night branding each other, and in between our intimate times, we talk about anything under the sun as if we will never run out of topics to discuss.
Kinabukasan ay ihinatid niya sa condo si Coleen. Sa kotse pa lang ay umaatungal na ang bata dahil ayaw maiwan sa akin kaya parang bigla akong nagsisi na nagprisinta pa akong magbantay.
Coal went on one knee in front of his daughter. "Coleen? I promise you that tita Steph will take good care of you."
She sobbed. "But I don't like her!"
Napabuntonghininga si Coal. "How about you give tita Steph a chance, and once I come back, I promise you that we will go see the pandas you were telling me about."
Suminghot ang bata. "Really?"
"Yes. Do we have a deal?"
Nilingon ako ni Coleen. "Baka paluin niya rin ako, eh parang si Mommy."
"Hindi ko gagawin 'yon, Coleen." I tried to smile. "Pwede tayong maging playmate. Sabi ng daddy mo gusto mo rin matutong mag-bake. We can do that together."
Inirapan niya ako. "Hindi ka naman baker, eh!"
"But tita Steph is willing to learn so she can help you, Coleen. Isn't it nice when someone is willing to make an effort for us?"
Tumango si Coleen. "Yes."
Coal smiled and tucked a few strands of his daughter's hair. "I know you will enjoy your time with tita Steph." Pinatakan niya ito ng halik sa noo saka siya tumayo. "If anything will happen, pwede mo namang tawagan si Daddy."
"Okay," masama pa rin ang loob na sagot ni Coleen.
Bumaling sa akin si Coal at nagpaalam na. Nang makaalis siya ng condo ay ganoon na lamang ang naging talim ng titig sa akin ng anak niya. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung papaano sisimulan ang panunuyo ko. Mukhang wala pa akong ginagawa ay naka-ready na ang galit niya para sa akin.
"My mommy said you're only staying with my Dad kasi you don't have money." She pulled out a few bills in her pocket then lifted her hand. "Here, oh? Take mo na so you can leave my Daddy alone."
Napalunok ako sa tabil ng dila ng bata. Siguro kung hindi lang ako aware na dahil sa upbringing at emotional stress kaya ganoon siya magsalita, baka sumuko na ako wala pang isang oras kaming magkasama. But I know better. Sana lang talaga ay mapanindigan ko ang naging desisyon kong ito.
Humugot ako ng hininga saka ako pilit na ngumiti. "Gusto mo bang mag-play sa park?"
"You will take me there? Pero sabi ni mommy mababahong kids lang nagpi-play sa park."
"Hindi naman, Coleen. Nagpupunta ang kids sa park kasi gusto nilang maglaro at makakilala ng ibang bata. Don't you wanna have new friends?"
She looked away. "Gusto. . . but if mommy finds out, she's gonna get mad, eh."
I lowered my head and smiled. "I'll zip my lips and make sure she wouldn't know."
"But that's bad."
"I know but." I sighed. "Gusto ko lang na mag-enjoy ka habang kasama mo ako."
"Fine."
She put her doll down. Nang mapansin kong nasa bag din niya iyong iniregalo ko ay hindi ko napigilang mapangiti nang palihim.
I really hope five days would be enough for me to earn her trust.
"Let's go?" I asked.
She nodded. I offered my hand but she refused to take it. Imbes na mamilit pa ay niyaya ko na lamang siyang umalis na. Dahil malapit lang ang park sa condo ay nilakad na lamang naming dalawa.
I let her play with other kids while I'm chatting Kylie to tell her where to meet us. Nang makita ko ang nagtitinda ng sorbetes ay naisipan kong ibili si Coleen.
"Salamat po," sabi ko sa tindero bago ako bumalik sa palaruan, ngunit nang mapansing wala siya sa pwesto niya kanina, nabitiwan ko ang sorbetes at gumapang ang takot sa aking sistema.
"Coleen!"
- Writer
