Not a mistake. Knowing anything about what I have eventually known for a long time ago. I remembered—years ago when I played a game and such time went by, anything changed. Those changes are my sum for the charges I've been filed. Subside down.
"Hi, mom," River greeted me with a cheerful heart. Niyakap ko siya at hinalikan pagkalapit sa akin.
"How are you, my son?"
"I'm doing great, mom. And..." he paused, thinking something, and it makes me plunged under the water.
"And, mom," he continued. "Did daddy tell you about the basement?"
A white light splattered into my eyes.
"Basement?"
"Yes, mom."
I shook my head. "We don't have a basement, son."
"Yes, mom. We don't have."
"Then why are you telling me about that one?"
"I'm just asking if Daddy say so."
"No." I smiled, keeping my eyes on him.
"Mom?"
Iniwasan ko siya ng tingin at agad na tumayo mula sa kinauupuan. Lumapit ako sa bintana para masilayan ang ganap sa ibaba. Maliwanag ang tubig sa pool. Walang tao. Maaraw at mapayapa.
Napansin ko ang kanyang paglapit sa akin. Suminghap pa siya bago muling magsalita.
"Mom."
"River, stop." Pinipigilan kong huwag mainis, pero parang ayaw makitungo sa akin ang kaluluwa ko.
"Please, mom. Please."
Humarap ako sa kaniya ng maayos. Hinintay ko siyang magsalita at sabihin ang mga nais niyang sabihin.
"Hindi ka maniniwala sa sasabihin ko, Mommy."
Hindi ako sumagot. Tanging ngiti lang aking pinakawalan.
"They lied to you."
"They?"
"All of them."
"River, this is too much."
"Yes, mom," he agreed. "We're too far. And the farthest we know everything, the nearest we caught it. Mom, the basement I mean, was on Tito Ford's house."
Ikinagulat ko ang narinig mula sa aking anak. My mouth fell open.
"Do you mean Stanford Nadela?"
"Absolutely."
"Did your daddy tell a story about that basement you are talking about?"
"No, mom. I just found it out on my own."
"How?"
"That was on the day we went into his house."
Muling sumariwa sa alaala ko ang mga nakalipas sa bahay na iyon. Laking imposible. At sa pupwedeng magsabi sa akin ng kahit ano, anak ko pa talaga.
"River, lying is vulnerable."
"And it's not wonderful to keep a lie."
A presence of someone goes on. My heart is ticking like a clock.
"I will not give any consideration to this, River."
"But, mom," curling his brows. He is about to shout.
"What's going on?" Rain went on. I drew a deep breath and set my eyes to him.
"River, do your things. I'll be checking it later on, okay?" I smiled. He smiled back, acting like nothing to worry.
Humawak ako sa braso ni Rain at kami ay lumabas nang silid. Tahimik kaming bumaba ng hagdan. Tinungo ko ang living area para mag-relax. Tinungo niya naman ang kitchen to get some drinks. I know him very well. Alam ko na may pag-uusapan kami, and we both need to be on that. Drinks could be better to have.
I crossed my legs while scanning the magazine I've got on the table. Hindi ako hilig mag-iwan ng kahit anong gamit sa living area. Books, magazines, and newspapers should be placed in our private library. But it used as a purpose to me now. So well.
He placed a bottle of champagne and glasses on the table, sighing, and sat down beside me. Tumingin pa siya sa hawak kong magazine.
"What do you want to know about?" My unexpected question from him arose.
"About Ford."
He removed the bottle cap and poured a champagne on our glasses.
"What about him?"
"The status." He handed me my glass and made a toast of it. Accepting it, he drank his. My eyes remained to him.
"He's dating someone."
"I see." I drank mine.
"Is that relevant to know?"
"How did he meet Kara?"
"Kailangan pa ba talaga nating pag-usapan ang tungkol sa buhay ng ibang tao?"
"Ford is your friend, meanwhile, Kara is my student."
"Connection?" natatawang tanong niya.
"So you think I'm just asking you for nothing?" Naiirita na ako sa kaniya. He really thought that I'd made a fun of it.
"Ang sabihin mo naiinggit ka sa kanila."
"What?" Kumunot ang aking noo. Nang-aasar talaga siya sa akin. I put down my glass.
"See? You're jealous." He laughed, trying to insult me even more.
"Really?" I crossed my arms, raising my brows. He put down his glass and turned his eyes on me.
"You felt insecure to them because they went outside and do their appointment."
"I don't see that thing in that way."
"It's a natural feeling, hon. Actually, I feel guilty about it." His smile slowly faded. His taming face arose."
"Guilty?"
He put his hand against mine, making it down on my lap.
"Na-missed ko ang dating tayo," giit pa niya. "Lalong tumatagal, mas lalong nawala ang oras natin para sana sa isa't isa.
"Akala ko ba nang-aasar ka?"
"No."
Hinila niya ako dahilan para mapasandal sa kaniyang dibdib. I felt his heart thudding. Niyakap niya ako at binigyan ng halik sa ulo. Sandaling tumigil ang aking mundo; nagtatanong kung siya nga ba si Rain.
The basement.
Muling tumatak sa aking isipan ang tungkol sa sinabi ng aking anak, dahilan para lalo pang mag-isip ng hindi maganda. Two options: need to revisit Ford's place or I will persuade my husband to have a foreplay.
Tumingala ako sa kaniya. I met his eyes asking 'why's.' I smiled, leaning to his ear.
"Fuck me."
"That's my favorite." He stood, holding me. We approached to our bedroom as fast as the wind blows.
YOU ARE READING
Secret Series #4 Dandelions (On-Hold)
Romance"Love doesn't lie, leave nor hurt. Someone will."
