Chaining Lockets

Kabanata 25 (Part 1)

Trigger warning: Might contain sensitive topics.

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Kabanata 25

"Should I...talk to Dad like right now?" I muttered, mabilis kong tinanggal ang pipino sa mga mata ko bago sumulyap sa tabi ko sa bathtub kung nasaan si Chichay na may pipino rin sa mata.

"Should I, Chay?" I asked her but she's not moving kaya napairap ako sa hangin at inabot ang pipino para i-alis sa mata niya. "Chichay!"

She opened her eyes, mukhang nairita pa sa akin ang taksil kong anak at pinakitaan ako ng pangil kaya ngumiwi na ako.

"I'm talking to you, Chichay. Look at me, look at me." I said and adjusted her seat more beside me on the tub para hindi siya lumubog at makita ako ng tuluyan.

Mabilis din naman siyang tumayo at inilabas ang dila, pinagmamasdan ako, punong-puno rin ng bula ang katawan.

"I'm asking you, Chay." I said and fixed the shower cap on her head. "Should we talk to Dad now about Ver's case like...right now?" but my baby just tilted her head at me and watched me talk to her like a freak.

"What? We've been together for years na, Chay. Don't you still get what I am saying?" I asked and sighed. "Okay, I'm gonna talk to you with your language." I cleared my throat and readied myself.

"Arf! Arf!" I said and growled a bit. "Rawr! Rawr! Arf!"

"Gets?" I asked and Chichay just stared at me kaya suminghap na ako. "Ror! Ror!" I lifted my hand for a ror and suddenly, Chichay whimpered and took a step back.

"W-what the hell..." I muttered when she whimpered at me and began barking on my face back like she's seeing an enemy.

"What the hell..." umayos ako ng upo at competitive na sumagot. "Arf! Arf!" I imitated her cute tone and gave her my sharp glare and mukha kaming tanga na nagtahulan doon kung 'di ko lang biglang na-realize na para akong gago.

"The heck, Crest? Are you serious?" I told myself and smacked my cheek for looking like a fool.

I heard Chay barked a little kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at pinakitaan niya lang ako ng pangil, walang pakialam na bumalik sa pwesto niya at tinitigan ako kaya naiiling na binalik ko ang pipino sa mata niya.

"Ikaw, nagmana ka siguro kay Ernesto, ano? Love ko kayo kaso mga attitude kayo." I rolled my eyes when she didn't look bothered at all. "Oh, mana ka rin pala medyo sa Tatay mo, may pagka-attitude rin 'yon!"

Napailing ako at sumandal na lang pabalik sa tub, inaangat ang kamay para makita ang bula at ang mga rosas na magkahalo roon. The sweet, relaxing scent reached my nose and it felt great, really.

"Naku, Chichay. Brat ka ng bata ka, attitude ka, eh, nahuli kita nong nakaraan, nakikipagharutan sa Chihuahua ng kapitbahay?" I pointed out. "Naku, sinasabi ko sa'yo, kapag ikaw umuwi rito sa akin na jontis ipapa-arrange marriage kita sa aso sa kabila."

I spread the bubbles on my hair before taking the wine glass and sipped on it. I tried relaxing myself after that session with Tito Thorn because I can't process it. I didn't know there'll be possibilities like that, may be a coincidence or not, I don't know.

That night, hindi ako makatulog kakaisip kahit si Chichay ay halos nakabukaka na kakahiga sa tabi ko kaya madaling-araw ay tumawag ako kay Mommy about dito.

"Hmm..." my eyes widened when I heard her whimpered. "G-get off me, isa, mamaya na, Iñigo Rafael! Sasagutin ko lang ang tawag—"

"Come on, baby, saglit lang—"