Stomach, meets Butterflies.

Chapter 8

"Penny for your thoughts?" Napalingon si Esom sa nagsalita. Agad syang tumayo nang makita si Autumn na papalapit sakanya. Nasa garden kase sya at hinihintay si June dahil may gagawin lang daw ito saglit.

Autumn sign her to sit at tumabi ito sakanya. Naiilang tuloy sya lalo na at silang dalawa lang.

"I won't bite." Biglang sabi nito kaya napalingon sya "You look tense." Dagdag nito kaya naman nakaramdam sya nang hiya.

"How old are you?" Tanong ni Autumn sakanya.

"I'm 24 po."

"You have the same age as my eldest daughter." Autumn smiled at her but she knows it's a sad one.

"I didn't know you have another daughter. I thought June was the eldest."

"That's because it wasn't publicly announced." Sabi nito bago tumingin sa kawalan "We kept it from everyone."

Esom feel sad for Autumn. Hindi man nya alam kung anong nangyare pero ramdam nya ang lungkot nito.

"We lost her." Sabi ni Autumn pagkatapos nang ilang segundong katahimikan "She was kidnapped the day after she was born." Hindi alam ni Esom kung anong gagawin nang makita nyang may pumatak na luha mula sa mata ni Autumn.

"Sorry." Ngumiti ito sakanya bago nagpunas nang luha "I just can't control these kapag naaalala ko sya."

She smiled at her genuinely "It's okay po. I bet it's really hard. I can't imagine the pain that the incident had caused you and your family." Sabi nya dito

"I hope she's safe and happy right now. I'll be happy if she grew up as a fine lady like you." Sabi nito sakanya na nagpalambot nang puso nya.

"I'm sure she is. She's probably more fine than me."

"How I wish I can hug her right now." Naiiyak na sabi ni Autumn

Esom did what she thought Autumn needed. A hug. She hug her while giving he a light tap on her back.

"Everything will be fine." Sabi nya dito.

She understands the pain, hindi man kapantay nang sakit na nararamdaman ni Autumn but she also have pain in her heart. How I wish my real parents are looking for me. Sana nawala lang din ako. But no, I was left alone. Inabanduna nila ako.

"I hope you find her, She's really lucky to have you."

—

"Thank you for having a dinner with my family." Sabi ni June nang pagbuksan nya nang pinto nang sasakyan si Esom "My mommies can be a litlle stubborn sometimes. Naabala ka pa."

"Oh No, thank you. You have a great family June, you are very lucky." She said smiling

"I know. And I love them to the bones." sagot nito sakanya "I hope this will not be the last time. You're making my Mom happy." dagdag nito. Alam nya kung anong ibigsabihin noon. Autumn likes her because she reminds her of Winter. Lalo pa at magka age sila nito.

"Don't worry, i'll always have time for your mommies."

"I know it's random. But can I hug you?" Biglang sabi ni June sakanya. Nagulat man sya ay tumango sya dito.

"Thank you. I just feel like you're a family." Bulong sakanya ni June bago humiwalay. Gusto nyang tumawa dahil sa itsura nito ngayon. Halata kasing nahihiya sya at napapakamot nalang sa kilay. "Sorry.. Maybe because you look like my Mom and same age as my—"

"Ehem."

Pareho silang napalingon sa gilid. Elio is standing by the gate na naka crossed arms at kunot ang noo.

"What are you doing here?" Takang sabi ni Esom dito bago muling bumaling kay June "Thanks for dropping me off June." Sabi nya bago nakipag beso dito "Ingat ka sa pag da-drive."

"I will. Goodnight." Sagot ni June bago yumuko nang konti kay Elio bago sumakay sa sasakyan at umalis.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Taning nya nang makalapit sya kay Elio

"It's almost 11pm." Medyo masungit na sabi ni Elio pagkatapos nyang tumingin sa relo nya "And yet here you are flirting. Paano kung may makakita sainyo?"

"Excuse me?" Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Esom dito. I can't believe the accusations she's throwing at me.

"Nothing. psh. Katara said that I should sleep here. Maaga daw tayo bukas." Sabi nito bago sya inirapan at pumasok sa loob.

"What— Unbelievable!" Tanging nasabi nalang ni Esom bago sumunod dito.

Hindi ako sure kung ako ba ang boss dito o sya. jeez..