Her Stormy Seasons (Vitality Series #1) | ✓

23

Dinagdagan ni Demi ang nasa plato ko. Hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko pa bang ubusin lahat ng ito.

He's suppressing a smile. He look amused. Tuwang-tuwa pa yata sa ginawa niya sa plato ko. Alam naman niyang hindi ako malakas kumain.

"Kamusta kayong dalawa?" she asked.

"We're good, tita," I replied.

Tumango-tango siya.

"Kaya pala palaging nakangiti ang isa d'yan." She shifted his eyes on Demiel. She was giving him a teasing smile.

I let out a low chuckled.

Gano'n din ang sinasabi ng mga tropa niya sa akin tuwing nakakasalubong namin sila.

"Secret lang natin 'yon, My," biro niya pa. He even laughed but that didn't reached his eyes. Para bang ang bigat ng tawa niya, or is it just me? Is everything okay?

Parehas naman kaming natawa ni tita.

Lumipat si Darrel sa tabi ko, dala-dala ang plato niya. Nahihiya pa akong lumingon sa mama niya dahil umalis siya roon sa tabi niya.

Narinig kong suminghot si tita. Nakayuko siya at may hawak na tissue, pilit pinupunsan ang ilong niya. Colds? Or something else? Is she crying? But, why? For what reason?

Dahan-dahan kong sinubuan si Darrel.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" he asked his mom.

"No, I'm not. I'm sorry, son." She said in a low tone.

Suminghap siya at muling umayos ng postura. I was holding Darrel's spoon. Ngumiti siya sa akin. I smiled back. Sinubo ko sa bata ang kanin na nilagay ko sa kutsara niya.

"Thank you, Icy."

Thank you? For what? What did I do for her?

Mas lalo akong naguluhan sa mga sumunod na sinabi niya.

"You're existence is giving me assurance that my sons won't be alone if ever I'll die now."

"My," Demiel muttered in a low voice.

What's happening? I know we'll come to that. Lahat tayo pansamantala lang dito sa mundo pero alam kong hindi pa ito ang oras para bawiin ang buhay na ipinagkaloob sa kaniya. Is she sick?

Surely, I'll stay beside them whatever happens.

"I-I couldn't take this anymore. I want to end this."

Oh, no, please, tita. I don't know what she's going through. Hindi ko alam ang pinagdadaanan ng pamilya nila. Walang nababanggit sa akin si Demi. But that won't solve their problems.

She want to end her life? Thinking that it could end everything, that it might stop her suffering. I've been there. Alam ko ang pakiramdam.

"Icy, take care of them, okay? 'Wag na 'wag mo silang iiwan." Nagtutubig na sa luha ang mga mata niya.

Hindi ko mapagilan ang maiyak din. I want to help her. I want her to be out of whatever the situation that she's in.

Demiel taught me how to continue my life with all those traumas I had. Hindi niya alam ang lahat ng pinagdaanan ko pero naroon siya noong mga oras na iyon.

Her son is the reason behind my smiles and laughter. What will happen to him if his foundation will shutter. Family is his number one foundation. My Demiel will be broken into pieces, I couldn't stand that.

"Tita.." iyon lang ang tanging lumabas sa bibig ko.

"Promise me," she sobbed. "Hindi mo iiwan si Demi kahit anong mangyari at kayo ang inaasahan kong tatayong pangalawang magulang ni Darrel."