The Politician's Biggest Mistake (Flame Series #1)

31

"Mama, bagay ba sa 'kin 'to?"

Gulat na napatingin ako kay Apollo na may hawak na polo-shirt. Hindi ko napansin na nakakuha na pala siya dahil kanina pa 'ko tulala.

I nodded my head then smiled sweetly. "May color coding ba kayo?"

"Ay, oo nga!" He pouted. "This is black... My teacher told us that we should wear blue!"

"Then you can't have that," I said, pointing the polo-shirt he's holding.

He nodded two times before running. Agad na nagsalubong ang kilay ko at walang pagdadalawang-isip na tumakbo, sinusundan siya.

"Where are you going, Apollo?!"

"Gonna ask the saleslady if they have blue, 'Ma!"

Doon ako huminto sa pagtakbo at umiiling na humawak sa 'king dibdib. He should've told me that he wants to ask the saleslady! Hindi iyong bigla-bigla na lang siyang natakbo! Obviously, hahabol ako agad!

"You're so annoying, Apollo!" I whispered. "Matigas talaga ang ulo mo! Ang sarap mong ibato!"

I let out a heavy sigh then started to calm myself. I watched my son talk to the saleslady.

My son is smiling from ear-to-ear. Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ko nang itaas niya ang kaniyang kamay, pinapakita ang mga stars niya roon.

What was that for?

The saleslady's smile became bigger. She patted my son's head then nodded.

My son jumped in happiness. Agad na pumunta ang tingin niya sa 'kin at tumakbo papunta sa direksyon ko.

"Mama, may blue raw sila!" He jumped infront of me. "May blue! Yehey!"

"Yes, yes. May blue," I said then nodded. "Please, stop jumping. You look like a frog!"

Naglakad ako papunta sa cashier kasama si Apollo. Sakto namang nakasalubong namin ang saleslady na kinausap at pinagtanungan ni Apollo kung may blue ba na available.

The saleslady stopped walking and that's when I had the chance to read her tag. Jollie. Her name was not that bad for she has chubby cheeks. Hindi naman siya mataba at bumagay ang singkit niyang mga mata sa katabaan ng mga pisngi niya.

"Miss Cortez, right?" she asked me with a smile. "Jasmin Cortez... Senator Ian's ex-girlfriend?"

"Huh?"

"We never heard any news about you after Senator Ian leaked an audio about your brother, Miss," she said, changing the topic. "How are you po? You're aging like a fine wine. You're still beautiful as ever, Miss Cortez."

"Well, I-I'm doing good," I answered then showed her a forced smile. "How 'bout you?"

I don't know why I asked her if she's doing fine! I think I asked her because of awkwardness? I am eager to change the topic! There's a bitter taste inside my mouth after she asked ne about Ian!

"I'm also doing good, Miss Cortez." She chuckled then smiled sweetly. Napatingin siya kay Apollo na biglang yumakap sa hita ko. "Your son po?"

"H-huh?" parang wala sa sariling tanong ko.

Napatingin ako kay Apollo na nakatitig sa 'kin. I touched his back then pulled him, making his hug tighten more.

"Anak niyo po?" pag-ulit niya sa kaniyang tanong. "He looks familiar the moment I saw him enter our store, Miss Cortez. Parang nakita ko na siya before and when I saw you, nalaman ko na kung bakit..." She smiled. "He looks like Senator Ian that's why he looks so familiar."