Midnights with Pierce Psyche Esquivel

Chapter 30

"You freak! You aren't!" Ejay bursted out while holding his phone right through his face and touching the marks on his face.

Napabuga ako ng malalim na hininga. I have witnessed this scene repeatedly and it just keeps on repeating, hindi na sila nagbagong dalawa.

Ejay walked towards our direction and stopped in front of me. Matalim ang tingin niya kay Luca na karga ko pero nang lumipat ito sa akin ay nagmamakaawa na ito.

"I have seen death before my eyes numerous times, Liberty. Pero dito ko lang pala makikita ang demonyo." Tumalim ang boses niya sa huli sabay tingin kay Luca na wala man lang karea-reaksiyon.

I licked my lips and tapped his shoulder. "Salamat sa pag aalaga."

"He never took care of me, Mama. He forced me to eat broccoli and take a bath. And with sleeping too! Kahit hindi ako inaantok."

I feel like my senses are slowly drifting away from me. Gusto ko ng magpahinga at maaga pa kami aalis bukas.

"Right. Hindi ka pa naliligo kaya halika na. Sabay tayo." Ejay grabbed Luca away from me but Luca started wiggling.

"Ayoko sayo. I can bathe on my own and Mama could do it too!" Pagpupumiglas nito.

"But your Mama is tired from work. Gusto mo bang mas mapagod pa siya?" Ejay bargained in an irritated tone with piercing eyes of course.

Luca then looked at me carefully. Ang inis sa mata niya ay biglang nawala at napalitan ng pag aalala, kaya sa huli ay hindi ko mapigilan na mapangiti.

"O-okay...fine." At ngayon naman ay malambot na ang boses nito. He then reached his arms to Ejay which he quickly carried him to his arms.

Mas lalong lumawak ang pagkakangiti ko. They might be enemies most of the time but they are still each other's best friend.

Kaya naman si Ejay na ang nagpaligo sa kanya habang naligo na rin ako sa sarili kong kwarto. Binilisan ko ng dahil gusto ko ng matulog at magpahinga.

Natapos ako sa pagpapalit at sinunod kong icheck ang mga maleta namin. We've been packing for a week dahil may trabaho naman ako at para hindi na rin ako mataranta ngayong huling araw namin.

I was satisfied with it at saktong natapos ako ay pumasok si Luca sa kwarto ko. He already has his own room but whenever I am away the whole day, gusto niya ay magkatabi kaming matulog. He said that it is his version of spending time with me.

Umupo ako sa kama at kaagad siyang kumandong sa akin. I kissed his cheeks repeatedly and hugged him tightly right after.

"Tito Ejay said that riding a plane is scary...itatapon niya daw po ako kung makulit ako bukas."

I chuckled at his remarks and touched both of his cheeks while he looked up to me. It would be his first time and Ejay took that advantage to scare him.

"No. He can't do that. Pero dapat behave ka bukas okay? We should not disturbed other passengers."

Tumango siya sa akin at maya-maya pa ay humikab na siya.

"Let's sleep now, okay? Para may energy bukas si Mama." I said lovingly.

"Okay, Mama. Good night. I love you." Hindi na niya nabuo ang salita dahil humikab na naman siya ulit.

I kissed his cheek one more time and settled him down in my bed.

Pinatay ko na ang ilaw at dinaluhan siya sa higaan. I hugged him from the back, his tiny hands touching my hand hugging him.

"Tito Ejay said that I might meet my father in the Philippines. Totoo po ba iyon?"

Ang antok ko ay biglang nawala sa klase ng tanong niya. Umikot siya at humarap sa akin  ng tuluyan, at dahil hindi naman gananong madilim dahil sa lampshade ay kita ko ang lambot sa kanyang mga mata na nakatitig sa akin.