Deal Breaker (Published under Pop Fiction, Summit Publishing)

Chapter 49: Points Of View

“Kanina? Saan? Sa mall?” tanong ni Erick.

“Sa park. Apparently, nakita niya si Denise before I do." Sagot ni Charles.

Biglang tumahimik. Walang nagsalita for ilang minutes. Tapos binasag ni Erick yung katahimikan by asking one question.

“Ano nang balak mo ngayon Jacob?”

Hindi naman nakasagot si Jacob kaagad.

“I think we should tell her.” dugtong pa ni Erick.

“No.” Jacob firmly disapproves.

“At bakit?” tanong ulit ni Erick.

“I just don’t want him in her life again. It’ll bring her no good. She’s been okay without him this past two years. Magugulo lang lahat kapag bumalik siya.” sagot naman ni Jacob.

“That’s because apparently, she can’t remember him.” sabi ni Erick

Walang sumagot sa sinabi ni Erick kaya siya na lang din dumugtong sa sinabi niya.

“Okay. If we tell her she’ll decide for herself if she still wants him back. It’s her life anyway. Remember her life before the accident Jacob? You controlled her the two of you left her with no choice. Now, will you stripped that freedom again from her?”

“I don’t know. I can’t decide for her.” sabi ni Charles.

“Exactly my point!” sabi ni Erick.

“Hinaan mo yung boses mo Erick, baka magising siya..” saway ni Jacob.

Nakatayo ako sa tabi nung pinto ng office ni Jacob and I’m hearing all these conversation. It’s me they’re talking about. Sa mga sandaling yun, pakiramdam ko I’m betrayed.

Why are they talking about me and my life behind my back? Why are they trying to decide for me? Bakit nila ginagawa to?

Feeling soo bad, hindi ko na tinapos yung pinag-uusapan nila. Wala akong pake sa kung ano yung desisyon nila. Umakyat ako at nakita ko yung pinto ng kwarto ni Denise. Pumasok ako and I saw her sleeping peacefully sa kama niya habang yakap yung bear na regalo ko sa kanya nung una ko siyang nakita.

Inilapag ko yung kape ko sa table sa kwarto niya at umupo sa tabi niya.

“Mommy?” mahina niyang sabi. Oops! Nagising ko pa yata. Tss.

“Go back to sleep sweetie.” i said softly.

“Are you okay?” Napangiti ako. A four-year old girl asking me if I’m okay. As if she can sense everything.

“Ofcourse.” Sagot ko.

“You sound sad” sabi niya habang umuupo sa kama niya at yakap pa din si Toby the Teddy Bear.

“Denise, it’s too early for you to wake up. You need to go back to sleep.”

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.” Tapos nag-pout siya habang kinukuskos ng kanang kamay niya yung mga mata niya..

“You won’t understand. You’re too young sweetheart.”  Kung ako nga na nakakaintindi na hindi ko pa din maunawaan kung anong nangyayari. “So you’ll sleep now. So you grow old fast. And then I’ll tell you what’s wrong.” I said while smiling.

Mukha namang nagustuhan niya yung idea kasi tumango siya tapos humiga na ulit.

“I’ll sleep if you sleep beside me mommy.”

Hay sabi ko na nga ba eh.. ayaw talaga pakabog ng batang to.

“Okay, if that’s what you want.”