Sinking Deep (Z SERIES #1)

Chapter 24

I kenat sleep. Ghad. I hate drugs. Hahaha

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Really

It's Sunday today so we are going to the church. I was wearing a yellow dress and Fourth is wearing her new red dress. My brothers First and Third are wearing polo shirts and pants, just like Papa. Mama is also wearing a dress. Birthday rin ni Third and Fourth ngayon kaya masaya ako para sa kanila. They gained another year! And we are here to thank Jesus.

Nasa sasakyan kami ngayon. Papa is sitting in front while Mama is sitting beside me. Magkatabi naman kami ni Fourth, at katabi niya si Third tapos si First. First is reading a book while Third is busy with his coloring book. I'm glad that he's using other colors now.

"Papa can I eat cotton candy after the mass?" tanong ko kay Papa. He smiled at me.

"Sure, honey."

"Daddy, I want cotton candy, too!"

"Of course, birthday girl."

"Fourth and Third, you're already 9 years old just like me." Niyakap ko ang mga kapatid ko. I'm so happy for them.

Nakarating na kami sa church. The mass is not starting yet. We sat in front. Napapalingon ako sa mga kasama naming guards. 'Yong iba hindi pumasok sa church.

"Papa, won't they come with us?" Tinuro ko 'yong ibang mga guards. Papa shook his head.

"They need to check if the surrounding is safe."

I pouted. "They need to thank Jesus for this brand new day, Papa, right?"

Papa smiled and kissed my cheek. He didn't say anything. I feel bad for the other guards because they won't hear the word of God.

"Papa, I want to be a nun."

Napalingon si Papa pati si Mama sa akin. Pati narin si First. Parang nagulat sila sa akin.

"Come again, honey?" tanong ni Mama.

"I want to be a nun." Ngumiti ako. "I told Mommy Cora that I want to serve God just like the priests and she told me that a nun is a counterpart of it."

Papa looked so mad.

"Mommy Cora?"

I nodded. "Yes, Papa."

"Paano kayo nag-uusap?"

"She sometimes visits me at school, Papa."

"'Di ba sinabi ko sa'yo huwag kang makikipag-usap don?"

I was scared a little because Papa sounded so mad. I heard Mama hushed Papa but he just looked at her.

"You will not talk to that woman again. And don't call her Mommy. She's not your mother."

"Papa, she's a good friend. 'Di ba po asawa niya 'yong policeman na nag-save sa amin noon? Ang tagal-tagal na po non but I can still remember it. She helped me to forget--"

"Enough, Second. I didn't raise you to be stubborn."

"Thomas," tawag ni Mama.

"Hindi ka na makikipag-usap sa kanya o kahit sa pulis na 'yon. Do you understand, Second?"

Nakakatakot na ang tingin ni Papa. Parang galit na galit na talaga siya. My eyes suddenly went cloudy.

"Y-yes, Papa."