ELITES SERIES: SUFFER

chapter three

"May masakit ba sayo?"

Nag lakad ako ng mabilis papunta kay Eve. My heart is thumping. Nakita ko ang luhaan nyang mata habang naka tingala sa lalaking nasa harap nya.

"I-i'm fine, sir.." Bulong nya, kasabay ng panginginig ng balikat nya. Nag iinit ang sulok ng mga mata ko, kasabay ng pag uunahan ng luha ng anak ko.

I can't walk near to them. I felt like I'm being stab in my heart, seeing my son crying. I've been dying looking for him. Wala sya sa room nila, so I left Rei in their teacher's care to find him.

"You don't look fine to m-- you got bruise in your arm. Are you sure you're okay?" Tanong ng lalaki. Hindi ko na kinaya at saka nilapitan sila. I hug Eve.

"Sweety, I'm so sorry..." He got this bruise when Rihan threw his attache case to him last night. He was heavy drunk.

"You're his mother? Sinasaktan mo ang anak mo?" May inis sa boses na sabi nito. I know he's concern to my son, but who is he to judge me?

"Look, mister. I know you're concern to my son, but don't accuse me based on what you see." Inis na sabi ko.

I look at Eve. He's holding my shoulder since I'm kneeling to hug him. My eyes averted to the guy who pulled me up. Then after seconds I heard him cuss. Agad ko binaba ang sleeve ng suot ko, hiding my bruises na itinaas nya kanina lang. It gets darken and painful.. Pakielamero naman sya!

"Are you being abused?"

Natahimik ako sa tanong nya. Nag iwas ako ng tingin saka kinaraga si Eve. Nag mamadali kaming bumalik sa room nila. Naka ngiti si Rei habang kausap ang batang lalaki. He has this round blue eyes with chubby cheeks. He's just staring at my daughter and when I came, he look at me.

"Naku misis, mabuti at narito na kayo." Pag aalala ng teacher nila.

"Mommy, Eve-- did you cry.." Humina ang masiglang boses ni Rei.

"No, Avis.. Napuwing lang ako sa labas." Sagot ni Eve. Binaba ko na sya. "Clooney.." Tawag ng anak ko.

Clooney nod. He gave me a small smile and look at my back. That's where i got dumbfounded when I saw this man again. Naka titig sya sakin at sa mga bata. I heard a shriek at my back which is their teacher. Now that i look at him.. He's a mouthwatering man with a very serious feature. Just like my Rihan. Is he Clooney's father? They got the same eyes. Tsk. It doesn't matter. I averted my eyes from him.

"Anak, tara na? A-anong oras na oh.." May pag aalalang sabi ko.

Nabalot ng takot ang mukha ng mga anak ko. Nag paalam kami sa teacher nila. The two waved to Clooney as we walk away. Nag mamadali kami sa pag lalakad. Hindi kami pwede mag pagabi sa labas, or else. Matatamaan kami kay Rihan.

Bitbit ko ang bag nila habang hawak ko sila sa mag kabilang gilid when a car honked.

"Eve! Avis! Tara na!" Its Clooney.

Ayoko sana dahil naka titig sakin ang lalaking yon. But when I saw my children's tired face, ay pumayag na ako. Since namimilit na yung tatlong bata. I sat on the passenger's seat. Hindi ako nag sasalita. Tama na ang ingay ng tatlo to avoid the awkwardness.

"Where's your place?"

"Ibaba mo nalang kami sa Fort Bonifacio" Bulong ko. "Thanks for this by the way."

The silence filled the car. Nakita kong antok na pala ang mga bata at paiglip na. I smile seeing the three of them. They could be childhood friends if ever.