Angel With A Shotgun

Chapter 8

8.

Sinalubong ako ng mahigpit na yakap ni Mommy nang makarating na kami sa bahay.

"Let's go inside." Inalalayan niya ako papasok ng bahay kasunod si Kade.

"Do we need to see a doctor? May masakit ba sa 'yo? You need to tell Mom, Kaye." Tanong agad niya. Natataranta ang Mommy ko na para bang hindi niya alam ang uunahin at ang gagawin.

"Mommy, I'm okay. I'm really fine... But this guy here needs some ice pack on his face." At nilingon si Kade na nakatitig lang sa amin.

"Oh, yes! Manang, pwede po bang makahingi ng ice pack para kay Kade?..." Mabilis ang pagkilos ni Manang na nakaabang na kung ano ang iuutos.

"Baby, I'm fine." He mouthed and there's his endearment again.  Mamaya kapag nasanay na ako sa  'Baby' na yan, makalimutan kong acting niya lang lahat yon.

Hindi na natanggihan ni Kade ang ice pack ng iabot na ito ni Manang sa kanya.

"Your Dad told me what happened. But I don't understand why he have to do that to you, anak. Bakit ganon?"

And all of a sudden, the things that Daniel said to me earlier replayed in my mind. And as much as possible, I don't want to remember those awful words he told me.

And I think Mom get it the way I looked at her. He glanced at Kade who's busy pressing the ice pack against his right cheek.

"Naabutan ni Kade yung ginawa niya sa 'yo?"

"Good thing I'm not late."

"Thank you Kade, for being there. Kaye is lucky enough because you came."

"Don't mention it. Sana lang po, hindi na makalapit kay Kaesley ang lalaking yon."

"I'm sure his Dad will do everything so that they never cross paths again. I really can't believe that Daniel will do something horrible to you. And whatever his reason is, that's not an excuse. That's totally unacceptable."

"I didn't expect it either. I don't know what got into his mind."

"We'll talk about it at a later time. Before I go up and fix your bed para makapagpahinga ka, may gusto ka bang ipakuha? Are you hungry, anak? I'll prepare food before you take rest." Tanong ni Mommy.

"I'm okay, Mom. Hindi naman po ako gutom... Kade, do you want something before... Before you go?"

Natingnan muna niya ako ng ilang segundo bago umiling.

"Maiwan ko na muna kayo. Mamaya ka pa naman siguro aalis, Kade?"

But Mom! I'm sure may gagawin pa siya. He can't stay long even if I want to.

"Yes po."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko pero ngumisi lang siya. Bahala ka dyan.

Umakyat sa taas si Mommy kasama si Manang para mag-ayos ng kwarto ko.

"Okay ka na ba?"

"Okay naman ako, ah."

"I mean, yung mukha mo. Nagkamantsa na tuloy."

"Baby, stop worrying about my face because I'm perfectly fine. Bakit, hindi na ba ako gwapo?"

Okay, fine. Pwede niyang ipagyabang na gwapo siya dahil gwapo naman talaga siya.

I rolled my eyes that made him laugh.

"Thank you. I really mean it. Thank you for doing that earlier."

Tumango si Kade. Itinigil niya ang pagdadampi ng ice pack sa pisngi niya.

"Kanina ka pa nagtithank you. "