S.I.A.T.T. Series Book 6: The Mysterious Beast

Chapter Sixteen

For the past days, he was trying to embrace the change in him like what have Carrie has advised him. He's letting his softer side open to her and Crane.

Well, he hasn't been decided yet on which is more heavier based on what Chief had asked him but he'll take his time for now. He will take things slow so he could calculate his next move.

Ganoon naman kasi talaga siya noon pa. Kalkulado niya ang bawat galaw niya at mga iniisip. He plays by his own rules and nothing or rather no one can change that for him- well, except now.

Apparently, he is now existing in a world where he couldn't play anymore by his own rules, but by someone else's. And that would be a tragic event for the others, but for him, he's embracing it.

He never felt happier, more alive than he is right now. Being with her and his son has filled up a void inside him. He felt complete. He felt home.

Kahit nasa loob lamang sila ng bahay ay masasabi niyang nag-eenjoy sila sa mga bonding na ginagawa nila. Naroon ang movie marathon na madalas ay cartoons. Ang paglalaro nila ng mga laruan o mga nakakatuwang laro na hindi mapanganib. Ang pagluluto nila o pagbe-bake sa kusina. Ang pagsasayaw at pagkanta na kahit kailan ay hindi pa niya nagawa. At ang pagtatabi nilang matulog sa kwarto niya. They were inseperable and he likes it.

"Mommy's cooking again." Aniya sa anak habang karga ito at tumabi sa babaeng busy sa pagluluto. "Tataba na tayo nito."

Bumungisngis naman ang bata kaya nilingon na sila ni Carrera.

"Hindi tayo tataba kasi mag-e-exercise naman tayo. Kailangan lang natin magpapawis." Nakangiting baling sa kanilang mag-ama.

He knew exactly what she meant but he had something different in mind which is absolutely crazy.

"Maybe we can play later?" Si Crane na nagpapa-cute pa sa kanila. "Baril-barilan tayo, Daddy."

"Sige mamaya." Sagot niya at saka nilingon si Carrie na napatingin din sa kanya. "Ikaw, gusto mo din ba magbaril-barilan tayo?" Sabay ngisi na parang nakakaloko. "O gusto mong totoong baril ang hahawakan mo? Magaling ka naman nang humawak at magpaputok ng baril eh."

Her cheeks blushed like he just cracked some dirty joke on her. Well, he has to admit that even though he meant it differently, his mind says otherwise.

"Mommy, you're blushing." Puna ng bata na ikinangiti niya. "Your cheeks are turning red."

"Because Mommy is cooking and I am exposed to the steam heat from the pot." Agap na sagot nito sa anak bago siya balingan at bigyan ng isang babalang tingin.

"I get it." Aniya at saka ibinaba ang bata. "You go with your Yaya and watch tv, I'm going to help Mommy here in the kitchen."

Tumango naman ang anak at tumakbo na sa may sala. Siya na ang nagkusang naghugas ng mga ibang pinaggamitan ng babae sa pagprepara ng pananghalian nila.

"Hindi mo na ako kailangang tulungan dito. I can do this myself. Tsaka andyan naman si Yaya Mila para tulungan ako." Abala ito sa paghahalo sa nilulutong beef stew. "Samahan mo na lang si Crane manood doon."

"Dahil hindi pa kita masyadong kilala, iisipin ko na tinutulak mo ako palayo o iniiwasan mo ako." At saka lumapit nang kaunti rito. "Bakit ayaw mo na naiiwan tayong dalawa lang? May problema ba?"

Mabilis na iling ang isinagot sakanya habang hindi makatingin sa kanya nang direcho.

"Ha? Walang problema no! At hindi kita tinutulak o iniiwasan, ayaw ko lang na maabala ka sa mga gawain dito sa bahay." Dahilan nito na hindi tumutingin sa kanya.