Kung Ika'y Mawawala [complete!!!]

Chapter 17 part 1

"Just 2. " He pouted pero sinunod naman nya ang sinabi ko at kumuha lang ng dalawang cupcake. Parang natunaw ang puso ko. Parang gusto ko ng ibigay sa kanya lahat, pero hindi pwede. Sa level ng utak nya, hindi pwedeng mag-backout ka sa mga sinabi mo. You have to be firm with these kind of kinds. They may know how to manipulate grown ups.

Ngayon pa lang ay sobrang humahanga na ako kay Ysabelle sa pamamaraan nya ng pagpapalaki kay Clyde. Ang bait at disiplinado itong batang ito at sa tingin ko ay hindi sya spoiled. I suddenly felt a sense of pride, both at Clyde and his mom who is raising him well.

Maya-maya lang ay ngumiti na si Clyde at kinakain na nya yung cupcake nya. Habang nagme-merienda ang bata ay naghanap ako ng periodic table sa google. I picked the one that has the brightest colors para maging appealing sa mata ng bata. Inantay kong matapos nya ang kinakain nya at ipinakita ko sa kanya ang periodic table.

"Ok Clyde, show me what you got. I want you to memorize this within an hour. Even the tiniest details inside those boxes. " alam kong parang sinasadista ko utak nya ngayon. Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung gaano katalinuhan itong batang ito. "If you can do that, I'm gonna give you a prize."

Namilog na naman ang mga mata nya at unti-unting lumalawak ang mga ngiti nya.

'Really? What prize?"

"What do you want? "

He pointed his index finger in his temple, nakanguso pa ang labi nya. Tumingin pa sya sa kisame na parang ang lalim ng iniisip. Natatawa na lang ako dahil sobrang cute nitong batang ito! Gusto ko na ngang ibulsa at iuwi ko na sa min!

"Chocolates?"

"But you already have cupcakes and cakes. You'll have a toothache. "

"I don't want to have a toochache, it hurts."

"Ok then, think of something else. Toys? Clothes? bags? Whatever you want."

Kulang pa nga ang mga bagay na yon. And to think that he doesn't have his own computer to aid him from his studies. Kailangang may mga ganong bagay sya para mas mabilis syang matututo. He should also have a tutor para mas lalo pang na-a-advance ang pag-aaral nya.

But I can understand if they can't afford that. Masyadong mabigat ang mga ganon para sa sweldo ng empleyado. Naka ramdam ako ng lungkot ngayong naiisip ko kung ano ang ponagdaanan nilang mag-ina. They have took care of themselves for the past 5 years when I could have been there for them. I could have given them the best of everything! I really should check Clyd's school para makita ko kung may mga program sila for gifted children. Kailangang ma-aid ang kakayanan ng bata, at para hindi sya ma-bore sa klase, katulad ng nangyari kay Shaun noong bata pa kami.

Tinignan ako ni Clyd ng nakakaloko. I wonder what's going on in that little mind of his. Naaliw naman ako sa kanya ng husto.

"Ummmm Tito... I know what I want"

"What is it?"

"Can I have this?" Nakangisi syang tinuturo ang IPAD. "My classmates have this e. They already have their books in here. They don't have to bring thier books with them. and My teachers allow it! Reaaaallllyyyy.... "

Natawa na naman ako, dahil sinusubukan nya akong ikumbinsi. He has this very animated look in his face and I really can't help but adore him.

"I'm sorry, but I can't give you this unit. I have so many files in here." His face fell at napanguso sya, pero bigla nyang binawi at nginitian nya ako. "It's ok. I'll think of something else."

Hindi ko alam kung anong mararamdaman ko ngayon. I heart went out to him. Kinarga ko sya at niyakap ko sya. He is such a wonderful kid and I am so proud of him. At his very young age, marunong syang umintindi at hindi sya demanding at madamot.

"Tell you what, since I can't give you mine because of my files, I'm going to buy you your own IPAD. Then I'll go with you to your school and have them install your books. Would that be ok with you?"

Napanganga sya habang hinanawak nya ang magkabilang pisngi nya.

"You will really buy me that? RRREEEAAAAALLLLYYYY???? A new one?!"

"Of course. But not until you've memorized the periodic table, and I'm giving you an hour to do that."

"Yehhhaaayyy! That's one's easy!"

"Oh yeah?"

Tumango tango sya.

"Ok then, prove it."

Bumaba sya sa pagkakakarga ko at kinuha yung IPAD at umupo sa tabi ko. Niyakap ko naman sya at sumandal sa akin.

My heart is swelling right now. Nadadagdagan ng nadadagdagan ang rason para ipaglaban ko si Ysabelle at si Clyde. This is the life that I'm longin to have. I want this kid and I want this kind of life with his mom.