Battle Scars (Querio Series #2)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Umaga na ng umuwi sila ni Polo sa penthouse. Natalia's dancing to a famous song. She smiled and kissed her forehead. It's Sunday. Sa wakas, ay makakapag-enjoy siya kasama ang anak.

The week was very long and traumatic for her. Polo went out for an operation. Si Ningning naman ay lumabas para bisitahin ang ilang kamag-anak sa Maynila dahil day-off niya.

She found the silence comforting. Nakatulog si Natalia sa playing mat niya. She just let her sleep in peace. Pinanood na lang niya ang magulong kalsada ng Maynila habang sumisimsim ng kape.

Nagawa pa niyang magbake ng cake doon. She was decorating it when her burner phone vibrated.

Kinuha niya iyon at tiningnan. She wasn't surprised when she saw a text messagw from Athos. The name of his contact was set only to 'A'.

A: Don't forget to report everything to me.

She bit her lower lip. For a moment, she thought she's finally in peace kahit isang araw lang.

Mabagal siyang nagtipa doon. Not knowing kung dapat bang replyan niya iyo dahil hindi naman textmate ang role niya rito.

She was being used then he will make sure that she'll rot in jail with her father and hiz people.

Samuela: ok. when?

She just simply sent it kahit ang dami pa niyang tanong na gustong tanungin.

She continued putting the pink flower fondant on the cake when the phone vibrated again..

A: tom.

Kumunot ang noo ni Samuela. Tomorrow, then. Hindi na siya nagreply doon. Baka isipin ni Athos na makulit siya.

Natapos niya ang cake at nilagay ito sa refrigerator. Naghanap na rin siya ng maluluto para sa dinner nila. She texted Polo if he'll go home dahil mahaba habang operasyon daw iyong gagawin sa pasyente.

Natalia woke up after three hours. Mapungay ang mata nito ng buhatin niya, halata pa ang antok. She pinched her cheek and kissed her daughter.

Sabay silang naligo ng anak. She's playing rubber ducks on the tub. Pareho silang nababalutan ng bula.

"Mama! Duck! Duck!" she showed the rubber duck.

"Yes, baby. It's a duck!" she praised.

Umahon din sila matapos niyang paliguan ng maayos si Natalia. Nag-aagaw na ang liwanag at dilim ng mapagpasyahan niyang magluto.

She sliced her cake and let Natalia savor it. She played cartoons on her iPad. Nakaupo ito sa high chair habang abala naman ito sa pagluluto ng ulam.

Napapangiti siya sa tuwing humahagikhik si Natalia sa pinapanood. Natagalan din ito sa pag-ubos ng cake dahil natutuwa sa kanyang pinapanood.

Polo texted that he can't make it 'till dinner dahil sa emergency. She just wished him well.

Nakaupo mag-isa si Samuela sa dinner area. Si Natalia ay nasa playing mat na ulit at busy sa kanyang barbie.