Something New

Twenty Seven

"Don't be sad Em-em, I'll still visit you from time to time okay? I promise." I said to the kid when he was just hugging me tightly. 

Nakaayos na ang backpack na dala ko, I'm just wearing a simple shirt, jeans and my shoes. The same clothes I was wearing when I got here for the first time. I look at the baseball cap I'm holding before looking back at Em-em.

Lumuhod ako sa harapan nya habang nakaupo ang bata sa silya, George is standing behind us, watching.

"You see this Em-em? This is very important to me, bigay ito sa akin ng papa ko when I was a kid. I value this hat so much, and iiwan ko dito sayo. Pwede mo bang itago pansamantala?  I will come back okay? I'll get this again because I'll be bringing something in exchange of this." I said as I handed him my hat. 

Tinignan nya iyon sa palad nya bago tumango sa akin, I smiled and dried his tears using both of my thumb.

"Stop crying na okay? I'll never be gone. I'll also call you from time to time and you should also keep my other phone. Okay?" I said and he nodded.

Saktong nag-ring na din yung original phone na pagmamay-ari ko, it was Hezekiah who's calling.

Hindi ko na sinagot, but he sent me a message na nasa labas na sya. I opened my location for him last night to track and he never failed.

When I looked at George, he was just impassive, but when he realized that I was looking at him, he gave me a small smile. But knowing him, even for a short period of time, his eyes were telling otherwise and all I have to do is to prove that I am not like his father.

"Nasa....nasa labas na daw yung sundo ko." sabi ko at tumango lang sya bago kinuha ang backpack ko sa sahig.

We all went out of the house, and I saw Hezekiah wearing his suit and tie, his usual uniform as a bodyguard but I didn't expect him to bring his team.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako nang makita ko silang nakapalibot sa isang kotseng itim. Two bodyguards were outside one of the cars, while the other two are guarding the car I usually use to ride.

Nakakakuha tuloy sila ng atensyon sa mga kapitbahay. I already told him to be discreet, but I guess this is the most "discreet" way for him.

"Young lady" bati ni Hezekiah when he went near me, napakamot na lang ako sa gilid ng leeg ko.

I'm sure George heard that, hindi ko pa nga pala nasasabi sa kanya kung saan talaga ako nanggaling. When I look at George, he was just impassive and I can't even read what's running in his mind.

"I'll go now, George." I said and he nodded before handing my bag to Hezekiah.

"I'll come back okay? Don't overthink too much." I said and he just nodded and gave me a small smile.

I hugged Em-em again before walking near our car, nabuksan na ni Hezekiah ang pinto ng kotse pero hindi ko na napigilan. I went back, jog even so I could immediately hug George,  felt his hand on my back as he hugged me tighter too.

"Babalik ako okay? I'm not your father George, please remember that and I'll even prove it." I said and I felt him nod his head.

"Wala kang kailangang patunayan Aurora, mag-iingat ka palagi." sabi nya at saka ako humiwalay ng yakap sa kanya. 

For a minute, I saw that vulnerable George again in his eyes, like he already knew something I don't even know. But the better way to assure him is to prove to him that I will not leave like what his father did.

I kiss his cheek once before giving him a small smile.

"I like you George, remember that." I said before turning my back on him.