Chaining Lockets

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

I froze upon realizing I laughed with the silly joke. Naramdaman kong natigilan sila kaya dali-dali akong humawak sa lalamunan ko at nagpanggap na nauubo.

I coughed hard, I heard their quick footsteps at mayamaya'y nasa may harapan ko na sila.

"Are you okay?" Locket asked.

"Mama!" The three exclaimed.

I was shocked with their reactions at para 'di mahalatang 'di talaga ako nabibilaukan ay mas naubo pa ako kunwari.

"Tubig." Locket said, "get a glass of water for your mother!" he said, panicking and I saw how the three vanished, nag-uunahan paalis. Locket moved, ready to touched my back when I moved my body away from him.

"N-no!" I exclaimed and took my tumbler, mabilis ko iyong ininom sa harapan ni Locket at ngumiti. "I'm...I'm good." I said after drinking, marahang ibinababa ang tumbler.

His gray eyes softened when he met mine, my heart pounded when I saw the genuine concern from it.

"Mama!" I heard the boys kaya nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang lahat sila ay may hawak na baso ng tubig at medyo hinihingal pang inilahad sa akin iyon.

"That's..." I muttered, ready to reject the water they're giving me pero they made an effort so I cleared my throat and pointed my desk.

"Salamat, guys." I smiled, "palagay na lang dito, lalagay ko na lang sa tumbler." I said softly and they all nodded, marahang inilalapag ang mga baso sa harapan ko.

Awkwardly, I opened my tumbler and slowly filled it with water.

"Salamat..." I muttered, smiling and showed them the glasses. Kinuha nila iyong tatlo, nanatiling nakatayo sa may gilid at harapan ko.

Locket is staring at me intently, I can sense how soft that was. He looks confused and sad...I don't know.

I glanced at the three boys and back to Locket and realized they're hiding their hands behind their backs, parang nawawalang mga bata.

"What's...why are you still here?" I asked softly and they stood straight.

"Mama, ayaw...ayaw mo na ba kami maging babies?" Earn asked kaya nanlaki ang mata ko. I saw Brent and Adam nodded their heads, si Locket ay walang imik at tahimik na nakatitig at pinagmamasdan ang reaksyon ko.

"Huh? Bakit...bakit naman hindi?" I asked, chuckling, trying my best to sound cheerful even if it hurts seeing my baby penguins looking so sad.

"Kasi...kasi 'di mo kami binati ng good morning babies?" Adam asked.

"Or mga alaga mo..." Brent pouted.

"Ah!" I chuckled and brushed my hair, sumulyap ako ng bahagya kay Locket na bumuntonghininga lang.

"Sorry, Mama. Sana h'wag kang magagalit sa amin, kay Lt. Pigsa lang." Adam said, nakita kong umirap pa kay Locket na nanlaki lang ang mata sa kanya.

"What? I am your father, Adam—"

"Wala kaming Papa na pigsa!" Earn hissed. "Dahil sa'yo naging guy akong Lt. Tangang Pigsa ka!"

"You..." Locket's mouth parted and when I noticed the boys are about to bully Locket ay tumikhim na ako kaya natahimik sila.

"Sorry..." I muttered at sumulyap. "Don't blame Lt. Dmitrov."

"Pinga..." Locket called, "stop calling me Lieutenant—"

"I have to," I said gently. "You're an officer here, everyone is and I think it's just right for me to show some respect since I am working with you—"