Love Me Tomorrow

CHAPTER 22

It's a normal Sunday for us. We are in Gabe's house just like how we spend our Sundays for the past 6 years since we met Gabian. Nakagawian na naming mag-inang pumunta sa bahay ni Gabe at doon na kami hanggang gabi.

Today, Gabe is teaching my son with basic self defense. Matagal ng gustong matuto ni North ng mga simpleng depensa pero ako itong hindi pumapayag dahil bata pa siya. Nitong magpitong taong gulang lang si North ako pumayag dahil desidido talaga siyang matuto.

"This is how you get away when someone locked you in his arms." sabi ni Gabe habang nag-de-demo ng dapat gawin ng anak ko kapag nasa ganoong sitwasyon na siya. I'm just watching them, takot na baka masaktan ang anak ko. I trust Gabian with this one pero hindi pa rin ako mapanatag.

I know that we live in a world where we can't trust anyone. People can stab us from the back. Kaya nakumbinsi rin ako nang magpaalam ang anak kong gusto niyang matuto ng basic self defense para kahit papaano ay may alam ang anak ko kung sakali man. Lalo pa't madalas na hindi inaasahan ang mga aksidente.

"Just use defense to bad guys, North." mahigpit na sabi ko. Tumingin ang anak ko sa akin. He's sweating because of his session with Gabe.

"Only bad guys deserve pain, Mommy." he said panting. Tumango ako.

"Come here, I'll wipe your sweat." aya ko sakanya. Tumingin siya kay Gabe at tinanguan naman siya ng lalaki. He walks toward me.

"How are you feeling?" tanong ko habang pinupunasan ang likod niya.

"I'm okay." tipid na sagot niya.

"Tapos naba kayo?" baling ko kay Gabe.

"We're done. Sa susunod na linggo ulit. You improved, buddy!" puri niya sa anak ko at ginulo ang buhok.

"We'll have our lunch, then." sabi ko.

"I'll just shower. Sama ko na si North." Tumango ako.

"I'll just prepare our foods." sabi ko naman. I watched them go before I entered the kitchen.

I am busy heating the foods when I heard someone ringing the doorbell. May inaasahan bang bisita si Gabe? He usually spend his Sunday with us here in his unit and he never invited someone over habang naririto kami ng anak ko.

Nagpunas muna ako ng kamay bago ako naglakad papunta sa pintuan. I didn't bother looking at the peephole. I just opened the door and regretted it when I saw who's outside. Kakaibang kaba na naman ang naramdaman ko nang magkatinginan kami. Even with his dangerous stares, I saw how he suppressed his shocked expression by almost glaring at me.

"Marcus." mahinang tawag ko.

"Ynessa." there's anger in his voice na hindi ko alam kung para saan. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa galit na naulinigan ko sa boses niya.

"I don't like what I'm thinking." he said. I don't like your presence here! That's what I wanted to say but I don't have the courage to voice it out. Not with his obvious stares. And what is his connection with Gabe? Bakit nandito siya?

Nagulat ako nang magmura siya nang mariin bago tumalim ang mga mata habang nakatingin sa akin.

"When did you meet Gabian?" he dangerously asked.

"Why do you want to know?" hamong tanong ko.

"Because his life lies in your answer." mariing sabi niya. My heart skip a bit. The hell is he talking about? This dangerous man knows how to scare me.

"Don't fear me, Ynessa. Hindi ako ang dapat mong katakutan." mas lalo lamang akong naguluhan sa mga sinabi niya. "Now I know why the organization can't find you all these years. Sa mga kamay ng Del Prado ka rin pala babagsak, well, technically." mas lalo lamang akong naguluhan sa sinabi niya.