Ambrose Asylum (COMPLETED)

KABANATA 42

Unfortunately, Stell and I have had a difficult time adjusting to our regular routines.

We all have to get ready every morning. The three of us. However, because Stell's job is hours away from where he lives right now, he has to get up at 4 a.m., and as a result, I have to get up at the same time as him in order to at least make him breakfast while he showers.

Pagkatapos niyang umalis ng bahay ay matutulog ulit ako, then gigising naman ng 5:30 ng umaga para asikasuhin si Skyler. Magluluto, kakain, uunahin muna siyang paliguan at aayusan bago ako. Kaya ang ending, laging late ang anak ko sa school niya. Kasi inaasikaso ko rin ang sarili ko.

I'm not sure if it's just that I'm terrible at managing my time. It could also be that I'm used to Godrick taking care of my son every morning.

That's something that Skyler also overlooks.

Especially kapag uwian na nila. Mas maaga ang dismissal ni Skyler kaysa sa akin and unfortunately, Godrick's not with us anymore to pick him up. And his Dad, his Dad's dismissal time from work is 6 p.m., so I have to pick up Skyler myself. The frustration of me always asking for my co-doctors to go home early because no one's gonna pick up my son from school. Minsan nga ay si Skyler nalang lagi ang nahuhuli sa school nila at naghihintay sa sundo niya.

And of course, he was sad because he'd always been late for school and had to wait for me every dismissal. Which is why he was mocked by a fellow student, saying that he is a loner. Ito namang anak ko ay nainis. And the next thing I knew, I was called to the Guidance Office. Because Skyler knocked the snot out of his bully classmate's face.

The moment I walked into the Guidance office, I was both relaxed and apprehensive. My kid and the parents of the classmate he punched were waiting for me.

"Oh, good afternoon Ms. Colace. Mabuti at nakarating po kayo." Salubong sa akin ng Guidance Counselor.

"Good afternoon din po." Magalang kong pagbati, saka ko nilingon ang anak ko. My mouth parted a bit when I saw three bruises on his face. Mabilis akong napamura sa isip ko.

I sat next to Skyler and enquired about him "Anak, what happened? The reason for your aggressiveness is unclear." I said it as calmly as I could because I didn't want him to be even more upset and frustrated, now that he'd just cried.

Hindi niya ako sinagot at diretso lang ang tingin niya sa kanyang kaklase na syang sinapak niya. I wiped his sweaty back, as well as his eyes, which were again dripping with tears.

"It's alright, Mama's here." Saka ko na hinarap ang Guidance Counselor "Maaari ko po bang malaman kung ano ang nangyari?" Because God knows my son wouldn't dare to hurt anybody, unless that kid really went out of the line.

Nagbuntong hininga ang Guidance Counselor bago siya magsalita "Well, nagkaroon daw po kasi ng asaran ang dalawang bata kung kaya't napikon si Skyler at sinuntok sa mukha itong kaklase niya. And since Austin is also aggressive. Binawian niya rin si Skyler kaya nagsuntukan na silang dalawa."

Nagulat ako sa narinig at mabilis na nilingon ang anak. Napansin ko na may malaking bukol din siya sa noo niya at hindi lang halata dahil natatakpan ng buhok niya.

Damn, lagot ako sa tatay nito.

Tinaas ko ang buhok ni Skyler at hindi ko na napigilan pa ang sarili ko na magmura nang makitang dumudugo ang bukol niya sa kaniyang noo.

"Skyler, what happened?" Giit ngipin kong tanong sa anak ko. Pero napapikit lang siya ng mariin at niyukom ang kamao niya ng sobrang higpit. As though he's trying to calm himself down, which reminds me of his father because that's how he does it as well.