Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-35

Marami mang gawain sa resort ay gumagawa pa rin ako ng paraan para madalaw ang kapatid ni Levi sa ospital. Vinia is only 5 and she just recently started studying in kindergarten, which is why it makes my heart break. She's my greatest playmate since my squad was too mature to play with me.

"Baby Vinia, what do you want to become in the future?" I asked her as I sat on the edge of her bed.

Pinigilan ko siya nung sinubukan niyang umupo pero 'di siya nagpaawat. Taimtim siyang tumingin sa akin bago lumapit at bumulong sa aking tenga.

"I pray to... see my Ate Levi be successful in the future po." That's what she shared with me before taking a glance at Levi, who was busy slicing fruits for her.

Pinipigil ko ang aking sarili na wag umiyak matapos niya 'yong sabihin. Masakit para sa aking malaman na kahit sa pagtanda ay ang kapatid niya pa rin na si Levi ang kanyang lubos na dinadalangin.

"Zein, maraming salamat sa lagi mong pagbisita kay Vinia. Hindi mo alam kung... gaano mo siya napapasaya." Sambit ni Tita Carmen habang hawak ang aking kamay.

I gave her an assuring smile. "Walang ano man po, Tita. Masaya nga po akong makipagkulitan sa bunso niyo. Babalik po ulit ako bukas—"

"Zein, kahit... wag na." Levi scoffed. "Alam kong nanganganib na naman yung resort niyo sa Laguna at kailangan ka ng mga tauhan niyo para gabayan sila."

Levi tapped my shoulder. "And you need to rest, Zein. Look at the dark circles in your eyes. Natutulog ka pa ba, ghorl?"

Inaamin kong naging pabaya ako sa resort at maging sa sarili ko pero hindi ko iyon pinagsisisihan dahil mahalaga rin sa akin ang batang si Vinia. May taning na ang kanyang buhay kaya gusto ko laging nasa tabi niya. Ayaw rin kasing tanggapin ni Levi ang tulong na binibigay ko kaya kahit sa pagdalaw ay bumabawi ako.

"How about this, anak? I think it looks good on you." Ani ni mom habang hawak ang isang white printed shoe.

Nandito kami ngayon sa Dior Shop in Makati para mamili. It's my mom who suggested that we go shopping together to relieve my stress. She must have noticed how exhausted I have been for the past week, so she brought me here. Buying shoes has always been my comfort, but I don't feel that way now.

It's odd.

"I told you, Nanny, I want my kuya! I want him to choose the perfect shoes for me!" A little girl screamed inside the store in annoyance.

Napakamot ng ulo ang ale na nakasuot ng puting bestida. "Naku, Sabrina, alam mo namang busy ang kuya mo sa trabaho. Ayaw mo ba talaga ng mga ito." turo nito sa samot- saring pambatang sapatos na nakalapag sa ibaba.

The cute little girl crossed her arms over her chest, pouting her lips. "Ayaw ko po n'yan lahat, Nanny. My kuya knows everything about the shoes I like. I'm not going to leave here until my Kuya comes. Hmp!"

"Anak, do you think that little girl has similarities to you? She's also cute." Mom whispered before she walked to the counter to pay for the shoes.

Yeah... she is.

The way she sulked and pouted her lips whenever things weren't going her way is how I pictured myself when I was a kid. Well, I still have the same ego, but I can manage to not go that far. I'm just content with what's in front of me and do not expect anything better to come.