Summer is my Favorite Season

Chapter 22

Nakatitig lang ako kay Jacob habang nasa loob siya ng sasakyan niya. Halos ilang minuto na siyang naroon mula no'ng dumating siya.

"Jacob, wala ka bang balak lumabas diyan?" tanong ko.

"Are you sure they're not gonna hurt me?" he asked. I didn't respond to him because I don't know the answer. "Oh, come on, Cali. Just tell me--"

"Can you please get out of your car? They're waiting for you inside." I said.

"Alright, alright. Ito na nga, e." huminga siya nang malalim bago bumaba sa sasakyan niya. "Oh, fuck. I'm scared. Will you be there for me?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. Aasikasuhin ko si Lope." I said.

Noong nakaraang nakapag-usap kami ni Jacob sa napag-usapan namin ni Lope, sinabi ko rin sa kanya na gusto rin siyang kausapin nina kuya.

"Ano ba? Gusto mo ba o hindi?"

"Wait lang," sabi niya. "I'm really scared, but nevermind. Gusto ko na makasama 'yong mag-ina ko." seryosong sabi niya. "Wooh! Let's go,"

Mahina akong tumawa at sumunod sa kanya. Pumasok siya sa loob ng bahay namin at napatayo lang doon sa may pinto nang makita sina Kuya Yuno at Kuya Jon.

"Help me, Cali." he whispered.

Tinawanan ko siya at nilagpasan siya. "Bahala ka. Kasalanan mo 'yan, iniwan mo 'ko, e." I said. "Good luck." kumaway muna ako sa kanya bago umakyat sa kwarto.

"Mama, do I look pretty?" Lope asked me.

She's wearing the dress Theo gave to her. It's her favorite dress at the moment.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at inayos ang buhok niya. "You're pretty as always, Lope." I said.

She smiled. "Daddy said we're both pretty."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What? He talked to you?" she nodded. "When?"

She shrugged. "I can't remember, mama. But he talked to me when I was in school, you weren't there po." she said.

Siguro noong nakaraan 'yon. Late ko na nasundo si Lope no'ng nakaraan dahil napasobra ang tulog ko.

Inayusan ko lang si Lope habang nag-uusap pa sila sa baba. Dinadaldal ko pa si Lope pero excited na talaga siyang bumaba.

Bumaba na nga kami sa sala at nag-uusap pa rin sila. Tumingin nang diretso sa 'kin si Jacob, mukhang humihingi ng tulong.

"Do you understand me, Jacob?" Kuya Jon asked him.

Napatingin naman siya agad kay kuya at tumango. "Yes, Kuya," saad niya. Natawa ako sa itsura niya, mukha siyang maamong tuta.

"Wala ka bang sasabihin, Yuno?" tanong ni Kuya Jon.

"What do you want me to say? Boto naman ako kay Jacob-- Ouch, Jon!" reklamo niya nang batukan siya ni Kuya Jon. Bumaling naman siya kay Jacob. "Just don't leave them again, Jacob. Kapag iniwan mo ulit si Emily, kahit boto ako sa 'yo, hindi ko na hahayaang makita mo sila ulit."

Jacob smiled at him. "I won't leave them, Kuya." he said.

Si Jacob lang ang nakakakita sa 'kin. Sina kuya at Ate Lana ay nakaupo nang patalikod sa 'min ni Lope.

"Uh, hey, Jacob. I know I don't have a right to say a thing, but Emily is like my little sister," she said. "Can you promise me that you won't hurt her again? I witnessed how she suffered for the last six years with Lope. I don't want to see her again like that." she added.

Jacob nodded at her. "I promise, Ate. I won't hurt her again. I will not disappoint you po. I'm glad you all gave me a chance."

"Alam lang namin kung gaano ka kailangan ng mag-ina mo. Sana lang ay 'wag mong sayangin 'tong chance na 'to." Kuya Jon said.

Pagtapos nilang mag-usap ay lumapit na kami ni Lope kay Jacob.

"Daddy!" tumakbo si Lope palapit sa kanya. Binuhat naman siya ni Jacob. "You look scared po."

Jacob chuckled. "Yeah. I was scared."

"Kuya, alis na kami." paalam ko sa kanila.

"Ingat kayo," sabi ni Kuya Jon. "Jacob, ingatan mo 'yang mag-ina mo, ha? Kukutusan kita kapag may nangyari r'yan." mahina naman siyang hinampas ni Ate Lana sa braso.

"Take care, and enjoy!" Ate Lana said.

"Hoy, Jacob. I-uwi mo 'yang kapatid ko, ah? Baka itanan mo na 'yan." Kuya Yuno said.

Jacob laughed. "Iuuwi ko sila," he said. "Ba-bye ka na sa kanila, Lope." sabi niya naman.

Kumaway sa kanila si Lope. "Byebye po!" nginitian nilang lahat si Lope at kumaway rin.

"Lope, baba ka na kay daddy mo. Baka mangawit siya." I said.

"It's fine, Cali. Anong akala mo sa 'kin? May rayuma na?" he asked.

Nang makapasok kami sa kotse niya, tahimik lang kami. Si Lope ay nasa back seat.

"Daddy, do you like my dress?" Lope asked him.

Nilingon ni Jacob si Lope. "Yes, Lope. I love your dress. Did your mom give it to you?" he asked.

Lope shook her head. "No, po. Tito Theo gave this to me, daddy." she said.

Tumingin siya sa 'kin nang nakakunot ang noo. "Who's Theo?" he asked.

"He's my friend," I answered. "What? Do you have a problem with that?"

"Friend, huh?"

"Oh, what? You're jealous?" pagbibiro ko.

He stared at me. "I don't like her dress now," he whispered to me. "I'll buy her a gown."

I laughed a bit. "It's her favorite dress. I don't think mabibilhan mo siya na magiging favorite niya."

He smirked. "We'll see," he said.