CONSEQUENCE OF TEMPTATION

Chapter Nine

Alam mo 'yung pakiramdam na kakakilala n'yo pa lang pero para sa'yo parang matagal na? That's what I'm feeling when I'm with Bela. Her kisses, touch, everything is so familiar to me. Or maybe I'm just thinking too much because she's the only woman to sleep beside me for over a month.

I don't want to call her my son's nanny. She's more than that. She's my little hoe and that's it. Hindi dapat ako nasasanay na nandito si Bela pero parang di ko ata maisip na makita siyang umalis at maiwan na naman akong mag-isa. Everyday, I look forward on seeing her. I always wake up every morning with a smile whenever I see her beside me or waking up with her and my son together.

"Good morning, daddy." Bati ni Bela nang mapansing gising na ko, "Napaliguan ko na si Zach. Late ka nang nagising."

"Anong oras na ba?" I yawned.

"It's already ten am Mr. Montenegro." Aniya at lumapit sa'kin para halikan ang labi ko, "What do you want for brunch?"

"You." I said as I stare at her lovely face. She chuckled and handed me my son.

"Dyan ka muna kay daddy, magluluto ako ng food." Pagkausap nito kay Zach. I just did nothing but to stare at her.

"I wish you're my son's mom." Wala sa sariling saad ko kaya natigilan siya. Agad naman akong nakabawi at halos sabay kaming umiwas ng tingin, "I-I...just ignore what I said."

Ngumiti lang to at mabilis na lumabas ng kuwarto. Naupo naman ako at sumandal sa headboard tsaka pinatong si Zach sa dibdib ko. He's holding a toy and he's biting on it.

"Do you like her, son?" Tanong ko kay Zach. He smiled at me and made a coo, "Kung sana siya na lang ang mommy mo no? But that's impossible. Your mom can't be that caring and thoughtful to you. I hate her."

I sighed and stared at Zach. I don't want to remember his mother leaving him vulnerable in front of my door. My anger is rising whenever I think about that bitch. Pano pala kung wala kami dito noong iniwan niya si Zach? My son will cry because of hunger and no one will be there to feed him.

Kung nasan man ang nanay ni Zach ngayon ay mas mabuting manatili na lang siya kung nasan siya. I don't want her to be part of me or my son's life. Zach doesn't need a mother to live. I can be both of them and give him twice the love he needs. Hindi niya na kailangan balikan ang mga tao na iniwan niya.

Hiniga ko muna si Zach sa kama para mag-hilamos. Pagtapos ay lumabas kami ng kuwarto habang karga ko siya sa isang bisig ko. Naabutan ko si Bela na naglalagay ng plato sa table kaya inupo ko si Zach sa high chair.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked when I heard Bela sniffing.

"Ah, yeah, I think I caught a cold." She said with a puffy voice, "Di muna ko lalapit kay Zach baka mahawa siya."

"You want to see a doctor? Sasamahan kita. May meds dito." Lumapit ako sa first aid kit at nag-halungkat don. Nang makita ang gamot ay inabot ko 'yun kay Bela, "Here—"

"Masama ba ko?" Biglang tanong niya kaya nagtaka ako.

"What?"

"Wala." Aniya at tinalikuran ako. I don't usually mind other people's problem but I can't help but to worry about Bela. I know there's something wrong.

Habang kumakain kami ay pinagmamasdan ko siya. Tahimik lang to di tulad ng ibang araw na masaya siyang nakikipag-biruan sa'kin.

"You can tell it to me if you want." I said and reached for her hand, "I'm already your friend Bela. Well, friends with benefits." I chuckled making her smile.

"It's okay. I just feel worthless when I remembered something." Anito ay nagbaba ng tingin, "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, go ahead." I nod.