Caged [RWS #1]

CHAPTER 39: MASSAGE

Clio's POV

Tahimik naming pinagsaluhan ang dinner na pinadeliver ni Vianca. Hyacinth is devouring the skillet meatballs while Vianca is eating the shrimp enchiladas, and I'm on the pasta e ceci which is an Italian dish.

Parehong mabagal ang galaw namin ni Vianca na animo'y sinasadya namin 'yon. Pinipilit ko lang talagang kumain dahil nakakahiya sa kanila, and maybe, Vianca really eats that way-slow and modest. Dahil nga pareho kaming mabagal ay naunang matapos kumain si Hyacinth.

"Mommy, can I use my ipad now?" Hyacinth asked right after she finished her meal.

"Sure, baby," sagot ni Vianca. Siya na mismo ang kumuha ng ipad ni Hyacinth at inabot 'yon sa kanya. "Just one hour and then we'll go to sleep, okay?"

"Tutto bene!" Masiglang sagot ni Hyacinth saka pumunta sa sofa at binuksan ang ipad niya. She's on her own world now.

Bumalik si Vianca sa silya niya, opposite sa silya ko. She fixed her posture and cleared her throat like she's waiting for this set-up to happen. May gusto ba siyang sabihin?

"You don't need to wait longer to get some rest. Tapos na rin akong kumain," I pushed my plate away, indicating that I'm done eating.

"I'm sorry about what happened, hindi ko nabantayan si Hyacinth." Wika niya sa malamlam na tono. She glanced at Hyacinth who's still busy with her gadget.

"Walang dapat sisihin. We didn't like what happened." Pagpapagaan ko sa loob niya. I was too occupied by searching for some sea creatures, nawala ang atensyon ko kay Hyacinth. "No, actually, I should be the one saying sorry." I voiced out my thoughts.

"You saved her," saad niya para pigilan ang iniisip ko.

"I did," I paused. "But I was almost too late.. she stopped breathing. I didn't know what I was doing earlier, if I'm pushing her chest too much, or if I'm giving her rescue breaths the right way-"

"Clio, you did great," she held my hand on the table, squeezing it to give me assurance. "Thank you for saving Hyacinth," she sincerely said with a genuine smile.

I held onto her hand too. Our clasped hands gave me strength I didn't know I needed. Parang ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang pagod sa ginawa ko kanina at si Vianca ang nagbibigay lakas sa akin.

"You don't need to thank me. She's my daughter too, at gagawin ko ang lahat mailigtas lang siya." Seryosong saad ko rin saka sumulyap kay Hyacinth na nakatingin na pala sa amin. Her eyes fell on the table, with our hands holding. Agad kong binawi ang kamay ko. Baka magalit siya sa akin kapag nakitang hawak ko ang kamay ng mommy niya.

Mukhang nagulat si Vianca sa ginawa ko. Lumingon din siya sa direksyon ni Hyacinth. Our daughter gave us a questioning look.

"Y-your mom is giving me a massage." Kabadong palusot ko.

Hyacinth left her ipad and started walking towards the table. Pumwesto siya sa gilid ko. Nagkatinginan kami ni Vianca. We exchanged a confused look then get back on Hyacinth who's looking at me curiously.

"I can give you massage instead because you saved me earlier." Alok niya habang inaanalisa ang mukha ko. Muli kaming nagpalitan ng tingin ni Vianca. Tila ako nakarinig ng himala. "But it's okay if you don't want to." Bawi niya nang hindi agad ako makasagot.

"No.. I'd love to," agap ko at nilahad sa kanya ang aking palad. "Can you give me a massage, please?" Nakangiting pakiusap ko.

"Sure," she said and sat pulled a chair. Nilagay niya ang upuan sa harap ko at sinimulang i-masahe ang palad ko.

The whole time she's doing it, my lips are curled and my heart is jumping out of joy. I'm glad I saved her earlier. Worth it ang naging pagod ko, kung kapalit ay mahawakan ko ang kamay ng anak ko.