Guarded ✔ (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

16. Clear Choice

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Gotham agreed to my suggestions.

His son and the mother of his son will be moving in the house a few distance away from us. It was a smaller house, but still big enough for a common family to live.

I even saw several moving trucks in the front of the house. Some of his men were helping her moved their things toward their new home.

We talked to Russle about it. He knew what was going on and he was the most excited in this ordeal.

Nasa labas ang kapatid ko kasama ng mga tauhan ni Gotham upang tumulong sa pagbubuhat ng gamit. Nanatili ako sa kwarto naming mag-asawa upang pagmasdan sila mula sa bintana. I was only looking for my brother.

He wanted to meet Gotham's baby already while I didn't want any connection with the baby to avoid conflict with the mother.

Someday, maybe...

Russle continued lifting things that were given to him by his companions. Binubuhat niya ang mga bagay na hindi gaanong mabigat palabas masok sa bahay.

Lumabas mula sa kotse si Celeste, minamanduhan niya ang mga tauhan. She was holding the baby.

Tumigil ang kapatid ko upang silayan ang batang hawak niya. The kid's almost one.

I couldn't hear what they are talking about, but my brother was smiling. Hinawakan niya ang paa ng bata. He was trying to sway his little foot with caution.

Pumantay si Celeste sa kapatid ko. Ibinigay niya kay Russle ang batang lalaki na malugod na tinanggap ng bata samantalang pumasok ang babae sa loob ng bahay. Naiwan ang kanyang anak kay Russle.

My little brother sat on the pavement in order to hold a child almost half his weight. Tinulungan naman siya ng tauhan ni Gotham. He was still laughing and smiling even with struggle of holding the baby.

"Hey," Pumulupot ang bisig ni Gotham sa aking baywang.

"Na-meet mo na ba ang anak mo? Inunahan ka pa yata ng kapatid ko."

He chuckled. "I will meet him later, sweetheart." Sumilip siya sa pinagmamasdan ko. "You're right. Russle's the most excited having a playmate. He's already doing his big brother duty. Look at them..."

Napangiti ako. "I told you. Saka nagduda ka pa ba? Muntikan na siyang kumidnap ng bata sa mall para iuwi. Sabik na sabik siya sa bata. I think... it's a good thing that you have a kid already. S'yempre, hindi ko naman sinusuportahan panggagantso ng kanyang ina..."

Inayos niya ang nagkalat kong buhok sa mukha.

"Are you sure you don't want to meet him yet?" he asked.

Tumango ako. "For the sake of peace, Gotham... I won't. Not today. Not tomorrow. Siguro sa susunod pang taon, kapag marunong na siyang makipag-usap. His mother won't take it lightly. Any interaction would be a threat to her that I'm replacing her to be the mother of her child. Hindi iyon makakatulong."

Humarap ako sa kanya at yumakap. "I want you to be a good father to your child, okay? You and Russle should be a better influence for him." Sinuklian naman niya ang yakap ko. "What's his name?"

"Voight. Voight Garrison Arkinson."

"Sounds badass to me." I smiled.

***

"Ang lambot lambot niya, ate!"

Pinalitan ko ang kanyang damit na puno ng pawis. He was still in school uniform. Agad siyang bumisita sa kabilang bahay upang makipaglaro sa anak ni Gotham. His excitement never dwindled.