TAMING THE VICIOUS STORM (Familiá Altamirano #4)

【CHAPTER 10: DUSTIN】

New Responsibility

    MAINGAT kong inilapag ang sanggol sa kama nang pahalang. Even if against my will, I still brought the baby back home to the mansion. Dito rin siya sa kwarto ko patutulugin dahil walang nursery room. Mom told me that she has a plan to renovate the room next to mine to a nursery room, but I told her it doesn't matter.

Tumigil ako sa pag-iisip at lumingon sa sanggol na payapang natutulog sa kama ko.

My eyes looked over him— taking in all his little features. He got the colour of my hair. Kulay brown 'yon na kapag tumagal sa araw ay nagiging mas matingkad 'to. May maliit din itong birthmark na hugis puso sa likuran ng kamay.

Napakaputi at mamula-mula pa ang magkabilang pisngi niya. His eyes were like mine, but at the same time, they looked foreign. He has dimples on his cheeks like me and Rara. Then freckles like Rara.

Everytime I see him, iniisip ko na lang na siya ang bunga sa nangyari sa amin ni Rara at kailangan ko siyang alagaan. One day, when the right comes, Rara will come back, and we will start a family.

"Dustin,"

Mabilis akong napalingon sa kabilang banda noong marinig ang pagbukas nang pinto ng aking kwarto. My eyes met my Mom's hazel brown orbs. I smiled warmingly at her.

"Ma, what are you doing here?" I started.

Huminga 'to ng malalim at naglakad palapit sa akin. "Wala pang gamit ang baby, 'di ba? Magpasama ka sa mga pinsan mo—"

I shook my head in disagreement.

"Mom, it's fine. I can do it," I responded right away.

I don't want to be a burden to them. Moreover, my older brother and Khrizanta was busy nowadays. Wala akong balita kung bakit. Pero nang nagkita-kita kaming magpipinsan, halata sa mukha ni Khrizanta ang lungkot.

She told me that Ariella has a problem— a very big problem. Financial problem siguro, ewan. Pwede-pwede naman kaming tumulong, pasasaan pa at para na namin siyang pamilya.

"Why not? If you don't want to ask for help with your cousins, I'll accompany you," sabi ni Mommy.

"Mom, huwag na. May lakad kayo ni Dad, remember? Dad will start campaigning in Cavite— just join him."

Her face crumpled with despair. "Dustin, anak. . ."

I forced a smile. "It's okay, Mom. I'm okay. I'll be fine. . ."I am not okay. I wish Rara was here with me.

Another day has passed. The baby was still sleeping when I woke up. I silently groaned when I saw he hadn't finished much of the milk I made last night. The clear nipple was still stuck in his mouth, lifted by the pillow I put on his side to support the bottle so he could drink duly.

This newborn baby is so picky! Ang mahal kaya ng bili ko sa gatas na 'to pero hindi naman niya inubos. Maingat ko na lang na inalis sa bibig niya ang bote ng gatas saka na ako naghanda ng susuotin niya. Hinanda ko na rin ang pampaligo niya sa banyo. I improvise since I don't have anything for him to use yet.

Kung ako lang, ayoko naman siya isama paalis. Pero hindi ko naman kasi siya pwedeng iwan dito at walang mag-aalaga sa kaniya.

I'm not that heartless to leave him here alone.

Ate Kelsea volunteered to nurse Thunder while I shopped for his stuff. It was her day off, so she had time to take care of my son, even only for an hour long. Hindi nalalayo sa edad ng anak niya ang edad ni Thunder kaya paniguradong magiging malapit sila sa isa't-isa.

I almost jumped in fright when I saw Duke waiting outside my room. He was still wearing his uniform, looking so bored, but when he saw me— his mood brightened.