Midnights with Pierce Psyche Esquivel

Chapter 41

It was kinda awkward for me to say my goodbyes in the morning. Iwas pa rin ang mga tingin niya sa akin pero hinarap pa rin niya ako kinaumagahan.

"I'll just text our address, and you can call or text if malapit ka na sa amin." Paalala ko sa kanya sa pagpunta niya mamaya sa bahay.

Pero iyon lang at nagpaalam na ako ng tuluyan. He just nodded at me, obviously still avoiding my gaze. Kaya wala na akong nagawa sa huli kung hindi ang umalis.

I went home and Luca was already on the porch waiting for me. Ngumiti ako pagkalabas ko ng sasakyan at nagliwanag ang mukha niya.

"Mama!" He ran to me and I carried him right away.

"How was your work, Mama?" Masaya nitong tanong.

I smiled at him. "It was fine, how about you? How was your sleep?"

"It was fine too, Papa will be here later right?" The excitement in his voice was off the roof and this must be the reason why he woke up so early today too.

"Yes, so be ready." Paulit-ulit siyang tumango at tuluyan kaming pumasok sa loob.

We had our breakfast together and Luca's energy was very evident. Nakaligo na rin siya habang maliligo naman ako mamaya pagkatapos kong kumain.

"Mama, I'll wear my favorite spiderman shirt later on, kapag darating si Papa."

"Okay...you could..but you need to behave if you'll meet him, okay?" Marahan kong paalala.

"Hmmm...okay." Sagot nito sabay subo ng kanin niya.

Hindi ko mapigilan na titigan siya. His face was so bright and the smile on his face was very evident too.

Napababa ako ng tingin sa pinggan ko at sa huli ay nagpakawala ako ng buntong hininga. I guessed meeting his father wasn't really that bad, and just like what I thought, Luca is very happy, happier than what I have seen of him these past years.

And that's what really matters to me. His happiness.

Naligo na ako at ramdam ko ang antok pagkatapos. I blow dried my hair while I sat on my vanity chair when suddenly Luca came in rushing to me.

"Mama, Lola is outside, at may kasama po siya."

Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at siya namang pagsunod ni Ate Percy.

"Ma'am, nandiyan po Mama niyo, kasama po ang anak yata, Andra daw po ang pangalan."

Doon na ako tuluyang nagulat. I stood up from my chair and looked at Ate Percy nervously. Hindi ko maitago ang kabang nararamdaman.

What are they doing here?

"May problema po ba?" Ate Percy asked nervously too.

I licked my lips and looked down on Luca who was watching me curiously too.

"Bantayan niyo po si Luca, at huwag kayong lalabas ng kwarto."

I looked at myself in the mirror and let out a harsh breath. Pagkatapos ay kaagad kong nilapitan si Luca, binuhat at pinaupo sa may gilid ng higaan ko.

"Stay with Ate Percy, okay?" I smiled at him forcely. "And don't come out unless I say so."

The curiosity in his eyes grew wider but still he nodded his head. Tumayo ako at tumingin kay Ate Percy.

"Kayo na pong bahala sa kanya. Saglit lang po."

Ate Percy looked at me with concern and I didn't have a choice but to heave a heavy sigh before I exited the room.

I closed my door slightly and looked outside. At nang makita ko ang hindi pamilyar na sasakyan sa labas at ang bulto ng dalawang tao roon ay hindi ko maiwasan na makaramdam ng kaba.