SJUS#3 HOOKED

Chapter 4

Rain

"A for arabo, B for bakekang," Klara enunciated as her eyes alternately passing through the alphabet poster and to my Mikay.

She was busy lecturing my little nugget as if the latter would understand what she was preaching. I let out a soft chukle as I gazed on them. On the floor were puzzle pieces and foamy letters basked all over it. Popsicle stick naman ang nasa kamay ni Klara at isa-isang itinuturo ang mga letters sa isang poster.

Mabagal na napailing ako pero hindi naman maalis ang ngiti sa labi ko. Ang kwela namm talaga ng batang 'to. I finished putting on my contacts before dropping a certain amount of solution in it.

"C for chismosa, D for dede," she continued, giggling. Automatic na napatingin ulit ako sa kanila.

"Nakakaloka ka naman, Klara. Kapag letter D stands for dede kaagad?" kunot-noo na tanong ko. Pero hindi ko napigilan ang muling pag-alpas ng ngiti sa labi ko.

Her giggles turned into a roar of laughter. Minsan may sapak talaga ang isang ito pero wala naman ako mairereklamo sa serbisyo niya. Napakaalaga niya sa bata at ramdam ko na mahal niya rin ang anak ko. She said Mikay was like a little sister to her. Sixteen pa lang kasi 'tong si Klara kaya maloko talaga. Yeah, teenagers nowadays.

"Of course-golf course, ateng!" she enthused.

"Mama!" my baby beamed, peering at me with her hands held upright. A sign that tells me to carry her in my arms.

Agad na lumapit ako sa kanya at maingat na binuhat ito. I planted a soft, feathery kiss on her chubby cheeks before sniffing on her hair. She's really a sweetheart. Siya ang kumukumpleto sa nakaka-haggard kong buhay. Ang nagbibigay lakas whenever I feel down.

"A-mama-mama" she cooed again.

Joyful tears pricked my eyes and there was a warm glow that filled up my being. Ibang saya ang dulot ng pagiging isang ina at masasabi kong isa ako masuswerteng nabiyayaan ng pagkakataon para maranasan ito. Just like in the most prestigious pageants, truly the essence of being a woman is being a mother.

"I love you, Mikaila Agatha Sexon." I murmured lovingly before kissing her on the forehead.

"Coo!" Mikay cackled as if she was saying I love you back.

Tumayo si Klara mula sa kinauupuan at nakangiting pinagmasdan kami. Sa totoo lang hindi na siya iba at pamilya na rin ang turing ko sa kanya. Pati moral support nga ay hindi ko ipanagdamot sa kanya.

"Ayiee! ang sweet niyo mag-mommy. Inggit much is me." A hint of sadness was there on her last sentence. It got me affected for a moment but I shooed the bad vibes right away.

Inilapag ko si Mikay sa crib at inabot ang pony rattle nito bago hinarap ulit si Klara. I held her hand and gave her a sisterly, affectionate smile. Lumamlam naman ang mga mata nito. Iniipit ko ang ilang hibla ng buhok sa likod ng kanyang tainga.

"Let go of the past. Masyado ka pang bata para ma-stock sa masalimuot mong nakaraan. Tandaan mo, your past or whatever mistake you did before does not define you." I gently shook my head, convincing her not to look at the dark side of her life story.

She sniffed. "Opo, ate. Alam ko naman yun pero..." she paused. Nakatungo habang napapailing pa ng bahagya. I could feel her pain the way she utter those every single word.

"Shhh... enough with that mood. Nakakabawas ng ganda." I joked and hugged her like what I always do with Chloe before.

Nanakit ang lalamunan ko bigla at parang maiiyak na rin ako pero kaagad kong napigilan. Reminiscing moments about my little sister got me vulnerable. I sniffed and pulled out my arms from Klara.