The Crude Casanova

TCC ~ 13

TCC ~ XIII

***

Chryss

I kept my kind expression while I searched for a book to read for Santhe. But deep inside, I am already screaming in rejoice!

Finally, he is giving me a chance to be closer to him. Ito ang matagal ko ng hinahangad. This is one of my hopes. Ang mabasahan siya ng isang kwento mula sa libro upang makatulog. I also want to lull him to sleep but that's another story. Soon, magagawa ko rin iyon. But for now, gusto ko siyang kuwentuhan ng siguradong ma-i-enjoy niya at mapupulutan niya ng aral.

There are a lot of story books mostly for children here in his shelf. Some are legends, myths and Philippine folklores. Ang iba'y may mga pictures pa. But surely, nabasa na siguro ito sa kanya. I wonder who reads him these? Maybe Ma'am Navi? How about Senechov? Is he spending time in his son's bedroom reading him stories? I've never seen him do it. But I can't see him 24/7 so maybe he does.

Now, what should I read him?

Hmm.. should I ask his opinion?

Binalingan ko siya. His eyes are on me as my back are on him.

"Anong paborito mong story?"

Umiling siya. "Nothing. Choose what you like."

Napakunot-noo ako habang nakatalikod sa kanya. That's not a good answer though. Paano siya masisiyahan kung ang sarili kong gusto ang babasahin ko para sa kanya?

Oh! Here it is! I happily get from the set of books the story entitled The Little Prince. It is written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It's very educational and good for curious kids.

I know he'll enjoy this one!

Masayang bumalik ako sa tabi niya at tumabi sa higaan niya. Nakasandig siya sa headboard ng kanyang kama.

"What is that?"

"The Little Prince. It's a good book. Haven't you read or heard of this?"

He shook his head.

I sighed. I smiled at him before starting to read.

I read it to him and he listened carefully. He didn't said anything. He kept quiet. I haven't heard any remarks from him.

Pero nakikita ko ang interes niya sa binabasa ko. He's smiling timidly and I even saw him with widening eyes. He enjoyed listening to the conversation of the fox and the little boy.

Nang mapansin kong matagal na akong nagbabasa ay tiningnan ko ang oras. It's already 10 pm! He needs to sleep. Isinara ko ang libro at nginitian siya.

"It's late. Matulog ka muna."

Tumutok ang tingin niya sa nakatiklop na libro at tumango.

I thought he's not gonna say anything dahil inaayos ko ang kumot niya ay tahimik lang siya.

Then.. "It's a good book. All Lola Manang read to me is that boring Turtle and Rabbit story. Paulit-ulit. It's a dumb story."

I gaze at him affectionately. "It's not a dumb story. It has a lesson." I told him softly. "Pero siguro nga ay dapat iniiba parati ni Manang ang kwento niya. Hayaan mo, sasabihin ko sa kanya, ha. Now, sleep tight."

"No."

Napatigil ako sa pag-ayos ng higaan niya. Anong ayaw niya? Ayaw niya sa sinabi ko?

"What no?"

"Don't tell Lola Manang. You should be the one to read me stories. I want the continuation of The Little Prince." At itinakip nito ang kumot sa buong mukha.