Deceitful Seduction

Kabanata 11

The sunlight beamed in my eyes that woke up me from my dream. Unti-unti kong imimulat ang mga mata ko only to see that the window was opened and that the curtains were removed from there and was put aside the windows.

Maingat akong bumangon para hindi ko maramdaman ang sakit sa balikat ko. I just had an accident while working kaya ito ako ngayon, medyo nararamdaman pa rin ang kirot dahil sa pagkahulog ng isang semento sakon dahil sa biglang paglindol kahapon. Mabuti na lang at nakalabas kami kaagad sa unfinished building na project ko ngayon at iilan lang ang na injured samin.

Lumingon ako sa bedside table ko para tingnan ang oras, napabuntong-hininga naman ako noong makita kong late na akong nagising. Mabuti na lang at on-leave muna ako dahil sa sugat ko.

Naglakad ako papunta sa pintuan ng banyo at pumasok doon. I did my morning routine carefully para hindi masagi ang balikat ko. After I brushed my teeth, I went outside my room and walked downstairs only to hear familiar voices and laughter around the dining room.

"Could you pass me the sinigang?"

A sweet little girl's voice answered her that made me smile all of a sudden.

"Here po, tita Rife."

"Aw, than you my sweet little darling,"

I walked to them silently kaya hindi nila kaagad ako nakita. I saw how Leanne gently pinched my daughter's chubby cheeks na parati niyang pinanggigigilan.

They were all sitting in front of the table, ako na lang ang kulang. The breakfast was already served and even Kuya Geralt is having is normal morning breakfast, coffee and a heavy meal while reading a newspaper.

"Good morning."

Sabay na napabaling sakin ang anak ko at si Leanne na nagkukulitan. Naglakad ako palapit sakanila kasabay noon ang biglang pagtalon ng maganda kong anak sakin. Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting kirot dahil nasagi niya ang sugat ko pero hindi ko iyon ipinahalata.

"Mommy! Good morning!" She sweetly said then gave me a kiss in my cheeks.

I smiled and carried her in my arms na walang sugat before sitting down on her chair.

"Me too, mommy. Where's my halik?"

Natawa na lang ako kay Leanne na ngayon ay nakanguso at umaaktong masama ang loob dahil hindi ko siya binigyan ng morning kiss.

Mahina ko namang tinampal ang noo niya kaya mas lalo siyang napanguso.

"Stop it, Leanne. Para kang bata."

She playfully rolled her eyes before smiling. "Fine. How's your sleep?"

"It's... Okay, I guess?"

Napatingin ako kay Kuya noong bigla niyang tiniklop ang binabasang dyaryo at tumingin sakin.

"Verónica, come here, your momma's hurt." Tawag niya sa anak ko na nakaupo sa kandungan ko.

Tumingala naman siya sakin bago dumako ang tingin sa balikat ko.

"Does it hurt, mommy?" She asked while staring at my slinged arms.

With my free hand, I reached for hair face before caressing it gently.

"Yes, baby. But mommy's just fine."

Humalik naman siya sa pisngi ko bago bumaba at naglakat papunta kay Kuya bago siya nito binuhat at pinaupo sa kandungan nito kaya nakaharap na sila ngayon samin.

"Dito muna ako Tito Kreston, mommy. Para hindi na po kayo ma hurt."

"That's so sweet of you, baby..."