TWENTY-ONE

“Sshhh... I’m here. I’m already here. Nothing's gonna happen with you as long as I’m here,” masuyong sambit ni Hanz habang pinapahiran ang kaniyang mga luha.

“S**t!” malakas na mura nito nang makita ang nagsisimula ng mamagang pisngi niya.

Muli ay galit nitong hinarap si Dereck. “D**n you! You’ll going to pay for this! I'll make sure you’ll never lay even the tip of your finger to Yeisha and Harvey,” nanggagalaiting turan nito.

Dereck sarcastically laughed. “And how will you do that? I am Harvey’s father and nothing’s gonna ever changed that fact,” patuya nitong tugon.

“Yeah, I know… But do you think Harvey will let you go near him or his mother if he knew what you did?”

Mabilis na tumayo si Dereck. At sa naniningkit na mga mata ay lumapit sa kanila na nakaaro ang isang kamay.

“Daddy...” anang namamaos na boses ni Harvey. Kinukusot pa nito ang mga mata na mukhang nagising sa kumosyong nilikha nila.

Nabitin sa ere ang kamao ni Dereck. At parang iisang taong napatingin si