Lahat ng Kabanata ng Lean on me, Daredevil: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

Kraner didn’t bother waiting for Amelia’s permission. Without a word, he pushed the door open and walked straight into her condo, his expression dark and his jaw visibly tightening with every step. He was clearly furious. They had been trying to reach her for hours with no response, and tension had been building ever since.Even her parents, already frantic with worry, had gone as far as filing a missing person report at the precinct—despite the fact that she had only been out of reach for two hours. That was more than enough time, in their eyes, for something terrible to have happened.“What the hell are you thinking, Amelia!”“Gan’yan ka ba talaga? Wala ka talagang pakialam sa nararamdaman ng ibang tao?” balik nito agad, mas lalong tumalim ang tono ng boses. “Alam mo bang halos magpatawag ng search and rescue ang mga magulang mo dahil bigla ka na lang nawala at hindi ka na namin ma-contact? Halos himatayin na si Tita kanina sa sobrang pag-aalala habang kung saan-saan kayo hinahanap!”

“S-Stop... H-Hindi ako marupok,” bulong ni Amelia habang pilit inaalis ang kamay ni Kraner na nasa ibabaw ng dibdib niya. Pero hindi ito natinag. Sa halip, lalo pang naging mapangahas ang bawat galaw nito—parang apoy na unti-unting lumalamon sa buong katawan niya.Hindi niya akalaing si Kraner pa ang unang gagawa ng move sa kanilang dalawa—gayong noon, siya palagi ang nauuna. Kung alam lang niya na ganito pala ang magiging tugon nito, sana noon pa niya hinayaang habulin siya.Napakunot ang noo ni Amelia nang marinig ang mahinang tawa ni Kraner habang hinahalikan ang leeg niya. May halong inis, kilig, at kaba ang bawat pintig ng puso niya—at hindi niya na alam kung alin doon ang dapat niyang sundin.“Oo na. Hindi ka na marupok.” Natatawang pahayag ni Kraner.“Y-You’re making fun of me!” maktol ni Amelia.“Nagtatampo ka pa rin, hmm?”“Oo! G*go!”“Okay.”“Anong okay?” kunot-noong tanong ni Amelia.“Gagawan ko ng paraan para hindi ka na magtampo,” malumanay at may lambing na sabi ni Kraner

“Nova?” Amelia’s voice was laced with concern as she called out to her friend, noticing the distant look in her eyes. She quickly moved to stand in front of her, blocking her path and forcing her to snap out of her thoughts. “You’re spacing out again. Is something wrong? Want to share what’s on your mind, hmm?”“A-Amelia.”“Bakit?” kunot-noong tanong ni Amelia nang mapansin ang pamumuo ng luha sa mga mata ni Nova. Pero agad itong umiwas ng tingin at pasimpleng pinunasan ang tumulong luha.“W-Wala.”“Anong wala? Come on, Nova! What are friends for, diba? Ako nga, sine-share ko sa’yo lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ko. Kahit yung pag-utot ni kuya, detalyado kong kinukwento sa’yo! Kaya dali na, spill it,” pangungulit ni Amelia, na siyang nagpatawa kay Nova.“Sino ba kasing nagsabi sa’yo na ikwento mo pati pag-utot ni Lucas? Bwahaha!” Halakhak ni Nova.“There! Mas bagay sa’yo kapag nakangiti ka.”“T-Thanks.”“Hoy, hindi libre ‘yung pagpapatawa ko sa’yo ha,” biro ni Amelia habang hinila si Nov

“You’re giving me the creeps,” Kiel said in a deadpan tone, his face unreadable. Amelia rolled her eyes in exasperation, clearly used to his dry remarks.Walangya! Nakangiti lang naman ako, anong creepy ‘don?“Bitter ka lang! ‘Wag nga ako,” singhal n’ya sa binata.Hindi na nagsalita pa si Kiel at ibinalik na lang ang atensyon sa laptop sa harap niya. Napairap si Amelia sa hangin, halatang naiinip na sa bonding nila ng fiancé niya. Gusto lang naman niyang magmayabang ng kaunti—i-flex na nag-level up na ang relasyon nila ni Kraner. Pero sa itsura ni Kiel, parang wala naman talaga itong pakialam.“So, how are things going with you and Truddi? Did you bed her already? That was fast!” Amelia teased, a playful smirk on her face as she leaned slightly closer.“What the hell, Amelia?!” Kiel burst out, eyes wide in shock as he choked on his own spit, coughing and glaring at her like she’d just said the most outrageous thing in the world.Napahagalpak si Amelia ng tawa. Katulad n’ya ay masyado r

Amelia couldn’t help but smile warmly as she watched Nikolai eat with such delight. Since there was no baby chair in the condo, the little boy was comfortably seated on Kraner’s lap, nestled against him, while Kraner patiently spoon-fed him.Each time a spoonful of food reached his mouth, Nikolai would clap his tiny hands in joy, giggling with every bite. He was such a charming and delightful child—it was impossible not to be amused by his innocence and enthusiasm.“Yumyum!” Hagikgik nito.Yumuko si Amelia saka n’ya hinalikan ang matambok na pisngi ng bata.“Yummy ba, baby?”“Opo!”Para kay Amelia, daddy material na talaga si Kraner. Hindi lang ito magaling magluto—maalaga rin siya sa bata, na siyang ikinagulat nýa. Kitang-kita niya kung gaano ito kaingat at kung paanong parang isang tunay na ama habang karga si Nikolai sa kandungan nito."Amelia," tawag ni Kraner kaya napatingin siya rito. Napataas ang isa niyang kilay nang makita niyang nakanganga rin ito—naghihintay na isusubo rin