(S2) 18. DOUBT 2

ICE

“Onde está mamãe?” Nakanguso na tanong sa akin ni Ebony. Kakalapit ko pa lang sa kanila ni Ivory pero nakasimangot na sila agad. Hindi nagustuhan na nasa likod ko si Libby at sumusunod.

“I’ll find your mama… Promise.” I kissed their foreheads while they were both daggering their death stares at Libby.

I glanced at Libby. I smiled at her apologetically. Libby smiled awkwardly. Hinila ko ang bakanteng upuan para sa kaniya, pero hinawakan iyon ni Ivory at saka doon naupo. Nananadya. Pang-anim na tao ang table namin pero ayaw lang paupuin ng anak ko si Libby.

“Ivory…” mahinang saway ko rito. She made a face and glance at me, side-eye. I squatted and leveled my face to her. “Don’t be mean, filha.”

“I… I’m fine, Sid…” Libby said and smiled at Ivory. “It’s okay, sweetie. I—”

“You can go to another table,” Ebony cut Libby’s words. “Lots of vacant chairs around.”

“Ebony…” I faced my other daughter who only rolled her eyes.

I sighed. The two of them… they were such sweet beings.