✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure

CAPITULUM 12

Eastwood Elementary School
4:30 p.m.

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"Wala pa rin ang ate mo?"

Nirvana turned to the voice of her classmate. Umupo ito sa kanyang tabi, dala-dala ang malaking tupperware ng spaghetti na hinatid kanina rito ng kanyang magulang. He had freckles and a kind smile that made her comfortable. Kaya siguro madali niya itong naka-close agad.

"Wala pa, eh. Papa mo?"

Andrew shook his head. "Wala pa rin. Baka busy pa sa store. Bakit ba busy lahat ng matatanda sa trabaho nila?"

"They need money."

"For their piggy banks?" He innocently inquired.

She smiled.

"For their piggy banks."

Nirvana gazed out into the courtyard, waiting for that familiar pink hair to stand out amid the green grass. 'Ang sabi ni ate, hintayin ko lang daw siya,' isip-isip nang bata habang pinagmamasdan ang iba pang mga kaklase niyang sinusundo na ng kanilang mga magulang. Bitbit ang makukulay na Christmas bags at mga laruang natanggap mula sa exchange gift kanina.

And since their parents are busy today, Nirvana can't do anything but wait.

Muli siyang sumulyap sa kanyang katabi. Dahil mukhang bored na rin ito, sinubukan niyang magsimula ulit ng usapan.

"Magbabakasyon pa kayo, 'di ba?"

Andrew nodded, yet he doesn't look too excited about it for some reason. "Kasama raw yung bagong nililigawan ni kuya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit inaya pa siya nina papa."

Awkward silence.

Hindi niya ito masisisi. It must be really strange to have your elder sibling's lover to tag-along during family vacations.

Maya-maya pa, nahagip ng mga mata ni Nirvana ang isang sasakyan sa 'di kalayuan. Kumunot ang kanyang noo nang makitang bumaba roon ang isang pamilyar na lalaki. It's been a long time since she last saw him, but of course who could ever forget her sister's first boyfriend?

"Kuya Lelouch?"

Agad siya nitong nilapitan.

"Hello, Nirvana!" Atty. Lelouch San Andres smiled warmly at her. "Sabi na nga ba ikaw yung kanina ko pa nakikita." Sandali siyang sumulyap sa paligid. Napansin ng bata ang panandaliang pagkadismaya sa mga mata nito bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa kanya, "Are you still waiting for your sister?"

'Opo, kuya. Parang ikaw, hinihintay mo lang din si ate.'

Mahinang natawa si Nirvana sa kanyang iniisip, at tumango. "Busy pa po yata sila ni Kuya Chinito."

"May kaso na naman sila?"

"Opo."

The young district attorney nodded, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Makalipas ang ilang sandali, sumulyap ito sa kanyang relo at sa elementaryang halos wala nang tao maliban sa ilang mga guro at gwardiya. Lelouch glanced at the two kids and sighed, knowing he can never leave them here by themselves. Kung may panibagong kaso sina Nova, ibig sabihin lang nito ay hindi na naman ligtas ang mga lansangan ng Eastwood.

'Is she really so busy that she couldn't even return my messages?'

Crouching to their level, Lelouch worked his charms. "How about we get some ice cream first, then I'll drop you two home? Tawagan ko na lang din ang mga magulang ninyo para alam nila."

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang bata. It didn't take long before they both started running towards his car while yelling "ICE CREAM!" at the top of their lungs. Napapailing na lang ang abogado at sandaling kinuha ang kanyang cellphone.

To: Briannova Carlos

Gonna take your sister and her friend out for some ice cream. Feel free to join us if u want to :) kung hindi naman, ihatid ko na lang sila pauwi.. Don't worry and pls stay safe, Brian.

After sending the message, Lelouch walked back to his car where the kids were already waiting for him.

Hoping that she'd, at least, reply this time.

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