Chapter 7 - Cotton

"He needs assistance maa--"

"His mental health may be unstabl--"

"Your son was talking and shouting to himself while--"

"He needs guidance"

Paulit ulit kong naririnig sa kausap nila mama but I chose not to open my eyes, i'm exhausted, anlala naman ng nangyare ngayon author, di ka gento kasama saken dati ah.

"Is there something that we can do doc?"

"We need to undergo him through some tests to--"

Oh shet, so i'm really crazy now huh? Tsk, kakaospital ko lang nung napilay ako, pati nung nahimatay ako tas ngayon hahaha streak ah, cool aiden.

I've heard the doctor or the psychiatrist maybe? Walked out the room at narinig kong sumara yung pinto.

Maybe psychiatrist cause he's talking about mental ajujus, it's their job HAHAHA.

I'm on a hospital bed.. again, sinugod daw nila ko kanina una sa clinic eh, unconcious then sa ospital kase wala na daw si Mrs. Leah that time and magsasara na yung clinic buti nakakuha pa sila stretcher hahaha.

"Ava.."

I heard mom call her out dahil kanina pa sya naiyak sa gilid ng kama ko, I heard her hug Ava just to calm her down from my condition.

"i-i'm sorry po--po t-tita.."

Exhaled Ava habang yakap yakap si mama, I heard her speak at puro hangin na labas ng bibig nya di na sya makapagsalita ng ayos, puro hagulhol nalang.

"Wala kang kasalanan Ava, stop crying now"

Sabi ni mama kay Ava just to calm her while she's patting her back, hays I'm too tired para pakalmahin sya at patigilin umiyak thank you for doing it ma.

"Come stop your crying, it'll be alright~

Nagulat naman ako ng biglang kumanta si mama habang yakap yakap si Ava to make her feel alright hahaha, cute.

"Just take my hand, hold it tight~

Me and Mom are both fond of singing, hilig namen yan and we do it frequently on our spare time, lage yan at aabutan kame mula tanghali hanggang gabi, kung kapit bahay ka man namen tas ayaw mo sa kanta, lipat ka na di kame magaadjust sayo hahaha.

"I will protect you from all around you, I will be here don't you cry--"

"Hu-weg, kenang umii-yek~"

Nyeta, dinadama ko na sana kanta ni mama at napapasabay naden ako ng biglang sumingit si papa, hahahahaha.

"Se mundowng pebagow bagow~"

I heard mama and finally Ava, laughing because of dad hahaha, Dad is really a joker sobrang pilyo nyang amerikano at sobrang dalas nya magbiro but it is when he's only in the mood, sobra den kase magalet yan hahahahaha.

"Aize?.."

Nagulat naman ako ng bigla akong tawagin ni Ava at napatigil si papa sa pagkanta, did I let out a small laughter?

"He chuckles at your singing voice, Pa HAHAHA"

Sabi ni mama kay Dad and hahaha di ko talaga napigilan tumawa, cute kase nila trying to make my Ava smile by comforting her with a song

Yeah dad, a song! Your song is great!hahahahaha.

Narinig ko namang tumigil si Ava sa pagiyak at naramdaman kong lumapit sila saken beside my bed and I felt Ava's hands touches mine.

"r-rinig mo k-kame..love?"

Tanong saken ni Ava, I wanna answer but I can't hahaha, naririnig ko naman kayo love pagod lang akong dumilat at magsalita hahaha.

"Let's leave him for now so he can rest guys, okay?" Sabay anyaya nya kila mama at Ava na lumabas ng room.

"Stay strong kid, hmm" then he patted my hand saka na sila umalis.

Wtf author hays, so exhausted.. so drained, pakening ospital nanaman, it's great it's fvcking cool yeah training ko na to ha ha ha tangina.

I hope you learned your lesson.

WHAT THE F-?!? my heart skipped a beat because of shocked tae, can you ask permission before speaking tsk.

Stop seeking Aize.

Can you shut the fvck up?!?!

I shouted at myself cool hahaha, please shut up, btw great concept author! AMAZING! Spectacular! Your character being crazy, claps, claps for you!

I'm your conscience bruh, i'm here to help.

Frick you.

Wow, bait di nagmumura.

Fvck you, you happy?

You're really insane now huh Aize HAHAHA, fvcking talking to yourself.. or should I say to me? HAHAHA.

I stopped listening and talking to the voices baka mamaya pag totally akong maggive in, totally akong mabaliw hahahaha, tangina author wala nakong pake kung nagmumura ko sa story mo, fvck.

I grabbed one of the pillows here on my bed saka ko tinakpan tenga ko as I tried sleeping the whole thing out.

I felt my head grew heavy as my body starts shutting off ready to sleep the night...

Tsk, di nanaman ata ako makakapasok bukas nyeta.

...

Why are you so curious Aiden?

Look at what's happening to you now.

Can just accept the way things are? Just like before?

..like Before Aiden.... like before

~

"We got a surprise for you little meyn! You ready?" It's my birthday and Dad covers my eyes as he teases me with his gift, I felt the excitement all around my body and oh boy am I so pumped up!

Just a little boy so happy to receive a present for his birthday hahaha, I was turning 8 that time so it was approximately 10 years ago.

"Okay wait.. waaaait, hold on still HAHAHA" ginuguide naman ako ni Dad habang pinapalakad nya ko papunta kung san man, while I can hear mom's footsteps behind us na nasunod samen while she's recording us.

"Okay waaait, still close it buddy, Only open those when I say so!"

Said Dad while he removes his hands from covering my eyes but still told me not to open them.

I heard his footsteps walking towards something as I was standing there, smiling and was so freakin' excited.

Pinapakiramdaman ko lang si Dad sa ginagawa nya as I patiently wait pero kating kati na den at di na mapakali sa kinapwepwestuhan, ironic right? hahaha.

"Hmmmm, okay buddy open it up!"

I opened my eyes and a tailed fur beast appeared right before my eyes..

"Surpise! Happy Birthdaay Son!"

Dad greeted me and a smile immediately plaster on my face as I tried approaching my furry friend Mom and Dad bought me..

"What shall we name her Aiden?"

Tanong saken ni Dad habang inaamo amo ko yung alaga na nasa may cage pa nya..

I looked at Dad as he acted out like he was thinking so I did the same thing, many names actually popped out on my head that time tho hahahaha can't decide what to name her.

"Hmmm, Yanyan?... Sky? Cause she's white..oh! Snowball! Or... hmmm"

"I got one Dad!"

Pag iinterrupt ko sa mga suggestions ni Dad kase naka isip nako ng magandang ipapangalan sa kanya.

I opened the cage and I saw her, she seems affable, I carried her and cuddled her tightly as I glanced at Dad and gave him a smile..

"She's Cotton!"

Then Dad and Mom both released a small laughter, don't judge my 8 years old self! I'm a kid and I just named what I saw!

A white furry fluffy friend, Cotton the cat! Mom and Dad agreed just to what I said and goes on the name of Cotton!

I smiled at them while I was petting her at saka nila ko niyayang pumunta na sa Dinner Table para iblow na ang candle ko sa cake.

I have no birthday guests at that time cause I really don't want to throw on a party, just a gift, some foods and love and attention from my parents cause they were so busy from their works before.

I blew the candle and they sang to me a birthday song as I danced to the rythym of it, smiling and was overjoyed of that moment..

That moment where we first celebrated my birthday, together.

What a happy 8 year old Aiden, right?

Shut up.

So much joy.. before.

Ha ha ha, o-kay? Can you shut up now?

Growing up really sucks, isn't it?

Yeah, cause you're too noisy.

Well, exactly..

I was left speechless habang nagsinkin saken kung anong ibig nyang sabihin after he agreed to me--

You know I can tell if you're narrating right?

Hahaha, shut up. Ngina oo nga pala.

Who or what tf are you anyway.. are you my demon? my evil whispers?

No.

Then what are you huh?

Hahaha, I am you, bro.

Whut.

I am you Aiden Raze Evans..

I am you, just from before..

Way back when everything was just fine, and we don't give a shit about anything.

"Study first nak maya na kayo maglaro ni Cotton, tapusin muna naten assignments mo okay?"

I just nodded at Mom saka ko tumigil sa paglalaro kay cotton, maharot kase yan pusa kase, pag lalaruin mo lang ng kung anong bagay iaalog alog mo sa kanya kakalabit kalabitin na nya.

"Oh nak ano to dito"

"Err-- 180 po?"

Then Mom gave me a great job psh, basic maths HAHAHA.

Yabang, elementary math lang nama--

Shhhh.. ang ingay amp.

"After nento gusto mo sama ka saken Aiden?" Sabi ni mama saken at alam kong niyayaya nya kong sumama papunta sa office ni Dad for a quick visit.

I know I agreed energetically and I smiled at mom, sobrang likot ko non at hyper nung bata pako, para kong buhay na battery, a walking power supply, a life size mitochondri--

Those were such bad comparisons

Shut up bruh.

Mom picked up some clothes from my closet and gave it to me, yeah si mama namimili ng suutin ko dati, i'm not yet capable of styling myself HAHAHA.

I wear all of the clothes she gave me saka nagsuklay at nagayos para ket papano disente.

I looked at the mirror and damn was I this so handsome before? and not to brag, up to now?

Yabang, dugyutin ka kayang panget ka.

Wao ah saket naman, manahimik ka nga beltukan kita eh.

Sige beltukan mo sarili mo ays yan.

Anyways..

I was wearing orange black stripes polo shirt, maong pants and black rubber shoes and my hair was brushed to the right side with my barbers haircut.

"Get down nak, when you're ready!"

"Yeeeess poo!"

Sigaw ko kay mama sa baba as I fixed myself again for the last time then I finally went downstairs after I've finished.

"Let's go na, nak" sabay abot nya ng kamay ko saka kame naglakad papuntang pinto.

Mom is wearing a light colored floral dress with her butterfly belt on her waist, white heels and brown belt bag.

She looks beautiful, really beautiful.

"Ma si cotton iiwan po naten?"

"She's gonna be alright nak saglet lang naman tayo"

Sagot ni mama sa tanong ko kase gusto ko sanang isama si cotton that time para di sya magisa sa bahay.

Just a little clarification tho, you're probably thinking about Liam? He's not born yet HAHAHAHA.

Lumabas na kame ng bahay saka nilock ni mama yung gate and we walked towards the outside of the village.

Magcocommute lang kame kase yung sasakyan ginamit ni papa so nasa trabaho nya plus di marunong si mama magdrive pati ako, bata pa eh HAHAHA.

Nagpara si mama ng taxi saka tumigil sa harapan namen at ibinaba yung side window nya.

"Steeltech bldg po kuya?"

Tanong ni mama sa driver saka na kame pinasakay sa likudan, oh one thing, I hate taxis! Yung aircon, the sensation, the smell makes me feel dizzy.

Everytime na nasakay kame ng taxi ni mama pinagbabaon nya ko ng candy para daw pampaalis hilo, di ko den alam pano naging pampaalis ng hilo yon HAHAHA.

The taxi started to move at nilabas ko na candy ko para anytime na mahilo ako may laban nako HAHAHAHA.

Napalingon naman ako kay mama at napatingin ako sa mga mata nya--

Oh shet.

It's.. it's..

Blu--

Joke lang HAHAHA.

Tawa kayo sa kanya nakakaawa naman hahahaha.

Wao ah, ako ikaw tanga ka ba?

So ayon napatingin ako sa mata ni mama and I can tell she's--

It's blueee!!

Tsk, can you shut the fvck up?

Oh, my bad.. ayy oo nga pala, panget mo pala magnarrate *wink HAHAHAHA.

Panget ka den, ikaw ako diba? Tanga ka ba.

Ay bat moko dinadamay bobo ka ikaw lang HAHAHA.

Bat ang epal mo? Kala ko ba andito ka para tumulong? Tas ganyan ka mangaasar, bobo ka? hahaha.

Eh sino bako? Diba ako ikaw? I reflect things you think about yourself Aiden.

O-kaay? I don't know what you're saying but anyways..

Napatingin ako sa mata ni mama and I can tell she's worried, troubled, in-fear but I was just too young to notice.

I see her hands keeps on tapping her knees while her feet keeps on tapping the taxi's floor, but I didn't payed any attention to it wala pakong kamuwang muwang noon sa mga ganong mga kilos.

"Mrs. Evans asawa po ni Mr. William Evans"

Sabi ni Mama doon sa babae sa may information desk, may tinignan naman syang papel at mukhang scheds yon ni papa sa office.

Inabot naman nung babae yung telepono saka nagdial at may may tinawagan and I think she's trying to reach out Dad but he didn't answer multiple times.

"I'm so sorry maam, busy po ata si Mr. Evans for the moment but you can sit on our waiting area for a minute or two if you want to wait"

Sabi nung babae kay mama saka kame umupo sa mga sofa ng waiting area.

Ako naman ay madaling mainip kaya tinignan tignan ko yung buong lugar para lang maentertain ako ket papano and I like examining my surroundings kahet nasan man ako.

Madaming tao, sobrang busy ng lugar but it's style was so decent and classy, potted plants everywhere, glass walls and white concrete columns, a classic office look.

Binaling ko ulet tingin ko kay mama at pansin kong di sya mapakali at kanina pa nagtatap paa nya sa sahig.

"Stay here nak" sabe nya saken at bigla syang tumayo saka bumalik sa information desk.

Kita kong pinipilit ni mama yung babae pero di ko alam kung ano, nainip naden ako sa pwesto ko kaya nilapitan ko na lang siya.

"Just give me the floor miss"

Agad kong narinig kay mama ng lumapit nako at napansin ko namang di sya okay.

"Sorry maam pero di po kame agad agad nagbibigay ng info pagka--"

"I'm his wife miss! Jusq"

"NOOO, I'M SAYING THE TRUTH!"

Nagulat naman kame ni mama pati yung babae sa information desk sa narinig namen, agad kameng napalingon sa kanan and we saw a guy walking back from his co-workers that I think is calming him down.

"Hey bro wag kang matakot, we're here to help"

"NOOOO! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

sigaw ulet nung guy at nagpanic naman yung mga tao sa lugar at nagsilayuan sila dun sa lalake.

Hinawakan den naman ni mama yung kamay ko saka nya ko hinila papunta sa likudan nya para protektahan ako.

"No no, we understand you bro, we really understand you, come let's talk this one out"

Yung isang lalake naman nagsalita and he lend the guy a hand hoping na kakalma na sya at di na ulet maghehesterical.

I think the guy's crazy or I dunn--

Like you Aiden?

Shut up.

Medyo inaabot naman na nung lalake kamay nung isang kaofficemate nya at sa tingin ko napapakalma na sya nila.

He stopped walking back at naglakad na sya dahan dahan palapit sa mga kasamahan nya at pansin kong nangangatog paa nya, he seems scared.

They were just inches a way from each other at malapit na yung kamay nung lalake sa kasamahan nya at nakalma na den konti yung mga tao sa lugar at mukhang naaayos na yung sitwasyon--

"ELMEEERR!"

Nagulat kame ng biglang magopen yung elevator at may sumigaw na lalakeng naka tuxedo den at mukhang kaibigan den nung lalake.. hmmm Elmer huh.

Biglang nataranta ulit yung Elmer at di sya nahawakan nung dalawang nagpapakalma sa kanya, at umaatras ulet sya ng bahagya.

"di nyo ko naiintindihan.. DI NYO KO NAIINTINDIHAN!!"

Sumigaw ulet yung lalake at nagpanic ulet yung mga tao pati kame ni mama ng tumakbo yung lalake pagawi sa direksiyon namen.

Muntik muntikan na sanang mapaamo eh bobo nung lalakeng lumabas sa elevator.

Tumakbo yung elmer at humabol yung mga lalake kanina sa kanya at kame ni mama eh lumayo at umusog mula dun sa pwesto namen kanina.

Bigla naman kameng nagulat at yung iba napatili ng tumumba yung lalake sa harap ng information table at kumalampag yung sahig nung lugar.

"di nyo ko naiintindihan"

Iyak nung lalake habang nakadapa sya sa sahig at nakadagan sa kanya yung tatlong lalake kanina iniipit sya para di makagalaw.

"Daganan nyo pa ang galaw!"

Sigaw nung lalaking lumabas kanina sa Elevator habang nagpupumiglas yung Elmer.

"Sorry for the inconvenience guys, it's just a minor error hahaha, too much for a scene eyy? hahaha" sabi nung lalake para kumalma yung mga tao sa lugar sa nangyare.

Nakatago paden ako sa likod ni mama at sinisilip ko lang yung mga tao sa harapan namen.

Napadako naman yung tingin ko dun sa lalake at napatingin ako sa mata nya and it caught my attention..

His eyes..

It's.. so tired.

Nagulat naman ako ng mapatingin den saken yung Elmer at biglang nanlaki mata nya saken at nabahidan ng takot yung mukha nya.

"No, noo, noooo take me out of here now, NOOOOW!!"

Sigaw nung lalake saka na sya nagpapahuli dun sa mga lalakeng nahabol sa kanya.

Baliw amp.

He stood up at hinawakan sya nung dalawang lalake sa kabilaang kamay nya and they put it behind Elmer's back.

They took him at naglakad sila papuntang elevator habang yung Elmer naman ay nalingon lingon saken, parang tanga.

I was creeped out of that guy's presence especially the way he acted.

"Haha, s-sorry about that maam... what is it you were asking me again?"

Napatingin naman kame dun sa babae sa information desk ng tanungin nya si mama about sa pinaguusapan nila kanina.

"Oh-- ahhh, f-floor office ni Mr. Evans"

Sabi ni mama at agad tinignan nung babae kung san yung floor ni Dad.

"Floor 10th po" sabay ngiti nung babae at nagthank-you naman si mama.

Naglakad na kame ni mama papuntang elevator para puntahan na si Dad pero di ko paden maalis isip ko sa nangyare kanina.

My 8 year old mind was frightened because of him but somehow was amazed..

Cause that guy Elmer.

Has the skies inside his eyes..

...