Chapter 24: Melancholy

Chapter 24

Melancholy

Dinaluhan ko si Ice na nakatayo habang hawak ang likod. Ivan was lying on the carpeted floor. Nagmamadali kong hinila ang anak ko at protective na itinabi sa akin.

"Don't you dare hurt my son, Ivan!" I yelled.

My mind was in chaos. Pansamantalang nanahan ang galit sa akin. Ivan rose. Humakbang ako paatras bitbit si Ice.

"Rigella—" He tried to reach me but I took a step back.

"You monster! Kahit ang anak natin, hindi mo kayang palagpasin?!" sigaw kong muli.

"M-Mama!" Ice cried beside me.

I looked down to him. He was not shedding tears but he's wincing. Na-realize kong masiyadong mahigpit ang hawak ko sa kaniya. I loosened my hold on him. Lumuhod ako.

"N-Nasaktan ka ba, Ice? Did Papa hit you? Where? Tell me. Ituro mo—"

"We were just playing wrestling, Mama. What are you saying?" kunot noo niyang tanong.

"W-Wrestling?" I stammered.

He nodded. "But it's not like what I see in movies because Papa's moves were limp. He didn't hurt me anywhere."

He pulled a long face. M