I went down to Mang Kanor's store after paying the bills. My heart beats so fast when I immediately noticed Jr. talking to a child wearing a uniform and they were about to leave. I wanted to ignore him when he also looked at me. The girl he was talking to also looked at me and I immediately looked at her.
"Mia," Laxa shouted. She is Lax's daughter so I frowned and immediately go to her.
"Laxa, what happened to you, and why are you here?" I wondered. She hugged me and then cried. "Hey what's wrong?"
"I'm lost." Sobbing she said then looked around. "I don't know how to go home."
"Ok, calm down, I am here."
"Do you know her?" Jr asked so I look at him.
"Yes, she's a daughter of my friend."
“I see, I saw her crying while walking so I approached her. She said she did not know the way home. I would have taken her to the barangay hall to ask her some information when she saw you.” Jr. explained at me so I nodded.
“Thank you, I'll take care of her, ”I said then held Laxa's hands. "I'll can bring her home."
“I can drop you," Jr said stopping me to leave. "I borrowed a car, we can send her home faster. It's getting late, almost evening, and maybe her parents are worried to her.” I looked at Laxa who was still crying. I wanted to refuse but Laxa preceded me.
“Mia, maybe my dad is worried now because still I did not come home. He looked nice, maybe we can take his offer so I can go home faster.” The child agreed so I just sighed because she is right. I know how Lax love his children, and I know that he is so worried right now.
"Is it ok?" I ask Jr.
"Yeah, no problem."
“All right,” I said.
I agreed to Laxa's request. I saw that she was very worried and wanted to go home as well. The three of us walked to the car that Jr. said. When she got inside the back, Jr and I sat in the front. Then he handed Laxa juice and biscuits.
"Have a snack first." Laxa looked at me as if asking my permission so I nodded to her. She took the food in Jr.'s hand and immediately opened it.
I told Jr. the place where Laxa’s father Lax lived. He just drives quietly and sometimes I notice how he simply looks at me. I look at outside and pretended to peek at my cell phone. I didn’t want to pay attention to him because I wasn’t comfortable in his presence. If it wasn't because of Laxa, I will not come with him.
"Mia -----"
"Laxa, are you okay there?" I cut Jr.
"Yes, I'm just worried about Papa," she replied.
"Don't worry, I already messaged him to tell him that you are with me."
"Thank you."
Jr. hasn't even tried to talk to Jr. since I interrupted him. All I could hear was his sigh throughout the trip. Until we got to the opposite side of Lax's house he didn't even attempt to call my name.
When the car stopped Laxa quickly opened the door.
"Sir, thank you so much for your help," said Laxa who didn't wait for Jr. to speak and quickly got out of the car.
"Mia ----"
"Thank you," I said. I went inside and caught up Lax and Laxa who were crying as they hugged.
“Mia, thank you! I don't know what I would do if my daughter didn't come home to me.” I smiled at Lax when Laxa suddenly spoke.
"Papa, he's the one who saw me and brought Mia and me here." I turned around and saw Jr. standing in the doorway. I didn't think he follow us. "They know each other, Papa" Laxa added.
"Oh is that so? Come in dude, I'm sorry my house is messy.” Lax offered Jr. and then removed some clutter. "I'm sorry and I have nothing to offer you. I also don’t know how to thank you for what you did. But thank you for helping my daughter. God will repay you dude.” Lax said sincerely to Jr.
"It's ok." Lax looked at me and then at Jr.
"Mia and you know each other?"
"Neighbors," I answered quickly.
“Ah! Aren't you going home at the same time? ” Lax asked.
"No, I'm here first Lax and we'll talk more."
Jr. looked at me so I simply winked at Lax.
"Ah, of course, we haven't settled on what we talked about for something." I smiled at him then walked towards his sick son and I played with it then looked at Jr.
"You can go first and I'll just stay here," I told him. He just looked at me and Lax then nodded. “Thank you for bringing us here," I added.
"Yes sir, thank you very much." Lax was still holding Jr.'s hand.
"It's okay just take care next time, I'll go ahead," he said to Lax. "I'll go, Mia."
"Ok," I just replied.
"Thank you again, dude!" Jr. just smiled at Lax.
Before leaving he reached out to Lax for help for his son with hydrocephalus. Lax didn't want to accept it because he should have done it then because he helped Laxa but Jr insisted and said that the help was not for him but for the child. So Lax accepted the money as well.
"What are we going to talk about?" Lax asked me when Jr leave.
“No, I'll just wait for Dylan here.” He looked at me in astonishment.
"Why you did go with your neighbor?"
“He used to be a security guard in our barangay before going abroad, it's hard to trust.” He seemed convinced by what I said. I don’t want to tell Lax that we have a past with Jr.
"Well, you right, no matter how sensible it was then if he knew you were selling someting, maybe --- You know ---- better being careful, especially you, you always carry a lot."
"Exactly," I said then leaned back on the sofa. Sorry Lax, but there are things that can't be opened and maybe where else does the conversation go.
"Just rest there first, I'll prepare the food for my son."