Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
He looked up at the old woman and could tell a part of her was enjoying this. Huni liked helping people, tending to them. This was her true calling. Perhaps feeling useful and needed was the desire of her heart, even as she got up in age.
“You want some more water?” Poet asked in a low voice as she wiped more budding tears with the back of her hand.
He smiled at her and took her hand.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah. What is it?” Poet said.
He turned to Huni who was gathering the blood soaked towels and tossing them in the bucket.
“Huni, you need to hear this, too.” Huni paused and looked at the two of them, her body in mid-motion. “Huni, I first want to apologize to you for this evenin’. My grandfather orchestrated a situation, and to make a very long story short, he wants me to work for him, and I refuse. It’s causin’ issues. I defended myself this evenin’. You have my word that this situation is almost over, and that this sort of nonsense is not my typical lifestyle or behavior.”
Huni’s brows bunched, and then she sighed and sat back on the floor, still clinging to the bloody towels.
“My brother was a member of the Sigue Sigue Sputnik. You know dat?”
“No… what is the Sique Sputnik?”
“Filipino street gang.” She tossed the bloody rags into the large bucket and sat back on her haunches. “Some music rock and roll band used the same name years later, but I’m not talking ’bout dat. It’s a notorious gang, all throughout Manila. My brother paid dearly. Datu is now in Bilibid Prison. He’s been in prison for a long, long time. Kage, I understand.”
“I’m not a gang member though, Huni.”
“I know… but what you say to me, well, your grandaddy sorta is. Old gangsta.” She laughed dismally. “Gangstas don’t usually live long lives. The ones that do aren’t well in their mind, body and soul. I pray for my brother daily. He an old man now. Miss out on his daughter’s life. His grandchildren, too. Miss weddings. Graduations. Miss our parents’ funerals. Brought shame. And for what?” She shrugged. “I’m not going to judge your family, ’cause I understand. But you must promise me that you’ll stay away from your grandfather’s wicked ways, and keep my Poet safe. She’s my daughter.”
She snatched one of the soiled rags from the bucket. It was once white, but was now dyed completely red from his vital essence. “…Don’t need blood, no DNA test required. It’s in here.” She pointed to her chest. “Poet is a grown woman, but she’s my baby, Kage.” Getting up on her feet, she gathered the items and left out the room.
Poet sat on the arm of the couch and stroked his hair. He reached into his pocket and clutched a small box. The corners poked his fingertips. Huni returned, drying her hands off with a paper towel. They stared at each other.
“Aunt Huni, is it okay if I ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage?”
Poet gasped and practically fell off the side of the couch as he revealed the light blue box, now sitting in the palm of his hand.
Aunt Huni stood there for a long while, then a big smile crept across her face.
“Will you protect her?”
“Yes.”
“Will you love her?”
“Yes.”
“Will you be patient with her, and listen to her in order to understand, instead of to control?”
“…Yes, a million times over.”
“Then my answer is ‘yes.’” Huni looked at Poet who was digging her nails into the couch arm. Her eyes focused on the box as he opened it and revealed the ring: A 2.78 carat round diamond Petite Pavé engagement ring.
“Oh, my goodness! So big! It’s blinding me!” Huni laughed excitedly, popping up and down. “What you say, Poet? I know he just got shot close to his ass, but he still a good catch!” Everyone laughed at that.
“I haven’t asked her yet, Huni…” He took Poet’s hand, trying to control his edginess. “Poet… knowin’ you has been the best part of my life. We have a lot in common, and want the same things in life. We want comfort. Peace. Family. Love of land, animal and man. I’m not a fancy guy, but I love ya, and I’d lasso the moon and give it to you, if that’s what you wanted. I was going to take you to an elegant restaurant and make this a big thing… but uh, after tonight… after everything that went down, it was a stark reminder that I don’t wanna wait, baby. That today is all we have, and uh, tomorrow is a blessin’, if we receive it… I receive you, all of you. The shiny, polished parts, and the broken, dull parts, too. You’ve accepted me for who I am, trusted me when I need you to most, showed me that real love does exist… that I don’t have to be a recluse and play it safe anymore when it comes to affairs of the heart. You took me to the river, and made me look at myself.”