One of the Boys 1 & 2 (Published by Pop Fiction)

Chapter Seven

Present

Candid

I am not religious, but I could say my spiritual self has improved quite a lot. Throughout the years, I've become stronger, but softer. I appreciate and value things more, but I'm still not fond of dramas and confrontations.

That's why when Zoe asked me about Apa in front of Abby and Dyma in our dorm two weeks ago, I could hardly say anything. I didn't want to lie, but I didn't want to say what we were.

So I told them it wasn't a big deal, and that Apa and I were just college friends. Fortunately, they agreed they would not tell anyone about us. Naiintindihan daw nila kung ayokong ipasabi dahil lalo kaming maiissue.

"You're such a lucky woman," they said. Kaibigan ko raw kasi boss ko unlike theirs na sobrang susungit sa kanila. They always complain about their bosses and workloads.

"Pinagsasabihan niya rin ako, but that's because it's his job. Your supervisors won't get mad at you without any reason at all. They want us to be the best, so we could save more lives. Besides, Dr. Hizon and I know our limitations. We maybe friends, but when it's work, it's just work, walang personalan. He's the doctor and I'm the intern."

Hindi na sila nag tanong after nun, pero kinulit naman ako ni Zoe. I-reto ko raw sa kanya si Apa. Buti na lang, hindi na siya nagddoubt sa relationship namin. Siguro dahil sanay naman na siyang puro lalaki mga kasama ko.

Hindi ako pumayag na i-reto ko siya kay Apa kaya sabi niya, hindi na raw niya kailangan ng tulong ko.

"Good luck." I gently tapped her back.

She grinned, para siyang may binabalak. "Oh, Agatha Recto. You still don't know me, do you?"

I laughed. "I know you very well, Zoella Damian. Apparently, you don't know what his type is, and I'm telling you, you're not," I said jokingly, but I meant it. If he's still the Apa I know, he's not likely to be seduced with Zoe's pretty face and sexy body. That is, if he's still the Apa I know.

2 weeks ago, Saturday, it was his welcome party. Ang daming nag tanong sa akin, including his sisters, kung pupunta ako, pero sabi ko sa kanila, busy ako. Si Doms at mga bata dapat ang pupuntahan ko, but it turned out they were celebrating his party at the orphanage.

Kaya pag dating ko doon, sinalubong nila ako. Nag-alisan lang sila noong pinuntahan ako ni Apa.

He put his arm around my shoulder. "You came."

Gulat na gulat din ako. "I did? Ohhh. Yes. I did." Noong nag process na sa utak ko mga nangyayari, tiningnan ko siya. "Wait, dito welcome party mo?" My eyes widened, nakaturo pa ako sa kanya. "I should have known. You're Apa, Of course, you'd celebrate here!" My reaction was exaggerated, but fudge, I was too astonished.

Tumawa siya at inakbayan ako. "Hey, calm down." He looked hurt. "Do you hate me that much?"

"No, no. It's just that..." Hindi ko alam sasabihin ko. Bakit nga ba ayaw kong pumunta sa welcome party niya?

He chuckled. "I was only kidding." Mag enjoy na lang daw ako and have fun with the kids. Since kilala na ako ng mga bata doon, pinilit nila akong sumali sa mga parlor games.

Tawa nga sila nang tawa. It's their first time, except Doms and Apa and his family, to see me play with the kids. Masaya raw sila para sa'kin kasi dati, wala naman akong pakielam sa mga bata.

Hindi nga lang daw sila sanay na nakikita nila akong nakikipaglaro sa kanila. Mas sanay silang nakikita akong mag drums, kumanta, o di kaya naman maglaro ng soccer.

"Pero you look so cute with them, Ags. They all like you." Bianca smiled. "You're like their mom!" I knew and it sounded like a compliment, but I felt like she just insulted me. Mukha na ba akong nanay?