Kabadong-kabado si Ahn pagkababa ng kotse. The gate was wide open. May mga tao sa front porch. She saw her dad, her ninong Kent and Hans talking.
"O, akala ko ba hindi ka pupunta?" takang-tanong ng daddy niya.
"Babatiin ko lang si ninang, dad, tapos uuwi na 'ko."
"Agad?" sabat ng ninong Ken niya. "Won't you eat? I cooked spaghetti."
"Sige po, kakain din ako, ninong."
"When will you ever call me dad?" naiiling nitong tanong.
Ngumiti na lamang siya saka pumasok. She saw the celebrant in the kitchen. Kausap nito sina Iya at Rica. She turned around to go somewhere else but her ninang called out her name. Napangiwi siya.
Wala siyang choice kundi puntahan ito. Inismiran siya ng magpinsan on her way in.
"Happy birthday po." Niyakap niya ito at saka hinalikan sa pisngi. "Ihahabol ko na lang yung gift ko sa ibang araw."
"It's okay, Ahn. I'm so happy to see you!"
"Uuwi rin po ako agad."
Sumimangot ito. "At least eat some cake. Na-late lang ng konti."
Nagpalinga-linga siya. "Nandito po ba si Ken?"
"He's around," Jazz answered nonchalantly.
"Then I better go."
"Ahn, hanggang kailan mo ba iiwasan ang anak ko? He's very sorry, you know. He really misses you."
--
Ken looked at the screen of his phone. Paris just send him a message. Hindi niya alam kung bubuksan ba niya iyon.
What will the traitor say now?
But despite himself, he indulged in his curiosity.
From: Paris
Ahn's downstairs. You're welcome.
Agad siyang bumangon. Kanina pa siya nakakulong sa kwarto. Ayaw niyang makihalubilo sa mga tao, lalo lang siyang malulungkot.
To: Paris
I don't care.
What good will it be kung hindi rin naman siya kakausapin nito? He might just scare her away again.
From: Paris
Then why are you moping? Come out of your room. She's looking for you.
To: Paris
Stop lying, Paris.
From: Paris
I'm not lying. She's looking for you so she could avoid you. Ayaw ka nyang makita.
To: Paris
Why are you telling me this?
From: Paris
Because I can help.
To: Paris
I don't need your help.
He doesn't want anything to do with Paris.
From: Paris
I can get you close to her. But you have to stop hating me in return.
