I nodded cheerfully. "Yup! Are you proud of me?"
He laughed and his eyes twinkled seeing how happy his daughter is. "I am." He looked at Raena and smiled playfully. "Aren't you embarrassed that you're showing your childish side to her?"
"Please. She's more childish than me, Dad." I said jokingly and I felt Raena pinched me.
"Tito, we're going na po." Nahihiyang paalam ni Raena sakaniya.
Natawa naman si Dad. "Alright. Stay out of trouble." Nakangiting sabi niya at ibinalik na 'yong tingin sa laptop niya. Akmang maglalakad na kami paalis nang tawagin niya si Raena. "Thank you for befriending my daughter, hija."
Uh-oh. This scene is familiar.
Raena smiled widely. "I'm thankful din po na na-meet ko siya. Thank you for bringing her out of her cage, Tito." I almost laughed because of my dad's reaction. This girl didn't know that her words could be offensive, indirectly saying that my dad caged me all this time. But my dad saw that she didn't mean any insult, so he smiled.
I suppressed my smile and just rolled my eyes. "So dramatic, I might puke. I'll be going out first."
I have my own car already but I still don't have a driving license. Dad won't let me take the test either, scared of the risks if I'll pass and drive myself. Saka na raw.
Kaya meron akong driver. "Hi, kuya!" And that's Kuya Lito.
He's been my driver since grade school. May family siya and ka-close ko rin sila. They're nice! That's why I don't understand why some rich people hate average people. If they would meet a family like Kuya Lito's, they might change their minds.
"Good morning, ma'am!" Nakangiting bati niya.
"Let's wait for my friend muna po."
"May kaibigan ka na, ma'am?" I saw his eyes twinkled and that made me happy.
Seeing people being happy because something good happened to you gives a warm feeling.
"Yes, kuya." I looked at my watch and pouted. "And she's talking to my Dad for too long." Guess he really spilled the bad beans.
"Tara na! Tara na! Late na tayo!" Lumingon ako sakaniya at nakitang nagkanda-dapa na siya sa pagtakbo.
"Masyado mo kasing ini-enjoy ang pakikipag-usap kay Dad." Nauna na 'kong sumakay sa loob at sumunod naman siya. Pinaandar na ni kuya Lito 'yong sasakyan at tumanaw naman ako sa labas ng binata. "I guess he already told you the story about me?"
I heard her sigh and silence occured for a few seconds. "I'm sorry for what happened to you. You don't deser—"
I should be mad at her, or at my Dad, for talking about that incident without my permission. But Raena's reaction tells me to feel otherwise.
"It's okay, Raena." I looked at her and smiled. "Trust me, it's okay." Nakita kong nangilid 'yong luha niya at natawa naman ako nang niyakap niya 'ko. "You're a Queen bee? Really?" I messed with her hair and she just pinched me on my waist. "Just keep it as a secret, please." She nodded continuously like I'm having a deal with a child, and that made me chuckle.
* * *
Pagkadating namin sa school, hindi mo aakalaing Saturday dahil nagkalat ang mga students.
May mga nagbabasa sa bulletin board kung sa'n nakalagay 'yong about sa clubs, may mga nagpapalista na at may mga kararating lang katulad namin.
"Shit! Why are they all so early?! Nauna pa sila sa tumatakbong President!" Natatarantang sabi ni Raena nang nakita 'yong mga nagkalat na students. "I'll be going first, Joshan! Kita tayo after!" Hindi na niya hinintay 'yong sagot ko at patakbo nang umalis.
Chapter Three
Start from the beginning
