"Good morning, hija..." Pinatay nito ang phone at niyaya ako patungong hapag kainan.
"What's the problem? Its still so early in the morning and yet you're killing everybody," sabi ko at naupo.
Although he's smiling at me right now, his eyes were dead tired and in need of rest. The wrinkles in his eyes were multiplying and he's getting thinner.
"Ah, rough schedule. Alam mo naman ang tungkulin ko," halakhak nito.
Tumango na lamang ako sa kaniya. Sabay kaming kumain kaya naman nagpaalam na rin akong pupunta lang kila Beth. He let me go since I was very casual. I was all smiles while we eat since he didn't need any other distractions.
"Take care, princess. Call me when there's a problem, alright?" He kissed my forehead before he got up. I could only look up to him as he go.
"Bye!" I gave one last wave goodbye as our door closed.
"Bye..." mas mahina kong sabi, bumaba ang tingin sa kaniyang pagkaing hindi man lang naubos.
Hindi rin nagtagal ay bumusina na ang sasakyan ni Arjuna, sakay sina Beth at Ramona. They too wore only casual since it'll be hard to move around in a vacant land. Abala ako sa phone dahil muling nagcha-chat si Sean.
"Arjuna..." Ramona called out, looking at me through the side of her eyes. Tumaas ang aking mga kilay.
"Uh-huh?"
"Naipasa mo na ba ito kila Dad? You said you'll ask for the higher ups' confirmation about this project. Well, have you?" makahulugan niyang sabi. Tumango ako sa kaniya para sa suporta.
I remained silent in my seat, my knuckles going white with what's to come.
"That is so nice of you to ask that," proud na proud na sabi ni Arjuna. "Since they were all busy getting ready for the upcoming election, I'll be making my own glory but they won't credit it if every step, I consult to them. Gugulatin ko na lang sila kapag nasa gitna na ang proyekto."
The spark in his eyes from his fool proof plan was too bright for my own liking. Siya ang pinaka bata rito, at nag-iisang lalaki pa. Everybody was expecting big from him and his playboy charisma already made disappointments.
"What if they asked you about it? What will you tell them, then?" Beth quipped.
"I can handle this, Dad. You won't need to worry. You can count on your son so let me be, and I'll let you be," saulado niya ang tila ba matagal na pinagpraktisan sabihin sa harap ng salamin.
"E, akala ko ba ayaw mo sa lawschool? Why are you being this kiss-ass smart cookie? Its so fake," ani Ramona.
"Really? To I need to up my game more?"
"That's not what I meant! I mean, why are you doing this? This isn't you. This is clean and very decent."
"Oh..."
Sa rearview ay nakita ko ang lalo pang pagkislap ng mga mata ni Arjuna. Saglit na pumula ang kaniyang tainga atsaka ngumisi na siya lamang ang nakakaintindi.
Eyes sparkling, cheeks warming, blood stopping. And heart, beating so fast...
"Is it Melody? You want approval for that girl Melody?" buong puso kong deklara.
Ang Pang-Apatnapu't Anim
Start from the beginning
