My Only Exception

Chapter 5

Whew.

I shouldn't be affected by what she is doing. By her. I am not reliving the past just for me to start moving on again.

But seeing her again and hearing what she just said to my brother, this invite turns out to be a regret.

"Why are you looking at me that way?" she then asked me. I didn't realize I was already staring at her. It snapped me back to reality.

"W-wala," I answered. "W-was that..."

"Seff?" she cut me off.

"Yes," I answered.

"Yes, that was Seff and Cali," she told me. "They went to a park and Cali was eyeing a young girl."

I just nodded. My brother's taking care of their baby.

Someone who might have been mine kung...

Buhay nga naman. Tanghali pa lang but I am already regretting that this day came.

••

(Her Thoughts)

This is really awkward. My knees have been shaking real bad since I saw him. I've been trying to block all emotions as best as I can. Why I agreed to his invite was more of my pride. He was challenging me and wanting to show him the new me, I agreed. I will turn the tables around. Hindi ako ang maiilang.

We were silently eating when my phone rang. Seff's name flashed on the screen. It made me smile. It was just on time dahil kanina pa walang nagsasalita.

"Hi honey," I said as soon as I answered the call.

"Hi Nanay!" Cali screamed happily. "I miss you Nanay! How are you? I hope you're okay."

"Yes, I missed you too. How are you and Dada?"

"I'm good Nanay. Dada and I played earlier at the park. There were a lot of kids and I saw a girl. She's very pretty Nanay. Her name's Shauna. She lives near us and she said we'll play again soon."

I laughed. My kid's really a Yu.

"Dada taught me how to approach her. He said I should come up to him and ask for her name. So I did. She was blushing, Nanay. And then before we left, I kissed her on the cheeks."

That made me laugh real hard.

"Hold on Nanay, I'll get Dada for you," Cali told me.

A few seconds later, he was on the line.

"Hi Nay," he greeted me. "Cali told you about the girl?"

"Ikaw, kung anu-ano talaga tinuturo kay Cali," I told him. Cali is still very young para isipin ang opposite sex. "Kelan na yung surprise nyo sakin?"

"Raffy, surprise nga di ba? It isn't a surprise if I will tell you when it would be. Just keep your lines open. The next thing you know, Cali's already sleeping beside you. By the way, we already got the tickets. We'll buy a luggage for Cali. Where are you right now? It's lunch now over there. Have you eaten? Cali and I had steak sa lagi nating kinakainan. The folks miss you."

"Baka lang naman makalusot. I'm having lunch with an acquaintance."

I didn't mean to say that but I don't know what to tell Seff. Masaya ang mood namin and I do not want to spoil it. Isa pa, I know Ethan doesn't care anyway.

"Ah okay. That's good. Well, we will see you soon. Don't worry about Cali. He's having a good time. He gained a little weight but that's okay. We went to his pedia earlier just to make sure he's fit for travel and also once we're there."

"Oo na, sige na. I'm just waiting. Thanks Dada. I can't thank you enough for doing that. Kiss Cali for me. I'll see you both soon," I said and he handed the phone to Cali.

"Good night, Nanay. We love you! I'll sleep now," Cali said.

"Have a good lunch Nay," habol ni Seff.

"I love you Nanay," Cali added.

"I love you. Take care, okay? Alright, bye," I said and disconnected the call.

I was feeling more relaxed after that call. Iisipin ko na lang na malapit ko ng makita si Cali. Ethan was still silent though I realized he was staring at me as if affected sa nadinig nya.

"Why are you looking at me that way?" I asked him. I was feeling awkward with what he was doing.

"Wala. W-was that..."

"Seff?" I continued his question.

"Yes."

"Yes, that was Seff and Cali. They went to a park and Cali was eyeing a young girl," I confirmed.

He became quiet and looked resentful. Or maybe my eyes are fooling me.

Don't be bothered Raffy. Let him regret what he did.

He chose this.