Monasterio Series #3: One More Night

Chapter 21

Ngumiti siya, akala mo teenager na binigyan ng bulaklak ng crush niya. Ngumiwi ako dahil hindi ko maalalang naging ganyan ako noon, kahit nung may relasyon pa kami ni Cade.

"No. Never. I've always been in love with your father no matter what the circumstances we're into before. Ilang beses kaming naghiwalay, ilang beses ko siyang ipinagtulakan pero hindi kailanman nawala ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. I guess that's what it really feels like when you know that you have already found your soulmate."

Ngumito ako, sinsero at walang halong kalokohan. "Patay na patay ka kay Daddy, ano My?"

Maging siya ay natawa rin. "Mas patay na patay siya. If you have only seen how your father chased me before, you would say that I'm a lucky woman. Your father is Flavian Follosco, dear. A notorious playboy."

"Luh! Hanggang ngayon, My?"

Ang ngiti sa matapang niyang mukha ay mabilis na naglaho na para bang isang lumang litrato na napaglipasan na ng panahon.

"Don't he dare. Kung ayaw niyang sa labas ng bahay matulog."

With that, we both burst into laughter. Minsan lang kami magkatawanan at magusap ng ganito ni Mommy dahil parehas kaming abala sa kanya-kanyang buhay. But as far as I remember, she's been a good and caring mother to my brother and I ever since we're young. Strikta pero palagi niyang sinisiguarado na kami muna bago ang sarili niya.

Huminto kami sa pagtawa. Mataman niya akong tinitigan, ang bahid ng ngiti ay nasa labi pa.

"Tate, I know I've been hard on you these past few days but that doesn't mean you can't tell me your problem. I'm still your mother and you can always tell me the things that are bothering you. You can share with me everything."

Everything? Pati ang pakikipag jerjer ko kay Zadriel?

Napahagikhik ako. Her brows rippled in a confused line.

"What?" she asked.

*Nothing, My. May naisip lang ako. Anyway, can I go out tonight? Sandali lang ako. I just want to unwind for a bit."

Muling tumalim ang titig niya sa akin. Sa huli, isang buntong hininga ang pinakawalan niya.

"Magpaalam ka sa Daddy mo."

A devilish smile crept on my face. Alam ko na kaagad ang magiging desisyon ni Daddy dahil palagi naman iyong pumapayag pagdating sa akin.

Hindi nagtagal at lumabas na ng kwarto si Mommy. Nagpalit ako ng damit saka nagtungo sa living room. Naroon na si Daddy, mukhang nakaabang na sa akin. From head to toe, he looked at me through his dark and menacing eyes. Nilawakan ko ang aking ngiti nang iangat niya na ang tingin sa mukha ko.

"Where are you going?" he asked as if he has no idea of where I am off to right now. Sigurado namang bago pa ako magpaalam ay nakapagsabi na si Mommy.

Bida-bida 'yon, e. Parang si Jollibee na papayat na ng papayat ang rebulto habang tumatagal.

"Prayer meeting, Dad!" pangaasar ko.

His eyes narrowed into slits. Mas lalong lumalim ang hagikhik ko. I tiptoed ang kissed him on the cheeks.

"Magpapahangin lang saglit, Dad," segunda ko rin kaagad. "And please, don't wait for me. I'll be back just before you know it."

He eyed me with so much intensity before locking his hand on my nape and pulled me, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"You okay, princess?" he asked, concern was laced through his voice as he embrace me.