Chiara
"Thank you, Tita! I had so much fun!" I thanked her as we both made our way towards the living room.
Uuwi na kasi ako, ayaw ko man pero kailangan. Kung pwede nga lang na rito na lang ako tumira kay Tita, gagawin ko.
She smiled at me, exposing her cute little dimples. "Thank you, Chia. I also had fun, I hope we can do this again next time." wika nito, making my heart palpitate uncontrollably.
I blushed. Kinikilig ako! I'm literally living every fangirl's dream. All hail Chiara Isabel, all hail!
"Of course! I'm looking forward to that!" sasagot sana siya nang biglang tumunog ang doorbell, indicating that there's someone outside. She took a glance at me first before making her way to open the door.
May bisita siya? Sino naman kaya? Well, that's least of my concerns anyway dahil kung meron nga, kailangan ko na talagang umalis sa lugar na 'to.
Kinuha ko ang bag ko na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng center table, pati na rin ang mga paper bags na dala ko. I'm still wearing Sabel's dress— hindi nga pala sa kanya 'to but just like what Tita Lea said, akin na lang daw 'to. Bawal tanggihan ang grasya so, push. This is mine now.
"Aga? What are you doing here?" literal na nanlaki ang mga mata ko when I heard Dad's name, mentioned by Tita Lea who's still standing at the door.
Did I heard it right or I was just hallucinating? Aga raw? Sinong Aga? Maraming 'Aga' sa mundo so I'm hoping na hindi si Daddy 'tong bisita ni Tita.
"I'm here to give you this, naiwan mo kasi sa set kanina." a manly yet familiar voice answered and upon hearing it, gusto ko tuloy maihi sa kinakatayuan ko ngayon.
Okay fine, natatakot ako sa kung ano ang puwede niyang ipataw na parusa sa'kin sa oras na malaman niyang nag-cutting classes ako.
Looks like I need to say goodbye in advance to my precious shoe collection if ever na susunugin nga niya ang mga ito, they will surely be missed!
"Oh God! Kaya pala wala sa bag ko kanina 'to. I wasn't aware na naiwan ko pala sa set. I thought I just misplaced it somewhere but anyway, thank you Ags. How thoughtful of you to go all the way here just to give me my panyo." Tita Lea replied sincerely.
Akala ko kung ano na, panyo lang naman pala. Puwede niya namang ipabukas ang pagbigay ng panyo ni Tita, nag-effort pa talaga na pumunta rito.
"You're welcome. I came here just to give you that. Paano, aalis na ako."
Umalis ka na please, umalis ka na.
"Uh, wait! Chiara is here. Isabay mo na lang siya." wika ni Tita Lea kaya kaagad naman akong napasapo ng noo ko.
Wala na, lagot ka na talaga, Chiara!
"Chiara? Chiara as in my daughter?" I heard Dad asked and based on his voice, mukhang hindi siya makapaniwala sa narinig.
I sighed heavily as I made my way to their direction, nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Daddy upon seeing me standing beside Tita Lea. Surprise, surprise!
"What are you doing here?" tanong niya, I was about to answer him kaso inunahan ako ni Tita.
"We saw each other at the mall, I spilled my coffee over her uniform kaya inaya ko na lang siyang pumunta rito to change kasi nga, ang lagkit lagkit niya." Tita explained calmly.
Kumagat ka Dad please, kumagat ka!
Dad stared at me habang nakakunot ang noo niya, for I know, nagpipigil lang iyan ng galit. Siguro kung wala rito si Tita Lea, if it's only the both of us, kanina pa namin sinigawan ang isa't-isa.
"Don't you have classes?" he asked again, kaagad naman akong umiling.
"Half-day lang po kami, Dad. All the teachers had a meeting." wika ko, trying to sound normal as I could.
Dad looked like he was convinced with what I told him so he ended up nodding his head.
"Isama mo na lang siya, Ags. Uuwi na rin iyan, eh." Tita Lea told him.
"Of course, mauna na kami, Lei. Let's go, Chia?" sambit niya, tumango lang ako at binaling muna ang paningin ko kay Tita.
"Bye, Tita! Thanks a lot for today." wika ko at walang paalam na niyakap siya, she was taken aback at first pero agad din naman siyang nakabawi as she hugged me back.
"Sa uulitin. I'll cook you more pastas pa hanggang sa magsawa ka nang kainin ito." she joked while patting my shoulders.
"I swear, never akong magsasawang kainin ang pasta mo, Tita." I muttered, she giggled as she gently pinched my cheeks.
Lumabas na ako ng condo niya at tuluyan nang nagpaalam. Now, Dad and I are both silently walking at the long hallway, on our way to the elevator, which seems like forever.
"Hindi naman talaga half-day ang klase mo, 'di ba?" he asked, breaking the silence. Since wala na si Tita Lea, what's the purpose of lying anyway?
"Correct and, you should be proud of me, Dad. Nag-cutting classes ang anak mo, imagine? Sa higpit ng security sa school, nagawang kong makapuslit sa labas. That's such a privilege." I said with voice full of sarcasm.
From my peripheral vision, I can see his jaw tightened.
"Humanda ka pag-dating natin sa bahay." he threatened me in a serious voice at dahil ako nga si Chiara Isabel Muhlach, sanay na ako sa mga banta niya.
"Whatever." I exclaimed as I rolled my eyes
I'm so unfortunate to have him as my father, really unfortunate.
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