Kabanata 3
Kabanata 3
"What's the purpose of life kung 'di mo rin magagawa ang gusto mo sa buhay, right? What's the purpose if you don't have freedom at all?" Jellie pointed out upon giving me another glass of liquor.
"Right..." I nodded, smiling a bit.
"Ako nga, my Dad is giving me everything! Wala siyang sinasabi how I should spend my money and all, he just let me do things my way! Sabi nila, money can't buy happiness but they're wrong kasi I'm happy with my money!" Samantha said and smirked at me. "How 'bout you, Crest? Sabi mo 'di ka pinapayagang umalis-alis ngayon? Pinagalitan ka, right?"
"Hmm..." I nodded, crossing my legs while looking at them, inayos ko ang fur coat ko sa balikat. "Yes, but I understand him naman na galit siya—"
"Where's the freedom in that?" Jellie frowned at me.
"Hindi naman siya as in maluwag sa akin but I think—"
"No, you're wrong. Ngayon lang 'yan, sa susunod masasakal ka na." Samatha told me kaya napaisip na ako. "Walang semi-freedom sa buhay, Crest. It's either complete freedom or no freedom at all!"
Napainom pa ako ulit doon, napapaisip sa sinabi nila.
They have a point, maybe...this isn't freedom at all. Paano na ang principle ko? YOLO dapat kasi isang beses lang ang buhay pero kung pipigilan nila ako sa gagawin ko...what's the sense?
"Hindi naman sila naghihigpit—"
"Oh, really?" Jellie smirked at me, mas nilagyan ng alak ang baso ko. "Ayon sa nakikita ko, they are slowly stopping you now. It won't take a lot of time until they stop you completely, Crest. Kaya kung ako sa'yo, ipaglaban mo ang gusto mo. Do whatever you like, it was as if you're getting poor!"
"You see, my father is so soft to me naman. Kapag pinapagalitan ako isang lambing ko lang ayos na ako kaya no problem at all." I smiled at them.
"Not all the time," Samantha shrugged at me. "My Dad lets me do all things I like in life, kahit magkano pa 'yan, to think na hindi pa kami gano'n kayaman kumpara sa inyo, ah? Tapos sa'yo strict pa?"
"We have nothing against your father and his way of disciplining, ah? I'm just...I don't think he should be stopping you, isa ang pamilya niyo sa highest tax payer kaya for sure namumutaktak ang laman ng bank accounts at assets niyo!" Jellie touched my shoulder. "Maximize your wealth! Money can buy us happiness, right? Alam kong ikaw din!"
Samantha eyed me, watching my reaction kaya natawa ako at tumango.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." I chuckled.
I felt my phone vibrating, sumulyap ako sa bag ko at nang malabas ang phone ay kitang-kita ko ang pangalan ni Dad sa screen.
"See?" Jellie saw my phone and tsk-ed. "He's gonna scold you to death, I'm sure. Look at that."
"Oh, he won't..." I smirked. "If I won't answer it." I let them see how I rejected a call and smiled.
"Cheers?" I lifted my glass.
"Cheers sa complete freedom ni Crest!" Samantha exclaimed and we all laughed, clinking our glasses together.
We partied all night, I was tipsy but I think I'm not that drunk. Kahit papaano naman ay nililimitahan ko ang sarili ko sa pag-inom dahil mas malakas man ang laban ng katawan ko sa alak, kapag nasobrahan ako ay malamang plakda na ako sa dance floor.
We celebrated to my new definition of freedom...just freedom...but why the hell I am dragged now like a fucking suspect?!
"W-what the...y-you tarantado! Why are you dragging me?!" I exclaimed at the top of my lungs while struggling from the familiar man's grip.
"You stole a wallet, Ma'am. Stop wiggling, masasaktan po kayo." He said coldly, touching my arms more.
"I didn't—oh my God, I would never fucking steal anything!" I screamed loudly, nawala na ang kalasingan sa sistema sa gulat sa mabilisang nangyayari.
Damn! I was just drinking and partying and the next thing I know...I'm a freaking magnanakaw?!
"Ma'am, sumama ka na lang sa presinto para sa statement—"
"And why the hell I am going with you?! First of all, I didn't steal anything! Si Kuya right there kanina! H-he threw me the wallet and said na hawakan ko raw—"
"I won't hurt you, Ma'am." Natigilan na ako nang tuluyang lumingon sa akin ang lalaki at nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang gray eyes niya. "I'm asking you to kindly come with me so we could sort this out—"
"Y-you knew me, right?!" nanlaki ang mata ko at tinuro siya. "I-I have money! Come to think of it, w-why ako mag-i-steal—"
"I don't know you, Ma'am." Aniya kaya natigilan na ako, "so I am asking you to come with me in peace."
"What ..." I gasped. "I didn't steal anything!"
"Ma'am—"
"Sabi ngang 'di ako magnanakaw!" I screamed, mas nagpumiglas na.
Even if it's night time, I saw how his gray eyes darkened, his jaw clenched and glanced at me.
"Ma'am—" hinampas ko ang kamay niya.
"L-let me go—"
"I'm sorry but I have to do this." He said coldly and before I could even process anything, huli na ang lahat. I am already screaming my lungs out, kicking him with my feet when he carried me like a sack towards the mobile car.
Parang ang dali lang sa kanyang ilagay ako sa likod ng sasakyan at mabilis siya naglakad sa driver's seat sa unahan.
"I didn't steal anything! Let me go!" I screamed, hinampas ko pa pero matibay ang barrier sa pagitan naming dalawa.
I saw him talked to the victim first before going inside and leaving.
"I-I will call my father!" I exclaimed. "I will call my lawyer—"
"Sure, Ma'am. We will give you the time for that." Parang wala lang na sagot niya, hindi apektado na kulang na lang ay magwala ako sa backseat.
"G-give me my phone! N-nand'yan sa bag ko!" kinalampag ko pa siya.
"Later, Ma'am. If you'd just calm down and—"
"Pakawalan mo akoooooo!" I screamed loudly, wala nang pakialam. "I said—"
"Shut up!" my heart almost stopped when his voice roared. Nakita kong sumulyap siya sa akin sa salamin at kunot ang noo.
"S-sabi ko nga..." I cleared my throat. "B-bakit ka gagalit..."
I heard his loud breath intake, ngumuso ako at sumandal sa upuan, sumusulyap sa posas sa kamay ko.
"D-daddy..." I said sadly and closed my eyes and definitely because of tiredness, fell asleep after a few moments of self-pity.
"Ma'am..." naalimpungatan ako nang makarinig na boses, I opened my eyes and it adjusted on the lights at first kaya napapikit ako at humikab.
"C-Chiel...I'm sleepy." I yawned and rested my back again and closed my eyes.
"Ma'am—"
"I said mamaya na! I'm sleepy okay? My head's spinning." I said softly.
"Ma'am..."
"Chiel! I said—"
"You're in the police station, Ma'am." A few words at parang nagising na ang katawang lupa ko.
I immediately opened my eyes and slowly, it dawned to me.
"P-police?!" napaayos ako ng upo at nang matauhan ay nakita ang tatlong lalaki sa harapan ko.
My eyes widen, looking at the unfamiliar handsome faces, marahil siguro sa gulat at bagong gising ay malakas akong suminghap.
I screamed loudly and to my shock, they screamed back at me in shock too.
Pahabaan ata kami ng tiling apat kung hindi lang may tumulak sa isa at natumba silang tatlo nang sabay-sabay nang mawalan ng balanse 'yong isa.
"W-who are you?!" I exclaimed habang pinagmamasdan silang nasa lapag at dumadaing nang sabay-sabay silang matumba.
"Miss..." the one with the dimple said and raised his hand to explain when I heard a voice.
"Are you okay?" I was stunned at that, mabilis akong napaharap sa kabilang parte at halos mapatalon nang makita ang pamilyar na lalaki.
"Y-you..."
"Are you hurt?" he asked me coldly, his forehead creasing upon looking at the boys helping each other from the ground. "Did they hurt you?"
"Hala, Lieutenant! Ginigising lang namin si Madame—"
"Did they hurt you?" biglang putol ni Lieutenant doon, matiim na ang tingin sa akin ngayon.
My heart thumped, he somewhat looks scary but not to that extent. Bumaling ako sa tatlong lalaking nakatitig na sa akin ngayon, napansin kong nakapang-unipormeng pulis at nakatingin sa akin.
I caught a glimpse of the smiling one, he looks friendly kaya napangiti na rin ako at umiling.
"W-well no..." I said, glancing at Lieutenant and saw how he nodded at me.
"Are you sure? Baka tinatakot ka lang—"
"Grabe naman 'tong si Lieutenant! Ano, suntukan na lang?" biglang sabi no'ng may maliit na dimple sa gilid ng labi, tinataas pa ang uniporme. "Oh, tara, pareng Locket—"
"Ready your resignation." I heard Lieutenant Locket said na parang wala lang, humalukipkip pa habang pinagmamasdan ang isa na natahimik pa roon.
"Lieutenant—"
"Tama na 'yan," ani no'ng maputing lalaki at hinila 'yong isa. He glanced at me after that and smiled. "Pasensya na, Ma'am. Hobby lang nilang mag-away dito." Aniya at malambing na ngumiti.
I slowly nodded, confused at everyone, I caught that man with a warm smile watching me kaya tumango ako ulit sa kanya at bumaling kay Lieutenant na nakatingin na sa akin ngayon.
"Am I in the police station?" I asked, making sure I wasn't dreaming and he nodded at me.
"Yes, Ma'am. You were sleeping inside the car and I couldn't wake you up, I'm sorry if I carried you here, I swear I didn't touch you inappropriately." He told me formally.
"Oh?" biglang asar sa kanya no'ng lalaking maputi pero nang malamig na tinignan ni Lieutenant ay biglang natahimik at tumikhim. "J-joke lang, Lieutenant. Joke, sorry." He even lowered his head at that.
I sighed, pumipintig ang ulo ko sa sakit nang sumulyap ako sa pulsuhan at nakita ang posas doon.
"That..." he cleared his throat, nakita kong naupo siya sa tabi ko at inabot ako. "Sorry, let me take that out."
Confused and lost, I slowly gave him my wrists and I saw how he did his best not to touch my skin, marahang kinuha niya ang susi at kinuha iyon sa pulsuhan ko.
He looks serious, malinis ang pagkakaayos ng buhok at malamig ang kulay abong mga mata. I realized he looks good while on his simple shirt no'ng nakaraan but I didn't expect he'll look better...great perhaps in his police uniform.
I can smell his manly scent, tahimik lang ako habang tinatanggal niya ang posas ko kaya tumikhim ako nang may maalala.
"I-ikukulong ba ako?" I asked, nervous. "I-I promise, I didn't steal anything."
"I know." He said, stopping me. Nang matanggal niya ang posas ay mabilis siyang tumayo at sumulyap sa akin. "We just checked the CCTVs, Ma'am. We have to take you here for the protocol. I'm sorry for the trouble—"
"Ma'am too formal," I said, clearing my throat para isipin ang sunod na sasabihin. "Just call me...uhm..." napaisip ako.
If I told him I am Crest Sandejas...paniguradong malalaman ito nila Dad! They'll probably scold me to death!
"Veronica!" I said and I saw how he stopped, his gray eyes stared at me intently.
"What?" he asked me again and I cleared my throat to be at least formal and offered my hand again.
"Just call me...Veronica." I smiled at him but unlike what I am expecting, he didn't smile back at me at all.
His face remained stoic, just that...it's much colder now.
"Nice meeting you, Ma'am." He said formally. "Lieutenant Lorcan Keith Dmitrov, I'm sorry for the trouble." Naibaba ko ang kamay ko nang tumayo siya at hindi iyon tanggapin.
"Uh...okay." I cleared my throat, nahiya na. My cheeks heated. Hinawi ko ang buhok ko at nagtanong. "If in any case, p'wede na ba akong umuwi na? A-ayos na ba ang kaso? My father might be looking for me."
"Attorney Sandejas is on his way, Miss Crest Sandejas." Aniya kaya unti-unting nanlaki ang mata ko at napaayos ng upo.
"H-how did you..."
"I apologize for checking your purse, Ma'am. I answered your ringing phone. We needed to have your identification and you're dead drunk." Aniya na parang wala lang at bahagyang itinungo ang ulo. "And I hope you'll tell us your real name next time. If you'll excuse me."
"B-but I really do have Veronica in my name!" I exclaimed, stopping him. "G-gusto mo pa pakita ko sa'yo and ID ko—"
"Excuse me." He said, hindi na ako hinayaang matapos at basta na lang tumalikod at pumunta sa kung saan.
"Uh, Madame, pasensya na kung nagulat ka sa'min kanina." Ani bigla no'ng lalaking may dimple kaya napakurap ako at nagtanong na.
"I-is really my Dad coming?"
"Ah, opo. On the way na po five minutes earlier." Aniya at ngumiti pero hindi ko magawang ngumiti pabalik sa kanya.
My mouth's still parted in shock, mariin akong napapikit doon at halos mapatili sa inis. I pulled my hair and kicked my feet, nakita kong sabay-sabay na napaatras ang tatlo roon sa gulat ng ginawa ko.
"Madame, t-tubig?" ani no'ng lalaking palangiti kaya tumango ako at hinilamos ang mukha bago tahimik na tumili, halos magpalamon na lang sa lupa sa kaba.
"Ito, oh." The man came back with the glass of water, napasinghap ako at kinuha iyon, uhaw na uhaw at mabilis na ininom.
Habang tumutungga ako ay nakita kong nakatingin lang ang tatlo sa akin, tila nakakakita ng kung ano kaya nagtaka ako.
"W-why?" I asked.
"Uh, tissue, Ma'am." Bigay no'ng maputi kaya inabot ko iyon at ngumiti, mabilis kong pinunanasan ang basa sa labi ko at nagtatakang pinagmasdan din sila pabalik.
"Why are you staring?" I asked, confused. "May...may dumi ba sa mukha ko?"
"Uh, Madame, kalat 'yong mascara mo." Ani no'ng lalaking palangiti kaya napasinghap na ako at mabilis na inabot ang pouch sa tabi ko at napamura na sa gulat nang makitang mukha akong babaeng aswang, kalat ang mascara, kalat ang lipstick at parang sinabunutan ang buhok.
Halos maiyak na ako sa kahihiyan doon sa presinto, mabuti na lang ay mababait na tao ang tatlong lalaking nandito sa akin na kaagad akong inalo.
"Ako na! Kayang-kaya kong ayusin ang make-up mo!" the handsome smiling guy said, stopping me. "Don't fret, Miss, gagawin kitang fresh! Mas fresh pa sa gulay sa palengke!" he said before taking the wipes and sat beside me.
Narinig ko ang tawanan ng dalawa roon na humila pa ng upuan para lumapit sa amin.
"Sorry, Ma'am, p'wede ba kami rito?" ani no'ng maputi sa akin kaya nagtataka man ay marahan akong tumango at ngumiti.
"O-okay, uh, wala ba kayong work?" I asked and they all shook their heads at me.
"Bukod naman sa snatcher kanina wala naman ngayong gabi, hopefully." The man with the dimple said, mukha naman silang mabait at hindi naman ako naiilang kaya tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanila.
"I'm Crest..." bumaling ako pero may nahulog sa may hita, nagitla ako nang nakitang may isang itim na jacket na nahulog doon. Nagtatakang inabot ko 'yon at inilahad sa kanila.
"Sa inyo ba 'to? Salamat, ah." I said.
"Ah, kay Lieutenant Padlock 'yan." Ngisi no'ng maputi kaya nanlaki na ang mata ko.
"Gago, yari ka kapag narinig ka!" humagalpak 'yong may dimple at sinapak siya.
"Shh! Kaya nga secret lang, eh! H'wag kayo maingay, baka mabugahan na akong apoy!" hagalpak niya at bumaling sa akin. "Ay, ang ingay ata natin, pasensya na, Madame. Si Lieutenant Padlock naglagay niyan, tulog ka kasi no'ng dinala ka. Dito lang sa sofa ka p'wede ilagay tapos tumataas ang dress mo kaya..."
"Oh..." I nodded and flashed a small smile, mas humawak sa jacket at inayos sa hita ko. "Gano'n ba?"
"Oo, pagpasensyahan mo na at masungit, Madame." Ani no'ng lalaki sa tabi ko, "may buwanang dalaw—ay, araw-araw mens pala." Aniya at nagtawanan silang muli.
They looked jolly and good kaya napatawa na rin ako sa kanila, hindi na alintana kung gaano ako mukhang aswang ngayon na kulang na lang ay mahati ang katawan bago lumipad sa bilog na buwan.
"Mabait naman 'yan...sa panaginip." Hirit no'ng isa kaya nagkatawanan na naman kami.
"Shh! Quiet!" we heard a loud voice kaya sabay-sabay kaming napalingon.
I saw Lieutenant Locket on the side, nakasulyap sa amin at madilim ang tingin, nakaigting ang panga.
"Chill, Lieutenant! Kinekwentuhan lang namin si Madame para hindi ma-bored—"
"Just..." kumunot ang noo niya. "Just lower your voice." Malamig niyang sabi sa amin.
I flashed a sweet smile at him, nakita kong saglit siyang natigilan at napatitig pero mayamaya'y kumunot ang noo at masungit na nag-iwas ng tingin, bumaling sa mga papel sa isang desk at nagbuklat ng folder doon.
"Snob..." I whispered to myself, smiling a bit.
Ni hindi man lang ako nagulat doon, gano'n naman kasi siya kahit no'ng sa Baguio...but one thing's for sure, he's a good man, a gentleman.
"Oy, Lieutenant! Desk ko 'yan, ah?" ani no'ng lalaki sa tabi ko kaya muli akong napatitig sa kanya. "Anong tinitignan mo riyan?"
I saw him immediately glanced back at the folders.
"I'm just looking for some...files." He cleared his throat and closed the folder. "Ang pangit ng sulat mo." Aniya at nagpamulsa, walang lingong umalis doon.
"Aba't..." the man beside me hissed, nagtawanan ang dalawa roon kaya natawa na rin ako sa kanila at ngumiti.
"Uhm, hi, I'm Crest Veronica Sandejas." I smiled at them and offered my hand.
"Oh, you really have Veronica sa name mo." Ani no'ng my dimples at ngumiti sa akin. "Hello, Madame Crest, I'm Senior Inspector Adam Dominguez."
"Hi, Adam." I smiled at him and glanced at the fair man who waved a little at me.
"SPO2 Brent Guzman," he said. "Ang ganda mo, Madame Crest, kahit kalat ang mascara mo."
It made me laugh, napailing ako at sumulyap sa nasa tabi kong sinipa si Brent.
"Tanga, kaya ko nga kasi ayusin 'yan! Tignan mo at magiging diyosa 'yan si Madame." He smirked at me and offered his hand. "I'm SPO1 Earn Martinez, Madame."
"Earn ka riyan..." tawanan no'ng dalawa kaya natigilan ako.
"Earn nga kasi!" nagitla ako nang biglang lumambot ang boses ng katabi ko. "Pero Madame, Earn sa gabi...Ernesto sa umaga." Biglang lumaki ang boses niya kaya napahagalpak na ako ng tawa at mas na-excite.
"Are you..."
"Yes, Madame." He even winked playfully at me. "Barumbado sa panlabas pero cheesecake sa loob." He said kaya napatawa na ako at napa-apir sa kanya.
"Wow! I like you all!" I giggled happily, "sana maging friends ko kayo!"
"Why not, coconut?" Adam smirked. "Pa-apir nga rin, Madame!" aniya kaya natatawang nakipag-apir ako sa kanila ni Brent na natawa sa kakulitan ko.
I can't deny but their presence made me lively, parang hindi ako nagwalwal habang nakikipagkwentuhan sa kanilang tatlo roon.
Ernesto...or simply, the cute Earn is fixing my smudge mascara with the wipes, si Adam ay inabutan ako ng mainit pang kape at si Brent ay nagbigay sa akin ng gamot para sa hangover.
I can see Lieutenant Locket walking back in forth from his office to us, babaling sa amin at magsusuplado, lalabas pero ilang segundo pa ay papasok ulit.
"Lieutenant, maupo ka na lang kaya? Ako nahihilo sa'yo!" Adam frowned at him but he just raised his brow, walang imik na nag-iwas at bumalik sa opisina niya.
The boy's presence is something new to me...it's refreshing and comfortable, kahit si Lieutenant Locket na masungit ay hindi ako uncomfortable kaya natutuwa ako.
A man's presence bothers me, p'wera na lang siguro sa pamilya ko, kay Matthew na akala kong mabait pero tarantadong asshole pala sa ending. I talked casually with boys, I danced in parties but besides that...being in a relationship or what. Nah.
I was expecting my livid father but to my shock, he isn't.
Buong pamilya ko ang sumundo sa akin, si Mommy ay mabilis akong niyakap nang makita ako. Confused, I hugged her back and I felt her brushed my hair.
"Are you okay, Crest?" he asked, cupping my cheek and slowly I nodded at her.
"Kambal..." Chiel called kaya suminghap ako at lumapit na sa kanya. He removed his jacket, placed it on my shoulders and I saw Adira staring at me with softness on her eyes kaya ngumiti na ako.
I saw my Dad talking to Lieutenant Locket, nang magtagpo ang mata namin ay nakita ko ang galit na nawala sa mga mata niya nang lumapit na ako.
"Dad..." I called and he sighed, immediately reached for me and placed his hand on my shoulder, sumulyap ako kay Locket na seryoso at malamig ang mga mata na tumango pa sa akin.
"Thank you for your cooperation and help, Miss Sandejas." He said, confusing me.
"Huh—"
"For helping us look for the snatcher," he said, stopping me.
Wala akong natulong, ah? Natulog nga lang ako at mukhang aswang pagkagising!
"I didn't—"
"Because of her, Attorney, nahanap namin 'yong snatcher." Aniya at binalingan si Dad. "Pasensya na po at natagalan siya ng uwi, hindi niya nasagot ang tawag niyo. Nakaligtaan lang po. I apologize for that."
I was shocked at that, sumulyap ako sa kina Earn na nasa likod lang ni Locket at tumango lang sila sa akin.
"Well, thanks for taking care of my daughter, Lieutenant." I saw how my Dad nodded at him. "You know she's a bit clumsy and liberated but I'm glad she helped the case."
"No worries, Attorney." He said formally, watching me with the gray hooded eyes of his, nagpamulsa pa siya at napasulyap ako sa unipormeng bagay na bagay sa kanya. "Miss Veronica Sandejas, thank you."
"W-welcome..." I cleared my throat and bit my lower lip, stunned and amazed at the same time for him, protecting me from Dad's rage.
He nodded, si Dad ay sumulyap sa akin kaya nginitian ko na siya. He sighed, nang kurutin niya ang tagiliran ko ay napasinghap na ako.
"Dad!"
"You brat..." he frowned at me kaya humaba na ang nguso ko.
"Sorry," I said in a small voice and smiled at him. "Sorry po, love you."
Dad shook his head, nagpaalam siya kay Lieutenant at sa ibang pulis bago ako alalayan pabalik sa kotse namin na nasa malayo. I waved at my new friends, kumaway din ang tatlo sa akin at si Locket ay malamig lang na sinusundan ako ng titig, nakapamulsa pa.
I saw my twin talking to Locket, nakita ko pang nakipagkamay siya roon bago umalis at sumunod sa amin.
Dad assisted me inside the car, kasunod ko sina Adira at Mom at si Chiel ay pumunta sa shotgun seat sa unahan.
While I was seated, I glanced at my hand and saw Locket's jacket.
"D-dad, wait!" I said when I heard the engine started.
"Why?" he glanced at me in the mirror.
"Ibabalik ko lang po." I said and didn't wait for their approval. Mabilis akong lumabas ng sasakyan at tumakbo pabalik sa police station.
"Locket!" I exclaimed when I saw him walking inside. "I-I mean, Lieutenant!" I called and he stopped.
Hindi niya ako nilingon kaya mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa harapan niya. Our eyes locked, that dark, gray eyes looked confused for awhile but then turned cold after a moment.
"Uhm..." I lifted my hand to show him his jacket. "Thank you for this and for...helping me out kaya 'di ako napagalitan ni Dad."
"I'm just doing my job, Ma'am." He said and licked his lower lip. "I am wrong for falsely accusing you of theft, I just did my part to help you..."
"But you saw me with the wallet kaya ano...naiintindihan naman kita, pero thank you pa rin kasi ilang beses mo na ako natulungan."
He just stared at me and nodded, mukhang walang balak na magsalita kaya tumikhim na ako.
"Here, jacket mo..."
"Keep it." He said and pushed the jacket back to me softly, wala pa rin masyadong reaksyon.
"But—"
"You shouldn't feel cold, Veronica." Aniyang seryoso kaya napalunok na ako, hindi alam kung bakit pero kumakalabog ang dibdib sa hindi maintindihang kaba.
"Veronica..." I chuckled at that, didn't know my second name would sound that beautiful. "You're calling me Veronica."
"Ayaw mo ba?" aniyang nakatitig sa akin kaya napatikhim ako at halos lumabas na ang puso sa bilis ng kalabog.
"G-gusto!" I exclaimed, biting my lower lip. "You call me Veronica."
"Alright," he said and nodded, slowly taking a step back and showed me the door. "Your family's looking for you. You should go."
I slowly nodded, hugging his jacket, I ran towards our car and saw my twin waiting for me. He has that suspicious look on his face but he didn't say anything, sumaludo lang siya kay Locket bago ako inalalayan papasok sa sasakyan.
While on the car, no one scolded me. My Mom and Adira is sleeping, habang nasa likod ako ay natanto kong nakapambahay pa sila nang sinundo ako sa presinto.
Dad is still wearing his pajamas and shirt, si Chiel ay nakashorts at shirt lang at nakaternong pantulog pa ang Mommy at ang bunso namin. I suddenly felt bad for being a brat tonight but then...I remembered what Jellie and Samatha told me, would I like them to cage me? Hindi man ngayon pero sa susunod?
I sighed, we reached the house when it's almost three A.M., si Chiel ay binuhat na si Adira na hindi na namin magising sa lalim ng tulog, si Mommy ang kasabay kong naglalakad papasok.
"You should apologize," Mom said after she caught me staring at my silent father walking towards the house. "He's really worried for you, mas inuna niyang halughugin kung nasaang lupalop ka na kaysa sa urgent niyang kaso bukas."
I bit my lower lip and nodded, I immediately left her and walked towards my father. Without saying anything, I ran towards him and hugged his waist from the side, naramdaman kong natigilan siya at mabilis akong nilingon.
"Crest..." he called me seriously and my lips protruded.
"S-sorry, Dad." I sighed and hugged him more. "S-sorry, I was just so drunk and wasted, sorry po kasi...hindi ako sumagot sa tawag mo."
Nanatili lang siyang nakatitig sa akin, I know how scary my father is in court pero kapag nasa bahay siya, tanging ang mapagmahal na ama lang ang nakikita ko.
"I'm...sorry for being a brat tonight." I said and kissed his cheek. "I love you, Dad."
"You stink," I gasped when he flicked my lips and frowned at me. "You reek of liquor, Crest Veronica. Ang sabi ko mag-uusap tayo pag-uwi ko but instead, you went to a bar and partied, huh?"
"Sorry...." I sighed. "I'm just...scared of you, scolding me. Sorry na, Dad. Come on, I love you, sorry na."
He just stared at me and sighed. "I love you too..." aniya at tumitig sa akin bago ngumiti. "But you know what?"
"What?" I asked excitedly, napangisi na.
Mukhang hindi na siya galit sa akin!
"You're grounded." He said with a mischievous, scary smile kaya unti-unting napawi ang ngiti ko.
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