Chapter 48
Code's POV
"Sir, may delivery po para sa inyo." Nag-angat ako ng tingin mula sa laptop ko subalit nanatiling nakatutok ang mata ko sa screen.
"What is it?" I asked as if I were interested in it.
I heard a few rustling sounds from Maze before she took steps towards me. "Flowers po sir, galing kay Grey Chua." Agad gumapang ang mata ko sa kaniya.
Namilog ang mata ko at nakunot ang mga noo bago tiningnan ang date.
"Shit..." Agad akong napatayo mula sa bangko ko at nilapitan si Maze para kunin sa kaniya ang bouquet ng bulaklak.
"Valentines ngayon?" Tiningnan ko si Maze para kumpirmahin ang okasyon ngayon.
Kumurap-kurap siya, tiningnan ako nito ng may halong gulat at pagkalito.
"O-Opo sir—"
Napapikit ako nang mariin. "Shit," Napamasahe ako sa sintido ko habang sapo-sapo ang bouquet sa isang braso na parang sanggol.
Kaya pala may mga pulang balloon sa lobby kanina. Kaya rin may nagtitinda ng mga bulaklak sa labas at mga stuffed toy. Valentines pala ngayon.
Kumawala ang isang malalim na buntong-hininga sa labi ko. "Anong... anong oras ang meeting ko with Mr. Monterde?" I asked her. When I opened my eyes, I saw her running to her table and flipping the pages of her mini notebook.
"Uhm... It's scheduled for 8 PM tonight, sir," she replied. A hiss escaped my lips before nodding.
I walked back towards my chair, hugging the bouquet in my arms before I finally sat down. I examined the bouquet he delivered to me. It's wrapped in almost five colors of wrapping paper. It also has pink and red colors of peonies with lavenders as fillers— I could say it's pretty colorful. It's not huge, but for me it's big. And it meant a lot to me.
This is the first time I have ever received flowers— if I don't count the small flowers Chiara would pick up in a small park in Canada when she was smaller.
As much as I wanted to giggle and kick my feet on the ground, Maze is just meters away from me. I don't want her to think I suddenly lost a thread in my brain and went crazy over flowers.
Alam ko naman kung paano ilulugar yung kilig ko.
I pursed my lips, gently placed down my bouquet of flowers, and fixed the hem of my blazer.
"Maze," I called. She lifted her head and raised both her brows. "Can you please... order a flower for me. Tapos yung bulaklak... red peonies, pula lahat, as in, pulang-pula. Gusto ko yung matingkad na pula tapos ipabalot mo sa white wrapping paper with..." kumiling ang ulo ko para mag-isip. Bahagya pa akong napanguso, "Black ribbon— oh wait, no," my fingers moved in the air as I imagined how the bouquet would look. "White and grey wrapping paper, then a black, satin ribbon," I added. She adjusted her glasses before nodding as she wrote it down her little notebook.
"Saan po natin ipapa-deliver, sir?" tanong niya at bahagya akong napanguso bago sumandal sa bangko.
"Uhm... dito nalang, ako nalang ang magbibigay sa kaniya. It's better if they delivery it after my meeting with Mr. Monterde para fresh pa." sagot ko at muling tumango si Maze.
I picked up my phone and immediately sent Grey a message.
To: Rafael Grey
Thank you for the flowers, grabe na touch ako huhuhuhu
I continued doing what I had been doing a while ago as I waited for his response. Until hours passed and I got too fixated with my work, I was startled when the personalized notification only for Grey went out from my phone.
From: Rafael Grey
You're welcome, I'm glad you like it.
From: Rafael Grey
I booked a reservation for us at Shangri-La for 8 PM, magkikita nalang ba tayo doon?
Agad nagparte ang labi ko, ilang segundo akong napakurap-kurap bago nilingon ang gawi ni Maze.
We've been trying to schedule a meeting with Mr. Monterde for almost a month now. It was us who begged him to at least have a short meeting with us, and it would be so disrespectful if I canceled last minute.
To: Rafael Grey
Grey, I have a very important meeting tonight at 8 PM.
To: Rafael Grey
My workload is also hectic today, that's why I forgot it's Valentine's Day, I'm sorry.
I nibbled on my lower lip as I hit send. My heart started pounding as I waited for his response, as he had immediately read my message.
Sweats started building on my forehead as three dots popped up on my screen, which indicates that he's typing a reply.
From: Rafael Grey
Oh, it's fine, no worries. Ingat ka.
I stared at his response for a few seconds. I badly wanted to ask Maze to help me analyze Grey's reply, whether he's mad or it's normal, but she's too occupied with her work.
When an email popped up on my laptop screen, I immediately put down my phone and completely forgot about it for the next hours.
I have already placed a herbal patch at the back of my head by 4 PM. I've been sitting down on my chair and facing my laptop for almost nine hours now. I wasn't able to eat lunch properly, and my secretary just got me a sandwich from the canteen. I felt like I hadn't moved a muscle in ages. My back, arms, and neck hurt, but I couldn't put a patch on all of them and only stuck one on my nape.
I asked Maze to grab me a milk tea from a nearby cafe before I attend the meeting with Mr. Monterde. While waiting, I sent a message to Grey greeting him a 'Happy Valentine's' since I realized I didn't actually greet him this morning, even just a message.
I waited for his response until Maze came back with my drink and a small cupcake that was given free for her, but she decided to give it to me since she saw how stressed I was.
I'm tired and sleepy during the meeting, but I remained alive since we really need to settle this business. Anthony and I sat next to each other during the meeting. The attorney from Mr. Monterde's company started presenting their side of the contract and their terms and conditions for the project, which would make me and Anthony glance at each other, talking with our eyes as some things seemed off.
But we remained silent. Mr. Villanueva briefed us and said to avoid negotiating and just do whatever they want since it's Mr. Monterde. He's one of Dad's colleagues in college—a close one, actually.
It was Anthony who presented the cost and budget for the company since he's the finance lawyer. He also presented some parts of our terms and conditions, which I've been working on for weeks.
Just as he finished presenting and was about to sit back down beside me, Mr. Monterde raised his hand.
"Where's Collin?" he asked.
My lips parted, and I glanced at Mr. Villanueva, who seemed shocked, like most of us in the meeting room.
"Collin told me he'll be coming back to the Philippines. Akala ko naman andito na siya kaya kayo nagmaka-awang sumingit sa schedule ko." Sa tono palang ng pananalita ni Mr. Monterde ay alam ko nang hindi siya masaya sa nakikita niya.
Mr. Villanueva cleared his throat, "Mr. Costa said he'll be here once he passes down the CEO position to his son. He didn't mention any specific date, but he did say he will come here to the Philippines." Mr. Villanueva replied. I looked back at Mr. Monterde, who had his brows furrowed, head tilted as he squinted his eyes.
"Passes down the position to his son? So may anak pala siya?" Taka nitong tanong.
Mr. Villanueva chuckled before pointing at me. "He's actually with us right now, sir. He's one of our lawyers who handles the company's contracts." Mr. Villanueva proudly said.
My heartbeat went fast, and I suddenly got pressured. But I straightened my back and flashed a smile at Mr. Monterde.
He raised a brow at me, "Totoo kang anak ni Collin?" tanong niya na ikinakunot ang noo ko.
Hindi ba halata? Hindi ba kita sa mukha ko ang hubog ng mukha ng isang Collin Costa?
I nervously chuckled, "Yes, sir, I'm his only son and heir." I replied proudly.
He cocked a brow before slowly nodding. "If you're Collin's son, bakit hindi kita narinig na magsalita kanina? Bakit hindi ikaw ang nagpresent ng budget?" tanong nito at nagparte ang labi ko.
"Sir, that's because I'm—"
"I didn't ask you."
Agad nagparte ang labi ko nang putulin nito ang sinasabi ni Anthony. Nang lingunin ko ito ay nakita kong nakatikom na ang bibig niya at bahagya pang umigiting ang panga.
"Ikaw ang anak ni Collin? Bakit hindi ka kagaya ng tatay mo? Bakit hindi ka kasing competent ni Collin? Bakit hindi ka kasing galing ng tatay mo?" Tinaasan ako nito ng kilay.
Natigilan ako ng ilang segundo. Nagparte ang mga labi ko at hindi ko magawang makasagot dahil sa dami ng tanong niya ay hindi ko na alam kung alin ang sasagutin ko.
I swallowed a lump in my throat, "Sir, I believe I have my own personality and skills. Not because I am my father's son, we are gonna be a carbon copy of each other, even in the slightest detail. I am not my father, sir. But I believe I can do great things like he did." I defended.
The meeting room went silent. I stared at Mr. Monterde's eyes, who seemed to be looking at me intensely as if he were trying to read something on my face.
The meeting adjourned, Mr. Monterde said he will ask his secretary and lawyer to send us the contract once he and Mr. Villanueva settle and fix some things so that the project can be pushed through, which to me sounded like a yes and a successful meeting.
As I walk through the hallway of the building, I immediately message Grey asking if he still wants to eat out. It's past 9 PM now, and it's impossible to book any reservations anymore, but maybe some restaurants or fast food chains still have vacancies.
From: Rafael Grey
'Wag na, umuwi ka na ng bahay.
Nagparte ang labi ko. Sa tono palang ng pananalita niya, alam kong pagod na rin siya at wala sa mood. Napakagat ako sa labi ko bago pinatay ang cellphone ko at isinilid iyon sa bulsa ko.
Habang nagmamaneho ay nagkalat ang mga magkakatipan na nagda-date. Karamihan sa kanila ay may mga dalang lobo at bulaklak habang magka-akbay.
Mabilis kong nilingon ang bulaklak na bigay sa akin ni Grey na nasa backseat habang ang bouquet naman na ibibigay ko sana sa kaniya ay nasa passenger seat.
Tahimik na ang bahay nang dumating ako. Pagpasok ko ng pinto ay agad kinuha ng kasambahay ang bag ko.
"Sir, may pagkain po sa lamesa, kumain po muna kayo." ani niya at napabuntong-hininga ako bago umiling.
"'Wag na manang, hindi ako gutom." Tanggi ko at agad namilog ang mata niya.
"Ay naku sir, ano po... may... may pagkain talaga dun, sir. Ipinag-init ko kayo. Sige na sir, kumain na po kayo." Pamimilit nito.
Napatawa ako nang pagak bago napahilamos sa mukha. "Hindi na nga po manang. Salamat po at nag-init kayo pero makikitago nalang po—"
Napalingon ako sa gawi ni Chiara na nagtatakbo mula sa dining. Agad napakunot ang noo ko, "Why are you still up? May pasok ka bukas, ah?" ani ko bago lumuhod para salubungin siya.
Agad ako nitong hinawakan sa kamay, "Let's go na, Daddy! Eat na tayo! Dali!!" Halos matumba ako nang higitin ako nito papunta ng dining area.
Pagpasok namin ay agad namilog ang mata ko nang makita na puno ng pagkain ang lamesa, may mga balloon sa kisame at nakatayo si Grey sa likod ng isang bangko habang nakapatong ang mga braso sa sandalan nito at malawak ang ngiti sa labi.
"Kung hindi kita madadala sa Shangri-La, dadalhin ko nalang dito ang Shangri-La." ani niya bago naglakad palapit sa akin.
Gumapang ang braso nito sa tagiliran ko bago naglapat ng halik sa pisnge ko. "Tired from work?" he asked softly.
My shoulders dropped. I let out a sigh before leaning towards him, resting my forehead on his shoulder.
"Sobra, nakakapagod. Tapos ang sungit pa nung isa naming kliyente na kaibigan dati ni Dad sa college. Bakit daw hindi ako kasing-galing ng tatay ko? Hindi ko rin alam. Hindi naman kami magkatulad ni Dad, eh." Pagsusumbong ko sa kaniya.
Narinig kong tumawa nang pagak si Grey bago hinimas-himas ang likod ko.
"Sige na, kumain na tayo para makapagpahinga ka na rin pagkatapos." Pag-aaya niya at tumango ako.
Paupo na sana ako nang ma-alala na may dalawa akong hawak na bouquet. Nalito pa ako noong una kung alin nag ibibigay ko kay Grey. Pero kung titingnan naman pala ay makikilala ko na agad kung alin ang para sa kaniya.
"I'm sorry I couldn't plan a date for us. Sobra kasing hectic sa trabaho, eh." Ini-abot ko kay Grey ang bouquet.
Agad namilog ang mata niya bago iyon kinuha sa kamay ko, "Code..." he immediately smelled the flower.
"You don't have to do this," he said, and faintly smiled at him.
"Pero gusto ko. It's the least thing I can do after forgetting today's Valentine. Na-guilty nga ako na hindi ako nakapagpa-reserve ng date natin." ani ko at gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi niya bago ibinalot ang mga braso sa leeg ko.
"Code, you're not just the man in our relationship. You don't have to do everything. You don't have to be the one who's always taking care of everything. You're a busy man. May trabaho ka rin at hindi kailangan na laging ako ang bina-baby mo." Malumanay niyang turan sa likod ng tenga ko. Bumagsak ang balikat ko at mas lalong hinigpitan ang yakap sa kaniya habang ang baba ay nakapatong sa balikat niya.
"Lalaki ka at lalaki rin ako. Kaya ko rin gawin ang kung anu-ano. Hindi ako magagalit kung ako naman ang mag-aasikaso sayo. Hindi porket... ikaw ang laging nasa ibabaw at ako ang nasa ibaba ay ikaw na ang laging papasan ng mga bagay-bagay." Ibinulong niya ang huli niyang sinabi na ikinatawa namin parehas.
Kumalas siya sa yakap bago inayos ang necktie ko, "Let me take charge from time to time, okay? Let me take care of you and treat you like a princess, hmm?" he softly said before raising both his brows, which made me chuckle.
Our little moment was cut off when Chiara asked me to pass her the lasagna, which made me and Grey chuckle and join my daughter to eat.
After we had our little family time, as per what Chaira called it, Grey and I brought Chiara to her room and bid her goodnight.
I was about to send Grey off, but was surprised when he said he'll spend the night here. I felt like my system exploded in joy. We immediately head to the bedroom. I took a shower, and he went in after I finished.
I thought he wanted to do something tonight. Just... another Valentine gift, maybe? But as I was waiting for him to put down his phone and say something, I didn't realize I was already dozing off until I completely fell asleep.
Grey's POV
I woke up an hour earlier than Code. I immediately took a shower and started getting ready for my shift. Code woke up while I was drying my hair in front of his vanity mirror. He greeted me with a good morning in his hoarse voice and half-open eyes as he walked towards his bathroom.
He came out wearing dark blue pants and a white button-up on top as I applied my moisturizer and sunscreen. He stood behind me as he fixed his necktie.
I stood up, faced him, and gently slapped his hand away from his tie.
"Ako na," ani ko habang inaayos ang nekctie niya.
Narinig ko itong humagikhik, "You look like a wife right now," he said, which made me arch a brow.
"What wife? Gusto mo babae? Sige, dun ka na sa babae—" Itutulak ko sana siya papalyo nang agad niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko at mas hinigit papalpit sa kaniya.
"Ito naman, biro lang. Sa Tagalog kasi, asawa, ganun, para kang asawa ko sa ginagawa mo, eh." Agad nitong ibinalot ang braso sa beywang ko bago sumobsob sa leeg ko at pinasadahan iyon ng mga halik.
Napatawa ako nang pagak habang sinusubukan siyang itulak. "Asawa agad? Hindi nga tayo mag boyfriend, eh." Pang-aasar ko sa kaniya.
Bigla itong lumayo habang nakanguso. "Ano ba tayo? Ayaw mo pa kasi akong sagutin, eh." Pagpapa-awa nito.
Napatawa ako nang pagak bago muling inayos ang necktie niya, "Gusto mo na ba? Sagutin na kita, ngayon na." tanong ko sa kaniya. Ilang segundo niya akong tinitigan na parang tuta.
Laking tao, tandang-tanda na, nagpapa-cute pa. Kagatin ko 'to, eh.
"Ayaw," umiling ito na ikinakunot ng noo ko. "Gusto ko special event kapag sinagot mo 'ko." ani niya bago naglakad palayo na ikinatawa ko. Naptawa nalang ako bago muling naupo sa harap ng vanity niya at nag-ayos ng sarili.
Paglabas namin ng kwarto ay siya rin labas ni Chiara at ibang kasambahay mula sa kwarto ng bata. Gulat na gulat si Chiara nang makita ako at halos hindi na umalis sa tabi ko. Hanggang sa pagkain ay ipinatabi ako nito sa kaniya na mukhang ikinadismaya pa ni Code dahil ang gusto naman nito ay andun ako sa bangko sa kanan niya.
"Manang, andiyan na si Kuya Top?" tanong ni Code nang lumabas kami ng bahay. Nakasabit ang bag ko sa kanan kong balikat habang ang isa kong kamay ay nakahawak kay Chiara.
"Wala pa po, sir. Pero parating na po iyon, nag-message na kay Sheila." sagot ni Manang at tumango lang si Code.
Akala ni Code ay di-diretso na ako ng ospital at hihiwalay sa kanila. Kaya naman gulat na gulat ito nang sinabi ko na gusto kong sumama sa paghahatid kay Chiara sa school.
Hawak kami ni Chiara sa magkabilang kamay niya nang maglakad kami papunta sa classroom niya. Ang mga kaklase nito ay agad siyang sinalubong. Ilang batang babae at lalaki ang agad sumunod kay Chiara.
Nakangiti naming tinatanaw ni Code ang anak niya nang lumapit sa amin ang isang batang lalaki.
"You guys are boyfriends?" he asked innocently.
My lips parted while Code choked on nothing behind me.
"Uhm... uh..." I don't know what to say.
I don't know if I can just expose a first grader in this matter or deny Code, who was just behind me.
The kid tilted his head, "You guys are gay!" he laughed at us, covered his mouth before laughing, and ran away.
My jaw dropped, Code burst out laughing behind me, whom I immediately faced.
"Tinawanan tayo ng bata." Hindi ko makapaniwalang turan.
Natatawang tumango si Code, "Oo nga, bakla raw kasi tayo." ani niya at napa-iling nalang ako.
Nagpaalam na kami ni Code sa isa't-isa bago umalis ng school ni Chiara at nag-drive papunta sa magkabilang direksyon.
Pagdating ko ng ospital ay una kong inasikaso ang mga pasyente na naka-schedule ng check-up ngayong araw. Kasunod ay ang mga nag-walk in na inako ko na dahil busy ang ibang pediatrician ngayon.
Code messaged me around 1 PM. Gladly, I wasn't that busy, so I was able to read it fast.
From: Nicodemus Ace
Grey, I know you're busy, but... is there a chance you can attend Chiara's Parents' and teachers' conference? It's schedule 5 PM today, papunta akong Batangas ngayong hapon para sa isang project.
Agad nagparte ang labi ko nang mabasa ang message niya. Napakagat ako sa labi ko bago nag-type ng reply pero mabilis siyang nakapag-send ng panibago.
From: Nicodemus Ace
But it's fine if you're really busy right now. Makikisuyo nalang ako sa mga kasambahay. Sa recognition nalang ako a-attend.
Napakunot ang noo ko bago mabilis na dinelete ang una kong message at nag-type ng panibago.
To: Nicodemus Ace
Hindi ka ba nakakapunta kahit isang conference sa school ng anak mo?
From: Nicodemus Ace
Naka-attend na pero iilan lang, lagi kasing napapatapat sa busy ako kaya hindi ako nakakapunta. Pero sanay naman na si Chiara na sila Manang ang pumupunta sa meeting sa classroom nila.
To: Nicodemus Ace
Hindi na, ako na, pupunta ako.
Napabuntong-hininga ako bago ibinalik ang cellphone ko sa bulsa. Bumalik ako ng clinic ko para kunin ang records ng mga pasyente ko at agad nag-round na dapat ay mamaya ko pa gagawin. Pagkatapos ay nag-asikaso ako ng mga pasyente sa ward bago pumunta sa office ng Head namin para magpaalam na mag u-undertime ako ngayong araw.
"Bakit? Anong meron?" tanong nito habang may kinukuha sa drawer niya.
"Uhm... emergency po," Naitikom ko ang bibig ko. Inilapag niya ang isang folder sa lamesa at may isinulat doon.
"Anong emergency? Masama ang pakiramdam mo?" tanong niya habang nakatutok ang atensyon sa papel.
Nagparte ang labi ko, "Uhm... hindi po, Doc. Pero may kailangan po kasi akong puntahan na... PTA meeting." Paliwanag ko at agad nag-angat ng ulo ang Head namin.
Kunot-noo ako nitong tiningnan, "May... may anak ka na ba? O baka pamangkin mo?" Taka niyang tanong.
Napalunok ako ng laway bago nag-ayos ng upo. "Anak po ng... partner ko." It wasn't hard to say because I'm ashamed of them. It was hard for me to say it because I'm afraid our Head might judge me easily and say something unpleasant.
He eyes widened, and her lips parted. She slowly nods, "Single mother ang partner mo?" She looked down at the paper before writing something.
I bit my lower lip, "Single... father, Doc." I corrected her.
Her head jolted up. She looked at me in shock and stared at me for a few seconds.
"Lalaki pala ang tipo mo, Doc Chua?" tanong niya bago pinirmahan ang papel.
She smiled at me and handed the paper, "Here, bring this sa HR, then you're good to go. Mag-iingat, Doc Chua," she said, and I smiled back at her before thanking her and leaving her office.
I left the hospital by 4:30 PM to arrive at least 10 minutes early at Chiara's school. I checked myself first in my rear mirror and applied some lip balm and a bit of powder on my face before heading out of the car.
Chiara was surprised to see me. The moment I stepped inside their classroom, she immediately screamed and ran towards me, which caught attention of other parents.
She brought me to her chair, which was a bit small for me. She sat on my lap as her teacher discussed some concerns and happenings in the classroom.
When it was time for the awarding, I pulled out my phone and waited for Chiara's name to be called. Her friends cheered for her when her name was called. She jumped out of my lap and walked towards her teacher. I was about to take her picture like other parents did to their child, but Chiara called me and wanted me to join her photo.
My lips parted, I didn't know what to do at first since I wanted to take a picture of her, but if I joined her, no one would take our picture.
Suddenly, a Lola tapped my shoulder. "Akin na, hijo, ako nag magpi-picture sa inyo." she offered with a wide smile on her lips.
I shyly smiled at her before handing her my phone and walking towards Chiara. I didn't know what to do at first, I just stood behind Chiara and held her shoulder as I smiled while looking at my phone.
After a few clicks, her teacher beside me clapped her hands. "Uhm, secretary po kayo ni Mr. Costa?" tanong niya at agad nagparte ang labi ko.
I was too shy and embarrassed to be standing in front, so I answered the first thing that came to my mind.
"Boyfriend," I corrected her before heading back to Chiara's chair.
After the awarding, the teacher discussed some projects for the classroom, such as shelves, new chairs, and even an exchange for the whiteboard.
"Siguro... mag-ambagan nalang tayo? Wala kasi si Mr. Costa ngayon, last time he was the one who took care of everything." One father raised his hand. My brows furrowed, and I slightly looked in his direction.
Our eyes met, and he had this smirk printed on his lips, which I didn't like.
I looked back at Chiara, "Your Daddy donated something before?" I whispered.
Chiara nodded, "Yes po, it was during the first PTC and Ate Sheila called Daddy mid-meeting to ask about a 500 pesos donation. Then, turns out, Daddy donated forty-thousand pesos for a new aircon," she whispered back.
"Okay lang po ba tayo doon? Mag-aambagan nalang tayo para sa classroom ng mga bata? Gagamitin din po kasi nila ito next year kung dito pa rin mag-aaral ang mga anak niyo." tanong ng teacher.
Nag-angat ako ng ulo at naglibot ng tingin sa mga ibang magulang.
"Ganun na nga po siguro ma'am. Hindi naman po tayo pwedeng umasa lagi kay Mr. Costa. Maliban nalang kung tatawagan ulit siya ngayon para siya na ang sumagot sa buong project." ani ng isa pang tatay.
"Pero may kasama naman yung anak ni Mr. Costa. Driver niyo ba siya, Chiara?" tanong nito sa bata at agad napakunot ang noo ko.
Umiling si Chiara, "No po, he's my Daddy's—"
"Magkano po ba ang aabutin ng project?" Nagtaas ako ng kamay.
Namilog ang mata ng teacher bago pumindot sa calculator. "Mga nasa... fifty-five thousand po, sir." sagot niya at utay-utay akong tumango.
Inayos ko ang pagkakakalong ni Chiara sa akin. "I'll take care of it. Ako na po ang magbabayad sa lahat ng gastusin. Sasagutin ko na yung fifty-five thousand. In fact, I can add more for extra projects or funds." I replied and I immediately heard some gasps at the back.
Once the meeting was adjourned, I quickly left Chiara with her friends before heading to my car and wrote an eighty-thousand worth of check.
When I brought it to Chiara's adviser, she announced it in front of the classroom, which drew cheers from other parents.
I caught the father who spoke first a while ago looking at me. He wasn't just looking at me normally, but his eyes say something else.
Nang papalabas na kami ni Chiara ng classroom ay muntikan na namin makabanggan ang batang lalaki na tinawanan kami ni Code kanina. Laking gulat ko pa nang makita na kasama nito ang lalaki na masamang makatingin sa akin at ang nanay ng batang lalaki.
The little boy pointed at us, "Look, Dad, that's Chiara's Dad's boyfriend. Her Dad is gay!" He laughed like a maniac. My brows furrowed before immediately covering Chiara's ears to avoid the kid hearing something she shouldn't be.
I swallowed a lump in my throat, I eyed the father who has a cocky smirk printed on his lips before taking a step forward.
The man spoke, "Hayaan mo sila anak. People like them don't get to receive a real love like our family has." He proudly said to his son.
I smirked, my jaw clenched, and I almost bit my tongue to avoid saying something that could make the situation worse. I just brought Chiara to my car and drove to the nearest ice cream shop to treat her since she received an award. I also got to see her grades, which were pretty high, except for math, which was understandable.
We spent a few hours together at the park. Chiara would talk and talk about her day and her friends while I listened to her attentively.
I can't deny that I'm not bothered by what happened a while ago. I tried to brush it off, but the smirk on the father's face and the demonic laugh of that boy linger in my head like a broken film.
I'm not a violent person. I've never been in any fight ever in my life. But the scenario a while ago almost pushed me to my limits.
Code called and told us to meet him at a restaurant. Chiara and I left the mall and drove to the address his father sent.
"Congrats, sweetheart!!" Code immediately hugged his daughter.
Chiara told Code everything she said to me a while ago as we ate. I would just silently chuckle in my seat while chewing on my food as Code bickers with his daughter.
Hindi nalang makinig sa kwento ng anak, talagang nakikipagtalo pa.
"And also, Daddy, Doc Grey donated a lot of money! It was in a check and...I forgot how much, but everyone clapped their hand when Ms. Nina announced it sa harap ng whole room!" Chiara exclaimed, maybe exaggerated a bit with her reaction,
Code's lips parted, he looked at me, and I just raised both my brows at him before continuing to eat.
Madilim na nang umalis kami ng restaurant. Dahil hindi pa ako gaanong pagod ay sumunod ako sa bahay nila at kinalaro pa si Chiara hanggang sa matulog na ito.
"So how much was it?" Code asked as he's sending me off to my car.
I paused, let out a sigh, and turned my head to face him. "Just a small amount—"
"Sabi ni Chiara malaking halaga raw. Makulit yung anak ko pero hindi siya sinungalig. Gaano kalaki yung dinonate mo?" Putol niya sa akin.
Napakagat ako sa labi ko bago tuluyan siyang hinarap. "Eighty-thousand," sagot ko at utay-utay siyang tumango bago naglakad palapit sa akin.
"Ang laki naman. Anong project yun?" tanong niya bago nagpamusal sa harap ko.
Muli akong napabuntong-hininga, "Fifty-five lang dapat. Kaso... napikon ako doon sa isang tatay sa classroom. And guess what? Someone called me your driver! Of course na-offend ako!" Singhal ko at napatawa si Code.
"Kaya ka naglabas ng ganun kalaking pera?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.
Napabuntong-hininga ako bago napahilamos sa mukha, "Oo, but... it is what it is. Nainis lang talaga ako. At is pa," tumuro ako sa dibidb niya.
"Hindi ko gusto yung isang tatay dun, ha? Homophobic. Tatay nung batang lalaki na tinawanan tayo kaninang umaga. Sinabihan ba naman na ang mga klase ng tao gaya atin ay hindi nakakatanggap ng totoong pagmamahal?!" Inis kong turan. Bahagya pang tumaas ang tono ng boses ko at pumitik ang litid sa sintido ko.
"I can't believe him!" I grunted,
"Nakakainis! Muntikan na akong makipag-away sa kaniya! I had to control my emotions and not argue with him. Pero nakakainis talaga siya! Ugh!!" Nakuyom ang kamao ko. Ilang malalim na hininga ang kumawala sa labi ko at kitang-kita ko ang pagtaas-baba ng dibdib ko.
Mas lumapit sa akin si Code, noong una ay hindi ko alam ang gagawin niya hanggang sa tuluyan niya akong niyakap.
"Calm down, stress is not good for you. Ang mga taong ganun, sila pa ang may pagkukulang sa buhay. 'Wag mo nang pansinin ang mga ganung klaseng tao." Kalmado niyang turan habang hinihimas ang likod ko.
Napasinghal ako bago tuluyang ibinaon ang mukha ko sa balikat niya. Napasinghot ako, "I just... I just really hope you were there. Sana andun ka para... para maramdamn kong may karamay ako. Para... para hindi ako matakot sa mga panghuhusga nila sa'kin— sa'tin."
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a/n: I sooooo love writing chapters like this, wahhhh, chill-chill lang, masaya lang, lovey-lovey lang, ganun!
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