Kabanata 4

Wine

"Dad you're here!"

I hurriedly ran downstairs after seeing him. He look fabulous in his corporate attire, halatang galing sa trabaho.

I woke up early and did my daily routine. It was a surprise that Dad was here.

Binalingan niya ako pagkatapos marinig ang boses ko.

"Good morning, sweetie" as he kissed my cheeks.

"Good morning Dad. Where's Mom? Akala ko hindi kayo makakauwi since you both busy?"

"Your Mom is with your brother... And yes, we are really busy but darling you are my priority."

I saw the glint of tiredness in his eyes. I know that they are busy but knowing that Dad exert an effort just to see me means a lot to me.

Napanguso ako at hindi na napigilan ang sarili na yakapin siya.

I didn't expect na siya ang magsusundo sa akin. I thought it would be our driver since hindi pa nahahatid sa'kin ang kotse ko. I giggled at the thought that Daddy is spoiling me too much.

Natawa siya sa naging reaksyon ko.

"Let's go, you're going to be late on your first day"

At kumalas na sa pagkakayakap sa akin.

I nodded and walked towards our garage.

Pumasok na ako sa SUV at inayos ang seatbelts.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow, anak" buntong hininga niya. He started the engine and glanced towards me.

Napahinto ako sa aking ginagawa at alam ang kanyang ibig ipahiwatig.

He's leaving so it means that I'll be starting to handle our company for the meantime.

Napabuntong hininga ako at pagtango na lamang ang aking naging pagtugon.

"I promise that I'll be back soon."

"No problem Dad. If this is the only way to help you, then I'm willing to do it."

"Thank you, sweetie"

"Always Dad."

"What will be your plan while staying here in the Philippines?"

I don't have any idea either.

"You can go to parties or buy anything you want"

"I'll try Dad"

Napasinghap siya at natawa ng mahina.

"C'mon sweetie, just enjoy while you are here. I know that you'll just go back in Canada after months but there's nothing wrong to loosen up sometimes."

Dad is right.

"Just tell me if you need something okay?"

"Yes Dad" as I smiled at him.

Muli niya akong niyakap. Humalik ako sa pisngi niya at lumabas na pagkarating sa University.

"And please tell me if something happen"

"I will"

"Babawi ako pagkauwi ko" he added.

Pagkatapos kong magpaalam ay nagsimula na akong maglakad.

I started walking through the hallway. This prestigious school is really huge. Maliligaw ka talaga kung 'di mo alam ang bawat pasiko't sikot ng daan.

I can't help but notice their stares at me. Maybe because I'm the only one who's wearing civilian not unlike them wearing in uniform. I shrugged at that thought.

Nahinto ang mga ingay ng pumasok ako sa loob ng classroom. Ang iba ay tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa at hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang iilang paninipol galing sa mga kalalakihan.

Napairap ako. I know we live in a democratic country but it doesn't mean that we can do whatever we want. This assholes doesn't know the word respect.

I was caught off guard when I saw our professor in front of us.

Ngumiti siya sa akin,"Come here and introduce yourself"

"I'm Laureign Sollace" baling ko sa kanilang lahat.

"So Laureign will be your classmate for this school year"

Year. It's just months.

"If you have question, feel free to ask her" sabay baling ng guro sa akin.

Kumunot ang aking noo sa sinabi niya. I didn't know na may ganon dito.

Tumaas ang kamay ng mga kalalakihan, napasinghap naman ang ibang babae at matalim na tiningnan ako.

"Miss, how old are you?" bumaling ako sa isang singkit na lalaki.

"I'm eighteen" sagot ko.

"Miss, are you single?"

Tumaas ang aking kilay at binalingan ang isang lalaking pula ang buhok.

"I'm single but you're not my type."

Definitely not my type. Sorry pero mukhang manok.

"Reign, I'm Julius and you look familiar."

Napangiwi ako sa sinabi niya.

"Ah yes, maybe I'm the girl you've been waiting for? I heard it many times before." sarcastic is evident in my voice.

That's gross.

Natawa ang ilang kalalakihan sa sinabi ko.

"Can I follow you?" muling tanong ni Julius.

"Why? Because your Mom told you to follow your dreams?"

"Double kill bro"

Lalong lumakas ang tawanan sa loob ng klase.

Napailing na lang ako.

"You are all lame and boring." Asal ko dahilan para matigil ang kanilang pagtawa.

Nagsimula ng akong maglakad papunta sa pinakadulong upuan.

"Hi Reign, so you're the new transferee?"

Napabaling ako sa harapan. His aura is playful. From his messy hair, pointed nose that really suit his fair skin.

"State the obvious"

Napasinghap siya sa aking sinabi.

"Sungit naman" natatawang bulong niya.

"I'm Gideon Payne by the way, nice to meet you Laureign"

Tumango na lang ako at hindi na muli siyang tinapunan ng tingin.

I'm here to study nothing more. Making friends is easy but trusting them is not and it's not my nature to make new friends here. Lalo na na hindi naman ako magtatagal dito. I don't need a lot of friends, tama na yung kaunti pero totoo.

My last subject ended smoothly.

Wala na akong susunod na klase kung kaya't nagsimula na akong maglakad palabas ng classroom.

I decided to eat in an Italian Resto. I was about to walked when someone accidentally bumped on me causing the wine he was holding spilled through my dress.

Napaawang ang aking labi at mabilis na kumuha ng tissue para punasan ang natapon na wine.

"Miss, I'm sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya"

"No, it's okay" I said without looking at him. At pinagpatuloy ang pagpupunas.

The truth is I can't go home like this. I didn't brought my car. And I know Daddy is busy right now knowing that they'll be leaving tommorow.

My brassiere is exposed. Napasinghap ako at binalingan siya. Based on his features, he's in late forties wearing a corporate attire, a business man rather.

Lumapit siya sa akin at tinulungan ako sa pagpupunas.

"It's alright. I can handle this" naiinis na ani ko.

Pansin ko ang malagkit na tingin niya sa aking dibdib at ang kanyang malamyos na paghaplos.

Napaatras ako at inis na binalingan siya.

"No.. I insist. It's my fault anyway. Natapunan ka tuloy."

Muli sana siyang lalapit ngunit naramdaman ko ang isang kamay na humawak sa aking bewang.

I suddenly smell the familiar manly scent.

"You heard it right? She doesn't need your help" a baritone voice filled my ears.

Biglang umingay ang paligid sa pagdating niya. Halos mabali ang mga ulo ng mga tao sa panonood sa amin. Nagsimula ang bulungan.

Pagak na tumawa ang matanda at tumaas ang kilay na tumingin sa bagong dating.

"Oh, Mr. Wolverson you're here." pilit na ngumiti ang matanda.

"And stop staring at her boobs, Mr. Montecillo"

Nanlaki ang aking mata sa sinabi niya at binalingan siya.

"What the fuck are talking about?" bulong ko sa kanya.

"I'm stating the fact"

"Can you mind your own business?"

Umigting ang kanyang panga sa aking sinabi at binalingan ako.

"You're my business"

"I didn't ask for your help"

"So? I'll just sit here and watch him touch you huh?" panunuya niya sa akin.

"I can handle myself"

I suddenly felt his grip on my waist getting tighter.

"Really? I didn't know that you like some old shitty men."

Umikot ang aking mata sa kanyang sinabi at binalingan ang matandang nasa harapan.

"Next time you touch her...prepare to pack your things Mr. Montecillo" he said in an authoritative manner.

Nanindig ang aking balahibo sa kanyang boses.

Yumuko ang matanda at tila nababalisang tumango ito bago umalis.

"Let's go" aniya niya at ginaya akong maglakad palabas.

Nanliit ang aking mata at muling binalingan siya.

"What are you doing?"

"What?"

"Why you are acting like a jealous boyfriend?"

"No I'm not, I'm just saving you from old ragged asshole"

"Wow, so utang na loob ko pa?"

"Let's stop talking about it...

Where is your car?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Nagpahatid lang ako kay Daddy, mamaya pa darating yung pinaayos kong kotse."

Napatango siya.

"So, I'll just take a cab"

"I wouldn't let you take a cab like that..

At napabaling sa aking dibdib.

..when your little boobs is showing"

Nanlalaki ang aking mata at pinagkrus ang aking braso sa aking dibdib.

"Fuck you!" nanggagalaiting ani ko.

How dare him insult me like that. Why? Because he likes those girls with big booty and big boobs?

"Let's not fight over petty things,Sollace."

How did he know my name?

Napasinghap ako at walang nagawa kundi pumasok na sa kanyang sasakyan.