Interdicted Passion: The Nerd's Prodigy (AGS #1)

KABANATA 27:

First Born

Our whole week in the mansion felt more amazing now that I'm with him.

We played a lot. Had picnics a lot, and I even taught him how to ride a horse. Medyo kaya niya naman pero may takot pa rin.

The sun is already out but the cold breeze is still blowing. We were all sitting in the mansions porch— our favorite 'tambayan'. Each one of us had a mug on our hands.

I had some hot cocoa since I can't have coffee, I'm allergic to caffeine. My little sister Lia was busy drawing shapes on her pancakes using the maple syrup.

While Lin? Well...

"Hey, is something wrong?" I asked Lin. He was pacing back and forth. Kanina pa iyan parang hindi mapakali.

"Mom called." He started that made me put my mug on the table. I looked at him, telling him to tell me more. "She booked me a flight tonight."

"What? So you're aalis na? And wait wait... you're rich, as in 'rich' rich?" Rei asked. Inunahan pa ako.

"Makapagreact parang siya 'yong girlfriend." Asar ni Shy kay Rei habang tumatawa.

"It's a long story. Yeah he's actually a prince who ran away." I chuckled.

"I'm just nagshe-share ng thought." Rei said while sipping from her mug and rolling her eyes. Tumawa si Shy sa isinagot ni Rei.

Napa-iling nalang ako. "Why? What did she say?" I asked Lin.

He sat beside me, removed his glasses and massage his temple. "She wants me home for Christmas. Nagsawa na siguro sa kaaaway nila ni dad." He leaned on the sofa and looked straight to the ceiling.

I held his hand. "Hey, it's okay. Isn't it better if you spend Christmas with your family?"

He groaned. "But I want to spend it with you."

"You can. Next year." I chuckled. He pouted at me.

Natawa kaming lahat sa inasta niya. "It's okay kuya Moon, 'di ba family must always come first?" Lia asked.

"Yeah but you are my family now too." He answered without hesitation.

I felt butterflies in my stomach. I bit my lower lip, unconsciously, my heart pounded rapidly and my palms sweat rivers. Tuwing may ginagawa o sinasabi itong ewan ay bigla nalang akong nagiging gan'to. And I call it...

The Lincoln effect.

I sighed. "You should go. I'm sure they already miss you." I gave him an assuring smile.

He looked at me and smiled back. "Okay, if my pi say so."

"Oh tama na ang lambingan diyan baka langgamin na e. May chika nga pala ako." Pakikisaw-saw ni Shy kaya natawa kaming pareho ni Lin.

Nagkwentuhan lang kami buong umaga. Puro mga tsismis na nasagap ni Shy sa mga hardinero, kusinera, at kahit sa mga kasambahay ay 'di na pinalagpas.

I looked around and my eyes landed on the far side of the ranch. I saw Ysla's babies. Pinapakain ito ng isa sa mga trabahador ng rancho.

Yes, she already delivered her three gorgeous babies!

Naalala ko pa ang araw na iyon. Katulad na katulad nang araw na ito ang panganganak ni Ysla. Nagkwe-kwentuhan din kami noon.

Natigil lang kami sa pagke-kwentuhan nang humahangos na dumating si Ana— isa sa mga kasambahay.

"Sir Promise! Sir Promise! May nanganganak pong kabayo sa kwadra ang sabi po nang inyong tiyo ay papuntahin ka roon." Hinihingal pa niyang sabi.