DM #2: Dean Andrada

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Fight

Dean left after dropping me in the parking lot. Nais niya pang ihatid ako sa taas pero hindi ko na pinayagan. Desperado na akong makaalis sa paningin niya dahil sa inamin sa sasakyan.

I didn't expect Miss Eliza when I arrived in the condo. She promised to me before that she will visit every weekends, pero hindi iyon palagi natutupad dahil abala sa shop.

Also, I didn't expect to be so happy while telling them that I finally found my family. It feels like a dream, especially they celebrate it with me. It feels like a first time to be this important to someone... like having them to celebrate your triumphs.

Before, I never begged anyone for attention, even the family I thought I belong. The only thing that I wanted was love. That love can't sustain my daily needs, but it will push me to at least continue. Maybe I survived, but it was never easy.

I have plans on how to repay Miss Eliza and Noah, to at least give back their kindness. Kahit anong gawin ko, hindi matutumbasan ang kanilang naitulong sa akin.

Ang plano ko ay ang mapalaki ang shop ni Miss Eliza. Hindi malaki at maliit ang buong shop, kaya sa tingin ko magiging maganda kung mapapalaki iyon. Habang kay Noah naman ay siguro sasakyan, pero nagdadalawang isip ako roon dahil mayroon na siyang kotse. Kapag naging maayos na ang lahat, nais kong hingin ang kanilang opinyon sa plano ko.

Also, I thanked Noah for the thing he did to my painting in the gallery. Siya ang nag-abot sa painting ko sa bumili. I was too shy when he said that. I was too unprofessional to leave just like that.

Nakuha na ng bumili ang painting at ang pera ay nasa bangko na. Pero hindi rin iyon magtatagal sa akin dahil ibibigay ko sa orphanage.

We're eating the food Noah ordered when my phone rings. Nagpaalam ako at tumayo para kunin ang cellphone. Si Dean ang tumatawag at sa hindi malamang kadahilanan, medyo lumayo ako sa sala at nagtungo sa pintuan ng condo kung saan hindi ako kita.

"Hello,"

"Yes, love..."

Saglit akong natigilan. His voice hits different. It sounds more husky and deeper than the normal.

"Bakit ka napatawag?"

May narinig akong bulungan sa kabilang linya, pero masyadong malabo para maintindihan ko.

"We'll meet your family tomorrow. Is that okay?"

My eyes widened. Kumabog ng husto ang aking puso.

"O-Oo naman..."

I bit my lower lip. I can already feel my hands sweating and shaking.

Wala nang nagsalita sa kabilang linya kaya inakala kong naputol na. It's still on the line but I can't hear any noise anymore.

"Dean?"

"I'm still here..."

"Oh okay..."

"I'll pick you up later," he said softly.

I should thank him for making this possible. Maybe I should do something to repay him. I was about to speak when I heard another man's voice. It's not Dean. Malabo ang boses pero sapat na ang lakas para maintindihan ko ang kanyang sinasabi.

"Who are you talking to?"

I heard Dean heaved a deep sigh.

"I'm talking to my girlfriend. Can you stop being nosy..."

"Which one? Is that the girl you met in the club—"

I heard him muttered a curse.

"I'm talking to your sister, fucker."