Celine POV
Pagkatapos ng operasyon ng Papa ni Shan nagpaalam siya sa Mama niya para makapunta na kami sa bahay nila Mika. Nakasabayan namin si Galvan sa parking. He looked at me with confusion. Lumapit siya sa akin. He's piercing his cold eyes on me. He held my hand.
"I'll take you there," aniya.
Gusto ko mang sumama, ayokong maging dahilan pa 'to ng pagkasira ng party ng anak niya. This is the only way I knew for us to be safe. Hindi ko kayang saktan 'yong bata dahil lang sa sarili kong kagustuhan.
"Kay Shan ako sasama," mahinang sabi ko saka inalis ang kamay niya.
Sumakay na 'ko sa kotse ni Shan at kaagad naman kaming umalis. I didn't look back. I should stick to my plan. I can't mess up Ven's birthday. I cried inside Shan's car. Hindi ko na iniisip kung makita niya akong umiiyak. I just can't hold it in anymore.
Shan handed me tissues. He's probably annoyed. He doesn't really like me crying. He find it disturbing.
"méi yǒu rén zhí dé nǐ liú lèi, zhí dé ràng nǐ zhè me zuò de rén bùhuì ràng nǐ kū qì," napatigil ako sa pag-iyak sa sinabi niya.
Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maiinis. He's always interrupt me with his words.
"tīng bù dǒng," sabi ko naman.
He laughed at me. Iyon lang ang pinakanatatandaan kong salita niya. Ibig sabihin no'n hindi ko maintindihan. Yon ang makakatapos sa usapin namin tuwing nakikipag-usap siya sa akin sa lenggwahe niya.
"Nobody is worth your tears, and the one who is won’t make you cry. That's what I mean," paliwanag niya.
Ofcourse he would convince me Galvan isn't really worth it. He's with me and Dion for a long time at alam niyang lahat ng nangyari sa nakalipas na mga taon.
"But you know I can't let him go. You know that," mahinang sabi ko.
"You keep breathing because of me. Have you told him that?" malalim na tanong ni Shan.
I just ignored him hanggang sa makarating kami kina Mika. Nakaprepara na ang mga tables at set up. Naroon na rin silang lahat. Marami na ring nag bisita at mga bata. Only Jayden and France wasn't surprise when we came. They knew Shan.
"He's Xu Shanzhen. Dion's cousin," pakilala ko sa kanya.
Mika looked at me with blankly. She probably wondering why I brought Shan. She knew it would hurt Galvan. Umupo na kami sa tabi nila Kaye. They aren't saying something. I took out my phone and called Mom. Mabuti na lang at sinagot kaagad ni Mommy.
"When are you going to visit us Celine?" bungad ni Mommy.
"I'm not staying for too long Mom. Uuwi rin ako bukas. Two-way ticket ang binili ko kaya I can't delay my flight," narinig ko ang pagbuntong hininga ni Mommy.
She's disappointed.
"Money can't afford everything Celine. Make some time," sabi pa ni Mom.
"I'm sorry Mom. Soon I will. Take care," mahinang sabi ko saka pinatay ang tawag.
Medyo okay pa naman sa una pero nang dumating na sila Galvan at Mallory nagkaroon na ng tension. Lalo pa nang mapatingin sa gawi ko ang anak niya. She looks a bit sad seeing me here.
"Is that his kid?" napalingon ako kay Shan.
"Yes. Why?"
"She's pretty lucky," he almost whispered.
Napansin ko ang paghigpit ng paghawak niya sa baso.
"Shan..."
Binitawan niya naman ang baso at napatingin sa akin ng masama. He's just trying not to lose his temper.
