Damn it, Maria! (Squad Series 1)

16 🌈 Caleb, The Sleeping Beauty

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Sa byahe pauwi, dinanan nila ang mumurahing burger shop sa hiling na rin ni Maria. He didn't argue anymore, as if for the night, he had no strength to oppose her.

Hindi na siya umalma kung puno ng biniling mumurahing paninda ang backseat niya o kumakain ito. Just for the night, he was submissive, at peace, glad that Maria was okay, and the company merger won't go to hell.

Nang sa wakas ay narating ang tahanan, nauna itong bumaba, binalik sa supot ang burger na hindi pa nauubos at naghalukay sa isa sa mga nabiling plastic bag.

"Para sa sa'yo." Inabot nito ang isang pares ng medyas.

Itim iyon, at may disenyo ng dilaw na smiley emojis. Unang tingin pa lang, tiyak mumurahin. As if he'd wear something cheap, to top that, poorly designed and definitely uncomfortable..

Gayunpaman, tiannggap ito ni Caleb. "Thanks."

"Binili ko 'yan nang hinanap kita, naisip ko bagay sa'yo."

As if! Yet he didn't say anything, accepted it like it was the most precious thing. Bumaba na ito, di man lang tinawag mga kasambahay at binitbit lahat ng nabili.

"Good night Mon-Mon!"

Papasok na ang sasakyan niya sa gate ng bahay para sumagot. Kinuha niya ang plastic bag sa backseat, ibibigay sa unang kasambahay na nakita.

"Ibigay mo sa lahat. One shirt each," at nagmadaling umakyat. Naiwan ang katulong na naguguluhan, gayunpaman ay sumunod.

Sa loob ng kwarto, tinawagan ni Caleb ang Secretary para makausap ang ama.

[What is it?] Hus father asked directly.

"Sir, I'd like to stop home studying for a while."

[Why?]

"The girl, Maria Bahaghari, I want to focus on her."

[Does she give you a hard time?]

"She's a special case." A nut case, he wanted to add. "She needs attention."

Panandaliang natahimik ang kabilang linya.

[If it's your brother Alex, he would've done it, without sacrificing his studies.]

Well, Alex isn't here anymore. I'm the best and the only candidate, he thought. His father had no choice but to suck it.

Namalayan na lamang niya ang maghigpit na hawak sa cellphone.

[... fine.] he finally said. [Make it fast. My secretary will call your tutor.] then the line went dead.

"Thank you... Sir," sabi pa rin niya.

From his pocket, he pulled out the pair of socks Maria had given. He had to be quick. Kailangan niyang tapusin ang pulo't dulo ng problema.

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Kinabukasan, hindi na siya nagulat nang pumunta si Maria at nakikain. Sabay na rin silang pumasok sa skwelahan. Mayroon mang tumutuligsa, unti-unting nasanay ang mga mag-aaral ng Ferguson Academy.

He breezed through the whole day, surprisingly calm, despite being surrounded by idiots. Sa pagkakataong ito, sumasama na rin si Shalla, upang makipagkumpetensya kay Matthew, para sa atensyon ni Lord. Then there's Tamara, who sticks to Maria.

Kinailangan din niyang makipagkumpetensya sa mangkukulam para sa atensyon ng hilaw niyang fiancee slash ninja wannabe salash baliw.

It was the most bizarre set up, and Caleb was part of it. Socializing with them was exhausting. Pagdating sa club room, halos maubos na rin ang lakas niya.