Fragments ✔ (Haciendero #2)

Ikadalawampu't Pitong Kabanata

Kabanata 27

Happily ever after

Sancho agreed.

He was the softest when it comes to his only daughter. After some long deliberation with his mind, daddy agreed to let me study in the city. Sa condo unit ako nina kuya Crispin tutuloy sa pagpasok ko ng senior high.

Daddy didn't say anything, yet the quiet atmosphere felt heavy. Wala siyang sinabing paalala. He just agreed. Ramdam ko naman ang gustong ipahiwatig ni daddy. And I better not disappoint him.

I have all the privileges as their child, and they are supportive of me. One thing that I could give back is make them proud and never waste the trust they gave me.

Napag-usapan na rin namin ni Gio, it was one thing that he was not approved of. Hindi ko naman daw kailangang sumunod ng Manila ng dahil sa kanya.

That was the first time we had a heated discussion. Pero hindi naman kagaya noong iba na nagsisigawan. He was very calm stating his points. I was the one defensive.

"Ano... hindi lang naman ikaw ang pinunta ko roon, saka mag-aaral naman ako. Gusto ko rin ng new environment." I reasoned out.

Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Gio. I pouted.

He crossed his arms tightly around his chest, his muscles bulging. Sumandal naman ako sa railings, ramdam ko ang malamig na hangin ng gabi. Huminga ako ng malalim.

There's a lot of opportunities in the city. Lalo na sa edukasyon. Pero sino bang niloloko ko? Tama naman si Gio. I wanted to study in the city because of him. Hindi dahil sa mga oportunidad na ibibigay ng siyudad.

I was so attached to Gio, it terrifies me things would change between us having a long distance relationship. And he didn't like that I was doing it only for him the idea of me studying far from my parents just because of him.

"Sorry na..."

Bumuntong - hininga ito.

Lumapit siya sa akin at kinabig niya ako payakap sa kanya. "No, sorry. I just don't want you get conflicted with your family, Catherine." I hugged him back with the same intensity.

"Promise me one thing, you'll have fun in your new school. Don't make me your priority. Sabay tayong aangat."

Tumango naman ako. Hindi naman nakaapekto iyong pagkakaroon ko ng crush sa kanya. Pasado naman ang mga grado ko, masaya pa ang naging high school life ko dahil sa kanya. Gio was never a distraction.

Iniisip niya rin na baka siya pa ang magdulot ng away namin ni daddy. He didn't want me to have that feud, I understood Gio's perspective and it made sense. But I was already decided and firm with my choice.

"I got you, boss. If that's what you want, I'm here to support and help you." He smiled and kissed the tip of the nose.

Minsan nakakainis si Gio, isang beses niya lang binigyan ng tuon ang labi ko. Minsan ako na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan pero lagi niyang hinaharangan ang labi ko bago pa man maabot nito ang kanyang labi. He, then, kissed my forehead.

"I love you, Catherine."

Ngumuso ako. "I love you, pero kiss ko muna."

Hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi. "Gio naman!" Sumimangot ako. "Hindi naman kita tatay para halikan ako lagi sa noo."

Tumawa lang itong humigpit sa pagkakayakap sa akin. Ang saya niyang naiinis ako. I just shook my head.

Madalas siyang nasa bahay namin ng sumunod na linggo, hindi dahil sa practice nila ni kuya, kung hindi para sa akin. We would be watching movies together in the sala. Sometimes, we go fishing and swimming.