Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Hidden

"What did you do today, nak?" my father asked, leaning towards me and whispering as we sit beside each other here at the grandstand.

Nang makita ko ang kotse ng pamilya namin na dumaan kanina sa labas ng coffee shop, nagmadali akong bumalik ng campus.

They can't see me in a coffee shop talking to Deo. Hindi pwede yon. Hindi naman sa natatakot ako. I just have a feeling like it's inappropriate, and maybe that is because of how they programmed me growing up.

"I posed as a vampire for our booth today, Pa," I smiled.  "Then, I watched the basketball game."

"Siguro ay pupunta ako rito bukas para makita ang gagawin mo," he chuckled. "You better scare me good."

"Pa," umiling ako agad. "Please wag ka na pumunta, nakakahiya. Nahihiya wako sayo."

"Pupunta ako." He insisted. "I'll take many pictures of my vampire daughter," he winked. "Did you have fun?"

Tumango ako at agad na ngumiti.

"Come," He kissed my forehead and hugged me like he always does. He fixed the strand of my hair blocking my view and tucked it behind my ear.

"Where's Rahim?" linga niya matapos.

"They're probably busy. They helped organize this whole event."

"Where were you from earlier? I saw you coming out of a street as I was parking. Sino yung kasama mo nak?"

Napalunok ako at nanlaki ang mata. Nakita niya kami?

"Was that Jang? I didn't see it clearly, medyo madilim na kasi."

That was diffinitely not Jang, si Deo iyon. "Hindi po iyon si Jang. Kaibigan ko po iyon."

I tried not to be nervous so that he won't think that I'm hiding something big.

He tilted his head and squinted his eyes. "Male friend?"

"Yes, pa," I nodded and smiled nervously.

"What is his name and background?" he asked like he was just curious.

I gulped. Hindi naman matapobre si Papa. I know he's just asking for security reasons.

"Ipapakilala ko rin naman siya, Pa. Soon."

He looked at me weirdly. "You're hiding him now? Really Noella? From your own father?"

"We're just friends, pa,"—na may something.

He sighed. "Don't wait until I ask Rahim, Noella," he warned. "Kilala ko kayo ng kapatid mo, mahilig kayong magtago ng mga bagay sa akin."

"Hindi siya kilala ni Rahim, Pa," I lied. I shook my head a couple of times more but I know that he sees through me.

"I doubt that. I know my son. Knowing guys who get close to you was his assignment ever since bees started to swarm around you." Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mata. "And Rahim never fails his assignments."

I chuckled nervously. "Pa, were friends. It's nothing really."

This is one of the reasons why I wanna stay friends with Deo. So if ever someone asks, I won't be lying.

"Di ko pa pinapakilala sayo kasi kinikilala ko pa," I said in a form of paglalambing.

He smiled weakly. "Hindi naman siya pinsan ng kaibigan mo di ba?" he asked hesistantly. "He's not a Hiñago is he?"

Naguguluhan ako. "Why?"

"Just avoid it at all cost, anak please," bulong niya. "Avoid getting close to another Hiñago other than Satari..."