Heartless Series 2: Levi Anderson

Kabanata 26

"This might be a sudden change to you, anak. I'm really sorry." Mama hugged me then she motioned Papa to join us.

"Don't worry, Ma. Okay lang. Masaya ako nang ganito tayo. Kita mo, kumpleto tayo. Hindi man natin naranasan ito noon, pero mas masaya naman tayo ngayon. Buong-buo tayo. Am I right, Papa?" Nilingon ko si Papa na nagpipigil ng luha ngayon. He hugged us tight and silently sobbed.

"I love you both.."

"Hey! No fair!" nagulat kami nang may sumigaw bigla. Si Lou iyon na hawak ang kamay ni Lau. Si Lau naman ay hawak ang kamay ni Race. Papunta sila ngayon papalapit sa amin at niyakap kaming lahat.

"We're finally complete!!" masayang sambit ni Lau na nagpatawa sa akin.

"You're not our sibling but you can join our group hug, Race." kunwaring masungit na sabi ni Lou kay Race.

"As if I want to hug you."

Binatukan siya ni Lou dahil doon at si Papa naman ay sinaway silang muli. Dahil doon, malakas na napatawa si Mama. Mga loko loko talaga.

Two weeks have passed and now, I'm already packing my things for a sudden trip to Japan. Yes, out of all countries, it's gonna be Japan.

Right after the talk with my family two weeks ago, I immediately contacted Cypher to sign the contract. It's a one-year contract as their official photographer and since may sudden project sila sa Japan, kailangan ay kasama rin ako. Ako ang naka-assign para sa pictures na ipopost nila sa social media accounts and para na rin sa albums nila.

Until now, I still can't believe that I'm going to be the one working for this job. Never in my entire life I thought that I will be able to work for Cypher. Aside from being proud of myself, kinakabahan din ako. Of course, wala akong proper experience when it comes to this.

But my love for photography won't disappoint them. I will return their trust with a masterpiece.

"May I come in, Zavrin anak?" I heard Papa's voice outside my room.

"Sige po, Pa." sagot ko sa kanya. Ilang segundo lang ay pumasok na siya sa kwarto na may dalang maraming scarf. Seriously, I won't be there for too long anyway! Ang dami masyado.

"Pa, aanhin ko naman 'yan?" rining ang bakas ng pagrereklamo sa boses ko pero tinawanan niya lang ako.

"You'll need this, I tell you. Your mom also told me to give this to you. Believe me, anak, sobrang lamig doon." sabi niya saka siya na mismo ang naglagay ng scarfs sa maleta ko. Wala naman akong magawa dahil siya naman itong purong hapon. Malamang mas alam niya ang lagay ng panahon doon kaysa sa akin na sa palabas lang nakikita ang Japan.

"I'll make sure to use all of these, Pa." sarkastikong sagot ko but he just gave me a "you will definitely use all of it"-look.

Nang matapos siya sa pag-aayos ng aking gamit, naging seryoso bigla ang kanyang mukha at tumingin muli sa akin.

"The company that will handle Cypher in Japan will be Ichidake." he told me. I knew that already since nabanggit na iyon sa akin ni Astel.

"I know that much, Pa."

Tumango siya sa akin. "The CEO of that company is my ex-wife."

My jaw dropped.

"Ha?"

Wala akong masabi. He said that as if it doesn't matter at all! Now what? Siguro naman hindi ko siya mamemeet? Pero there's a chance! Cypher ang kasama ko amd they were personally scouted by Ichidake's CEO, which turned out to be Papa's ex-wife. Seriously, what's with these unexpected happenings nowadays?