Exclusively Yours

Exclusively Yours 16

"Dad...."

Dad hugged me.

"Malaya na ako, anak." He whispered.

I bit my lower lip.

Kumalas sa pagkakayakap sa akin si dad at si East naman ang niyakap nya.

"Thank you, hijo. Ang magpasalamat na lamang ang kaya kong gawin ngayon." dad said and a tear scape from his eyes.

"You're welcome, sir."

Dad look at East.

"Stop calling me sir, young man."

"Dad." East said then grinned at me.

Dad chuckled. "I want you to call me tito but I think dad is better."

I chuckled.

Umuwi na kami matapos maayos ang mga papel ni dad. At umuwi means sa bahay ni East.

Sinabi ko na dito na babalik na lang ako sa inuupahan kong apartment pero sinabi ba naman sa akin na papaguhuin nya ang buong building oras na lumabas daw ako ng bahay nya.

Aish!

"I already settle everything, dad. Sa inyo na ulit ang company nyo and also your house."

Tuluyan ng tumulo ang luha ni dad sa balita ni East.

"Tell me. Paano ako makakabayad sa lahat ng naitulong mo sa amin, hijo." dad asked.

East smiled and look at me. "Just take care of your daughter. I just want Ingrid to be safe."

My heart melted.

This man.

"You can stay here habang nirerenovate pa ang bahay nyo. Feel at home, dad." East said.

Ah. Oo nga pala. Medyo napabayaan at magulo na ang bahay namin ng kuhanin ito mula sa amin kaya naisipan ni East na iparenovate ito. Oo, si East ang nakaisip.

Mahihiga na sana ako sa kama para makapagpahinga ng may kumatok sa pinto ng kwarto.

Binuksan ko ang pintuan and there's East waiting like a puppy.

"Honey..."

I smiled.

He doesn't call me honey when dad is around.

"What?" I raised a brow.

"Can I sleep here?"

"You told me earlier that we will sleep in separate rooms because dad is here."

He pouted. "But I can't sleep when you're not beside me."

I sighed.

He looks tired and I know he wanted to rest but he can't.

"Come here. Let's rest."

He smiled.

Nahiga na kami sa kama habang yakap yakap nya ako.

"Kaya ba busy ka nitong mga nakaraang araw? Because of dad's case?" I asked.

Tumingala ako para tingnan sya at nakapikit na ang mata.

"Yeah." He huskily replied. Halata ang pagod sa boses nya.

Hinayaan ko na syang makatulog.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising kaya naisipan ko na ipagluto si East.

Oh. Nandito na din nga pala si dad.

I was slicing the onion when I accidentally sliced my hand.

"Aw.."

Agad kong itinapat sa running water ang kamay ko.

"What happened?"

Nagulat ako ng nasa tabi ko na si East.

Nakakunot ang noo nito habang nakatingin sa kamay ko.

"What happened, honey?"

"Nahiwa ko lang ang daliri ko-"

Napasinghap ako ng buhatin nya ako.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"Let's go to the doctor. You need to be treated."

What the-

Gusto ko ng lumubog sa kinauupuan ko dahil apat na doctor ang nasa harapan koo dahil lang sa nahiwa ako.

Kanina ko pa sinasabi kay East habang nasa byahe na bandaid lang ang kailangan ko pero parang bingi ang kausap ko. Hindi ito nakikinig sa akin.

"Are you sure she's fine?" parang nagbabanta na tanong ni East.

Sabay-sabay namang tumango ang mga doctor.

Puro babae pa naman sila dahil ayaw ni East na may humawak sa aking lalaking doctor.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni East para tumigil na sya.

"Okay na po ako doc. Thank you po." I signal them to get out of the room.

Mabilis naman silang nagsi-alisan.

"Honey! Bakit pinaalis mo na sila? They need to treat you."

I sighed. "Let's go. Natignan na nila ako at may binigay na silang gamot at ointment."

"But honey...."

"Come on. That's enough. Let's go."

"But you should be treated more than enough."

I bit my lower lip.

"Hey! Honey! Okay fine. I'll do what you want. Don't cry. Huh?" he softly said.

I don't know but my tears burst out.

"Honey... Honey.. May masakit ba sayo?" he panicked while wiping my tears.

I shake my head.

"What's wrong? Tell me? Did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

I shake my head again.

"Please honey.. say something.. should I call a doctor?"

"I... I'm just happy."

Mukhang nakahinga ito ng maluwag sa sinabi ko.

He cupped my face and wiped my tears using his thumb.

"You're happy but you're crying."

I hug him.

I am really happy.

Sa loob ng ilang taon na pakiramdam ko ay mag-isa ako ay ngayon may isang tao na nag-aalaga sa akin at hindi ako iniwan.

Someone who's genuine and kind.

Someone who takes care of and protects me.

I think.

My feelings for him...

My feelings for him keep on getting deeper.