Accidental DAD

Chapter 25

Kester and Liyah went to Anchor Mall for the shopping. Honestly, ang akala ni Kester na madali lang ay naging mahirap sa kanila.

Lahat yata ng store na puwedeng pagbilhan ng gifts ay napasok nila pero wala silang nahanap na kahit isa. Pabalik-balik sila sa department store ng mall pero wala din silang mahanap.

They came accross with housewares in a popular household store. Doon sila nagtagal para maghanap.

"Is she into coffee? " tanong ni Liyah kay Kester. Nakita niya kasi ang French Press na sobrang ganda ang itsura.

"I don't think so." sagot ni Kester na tumitingin sa mga vases na may iba't-ibang design. "She loves tea though."

Parang nanghinayang si Liyah na iniwan ang French Press at tumingin-tingin ng iba. Kester seemed to not like the vases either. Pareho silang lumipat sa mga crystal bowls at sinuri ang bawat isa.

A heart-shapped bowl caught Liyah's attention."I think this will work." aniya.

"Just as I thought." sang-ayon ni Kester. "This will be a great addition to Tita Kristy's collections."

"So should we buy it?"

"Yeah."

After considering the crystal bowl, Kester and Liyah stayed for a while. Kester is buying also. Bago pala sila pumunta doon ay balak na ng lalaki na bumili din ng panregalo nito. Liyah will buy also pero hindi mula sa store na iyon. May nakita na siya kanina na maaari niyang ibigay sa magbibirthday.

Nagpaalam si Liyah kay Kester na balikan ang nakita niyang panregalo. Mabilis lang siya dahil pagkatapos niyang mabili ang item ay binalikan niya si Kester na saktong kinakausap ang staff ng store.

"So, what did you have?" tanong niya sa lalaki.

Ipinakita ni Kester ang isang metal art print na may magandang illustration. It was a mother's silhouette. It surely looks amazing. Pati si Liyah ay namangha.

"That is very thoughtful." puri ni Liyah sa lalaki.

"What did you buy?" balik-tanong ng lalaki sa kanya.

Itinaas niya ang paper bag ng familiar na brand ng pabango.

"She will definitely love that."

"You think so?"

"Positive. One hundred-O-one percent."

They checked out their items. Before they went home, Kester invited Liyah for dinner which she is more than willing to accept.

*****

La Pierre's household was greeted by a very joyful lady. Sa tingin ni Liyah ay ito ang birthday celebrant na si Kristy Salas.

"Oh. I'm glad you came." tuwang-tuwang wika ng ginang sa kanila. Mabilis itong lumapit kay Janice at yumakap ng mahigpit.

"How could you say that?" sermon ng Mama nina Kester. "We will not miss your very special day. Anyway, happy happy night."

Nang maghiway ang mga ito ay si Tim La Pierre naman ang yumakap sa celebrant. "Happy Birthday Kristy."

Ganoon din ang ginawa nina Kester at Kevin. Nang matapos magbigay ng mga greetings ang mga ito ay lumapit sa kanya si Janice at hinila sila ni Calvin palapit kay Kristy.

"This is Liyah. Our new family member. The one I talked to you about." Janice said proudly. "And this is my apo, Calvin."

Before Kristy could speak, Kester and Kevin excused themselves to bring their gifts to the table where gifts are being placed.

"So, you are Liyah." masayang wika ng birthday celebrant. "It is nice to finally meet you."

"Happy birthday Ma'am." Liyah said discreetly. "The pleasure is mine po."

Biglang tumawa ang ginang at hinampas siya sa braso ng marahan. "Don't be too formal on me, young lady. Tita, yan ang itawag mo sa akin."

Liyah smiled. She nodded. "Sige po."

After introducing her to the celebrant and her husband, Janice took Calvin from Liyah.

"Sa amin na muna si Calvin, Liyah." wika ni Janice. "Go and enjoy yourself. Yun ang pinunta natin dito."

Walang nagawa si Liyah kundi pumayag. Inikot niya ang paningin niya sa kabuan ng bahay, hoping to see some familiar faces. Sadly, she can't see anyone. Sakto namang pabalik si Kester sa kanilang kinaruruonan.

"Maybe, I will join Kester for a while." aniya nang makita si Kevin na may mga kausap sa isang sulok.

"Please enjoy yourself darling." Kristy Salas blessed her. Iginiya nito ang mag-asawang La Pierre sa isang lamesa sa may harap.

"She is so beautiful." narinig pa niyang sabi ni Kristy kay Janice nang makalayo ang mga ito.

"Yes, she is."

Hanggang sa makaupo ang mga ito saka inalis ni Liyah ang tingin. She is aware that Kester is already at her side. Nawala ang mga ngiti niya nang lingunin niya ang binata.

He is staring at her. Tulad iyon ng tingin na binibigay nito sa kanya kahapon when he fetched her at work. Hindi siya sanay sa pagganun ni Kester.

"What's the matter?" sita niya sa lalaki. "May mali ba sa akin?"

"Nothing's wrong. It's just that you look different." naguguluhang wika ni Kester.

Si Liyah ay mas lalong nalito. Wala namang nabago sa kanya. She is just wearing a blue off the shoulder dress with a short sleeve, a slim fitting bodice and a super cute skater skirt with a hi low hem. And she did not put any light make up. Bigla niyang naalala na blue blouse din ang suot niya kahapon.

"Oh, maybe the dress." sabi na lang niya. "Hindi mo rin naman kasi ako nakikitang nagdadamit ng ganito. You look different too."

Nakasuot na ito ng two-piece suit. These kind of clothing suits him really well. "You look very dashing yourself. Walang sinabi ang mga models ng Ralph Lauren sa iyo."

Natawa si Kester sa tinuran niya. "Don't flatter me so much. To tell you the truth, I am not really comfortable with what I am wearing. "He shrugged his shoulders and gave her another intimate gaze. "You are very pretty Liyah. Ikaw yata ang pinakamaganda sa lahat ng nandito."

"Don't flatter me so much." panggagaya niya sa linya nito.

Hindi na nakapagsalita pa si Kester dahil may isang babaeng biglang lumapit sa kinaroroonan nila.

"Kester, baby." Narinig ni Liyah na sabi ng bagong dating. Kester was not able to say any single word dahil biglang lumapit dito ang babae and gave him a torrid kiss in the lips.

Hindi alam ni Liyah ang gagawin niya. It happened really fast.