The Waiting Game

26.

            "I still don't understand why Exequiel's daughter hates you," natatawang sabi ni Reneth kay Blaire habang pinapanood nila si Lara na masayang nagpapalobo ng bubbles at nakikipaglaro sa mga magulang ni Blaire.

            Tuwang-tuwa ang mga magulang ni Blaire kay Lara. It has been months since Blaire found out about Lara. Ikinuwento sa kanya ni Exequiel how Lara became his foster daughter, and when she found out the story, she can't help but to be proud of Exequiel.

            Iba talaga si Exequiel Vonn Matteo.

            "She hates me, but she's playing with the bubble gun that I bought for her," natatawang sagot ni Blaire kay Reneth.

            "Alam kaya niyang ikaw bumili niyan at hindi mga magulang mo?" natatawang tanong ni Reneth.

            "She's going to play with it anyway. She always says that she hates me and that she doesn't want me around her dad, but she doesn't return any of my gifts and just ignores me," nakangiting sagot ni Blaire.

            Exequiel introduced Lara to her family and to her friends last time they had a small gathering for Blaire's parents' anniversary. Everyone in Blaire's family was present and even Exequiel's parents were there. Exequiel took that opportunity to introduce Lara to everyone.

            Everyone also found out that Lara is not a big fan of Blaire kaya naman inulan si Blaire ng asar na hindi raw niya puwedeng pakasalan si Exequiel dahil ayaw ng anak nito. Tinawanan na lang ni Blaire ang mga asar na kanyang natanggap.

            "'Lola' at 'Lolo' pa ang tawag sa parents mo. Hanep. Puwede nang magpakasal talaga kung hindi lang talaga tutol si baby," natatawang sabat ni Carlo sa usapan nila Reneth at Blaire.

            "She also calls me 'Ninang'," natatawang dagdag ni Reneth.

            "Eh 'di kayo na," natatawang sagot ni Blaire. "She can't even call me by my name," dagdag ni Blaire. "That's how much she hates me."

            "She doesn't hate you," biglang sabat ni Exequiel mula sa likuran ni Blaire.

            "Ano ba?" asar na sabi ni Blaire kay Exequiel. "Nahihilig ka na talagang gulatin ako," dagdag ni Blaire na ikinatawa ni Exequiel.

            "Oh, Wife, sobrang cute mo talaga," nakangiting sagot lang ni Exequiel sa kanya.

            "Hmph!" na lang ang naisagot ni Blaire at nagtawanan naman sila Carlo at Reneth.

            "That dress looks cute on her," nakangiting sabi ni Exequiel habang nakapatong ang kamay niya sa likuran ni Blaire at pinapanood ang anak niyang maglaro ng bubbles kasama ang mga magulang ni Blaire.

            "I know," masayang sagot ni Blaire. "Ang cute niya talaga 'tas 'pag tumatakbo pa siya parang nagbo-bounce 'yung mga pisngi niya."

            "She's like you with those fluffy cheeks," nakangiting sabi ni Exequiel kay Blaire bago kurutin ang pisngi ng dalaga. "I'm now a fan of fluffy cheeks because two of my most favorite girls have fluffy cheeks," dagdag ni Exequiel.

            "Stop pinching my cheeks," nakasimangot na sabi ni Blaire bago hawiin ang kamay ni Exequiel na ikinatawa ng binata.

            "We'll leave you lovebirds alone," nakangiting paalam ni Reneth kanila Blaire.

            "Oh, nandiyan pa pala kayo," sabi ni Exequiel kanila Reneth at Carlo na ikinatawa ng dalawa.

            "Siraulo," natatawang sagot ni Reneth.