Leaving it to chance [ Serendipity Series #01 ]

XXIII: sinta

Sinta — (n.) an old-fashioned word for "love"; dear, beloved

* should there be any bisaya words used throughout the chapter, translations will be provided.

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Thank heavens they did not roast me after that. I wasn't sure how I would handle it. The entire day, I dreaded talking to Papa. I was expecting him to call me later that afternoon, but he seemed to be busy with work that maybe he forgot.

I know I promised myself I was going to go to the beach, but I ended up passing out in my room 'til late afternoon. My flight and lunch kind of drained me. Mama did not even bother waking me up anymore. Not going to lie, that was probably one of the best naps I've had in the longest time.

I woke up around 6 p.m. to the sound of my phone ringing.

It was Mikie.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and clicked the answer button.

"Did I wake you up?" His brows furrowed.

"Hindi gising na ako. Kanina pa," I lied, suppressing a yawn.

"Kagigising mo lang, eh. Sige na, matulog ka—"

"Wala na, gising na ako. 'Di na ako makakatulog ulit kasi kinikilig ako sa mukha mo."

His laugh echoed through my room causing me to hazily smile.

"Nami-miss mo lang ako," Mikie teased. It looked like he was back at his grandparents house.

"Kind of. Ikaw 'yung topic kanina during lunch."

"Ha? Ako?"

"Nabanggit ka kasi ni Kata, ayun, I had to explain who you were to my entire family. Hindi naman kita gustong itago sa kanila. Ang guwapo kaya ng jowa ko. Dapat ko talagang ipagyabang." I winked.

"Ah, so if panget ako, itatago mo ako sa kanila? Ganiyan ba 'yun?"

"Gago. Wala akong sinabi! Alam mo, ang assuming mo."

"Hindi naman 'yan totoo. Ikaw kaya 'yung assuming sa 'ting dalawa."

I opened my mouth to say something but quickly shut it back because that was kind of true. I recounted what went down at lunch, leaving out my dad's reaction; I didn't want to scare Mikie. I mean, there was nothing to be worried about anyway. Right?

He asked about my flight and how my day was, but the video call was cut short because our helper called me for dinner. It was just me and Kata at dinner tonight since Mama and Kuya Karlo were at the hospital while Papa and Ate Kass were still in a meeting with the hotel's management committee or ManCom. It was a good thing Kata stopped by, else I would have been all alone. I actually didn't know why she was having dinner at my house since she lived next door.

The rest of my break was spent either at home, at the beach, or around the resort. Minsan tumatambay ako sa gym or playroom kung walang maraming tao. It was nice to be back in my own little bubble and safe space, away from the city. I got to spend time with the rest of my family, too, mostly with my grandparents, too. Lola Nancy and Lolo Art would invite me to their house to cook or hang out since palagi naman akong mag-isa sa bahay.

"Korine?" Papa's voice echoed throughout the second floor of our house.

I peeked out of my door to find him. "Pa?" He was sitting by the small living area by the stairs, still in his work clothes. It was a miracle he was home early.

He patted the seat next to him and I just knew what he was going to talk to me about. I took small steps towards him and sat down quietly.

Both of us were silent for a bit before I broke the ice, "How was work?"