LUST | SDS Present ✔ (TO BE EDITED)

Chapter 16

"Ta-ta-ta."

Mabilis akong lumingon sa sala dahil sa narinig. Sofia is on the sofa with Hugo kneeling in front of her. Hugo is smiling widely with his hands clasped on his chest level.

Mabilis kong pinunasan ang kamay ko at dahan-dahan na lumapit sa kanila. Ni hindi man lang ako liningon ni Hugo dahil na kay Sofia ang buong atensyon nya. Bahagya naman akong napa-ngiti dahil sa pinapakita nyang interes kay Sofia. Inaamin ko na umiinit ang pakiramdam ko sa tuwing nakikita ko si Hugo na inaalagan ang anak nya. It reminds me of my Dad.

"Taaaaaa." Hugo said as if he wants Sofia to copy him. "Come on. Nasabi mo na yan kagabi so do it again, Sof." He encouraged with a smile that made me smile as well.

Is he teaching her how to talk? Well if that's the case, that's better.

"Ta-ta-ta." Sofia said repeatedly while bouncing in her seat.

Napa-iling na lang ako pero hindi mabura-bura ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. I guess he wants Sofia to call him tatay. It's unique and cute.

"Tuck!" Sofia exclaimed before giggling because Hugo clapped in joy.

My smile faded as I question myself if I heard it right. Did Hugo just taught her daughter a cursed word for her first word?

"Aray!" Bahagyang sigaw nya habang hinihimas ang ulo dahil sa pagkaka-palo ko dito.

Sinamaan nya ako ng tingin bago sya tumayo. Pumamewang naman ako at binalik sa kanya ang tinging pinupukol nya sa akin.

"What are you teaching to Sofia, huh?!"

"I am not teaching her, okay? She came up with that word by herself. Isn't she amazing?" He said the last thing while looking at Sofia.

I hissed and rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Oh, she learned how to curse by herself." Sarcastic kong sabi kaya bumalik sa akin ang tingin ni Hugo pero bakas na ang pag-tataka sa mukha nya.

"Curse? Hello, feeling mo naman nag-mana sya sa'yo."

Inambahan ko sya ng palo pero agad ring natigilan nang nginisian nya ako. Huminga na lang ako nang malalim at baka ano pa ang magawa ko sa lalaking ito.

"Atsaka, palinisan mo nga yang tenga mo. She's not cursing, okay?" Mahinahon nyang sabi bago kinarga si Sofia.

Hinarap naman nya sya sa akin pero na kay Hugo ang mga mata nya. Bahagya naman akong nalungkot. Parang kailan lang ako lang ang gusto nya. Sinubukan kong kunin si Sofia kay Hugo pero mahigpit lang syang yumakap sa ama kaya naman pumalabi ako.

"She now loves me more than you." Mayabang na sabi ni Hugo bago sya ngumisi kaya naman matalim ko syang tinignan pero agad nyang linipat sa anak ang atensyon. "Don't you, Sof? You love Tuck more than Ninang Sierra, right?" He said in a sweet voice that almost made me smile.

"Tuck? You're letting your daughter call you that?" Gulat kong tanong at inosente naman syang tumango.

"She called me that last night and at first I was offended dahil yun yung pangalan nung pagong sa paborito nyang show but I let it slide. I realized that she's amazing for remembering and knowing how to say that name." Paliwanag nya at tanging pag-tango na lang ang naisagot ko dahil bahagya akong na-wirduhan.

"Sige na, aalis na kami." Paalam nya bago kinuha ang bag ni Sofia. "See you later, Madam."

Today is Sofia's birthday and Hugo is throwing her a party. 'Yun pala ang gusto nyang sabihin nang sinundan nya ako sa university. I almost forgot that he teased me that day when he asked me to help him plan Sofia's party. I was surprised that he initiated and it is clear that he is really serious about it that's why I was touched.