Queen Of Damn

CHAPTER 36 (Building Bricks of Happiness)

*Reina*

Sinamahan ako ni Tita Theresa palabas ng board room. Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad at parang nagkaroon ng isang invisible na pader sa pagitan namin.

Honestly, hindi ko na alam kung paano ko pa siya i-a-approach dahil sa sobrang dami ko nang atraso sa kanya.

Tumikhim siya kaya napahinto ako at tinitigan siya.

Lumapit siya at niyakap ako. Nagulat ako kasi hindi naman ganito si Tita Theresa.

"I'm sorry, you have to go through all of these." sighing before she checked my face. "If only your dad were still here, he wouldn't let any of these happen,"

Hindi ako nakakibo. I was really surprised.

"I wanted to talk to you, are you free this afternoon?"

"Ah, I don't know,"

"Please, hindi na tayo nakakapag-usap nang tayong dalawa lang."

Medyo nakaka-intimidate yung tingin ni tita kaya nag-aalangan ako pero nung hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, saka ko lang naramdaman yung sincerity niya. "Please,"

Napatango na lang tuloy ako. "I'll just gonna get my things."

Bumalik ako sa locker ko para kunin yung gamit ko. Nagtaka pa siya kasi may dala akong malaking gym bag pero di na nagtanong.

Naglakad kami papunta sa parking at sumakay pareho sa kotse niya. Fortuner ang dala niya ngayon hindi yung issue ng opisina na Nissan Patrol. Bulletproof kasi yun eh. Personal car ni tita ang dala niya papunta dito sa school.

Naalala ko tuloy ang banta ni Mom. Hindi maalis sa isip ko yun.

"What's wrong? What's eating you?" usisa niya sa pananahimik ko.

"Nothing," tumikhim lang ako at umiwas ng tingin.

"You seem bothered," puna niya habang nagmamaneho.

I let out a sigh and then watched the scene we were passing by. "I'm just thinking about what Mom said earlier,"

"Uh, those were just empty words, I eat death threats every morning." she even cackled.

Napangiti ako, si tita pa ba? Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mag-alala.

"Tumawag nga pala ako sa unit mo, walang sumasagot kaya tumawag ako dun mismo sa front desk, tatlong araw ka na daw hindi umuuwi dun, sa'n ka tumutuloy?"

"I'm staying at my friend's house,"

"Do I know your friend? What's her name?"

"Tita,"

"Just tell me where can I find you in case the hearing will start. Di natin pwedeng palampasin yun, anim na buwan na rin ang tumakbo."

"I know," sighing again, this time, more depressive.

"Now tell me, who's she?"

"Miles, I'm staying at Miles' house."

"Oh, so it's a he."

"Look tita,"

"Alright, I'm not asking anything, you don't need to explain yourself."

Huminga ako nang malalim. "He's nice and a gentleman, tsaka hiwalay naman kami ng room,"

"Reina, you don't have to say it. But thanks for informing me. Are you guys dating?"

Napalingon ako sa kanya dahil dun. "Are you really askin—" Natawa na lang ako bigla.