The Gravity Towards Him

Chapter 3

Hi Julia Valdez, Happy birthday sa'yo! This chapter is for you <3

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"Welcome home, Aileen." Bungad na bati sa akin ng tatay ko pagkapasok na pagkapasok ko sa loob ng bahay namin. My dad handed me a phone as soon as I took off my shoes.  

James Paolo Yuane, that's the full name of my dad. He's a civil engineer and also a loving father. I would kind of say that he is super protective especially when it comes to me. But with my mother, it's totally different. My mother, Kathryn Mae Yuane, was a badass back when she was younger. Madalas siyang pinapagalitan nila lolo at lola dahil balita ko ay talagang matigas ang ulo niya.

And for sure I acquired that trait from my mother, who was now currently in Davao inspecting a site. She is also a civil engineer.

"Hi anak!" Mother waved at the screen when she saw my face in the video call. I waved back at her and slowly walked towards the nearest sofa for me to sit.

The house we live in was perfect for a family of 4. Both my parents are engineers so they made the whole house perfect for all of us. Naghire sila ng mga kaibigan nilang interior designer na kilala rin namin ni Kuya Justin. Pati ako ay nagagandahan sa design ng bahay namin dahil ang alam ko ay minimalist lang ang binase nilang interior.

Sinandal ko ang ulo ko sa sofa at tuluyan nang humiga. At dahil nasa bahay na rin naman ako hindi ko na inayos ang pwesto ko kaya humiga na lang ako ng nakataas ang paa ko. I saw how my dad took a glance at my feet and then back at me.

He gave me the usual look he'd give me when I always do something wrong. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya at nagkibit-balikat na lang. Saka lang ako napatingin sa screen nang marinig kong magsalita si Mama.

"Mahal pinapagalitan mo nanaman ba si Aileen?" Mom gestured that she wanted to talk to Dad so I passed his phone back to him.

Sumandal ako sa unan at pinagkrus ang mga paa ko. Nakatitig lang ako sa tatay ko at tahimik na pinapakinggan ang usapan nilang dalawa.

"Mahal hayaan mo na anak natin... she's just relaxing." 

My dad shook his head and looked back at me. "I'm not mad at her, mahal. I just want to correct her okay?"

Mom let out a deep sigh on the other line. Nakita ko pang parang hinahanap niya ako sa screen. Dahil dito ay agad akong tumayo at umakbay kay Papa.

"Ma, I'm here." I smiled widely, still clinging on my dad. "Okay lang, 'wag mo na pagalitan asawa mo." I laughed while talking. Tinitigan naman ako ng tatay ko at sinubukan pa akong binatukan ng pabiro. Buti na lang ay mabilis ko iyong maiwasan. I had a first degree black belt in taekwondo so it was only by instinct.

"Sorry, nasanay lang." Tanging nasabi ko na lang bago tumingin sa pinto kung saan bumungad ang mukha ng kuya kong mukhang galing pa lang sa practice.