Shades of Crimson

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Nathan

Tinitiklop ko ang mga damit ko at maayos na isinisilid sa maleta ko. Ilang linggo rin ako dito sa Russia at ilang beses na akong kinukulit ng Prinsesa ko na umuwi na dahil nami-miss na raw niya ako.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko para tignan sa notes ang mga pinapa-bili ni Scarlet. She knew that I will be in the Philippines tomorrow afternoon, but I told her not to tell Crimson. I just... want to surprise her, I guess.

"Daddy?"

Napalingon ako ng makarinig ng boses ng bata sa likod.

Standing at my bedroom's door frame is Phoenix with his pajamas and sleepy eyes. I sat on my bed and gestured him to come near me.

"Why are you already awake? It's only 3 am."

Naka-nguso nitong tinignan ang bagahe kong naka-bukas sa itaas ng kama ko.

"You're leaving again?" I playfully pinched his cheeks.

"I have to. Your ate misses me already."

"Ate? Ate Scarlet? My cousin?"

I gave him a small smile, "Y-yes... your cousin..."

"What does she look like? You always tell stories about her, but me and Laevich still don't know what she looks like."

I bit my upper lips as I look at his eyes. He was very curious about Scarlet. He always is. Since he was a baby, I would tell him stories about Scarlet. I used to tell him stories about Crimson too... but I stopped when he was beginning to be more curious about things.

"She has a red hair... and brown big eyes—"

"Can I just see a picture of her, daddy?" I laughed when I sense his impatient voice. He's just like... Crimson.

I grabbed my phone showed him my lock screen. It was Scarlet in her school uniform. It was her first day of school and just like other kids, she's not a fan of school. She was frowning really hard and I could see the resemblance of Crimson with that expression of her.

"Her hair looks like a witch's hair."

I laughed loudly at Phoenix's comment. Kung nasa harapan lang namin si Scarlet at narinig niya ang sinabi ni Phoenix, malamang ay umuusok na ang ilong nito.

It was hard bidding good bye to Phoenix. He was crying and clinging to me like a Koala. Laevich was cool with me leaving and I understand it. But with Phoenix, it was always hard. I don't want to leave, but I have to.

Kuya Nico tapped my shoulder, "Have a safe flight."

I nodded to him and sighed.

"Same routine?"

I gave him a small smile, "Yes, of course."

Whenever I'm in the Philippines, I always make sure to do a video call with Phoenix and Laevich. It was a routine for me.

It was unfair for Phoenix's part...

"Dude! Shet, ikakasal ka na!" Kieran shookt my shoulders. His face was so near mine, I shoved his face away from me and took my handkerchief to wipe my sweat.

Damn it, why is she still not here? Is she backing out? Kilala ko si Crimson. I know how petty and impulsive she is sometimes. Pa'no kung di siya tumuloy para lang makapag-higanti sa maling akala niya noon?

I jumped a little when I felt a hard tap on my back. I looked at Tito Christopher, Crimson's father and he was looking at me intently. I gulped.

"Tito?"