CHAPTER 44: Ang Pag-Ibig ay Isang Sugal
It was supposed to be the start of spring already but Kate wrapped her scarf more tightly to her neck, carefully making sure that the stinging end-of-winter cold can’t get into her. Kakababa pa lang niya ng kanyang kotse kaya’t nabigla na naman siya sa lamig. This is the problem with northern New York State. So cold even if the sun is shining brightly.
Tinungo na ni Kate ang paaralan kung saan siya ay nagtratrabaho bilang isang teacher’s assistant. Laking pasasalamat niya sa tulong ni Tricia at nakapasok siya ng trabaho dito. Maayos naman ang pasahod, mura ang bilihin at mura din ang upa sa apartment.
“Hi Katerina!” Bati ng isang estudyante na nakasalubong niya.
“Good morning Kristoff!” sagot naman ni Lyn na ginulo pa ang buhok nito. Tumawa ang bata at tumakbo na papasok ng paaralan.
Papasok na sana siya ng building nang may kumuha ng mga dala-dala niyang libro at files na nasa kabilang braso niya.
“Good morning Kate.” Si Hans. Isa sa mga puting co-teacher niya. “Let me help you.”
“Oh thank you Hans.” Saad niya habang pinagbuksan niya ng pinto ang lalaki at pumasok siya kasunod nito.
“How’s little Ken?” Tanong agad nito.
“He’s doing fine, thank you. The day care you recommended is great. I didn’t know there are day care that serves toddlers, I thought it was only for pre-schoolers.” Komento ni Kate. Si Hans kasi ang nag-recommend ng day care kung saan na niya iniiwan ngayon si Ken para alagaan. Dati kumukuha pa siya ng baby-sitter na mahal talaga.
“Oh no, they really are for babies of working mothers. It was only a couple of years ago that they started accepting pre-schoolers. They’re good huh.” Hans was still making conversation as they made their way to the faculty room.
Kate liked it here at the Buffalo County Public School. She teaches kindergarten and was seriously starting to start a career in this field. She enjoys children, a realization she only thought about recently.
Kate coursed through the day with much enthusiasm. Nang uwian na excited niyang sinundo si Ken at sabay na silang umuwi sa maliit na apartment malapit sa eskwelahang pinagtratrabahuhan ni Lyn.
Arriving at the apartment, she made Ken play first while she cooked an early dinner for herself, fed Ken, washed him up and made him sleep. When he was fast asleep she prepared the dining table for her solo dinner. Kakain na sana siya nang may kumatok sa pinto niya.
Sino naman kaya ito? Tanong ni Lyn sa sarili. She did not even look through the peephole. Buffalo is a nice and safe neighborhood. Binuksan niya agad ang pintuan.
“Hi.” Si Hans. May dala itong bulaklak, wine at brown bag.
“Hey…” nakangiting bati ni Kate. Inabot ni Hans ang bulaklak kay Kate. “What’s the occasion?”
“Oh nothing,” tinungo ni Hans ang dining area at nilapag ang dalang wine at brown bag. “It was starting to get lonely in my apartment so I thought of visiting you.”
“That’s so nice of you.” Sagot ni Kate. Natutuwa sa bagong kaibigan.
“Where’s Ken?” tanong ni Hans.
“Oh, he’s fast asleep.” Sagot ni Kate. Napansin ni Hans na nakahanda na ang pesto spaghetti at pina-init na French bread sa hapag-kainan.
“This is great! What you cooked tonight goes very well with the rib-eye steak I made.” Saad ng lalaki habang ilinabas na ang mga plastic container na galing sa brown bag.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Reluctant Bride (Completed)
General FictionKate had her life cut-out for her. After her parent's death, she was raised by her controlling grandfather. She tried her best to be obedient which lead to early successes in her life. But the latest of his grandfather's wishes really makes her wa...
