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CHAPTER 8

Khyrieze Llanelli Villaraigosa's POV

"How long have you known each other?" Dad asked while we were having lunch. Hindi na kami natuloy ni Rian na umakyat sa kwarto dahil bukod sa hindi ko mapaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko, tinawag nadin kami nila Mom to prepare the table for our lunch. Sa pool side kasi kami kakain kaya they need some help to get things altogether.

"41 hrs and 32 mins Tito" Rian said out of nowhere. Kunot noo naman akong napatingin dito.

"Binilang mo?" I chuckled. Seryoso naman siyang tumango.

"Yep" she said popping the letter 'p'. Gosh! She's unbelievable! "I remember the exact time na dumating ka. It was exactly 7:17 pm nung friday when you suddenly appeared from nowhere then became my saviour" She said while giving me a sweet smile while looking at my eyes down to my lips then go back to my eyes. Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin dito. Damn it! Kanina pa siya, hindi ko alam kung nag assume lang ako or sadyang nagbibigay siya ng motibo. But maybe it's her nature, I shouldn't think something different jeez!

"What do you mean hija" Mom asked. Rian looked at her then Rian's eyes became emotional.

"I-I was being followed by a drunk man in mid 30's. It started nung iniwan na ako ng mga kaibigan ko and as a scared woman, I walk fast as I can without noticing na napapalayo na pala ako." she paused before taking a deep breath. I immediately grab her hand under the table then hold it like I'm telling her that it's alright and I'm just here, right beside her. Napatingin pa siya sakin kaya ngumiti lang ako at tumango. "And then he suddenly harassed me, kinukulit niya na ako to the point that we wants to touch me but luckily, Khyrieze was there. Nakita niya kami and immediately approached us, she talked to him but unfortunately matigas ang ulo nung mama. Until she came up with an idea na takbuhan namin ito. Since lasing yung mama hindi niya na kami naabutan. And since then, I owe Khyrieze a lot" she continued. I slightly tap her hand and gave her a comforting smile.

"Woah! I didn't know that we have some superhero blood" Ate Elia teased kaya inalis ko na ang tingin kay Rian at bumaling sa kanila.

"I am amazed, but I don't like your tactics. Hindi mo manlang pinatikim ng isang pamilyang suntok at sipa yung mokong nayun" ate Lalein said then smirked at me.

"Si Khyrieze, Makikipag basag ulo? Oh come on girls! We all know how calm headed she is. Mas gusto niyang pakiusapan o takasan ang mga yon kesa makipag away at hayaang masaktan ang sarili." naiiling na sabi ni Ate Hyve. Sumang-ayon naman sila dito.

"Really? So how can I notice that's she's being pissed of or run out of patience?" Rian asked while eating using only her right hand because I'm still holding her left hand.

Umakto naman na nag-iisip ang tatlo when Mommy suddenly interrupt. "First, she glares. Then she talk to that person who pissed her off. So far, wala pa naman akong nabalitaan na nakipag away yang bata na yan. Maybe because she's a little bit aloof" Mommy explained. Tumango naman si Rian.

"Wala po ba talaga siyang kaibigan or anything?" Tanong niya pa kay Mommy.

Umiling si mommy habang nakatingin dito "You're her first hija. I mean, her first friend. Ikaw palang yung dinala niya dito sa bahay, actually that's the reason why we invited you for a lunch." Mommy paused a little bit bago lumingon kay Daddy na ngayon ay seryoso lang din. "Nung Saturday kasi bigla siyang nawala, ang alam namin around the street lang siya tumatakbo but then kung saan saan na siya hinanap ng mga Ate niya pero hindi na siya makita. She doesn't have a friend naman so alam namin na hindi siya aalis ng basta basta para pumunta kung saan without bringing her phone. Until we decided watch the cctv footage, and nakita nga namin na pumunta siya sa inyo. Since then, we wanted to meet you in person, not just because you're her friend but because we wanna know what's with you to make Khyrieze trusted you" Mom said bago ipag palit palit yung tingin saming dalawa. "And now, everything's clear. We can see it through your eyes, and my daughter's eyes. It's visible and I hope it will last forever" dagdag pa ni Mommy. Tumango naman si Rian dito.

"It will Tita, since I met her I don't wanna lose her. I guess, we were meant to meet for some reasons." nakangiting sabi ni Rian at makahulugang tumingin sakin. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti din dahil sa mga sinabi niya. She's right, jeez! I can't wait na magkita na sila Mommy at Tita Ari, I know they'll be happy to finally meet each other after a long time.

"Are you sure that you don't want to lose my daughter?" napatingin naman kaming lahat kay Daddy na seryoso lang na nakatingin kay Rian. "Even if you'll encounter the weirdest things about her after knowing her?" He continued.

"I am Tito. I believe that everyone is unique in their own ways. If there's something weird about Khyrieze, it doesn't mean that she's less of a person. Whatever it might be, as long as it's not against the law, I'll accept her." She finally said. Hindi ko maiwasang kagatin ang ibabang labi ko dahil sa kabang nararamdaman ko. "Maybe you guys think that it's too early to said those words but I really mean it. I don't care if I just know her, what matters to me is our future together. Just give me a chance to be with her" mahinang sabi nito. Kaya muli akong napatingin sa kanya. She even intertwined our hands together.

"I'm not against you hija okay? I'm happy that my daughter finally find a friend but you cannot stop me from being protective because she's my youngest. It's just that, ayokong dumating yung araw na masasaktan siya dahil nagtiwala siya" He seriously said. Napasapo naman ako sa ulo ko.

"Come on Dad, stop that. It's not like we are going to be a couple or what then hurt each other after that. We're just friends" I chuckle to lighten the atmosphere. Masyado na kasi silang seryoso at parang hindi na tama yung mga salitang binibitawan ni Dad.

"No it's okay Khyrieze, I understand where Tito's coming from. I really understand. If this kind of friendship needs to gain his trust first, then so be it. I'm much willing to do everything just to prove to him that I'm worthy of your trust than anyone else." seryosong sabi nito.

"Grabe, that's the spirit! Tsk! How I wish Dad was like this nung pinakilala ko si Beatriz. Para malaman ko kung kaya ba akong ipagtangol ng gaga nayon" Ate Lalein said pertaining to her bestfriend Ate Beatriz Dela Fuente.

"In your dreams! Hindi mo naman dala yung apelido ni Dad!" Ate Elia said kaya bahagya akong nasamid. Damn it! Baka makahalata si Rian! Hindi talaga sila nag iisip!

"Girls, stop it. Kumain na nga kayo" Ate Hyve speaked up.

"What's the matter?" bulong ni Rian sakin. Umiling lang ako.

"Let's just continue eating, gusto ko na mag swimming" pag iiba ko naman nang usapan at lahat sila ay sumang-ayon sakin.

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how are you doin' fellas? I might upload everyday kapag wala akong gagawin, so stay tuned! I can't promise you that this will be the best story you'll ever read but I'll try my best to create a meaningful one. Have a great day!