Where Universe Was Found (SOW #2)

06.

From: Parker

Hi! I'll fetch you later at 6pm.

Bumungad ang text ni Parker paggising ko. Naupo ako sa kama at humikab bago siya replyan pero bago pa ako makapag-reply, may panibago na siyang text.

From: Parker

Uh, you can bring your daughter.

If you want, I don't mind.

Before we went home yesterday, Parker asked for my number. Ang sabi niya ay para ma-text daw niya ako about sa dinner na sinasabi niya. Pumayag na lang ako dahil wala naman sigurong masama. Unless, he's taken.

But, I'm not saying that this has something to do about dating. No! Ayoko lang kasing masugod. Baka mamaya, pumayag ako sa dinner tapos may girlfriend pala. Ayoko ng sakit ng ulo.

To: Parker

I can't bring her, gabi na din.

It's not like I don't want my daughter to go with me. Naisip ko lang na baka mapagod lang ang anak ko so, it's better if she'll just stay here with her nanay and tatay.

From: Parker

Okay, noted.

I got up and went outside. Pinuntahan ko ang kwarto ng anak ko at nakita ang anak kong mahimbing pa ang tulog. Her windows has christmas socks hanging on it.

Christmas is coming yet, I still haven't buy gifts for my parents and Patrisha. Sa isang linggo ay start na ng christmas break and a christmas party would be held so, I might need to buy gifts.

I walked towards my daughter and gently kiss her forehead. Napangiti ako nang magmulat siya ng mata.

"Good morning, baby ko. Wake up na, may school ka pa," sabi ko. She yawned and extended her arms. I immediately carried her and she buried her face on my neck. She's now heavy but I don't mind.

Naglakad ako palabas ng kwarto buhat ang anak ko. Pagkababa ay naabutan ko si Mama at Papa na nasa hapagkainan. Pareho silang napatingin sa direksyon namin.

"Oh, antok pa ang baby girl namin?" Papa smiled gently. Naupo ako sa upuan at iniupo ang anak ko sa katabi kong upuan.

"Sandali at maghahain na ako ng almusal," ani Mama.

After the breakfast, we prepared for school. Pagdating sa school ay iilang estudyante at co-teachers ang binati ko.

"Bye po, Mama!" Patrisha waved at me before going with her teacher. I kissed her cheeks and waved at her. Her teacher, Rowena smiled at me.

Kasabay ko sa pagpasok ang ilan kong estudyante na namataan kong naghihintay dito kanina. I opened the door and let them in first. Kaniya-kaniya silang upo kaya napangiti ako at inilapag ang gamit ko sa mesa.

"Good morning!" I greeted them and that's where we started our class.

Lunch time, some kids was fetched by their parents to take a lunch and some stayed here and play. Hinayaan ko silang maglaro dahil lunch break naman. Patrisha is in front of me, sitting behavely.

"Baby, anong gusto mong lunch?" Tanong ko habang inaayos ang gamit ko. I grab my phone and opened it. May isang message na bumungad sa akin.

From: Parker

Uh, hi? Can you go outside of the school? I'm here.

Nangunot ang noo ko at agad napasilip sa labas and there I saw him, outside the gate. Mula sa kinauupuan ko ay tanaw ang gate at natatanaw ko si Parker na nakasandal sa kaniyang sasakyan at nakayuko.

I glanced at my daughter and gave her my phone. "Baby, bibili lang si Mama ng food. Dito ka lang, ha? Watch ka muna dito. Wait for me," sabi ko and I opened the YouTube application and let her watch videos.

Tumayo ako at inayos ang slacks na suot ko. I walked towards the gate and greeted the guard. The gate was opened so, I went out easily.

Hindi pa rin ako napapansin ni Parker dahil nakayuko pa rin ang ulo niya kaya mas lalo akong lumapit. I noticed him holding a paper bag.

"Hey..." sabi ko. He immediately lifts up his gaze and his eyes went to me. Napaayos siya ng tayo at agad lumunok.

"Hi..." sabi niya at napahimas sa kaniyang batok. I noticed his grip on the paper bag tightened kaya natuon doon ang atensyon ko. His gaze followed mine and he slightly lifts up the paper bag he's holding.

"Here, for you." Inilahad niya sa akin ang paper bag na kanina niya pa hawak. Nagtataka man pero kusang gumalaw ang kamay ko para kunin ang iniabot niya. Kumabog pa ang dibdib ko dahil sa mabilisang pagtama ng daliri ko sa kaniya.

"Uh, para saan ito?" Tanong ko at pasimpleng binuksan ang paper bag at sinilip ang laman. I was shocked when I saw a tupperware inside with a rice meal and even a pack of juice.

"I went on a meeting nearby and that's our food. Hindi ko naman nakain kaya pina-take out ko," sagot niya.

"Pero, bakit mo binibigay sa akin?" Takang tanong ko. He avoids my gaze and gulped. Hindi ko alam kung guni-guni but I heard him cursed.

"Kasi... hindi ako gutom at dahil naisip kong malapit ka lang naman, sa'yo ko na inabot. I also thought about... uh, Patrisha... maybe, she'll like that," sabi niya. He bit his lips while looking away kaya natanaw ko ang perpektong anggulo ng kaniyang panga. His hair shines against the sun at napansin ko na may piercing siya sa tenga na kuminang dahil sa pagtama ng sikat ng araw.

I look at the food again and I felt myself smiling. Hindi ko alam pero natutuwa ako kaya napaangat ako ng tingin at nakita siyang pinapanood ang reaksiyon ko.

"Salamat, Parker," sabi ko. He seems shocked when he heard me say his name but, I remained smiling. At least, hindi na ako mahihirapang bumili.

"Y-you are welcome, always," he stuttered. Maya maya'y huminga siya nang malalim. "Uhm, yung dinner pala, mamaya?"

I don't know but I found him cute. Para siyang nahihiya habang kaharap ko. Why though? He noticed my smile and I swear! I can see his cheeks going red.

"Sure, I'll see you later," sabi ko. He nodded and told me that he's going now. Inihatid lang daw niya ang pagkain kaya muli akong nagpasalamat at pinanood siyang umalis.

Tumalikod ako at muntikang mapatalon nang makitang may tao pala sa likuran ko.

"Naks naman, Ma'am Selene! May Future Daddy na ba si Patrisha?" Rowena, my co-teacher slash Patrisha's homeroom teacher is smirking at me.

Napailing na lang ako at tinawanan siya. I can hear her laughing and teasing me but I walked back to my classroom. Sumunod si Rowena at nakisabay sa amin.

Close naman kami ni Rowena dahil nagkataong sabay kaming nakapasok dito sa paaralang ito. She's friendly kaya madaling napapakisamahan ang lahat, even me. Nagkakausap din kami madalas dahil inirereport niya sa akin ang performance ni Patrisha sa classroom.

"Mama, ang sarap po nito!" My daughter exclaimed while biting a chicken drumstick. I smile and get the chicken leg from her. Hinimay ko iyon para madali niyang makain at hindi na siya magkamay. Baka kasi madumihan din ang uniporme niya.

"Kain pa, baby," sabi ko.

Rowena smile also as she watch Patrisha eat happily. Nilingon niya ako at nginitian.

"Sarap na sarap si Babygirl mo sa pakain ni Future Daddy niya, oh," she whispered. Inismiran ko lang siya pero wala pa ring tigil ang pang-aasar niya.

My phone beeped kaya panandalian akong napatigil sa pagkain. Pinunasan ko ang kamay ko at kinuha ang phone ko saka binuksan.

From: Parker

Hope you and Patrisha are eating well :)