JEALOUS MEN SERIES 1: Zues Mattheos Howard

Chapter 18

THERE WAS already a bottle of wine and two wine glass ready on the table. Lumapit roon ang kanyang Tito-ninong at nagsalin sa dalawang wine glass. Saka inabot sa kanya ang isa.

Kakabahan ang dapat niyang maramdaman sa oras na iyon ngunit ng maalala ang hitsura ng dalaga ng marinig nito ang sinabi ng kanyang ina ay nawala iyon sa halip ay lungkot ang bumalot sa puso ni Zues. He had seen it in his two eyes that it made her stunned.

“I have seen it too.” Natigilan siya ng marinig niya ang sinabi ng kanyang Tito-ninong.

“Po?”

Instead of answering he continued. “And that made you look sad right now.” Naglakad ito papunta sa balcony kaya sumunod siya rito.

“You would say it’s weird but it make me happy seeing you sad by my daughter’s reaction.” He chuckled. “Because that really means that you’re crazy in love with my daughter.”

“She doesn’t want to marry me Tito-ninong.” Parang batang sumbong niya rito ngunit tumawa lang ito.

Suddenly, he felt the light atmosphere. Seeing this man smiled and laugh as if he doesn’t hate him for his daughter. Ibang-iba ang Tito-ninong niya ngayon kumpara sa mga nagdaang araw na nakakaharap niya ito. Is it just him or he really felt that he like him for her daughter now?

“My daughters had been sad for a long time because of me. Specially my Candle Shield. And I’m very thankful that she had forgiven me easily. Partly, because of you. And I want to thank you for that. You had been a good influence to my daughter Zues. Hindi nalang puro trabaho ang inaatupag niya ngayon, your Tita-ninang is also thankful to you. Minsan hindi ko lang maiwasang mainis sa iyo dahil alam ko kung bakit nasa showbiz ka ngayon. Your father imprisoned you through showbiz para hindi ka makakagalaw ng malaya at magloko pero mas lumala ka. Kaliwa’t kanan ang kalokohan mo sa mga babae sa hilig mo. Naging abosado ka. Though the only advantage is no one outside the family had known about it. Hindi na mabilang kung ilang babae ang pinaiyak mo. And as a father, I felt worried about my daughter. This is her first relationship and I hope it would be her last.” Sumimsim ito ng wine habang ang kanya ay hindi niya magalaw man lang.

“I’ve changed Tito-ninong.” Tanging nasambit niya. Mukhang bumalik ang kaba niya ngunit napawi rin iyon ng ngumiti ang matanda sa kawalan.

“I’ve seen it. I’m proud that my daughter made you changed effortlessly. I love my daughter very much Zues. And, I don’t want to see her crying and hurting again. So as much as possible I don’t want to stop her happiness. Bumawi ako sa kanya ngayon kaya sana wag mo siyang sasaktan dahil ako mismo ang makakalaban mo.” He look at him strictly and that made his legs almost wobble.

Tumango siya. “ I promise Tito-ninong.”

Tinapik nito ang kanyang balikat. “Proving is better that promising Zues.”

“I promise to prove it to you and Tita-ninang.” Bawi niya.

That made his Tito-ninong smile. “Then, that’s good to hear.” He raise his glass for a cheer’s.

Napangiti na rin siya. “Is that an approval?”

“Do you love my daughter?” Instead he asked.

Paulit-ulit na tumango siya. “I do Tito-ninong. I love her very much, I love her more than my life. I’m crazy over her. I can’t leave without her in my life. I can even surrender everything for her. I’m smitten by her.” Walang pagpipigil niyang sabi. It actually made him feel at ease. And sounds comfortable sharing that to another person.

“That’s called obsession young man.”

“I highly agree Tito-Ninong.” They both laugh.

Pero natigilan siya ng may maalala. “But, she doesn’t fell the same. She doesn’t like the idea of us getting married.” Bumalik na naman tuloy ang lungkot na nararamdaman niya.