HAJ & SETCH (COMPLETED)

VIII

Naka mata ko nga dili na bug'at akong gibati.

"Good morning, darling. How was your sleep?" mom kissed my cheek.

I pout then ni tan aw ko kang Haj nga sakto pud nga naa sa gawas.

"I was exhausted that's why sleep well." I answered.

Naa mi diri ron sa garden kay diri mi usually ga breakfast. Bag'o ra pud nigawas si Kuya but opposite
from me, naka business attire na si kuya.

Nitan'aw ko ni mama and siya pud diay naka ilis na. Si papa pud nigawas ug naka suit pud sya.

Ako ray wala pa naka ligo namong upat. Kay lage sa among upat, ako ray permi mabilin sa balay.

I silently thought. 'How does it feel kaha to be busy every morning for your dream?'

Kalit kong nang hupaw nga maoy gika hunong nila mama ug storyahanay.

"What happen?" si kuya ang unang nangutana.

"Nothing ya" ana lang ko ug nikaon nag sugod.

"Do you really want no bodyguards? Is that what makes you sad, darling?" papa suddenly asked.

Nakuyawan kos iyang pangutana nga mas una pa nakong gi tan aw si Haj nga naa ras kilid kauban ang laing driver.

"N-No, pa"

Papa smile. "Ofcourse I knew it's not about it. Haj told me that you enjoy the party alone without him that's why he decided to not follow you inside. He also mentioned that you don't need bodyguard anywhere you go but it doesn't mean we will fire Haj." he stated.

"Yes, we can see that both of you can make a good bond. I hope you wont be too harsh to him." dungag pud ni mama.

Wala na ko ni object sa ilang mga gi sulti.

"I gotta go, mom, dad" Kuya suddenly joined the conversation just to say he's leaving.

"I have a business trip in Cagayan so I'm taking one of our driver. Can I?" kuya asked after kissing mama and papa's cheeks.

Ing ana na si kuya. Bisan pag unsa na sya ka successful, one of the best businessman, the most handsome bachelor, he will always be our parent's baby boy.

"Of course you can." ana si papa.

Kuya smiled then went to lean towards me.

He kissed my forehead. "It's okay to feel sad sometimes" he whispered.

Ni smile kos iyang gi sulti. He really knows me well and I hope I know him well too.

"Haj, tara bro"

Nisiga akong mata pag tawag ni Kuya kang Haj.

"Kuya.." gusto kong mo dili. Naa paman untay laing driver. Haj is my bodyguard.

Kuya laughed. "I mean Kaj. Let's go, bro" giakbayan ni Kuya ang lalaki nga tupad ni Haj.

Silang tulo halos magka edad ra and I wont be shock kung close na sila.

"Bye baby sis" he pat my shoulder.

I looked at Haj. I don't think he's smirking but he is smirking.

"Haj, come join us" mama stood up to assist Haj. Wala pud ni reklamo si Haj as he take kuya's empty seat.

Mama continue to assist him and she gave Haj a plate full of food. Wala ko nabag'ohan nga ing ani si mama kay ing ani jud sya sa tanan driver ug pati na ila manang selis, among cook ug sa uban pang naa diris balay.

I just smile while nodding pero nawala akong smile pagkakita nga nitindog na pud si papa.

Duha sila ni mama nga sabayng nananghid nga mang lakaw na sila.

"But you didn't eat much ma, pa." I said, worried.

"We're full, honey don't worry" mama lean to kiss my forehead. "Be a good girl to Haj."

"I am" I pouted. Nikatawa ras mama.

"Haj" dad called him.

"Po?" paspas kayng naka indog si Haj.

Papa tapped his shoulder then whisper something to him. Nag tandoay silang duha bago ni duol si papa ug gihagkan kos ulo.

Nilakaw na dayun sila nga wala nay laing oras nga gi sayang.

I then found myself alone in a table with Haj.

If he's not here, I'm alone again.

"Ahm miss Setch?"

I averted my glance to him.

"Do you want me to leave?" he asked.

"Huh? No, why?"

"I just thought nga wa pa ka nag padayun ug kaon kay naa ko diris table."

Hapit ko kalimot nga bisaya man diay ni sya. Karun pako ka pansin nga ga storya syag straight bisaya. Ang ga suwat man gud ani murag dili straight mo bisaya. char

"No, it's fine. Sige lang eat well diha. Dont mind me, just let me stare at this beautiful garden." ana rako in a casual way.

Gilibot nako akong panan'aw sa mga bulak sa garden and my attention got fixated to that one yellow flower nga nakita nako.

It's not just a flower.

I immediately walked towards it. Ning squat ko to see it clearly.

Gusto nako mohilak after confirming it's really that flower. The seed I planted the day I turned 18.

"Wow"

Nihangad ko ni Haj. He's looking at the same flower.

I suddenly felt proud of my self. "I planted this" tudlo nakos yellow nga buwak.

Haj looked at me then sa buwak, then sa akoa napud.

"Mesmerizingly beautiful," he uttered while looking at me.