I love you, hang ups and all.

THIRTY-TWO

>> GUN POV >>

I was feeling better the following day thanks to Papi's TLC. I'm now the one worrying as I havent seen him eat the entire day yesterday. Apart from having coffee, I didn't think he had anything else.

I've just woken up from my afternoon nap when Mae barged in the pad. She looks rather irritated. It seems that Papi was waiting for her as he had her drink ready.

"Jumpol, why didn't you tell me about this issue beforehand?" she scolded as soon as she finished the entire glass.

"It just happened lsst Friday, Mae." he sounded tired.

"Ah, ah. You should've known better especially since they even dared to accuse Gun, our little Gun, of cheating. If I've known I brought our lawyer there." she was really not pleased.

"Mae, I think Gun already told you about it last night." Papi sighed. "Also, can you keep your voice down. Gun is still resting."

"If you had just given me aheads up, I'd have prepared better." she rattled on.

I decided to get up and joined them. I just hoped she would stop badgering her own son.

"Good afternoon, Mae." I greeted.

"Oh, our poor Gun. How could anyone think ill of you." she said as she gave me a hug.

"I'm fine, Mae. Papi was there to help me out." I said.

"How are you feeling? Do you still have fever? Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Would you rather go home with me?"

"Mae, Mae, I don't think he can answer all of your questions." Papi cut her off.

"I'm feeling much better. No more fever. No discomfort. No, I'm alright here with Papi." I said trying to answer all her questions.

"See, Jumpol, Gun is much more smarter than you are." Mae bragged.

"Sorry for not being smart enough." Papi said sarcastically.

"Enough about that. Why don't you two prepare so that we can have dnner out. I'm sure you're both bored here." Mae said.

"Alright the restaurant selling rice porridge is currently closed today. The next one is quite far." Papi pointed out.

"Right. They are indeed closed on Tuesdays." Mae recalled. "Then what did you feed Gun for today?"

"I ordered online. It just takes longer." Papi said.

"Then start ordering." she said.

Over dinner, Mae boasted how she crushed my science teacher. Safe to say, he won't be bothering me or New again. Though he was able to keep his job, Mae got the Director's cooperation that no such foolishness would happen again. She still went home not before leaving some so-called reminders for Papi. I guess that's one less worry for me.

Who said that things would be so smooth sailing? I must be wishing too much. On our way to school, I saw P'Pak waiting by the gate. Papi was rather protective as he made me walk behind him.

We tried to walk past him but he stopped us by grabbing my wrist.

"I won't make the wrong move if I were you." He threatened Papi, who tried to look around.

Not so far from us were at least 5 uniformed men.

"What do you want?" Papi said through gritted teeth.

"I just want to talk to MY Gun privately." P'Pak said.

"Nice try but I'm not going to leave you two alone." Papi threatened.