TWO EACH HIS OWN

7: MISTAKEN IDENTITY

GAYLE

Grace was busy preparing herself nang pumasok ako sa kanyang kwarto to check on her. Lumapit ako sa kanya at tumayo sa kanyang likod habang nakatingin sa salamin kung saan naglalagay ng konting palamuti si Grace sa kanyang mata.

"Ang ganda naman ng baby sister ko."

"Are you sure ayaw mong sumama, Ate? Pwede nating iwan si Gazelle kina Lyn muna."

Two days ago, pumunta si Louie sa aming bahay to formally invite Grace to the party today, and he also gladly extended his invitation to me.

But I refused to accept it for some reasons. First, I still don't feel comfortable around him. Hanggang ngayon, I still think na sya ang lalaking nakilala ko sa club at ama ni Gazelle. At hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako sigurado doon. Ayaw ko rin naman sabihin kay Grace kasi hindi naman ako sigurado.

Second, I don't want to steal the spotlight from my sister. Alam kong espesyal na araw ito sa kanya because Louie said he wanted to introduce her to his family.

Third, I don't want to leave Gazelle rin. I wanted to spend time with my daughter lalo na at weekend.

"Nah, I will stay here. I don't want to leave Gazelle na wala ang isa sa atin."

"Nini-nerbyos ako, ate. Sa totoo lang. What if hindi ako magugustuhan ng family ni Louie?"

"Well, at least malalaman mo na ng mas maaga, di ba?"

"Kung sabagay."

"You really like him, don't you?"

"To tell you honestly ate, if things will work out fine tonight, baka I will give him chance."

My heart skipped a beat ... bigla akong kinabahan.

What if sya nga ang ama ni Gazelle?

"Hmmm, don't you think it's too early pa? dapat mas kilalanin mo muna sya."

"Hindi ko pa naman sasagutin, ate. I will just give him a chance. Papayagan ko syang manligaw sa akin. Pero syempre, kelangan ko pa syang kilalanin."

I put my hands on her shoulders and softly squeezed them. "Tamang attitude." I smiled at her.

"Of course, ikaw ang nagpalaki sa akin eh."

"But I wasn't a perfect example to you then," I said softly.

"Yes, but you were a perfect teacher for me to learn a lesson naman. That is more important."

I hugged her on her back. Tumayo rin sya para yakapin din ako.

The doorbell rang.

"I guess that's Louie."

"Enjoy the night. Wag kalimutan to update me ha, and if something bad happens, na wala naman sana, call me right away."

"Sure, ate. The lab you."

I walked Grace out of her room at bumaba kami. Pinapasok na ni Lyn si Louie sa loob ng bahay naming and when I saw him again, looking so dashing in his suit, parang kumbinsido ako na malai ang akala ko.

The guy I met at the bar looked rugged at may pagka bad boy... I don't think it's Louie.

"Good evening po, Ms. Gayle."

"Good evening din sayo, Louie."

"It would be fun if you could join us. I'm pretty sure my parents would love to have you there too."

"Nah, that's ok. I don't want to leave Gazelle with the nanny ngayong weekend."

As I mentioned my daugther's name, bigla naman itong bumaba galing ng room naming at kagigising lang nya from her nap. Napagod yata sa kalalaro.