He's a Dangerous Man

Chapter Twenty Three - Sorry?

Naalimpungatan ako dahil sa malakas na tunog mula sa cellphone ko. Agad ko iyong kinapa and saw kuya Khalil's name.

"Bunso, how are you?"

Napatingin ako sa tabi ng kama at napansin na wala doon si Devon. Pinatulog ko kasi siya ngayong hapon at pagkatapos ay di ko namalayan na nakatulog na din pala ako sa kama.

I checked the time and saw that it's already 4 pm.

"Okay naman kuya. Kayo dyan sa bahay?"

"We're fine. I just want to check on you dahil wala ka na sa bahay ni Nana Teresa. Hindi ako makampante."

"I'm okay kuya. I'm safe here. But I missed home." I heaved a sigh. "Nag insist pa din pa si Dad about sa marriage?"

Kuya Khalil suddenly went silent for a while. "Actually, I want to tell you something. Bunso..."

Sir, the investors are already settled in the conference room.

I heard a female voice on the line. She's Francine, kuya Khalil's secretary.

I'll be there.

"Bunso, I need to hang up. I'll talk to you next time. Bye. I love you and take care," he said. As much as I want to know kung ano ang sasabihin niya, hindi ko na lamang siya kinulit dahil alam ko kung gaano siya kabusy.

"Bye kuya. I love you too." I said and we both hung up.

I fixed myself and went out of Devon's room. Maybe he's playing with Rose downstairs.

"Leigh" I was surprised when someone called my name as soon as I opened the room's door. It was Damon. Nakasandal ito sa pader malapit sa pintuan ng kwarto ni Devon. Tumayo ito ng tuwid at agad na inilagay ang dalawang kamay sa loob ng bulsa ng kanyang pantalon.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko dahil pasado alas kwatro pa lamang ng hapon pero nasa bahay na agad si Damon.

"What are you doing here?" Hindi napigilang tanong ko.

"The last time I remember, this is my house." He said, stating a matter of fact. Halos mapahampas ako sa aking noo dahil sa tanong na iyon.

I cleared my throat and looked at him.

"I know, what I mean is, why are you here early? Wala ka na bang trabaho?"

"I own the company so I can do what I want."

"Yeah right, then excuse me," paalam ko at akma ko na sana syang lalampasan nang bigla nitong humarang sa dadaanan ko.

I walked on the right side at agad din niyang iniharang ang katawan. I quickly moved to the left at sumunod naman siya na tila nakikipagpatintero sa akin. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin ngunit bored lamang siyang tumingin sa akin. Naulit pa ng ilang beses ang pagharang niya sa dadaanan ko bago ako sumuko.

"What do you want?" Lumayo ako ng kaunti sa kanya and I crossed my arms.

"I..I'm sorry." Mahinang wika nito at umiwas ng tingin habang nakahawak sa kanyang batok.

Pinigilan ko ang mapangiti dahil sa napansin kong namumula ang tenga niya.

"What? I can't hear you," Wika ko.

"I said –" bahagyang napalakas ang boses ni Damon kaya tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. He's being irritated again.

"I'm sorry, I said I'm sorry." ulit niya sa malumanay na boses.

"For what?"

"For...what I said yesterday. I didn't mean it. It was just a sudden outburst. I don't know what's gotten into me. Can you forgive me now?"

Tiningnan ko siya ng matagal. My mind is telling me not to give in easily. Hindi naman ako nagtatanim ng sama ng loob. Sa totoo lang ay lumipas na din sa akin ang nangyari, kaya lang, ay tila gusto ko pa siyang pagtripan.

"You think I'll forgive you that easily? So kapag gusto mong magalit, magagalit ka na lang bigla ng walang dahilan?"

"You were talking to a man! And you said I love you to him!"

"So what? Am I not allowed to say "I love you" to opposite sex"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"What if he is? Are you going to get mad at me again?"

"What the?"

Nakita ko ang bahagyang pag igting ng kanyang panga at pagkuyom ng kanyang kamao. I heard him sighed heavily. 'Fuck, I'll kill that bastard whoever he is' he murmured something pero hindi ko naintindihan.

"Look, I am sorry, okay? I'll never do that again."

"Mommy Leigh, are you and dad fighting?"

Nanalaki ang mata ko at napatingin sa bandang likuran ni Damon and I saw Devon.

I glared at Damon at agad na lumapit kay Devon. Umupo ako sa kanyang harapan and I held his small hands.

"Devon, this is an adult's problem, okay?"

"But Mommy, fighting is bad right?"

I looked at Damon trying to ask for his help but he suddenly averted my gaze. 'This man'

Binalik ko ang tingin kay Devon and he's still looking at me, waiting for my answer.

"Your dad and I had some misunderstandings. but we are not fighting."

"I heard Dad asking you to forgive him. can you forgive him Mommy?" I sighed deeply. indi ko talaga matiis ang batang ito.

"Yes, I forgive him."

"Really Mommy? You're not mad at him na?"

"Yes, I am not mad at him."

'Promise?"

"Promise,"

Nagulat ako nang bigla itong tumakbo palapit kay Devon.

"Dad! I helped you with mommy, now you should buy me new LEGO toys" narinig kong sabi ni Devon at napamaang ako.

"I'll buy you all the latest sets." Damon said and ruffled Devon's hair. "Yehey!" Lumingon sa akin si Devon.

"Mommy, sorry. But I don't want you and Daddy fighting so I helped him. I'll go down again." He said at patakbong lumayo sa amin.

I was stunned for a while and glared at Damon when I realized what happened.

"You tricked me!"

His lips curled up and walked towards me. "I just used my Ace card, baby" bulong nito at naglakad na palayo.

"That guy." Gigil kong wika at tiningnan ang papalayong pigura ni Damon.