□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Author's Note:
Hi there, this is my first time writing a story so please, if you got any suggestion to help me improve—comment it here because I'll appreciate it <3
□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
Marcela's Point of View:
"Dad, how was your trip?" Nilapag ko ang mug sa harap niya at tinabihan siya sa mesa. I like to prepare him coffee — my way of expressing love and gratitude.
"It was quite....boring." Natawa kami parehas sa sinabi niya. It was a business trip in Europe for 2 weeks. He had to go to arrange an issue and to close a deal with another investor.
"I should've come to 'glitz' the whole trip." Over the meal, we just talked about his trip and what I did while he's gone.
"Your school is starting next week? Do you want to shop for your things? We could go after work." I nod excitedly and hug him
I'm glad that he still makes time for me even though he is needed at the office.
"I'll go ahead, see you later." I waved goodbye as he get in the car. Muntik ko na malimutan na mag-pasukan na next week. Hindi ko pa nasasabi na nag-avail ako ng dormitory sa university—hindi ko alam paano sasabihin kay Dad without him getting mad or sad about it.
<Nanay Leona>
Salamat Marcela sa pinadala mo. Napakabuti mo at ni Don Marco.
Napangiti nalang ako pagka-basa ng text mula kay Nanay Leona. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya. Maraming beses na namin sila tinulungan pero pakiramdam ko ay hindi sapat ang lahat ng binigay namin sa ginawa nila para sa akin. Kaya ganito ko nalang sila pahalagahan.
Pagbalik ko sa loob ng bahay, busy ang mga katulong sa pag-lilinis ng bahay. Kailangan na pulido ang paglilinis dahil sa allergy ni Dad, kaya ganito na lamang sila kaabala araw-araw.
"Mga Ate at Kuya, miryenda nyo po pagkatapos ng gawain." Nilapag ko ang simpleng miryende na naihanda ko para sa kanila. Dahil sa marami akong na-bake na pastries nung linggo, ayun na rin ang hinain ko sa kanila kasama ng juice.
"Hayy, napaka buti mo po talaga Señorita Marcela." Ika ni Ate Hanna at nagpunas ng pawis dahil katatapos lang nito mag-vacuum ng sahig at carpet. Ka-edad ko lang si Hanna pero kailangan niya raw mag-trabaho dahil may sakit ang kapatid nito.
"Wala 'yon Ate, kamusta na pala si Harren?" Pangangamusta ko sa kapatid niyang may sakit. Nagsimula na rin mag-meryenda ng ibang katulong dito sa bahay, lahat sila ay malapit sa akin lalo na at lagi ako at sila lang ang naiiwan dito sa bahay simula noong bata pa ako.
"Nako Señorita, naka-labas na po siya at nagpapagaling...salamat po sa tulong ninyo na mabayaran ang bill niya sa hospital." Naiiyak pa nito sabi habang nginunguya ang cookies na ginawa ko.
"Nako, tama na 'yan Hanna. At baka lumuha din si Señorita kapag nakita 'yan tumulo." Biro ni Manang Rosa, matagal na rin 'tong nagtatrabaho dito sa mansion.
"Mabuti naman po kung ganon na okay na si Harren." Tumagal din ang naging kwentuhan ko sa mga kasam-bahay. Sa dami nila dito, hindi maubos-ubos ang nakaka-usap ko. Nang tignan ko ang oras ay napag-desisyonan ko na mag-ayos na para mamaya.
"Sige, mauna na ako." Paalam ko at umakyat na sa kwarto. Inayos ko sa couch ang damit na napili ko para mamaya, simple lang—powder blue shirt, cream skirt, white heels and saddle bag that completes my outfit. Nilagay ko na rin ang necessities ko na sanitizer, perfume, phone, make-up at wallet.
After I make sure na okay na ang gamit ko, naligo at nag-ayos na rin ako. I'm so excited sa bonding namin ni Dad mamaya, although this is not the first time—still I feel excited.
Around 4:10 pm na rin ako nakarating sa company, agad ako in-assist ng staff sa lobby. I messaged Dad na nasa baba na ako and tinanong kung tapos na siya. Minutes later, tumunog yung main elevator — elevator for executives ng building which the company provided just in case my urgent matter at di sila ma-delay. Altho, employees see it as motivation because as they say 'someday, magagamit ko ang elevator na 'yan'.
"Hey, sweety. Shall we?" He said as he offers his arm to me. If people doesn't know that we're related, they might assume na boyfriend or asawa ko si Dad. His looks is incredible, still look young no matter how old he gets.
After almost an hour, nakarating din kami sa mall. Natagalan dahil traffic sa highway pero at least we still got here safe. Unang bumaba si Dad at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I sware, if I ever date somebody—please God, let him be like my father.
"Can I get a size S of these? Thank you." I said and gave the clothes I picked. Marami rin nag-assist sa akin habang si Dad naman ay naka-upo sa couch as he waits for me. Ilan pieces din ang napili ko bago lumipat sa ibang store. Sa dami ng paperbags na dala ko, I had to request for a push-cart to easily bring them around the mall.
Nagpunta rin kami sa luxury stores to get some bags and accessories. After all the walking, fitting and buying, nag-decide kami to have the dinner sa favorite restaurant ni Dad. Since the restaurant is not in the mall, we have to drive for few minutes to get there.
"Did you had fun, Marcela?" In the middle of our conversation, he suddenly asked. I smiled and nod, I always have fun sa mga bonding namin. I really appreciate him rescheduling his work to spend time with me.
I know well enough na when your parent has business, they tend to focus on it and just on it. I have friends back in highschool who complains and have unpleasant relationship with their parents. I'm glad that I have this kind of relationship with my Dad. Would I have this relationship with Mom?
"Thank you for today, Dad." I said after the waiter left us to get our meals. We're at the restaurant and it's around 9:00 pm, a little late for dinner.
"You're welcome, sweety. Also, did you pack your stuff already?" He said and laugh when he saw my surprised face. How did he know?
"Howw?" I asked
"I'm an investor there, sweety. Of course, I know." He said casually, I totally forgot that he is. Anyway, it has nothing to do with how I got in. It is a prestigious university in the country and it is international hence has a high standard sa students na kinukuha nila.
"I haven't, I'm still hesitating because I feel like you're gonna feel down if I go?" I said and hoping he doesn't feel down at all.
"You know that I'm always here to support you, Marcela. Always! Even it means you have to leave home—temporarily—for college to pursue your dreams." He said sincerely.
Pagkarating ng pagkain, nag-start na kami kumain. The bodyguards are at another table near us, also having their meal while still looking after us. The meal here is fantastic, no wonder this restaurant is my parents' favorite go-to. Nice seaside view and the place ambiance is calming and yet sophisticated.
After our meal, umuwi na kami sa bahay. It was a fun and tiring day. Bago ako umakyat, I hugged and thank-ed Dad for today's bonding. Pag-akyat ay dumiretso ako sa banyo para maligo at mag-pahinga na. Bukas din ay kailangan ko na mag-impake at ilipat ang ibang gamit ko sa dormitory.
*BAMMMM* *INGGGGG*
*BOOOOOOOMMM*
"MOM!" Napabalikwas ako ng gising dahil sa napaginipan ko. I can't bear to hear that sound and relive that situation in my life. Regardless of how old I was, I can't forget it. I reached the glass of water at bumalik sa pagtulog. Please, no more pain.
