Hussein De Russo's Chattels

Chapter Fourteen

Kaori

Habang nakaupo ay panay ang lingon ko sa likod. He said he'll be home before my graduation, damn it! Bakit ngayong graduation ko na wala pa rin?!

"Kanina ka pa lingon ng lingon, Kaori. Baka mapagalitan ka," sita ng katabi ko.

"Sorry."

Umayos ako ng upo at nag-focus nalang sa harap. The program continued but my mind wasn't cooperating. Lumingon-lingon ako sa likod nagbabakasakaling dumating na siya. But he was never there. Nang mag-awarding na ay nawalan na talaga ako ng pag-asa sa kaniya.

"Norhaya, Kaori Hijazi. Magna Cum Laude."

Kasunod ko sa paglalakad ang mommy at daddy. Malawak ang ngiti ko pero hilaw 'yon. Why isn't he here yet?

I was standing at the center with mom and dad on my side for picture taking. After a couple of shots, someone cleared its throat behind me.

"Sorry. I forgot to buy flowers so I had to go back."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa likod. His blood shot eyes is staring at me.

"We'll go down first, anak," paalam ni mommy na tinanguan naman ni daddy.

We were left at the center, in fron of the crowd. He then held my waist and moved next to me.

"Smile, my love."

Nag-init ang bawat sulok ng mga mata ko. Tumingin ako sa harap at ngumiti. Sa pagbaba ay akay-akay niya ako. Sinalubong naman kami ni mommy at daddy na naghihintay pala sa baba.

"It's nice to finally meet you, young man," mom started.

"It's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Norhaya."

"Mom, dad, this is Hussein, my boyfriend," pormal na pakilala ko.

I felt his hands locked on mine. Malamig iyon at mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko. His eyes were cold but hiding behind those cold eyes is the scared Hussein.

"You're aware of my daughter's future, right, Hussein?" dad strictly asked.

I stilled. Hussein isn't.

"Dad, let's just wait for this event to finish," mariing ani ko.

Mom held dad's hand. Alam ni mommy na hindi ko pa sinasabi kay Hussein, he's giving dad a signal.

Pagdating ng gabi ay natagpuan ko nalang ang sarili na nakaupo sa harap ni mommy at daddy. Hussein is in the kitchen, cooking dinner for us. His back looked sexy and hot as hell. Ayos na ayos pa ang buhok nito na naka-gel. Panay rin ang lingon nito sa 'kin na parang sa isang iglap ay mawawala ako.

"Hindi ko pa sinasabi kay Hussein, dad. Ano ba 'yan," nayayamot kong sabi.

"What's your plan with him? You know you cannot keep him, Kaori."

"I know, dad. Ako na ang bahala sa kaniya."

Nagulat ako sa niluto ni Hussein. Pagkain na ginagamitan ng chopsticks. Kailan pa siya natutong magluto ng ganito?

"Wow. You know how to cook," dad praised him.

Hussein sat next to me. His hand made its on my legs. Na kay dad ang atensyon niya pero minamasahe naman nito ang hita ko. Paminsan-minsan ay pinipisil kapag sinasagot si dad sa tanong nito. I looked flushed because of how his huge hand caress my thigh.

"You know how to use chopsticks?" I casually asked.

"Hm." Hussein handed me a sushi using his chopsticks. "I practiced in Italy."

"Wow. Marunong ka agad?" agap ko.

"I broke hundreds of them. The first one broke when I touched it. The second one broke when I tried using it. The third chopstick flew all the way to my chandelier when I accidentally misused it. The rest is history," he explained.