Fatima Riarte only had one cardinal rule. And it's to never fall in love with her friend, Rigo Riorson.
Despite the meaningful glances and the silent pleas of the heart, their relationship never materialized.
Not until that one night.
But when a mis...
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Chapter 8
Little Baby Clothes
Napamura si Rigo nang dumulas ang drawing tablet niya mula sa pagkakatayo nito sa desk niya. “Putangina.” He was already rushing to finish this project that’s due tomorrow and little stuff like this rattles him more than it should.
Napalingon sa kanya si Abe na nagbabasa ng nakabuklat nitong libro na halos kasing kapal na ng pagmumukha niya. May nakadikit din na sticky tabs sa braso nito. Habang si Jachin naman na nakahiga sa kama niya ay parang walang narinig. Busy lang maglaro sa cellphone niya palibhasa tapos na sa project na ‘to.
Napag-usapan nilang tumambay muna sa bahay ni Rigo dahil may kailangan itong gawin, at si Abe naman kailangan ding mag-aral. But they want to come mainly because Rigo’s mom always cooks lunch for them, at kadalasan marami ito kaya palagi silang busog.
“Bakit ba kasi na-late ka sa paggawa?” Jachin asked, his eyes still glued to the screen.
“Ginabi na nga ako sa talyer kagabi,” Rigo puffed out a sigh and wiped the sweat coming off from his hand. “Dami rin kasing trabaho. Tapos dalawang kasama ni Papa ‘yong absent dahil may sakit. Kaya nag SOS din siya kagabi.”
“‘Di nagalit si Tito?”
Umiling si Rigo. “‘Di naman niya alam na late ako magpapasa.”
“Kasi magagalit ‘yon ‘pag nalaman niya,” Jachin chuckled a little. “Bakit ba kasi nagduduty ka na ulit? Tapusin mo muna hanggang June. Pagkatapos ng graduation.”
“Nag-iipon lang. At tsaka ‘pag graduate baka mas lalong wala na akong oras. Magbo-boards na tayo.”
From the corner of his eye, Rigo saw that Jachin nodded in understanding. They both knew they needed to focus when that time comes. No distractions. So Rigo was taking advantage of what little time he had to work for the time being.
“Nag-iipon para saan? Are you buying a new car?” Abe asked, flipping the pages of his book. Akala mo seryoso itong nag-aaral, pero nakikinig pa rin pala sa kanila ni Jachin.
Rigo chewed his bottom lip and swivelled his chair to face both of them. Lumipat ang tingin ni Jachin at Abe sa kanya. “Hindi para sa bagong sasakyan.”
Napabangon si Jachin. “Then para saan? Para kang maiihi sa kaba.”
Rigo had been thinking of this for weeks now. Ayaw niya rin namang ipaalam sa iba hangga’t hindi siya sigurado na kaya niyang gawin. “I want to help Fatima.”
The two froze from whatever they were doing. Jachin’s mouth went agape, but he was the first one to speak. “Tulungan saan?”
“With her finances.” Rigo cleared his throat. He knew they would react this way, mainly because they wouldn’t really expect it from him, but also because it’s a huge thing. Rigo wasn’t rich, he just had enough to get by. Noong nagkatrabaho siya saglit, most of the money had to go to his parents, and some for him. “Pagkatapos niya, hindi na rin siya pwedeng mag stay sa dorm niya. So hahanap siya ng matutuluyan. And she can only rent for the time being.”
