After That Night

Kabanata 5

Court

"Congrats Devlin, hija," I was greeted by Tita Alma and Tito Philip, parents ni Third.

Nakapwesto sila malapit sa stage kaya pagbaba ko ay nakita nila ako. I smiled at them, on the other hand Third only stuck his tongue at me na ginaya ko naman siya.

"Isip bata," i murmured at him, pinanlakihan niya lang ako ng mata at tumawa.

Sa hindi kalayuan before i could reach my seat i saw Nicole with Asher. Mayroon ng maliit na bump ang tiyan nito.

"Dev." she called.

"I hope we can still fix this, magkakababy na kami– and i dont want having a bad blood with anyone, especially you." she was holding her bump.

This feels unfair na para bang matapos nila akong lokohin okay na ulit ang lahat, na parang wala lang yon? Na dapat patawarin ko agad sila so they wouldn't be living in guilt?

Kung hindi lang siya buntis baka tinarayan ko sila, pero hindi naman ako ganon kasama.

"Let's just be casual,"

Ngumiti siya ng mahinhin, while Asher is supporting her back. It was a sign for me to leave.

"Anak..I'm so happy for you!"

As i approached near mom and dad nakikita kong nakahawak sa tissue si mommy, crying. Tapos ang dad naman ay seryoso lang na nakatingin sakin. I saw a hint of a smile on his face that made me emotional. He was always serious kaya naman minsan iniisip ko na nagsisisi siyang ako ang anak, dahil puro problema lang ang ginagawa ko.

"Thank you mom and.. dad, it was all for the both of you." Niyakap ko silang dalawa.

"We prepared something for you.."

"What is it?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

Dad gave me a brown envelope kaya binuksan ko agad to see what's inside. It was a letter kinuha ko ito at binasa.

"This is to certify that I, Solomon Bellisima, is giving the full ownership of Bellisima Mansion to Devlin Bellisima–" I was not able to finish reading the letter and immediately cried in my Father's arms.

"Dad! This is too much, thank you for trusting me." I bawled.

"It will never be too much when it comes to you, Devlin"

I realized then na ako lang ang nag iisip na hindi ako importante sa kanila. They are working so hard to give me everything yet I'm always being a nuisance to them. Palaging pag papasaway ang ginagawa ko.

When we arrived home, a feast was prepared for me. Invited are one of our closest friends, including Third's family.

It was a long dining table for us. Nakaupo ako sa gilid ng dad at sa kabilang side ang mom. On my side is Third and his parents, Tito Philip and tita Alma.

"Please excuse me.. Andito na ang isa kong inimbitahan," umalis ang dad sandali para sunduin ang bisita niya pa bago magsimula ang dinner.

"Zade! Ikaw pala hijo,"

"Sorry for being late.. marami pong tinapos sa kompanya," Tinignan ko si Zade in his tuxedo.

Galing work bakit parang hindi naman siya nahaggard? Bakit ang pogi parin? Kainis!

Nagkatinginan kami and i eventually looked away. Iginaya na siya ni mom to seat besides her since walang nakaupo roon.

"Thank you for inviting me po." He said.

"Philip and Alma, this is Zade, our most trusted partner when it comes to business! Napaka hands on ng batang yan sa murang edad, andami ng naabot." papuri ng ama ko.

Tipid na ngumiti ang lalaki to give respect to dad's introduction of him.

"Nako! Sana at maging kagaya mo si Third, ngayon ang pinagkakabusyhan ng isang to ay puro sports at babae!" Tita Alma exclaimed.

"Mom naman, si Devlin lang ang babae ko" He joked.

Nagtawanan ang mga matatanda sa hapag kasama na si Third. Hindi ako sumagot at nanatiling nakatingin sa plato.. At kay Zade.

"Hindi ka nga ata type ni Devlin! Napakabagal mo anak." The room was filled with laughter. Inaasar kaming dalawa ni Third at ramdam ko naman ang matang nakatitig sa akin sa harapan.

"Dev, bakit nga ba hindi mo na lang sagutin si Third? Ilang beses mo na yang binasted noong high school kayo." Mom interrogated "Baka naman may boyfriend ka na kaya ganoon?" she continued.

"Mom, I want to focus on my career." To make them stop from questioning me.

Third is actually a great guy, pogi rin naman ito at mabait ang mga magulang. Pero I just don't see myself with him. He is better being my friend and doesn't wanna risk ruining our friendship.

"Excuse me po," tumayo ako sa hapag para pumunta sa powder room ng bahay, it's a  bit suffocating when you're the topic kaya i wanted to freshen up. After putting my lipbalm and powder lumabas ako at nakita na nakasandal doon si Zade.

He followed me here?

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

Was he referring to Third? Of course not!

"You mean Third?" tanong ko

Tango lang ang sinagot sakin ni Zade, i laughed a bit to make the situation light.

"No! of course not."

"He likes you then," he exclaimed.

"That was a long time ago, mga bata pa kami non. I doubt he still have feelings for me all he do is joke around about it." pagpapaliwanag ko.

Malabong magkagusto sakin so Third! Papalit palit yan ng girlfriend noong college kami and after i rejected him 3 times noong high school hindi na ulit ito nagpahayag ng damdamin. Kaya im confident that he only see me as a friend.

"I will court you, Dev." He bluntly said.

"Wha-'

Before i could even answer mayroong kasambahay na pumunta sa kung nasaan kami, hinahanap na raw kami sa table. Tumalikod na sakin si Zade at pumunta sa lamesa.

at hindi ko na naituloy pa ang sasabihin.