The Correct Way To Drink An Affogato

26

Bossing

Severiano:
I drove Julian to pick up Cali but Cali doesn't wanna go home because Florian would be left alone. But Cali has to go to the Pedia for her vaccine so I promised to go back and stay with him after driving them to the doctor.

Severiano:
He was crying when an hour had passed and you're not there to pick him up then Snow arrived. They didn't let Snow take Florian home even though she showed the text you sent because the only people allowed to do that is the Emergency contact and Snow isn't one. We stayed in the classroom until Teacher Ivy finally gave up and told us to go home with Florian.

Severiano:
I am so sorry, Jeo. I want you to know that I didn't mean to overstep, offend, and doubt you and your parenting capabilities. What happened today doesn't remove the fact that you're a great father.

It was six o'clock in the morning and I'm reading the messages that he sent last night.

Alder Jeo:
No need to apologize, I'm the one who should apologize to you because you are such a nice person to my son even though you shouldn't even care because I hurt you before.

He didn't reply, probably still sleeping.

Pumayag namang umuwi si Florian matapos utuin ni Severiano na ihahatid siya hanggang dito sa condo. Hindi na kami nakapag-usap na dalawa dahil  inasikaso ko pa ang anak ko na hindi ako kinikibo pero sumusunod naman sa akin pag may utos at bilin.

Kinausap din ni Daddy kagabi bago matulog.

Florian woke up crying and calling for me, I saw him all the way from the hallway.

I rushed to his room. "I'm here"

Isang mahigpit na yakap ang nakuha ko mula sa kanya.

He's back to being his usual self. I drove him to school and when I dropped him off at his classroom he kissed my cheeks.

He signalled me to get closer to him.

"Papa, I'm sorry. I know that you're just doing your job and if you don't go to work, we're going to be poor... Lolo Rabbit also told me last night that I'm a big boy na. I can stay in Ninang Connie's house if you have work. I'll just wait, I'm not gonna get mad at you"

"I'm sorry too, I'll keep my promise this time, Okay?"
I kissed his cheek. "Don't worry about Papa's work okay? It's my problem, I should be the only one to think about it. Focus lang sa school para may chicken nuggets ka palagi, am i clear?"

He even saluted.

Nagmadali na siyang pumasok sa classroom niya. Kinausap lang ako saglit ni Teacher Ivy tungkol sa nangyari. Saka nalang ako maglalagay ng emergency contact, full time father naman na ako ngayon.

I walked to the parking lot, I have so much time in my hands.

Pagdating sa pwesto ng pinagparkingan ko, may taong nakasandal sa hood ng sasakyan ko.

He took his sunglasses off. "Hindi mo na ba ak-"

"Mike!" Sigaw ko bago siya dambahin ng yakap.

Tuwang-tuwa ako dahil hindi ko kaagad siya nakilala.

Sinong makakakilala agad sa kanya? Dati uniform ng coffee shop ang palaging suot tapos ngayon naka designer mula ulo hangga paa?

"I thought you're in Dubai!" I lightly shooked him.

He's still lean and tall. His haircut is permed and blonde.

"Oo, umuwi ako dahil may nabalitaan akong naglalaro kayo ng bahay-bahayan ng bossing ko"
Sagot niya na may nakakalokong ngisi.