The Diplomat

Chapter 9

We are eating lunch.

Inulam namin yong niluto ko na beef steak tagalog and infairness they like it. Manipis lang ang hiwa ko ng karne like bite size para hindi mahirapan si Sadie na kumain.

Speaking of Sadie, she's getting better. Parang nagdahilan lang na hindi ako makaalis kaninang umaga.

But for sure uuwi ako today sa hotel baka mawala ang mga gamit ko.

"You can really cook." Mukhang satisfy naman si Kate sa luto ko.

"I didn't lie." I'm a little proud. "Marunong naman ako magluto kahit paano."

"Are you a chef?" Nakatingin na tanong ni Sadie sakin.

Natawa ako sa ka cutean ng bata. "No baby girl. I'm a teacher."

"I'm a teacher." Sabi ko..

"Oh so you are teaching now?" Curios na tanong ni Kate sakin habang hinihiwa ang karne ng kutsilyo.

Ngumiti ako. "I teach in my University now."

"That's interesting." And she looks up and met my eyes. "And what are you teaching?"

Napangiti ako basta ganitong usapan. "Mainly history, humanities and anthropology."

Amazement flashes across Kate's face. "You must be really intelligent Charlotte."

"Nako hindi naman." Sakto lang. "Hobby ko talaga ang magbasa since i was kid."

"My Sadie loves to read too." Pagmamalaki ni Kate sa anak.

At nilingon naman si Sadie na nakatabi sakin. Sobrang clingy, ayaw ng humiwalay sakin. "Really Sadie?"

"My favorite is Fireboat." Sagot ng bata.

"It's an.."

Napatingin ako kay Kate. I think i know that book. "By John J. Harvey?"

Tumango si Kate. "Yes.  Her Mom love to read it to her during bed time."

Bigla tuloy akong na speechless.

"Oh.." I smile awkwardly. "Anyway Kate. I think I'll be leaving after lunch."

Over stay na ako dito, nakakahiya na.

"What?" it's Sadie. "Aalis ka na?"

I think this is hardest part. "Oo sana —"

At bigla nyang binitawan ang hawak na kutsara at tinidor. "No!" Medyo nagulat ako sa reaction ng bata sabay iyak. "Don't go please."

"Hey, don't cry." Malumanay ko na sabi sa bata. "Pwede naman kitang dalawin."

"No." She is still crying.

"You can stay here Charlotte." It's Kate. Sabay kaming na patingin ni Sadie sa kanya. "As long as you want."

"Really?" I'm surprised.

Kasi sa first impression ko kay Kate ay selfish, walang pakialam — inconsiderate.

Uminom si Kate ng wine. "That way you can also save money."

Yes, hindi na ako magbabayad ng hotel room. 50 Euro fin per day — its still huge in peso.

Well sabi nga nila, don't convert para hindi ka mastress sa gastos.

But still a little unsure. "Hindi ba nakakahiya? Baka magalit ang asawa mo?"

Aba syempre ibang tao parin ako.

Si Kate ay titig na titig sa mukha ko. "Don't worry about her, she will be fine."