Hiding His Daughter

CHAPTER 30

"Okay, here goes nothing. Thanks for coming, love. It really means a lot." Jaiden take a deep breath. This is his first-day of work sa coffee shop. Hindi ko alam bakit hindi siya mag trabaho sa kompanya ng Mommy niya, pero ayaw ko naman paki alaman desisyon niya kaya susuportahan ko na lang.

He’s good when it comes to coffee. We also talked about how he really wants to focus on coffee and not their company.

“Of course, love! I’m so proud of you. You got this. Just remember everything you practiced. You’ll do great,” I said. “Are you nervous?” I asked.

He nodded. “I am. It’s just… a lot different from what I’m used to.”

“I know. Pero masaya ako na ginagawa mo ‘to. Mas passionate ka naman talaga sa kape kaysa sa business ng Mommy mo, right? Whatever your decision is, I will support you.”

A small smile played on his lips. “Yeah. This feels… right, you know? Like, it’s actually my thing. Not something I’m expected to do.”

I squeezed his hand. “That’s what matters. Sundin mo lang ang puso mo. At alam ko na magiging successful ka rito.”

He leaned down, his lips brushing my forehead in a tender kiss. "Thanks, love. You're the best, and to my baby Jaiena," he murmured, his hand gently caressing my belly.

"Jaiena?" He nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I like to name her or him Jaiena, can I?"

I nodded, a warmth spreading through me.  The name, whispered between us, felt perfect, a tiny promise of the future. A smile bloomed on my face, reflecting the joy in his eyes.

I handed him the container of food I'd prepared. "Sige na, pumasok ka na. Message me later, okay?" I said, my voice soft.

He kissed me on the lips again, then left.

I just waited for a taxi, because I still don’t know how to drive and haven’t used my car yet.

Lumaki ang ngiti ko nang makita ko ang mga dating kaklase ko.

"Hoy! Guys, namiss ko kayo!" sigaw ko para makuha ang atensyon nila.

Plano naming lumabas ngayon dahil matagal-tagal pa ang pasokan.

Tumakbo sila papalapit sa akin at niyakap ako.

Sumipol si Jian. “Tumaba ka at blooming, Eliana!” saad niya at mahigpit akong niyakap. Pinalo ko siya ng mahina.

Niyakap ko rin sila isa-isa.

“Kamusta kayo? Grabe, isang buwan din tayong hindi nagkita-kita.” saad ko.

Sumibangot si Alonzo. “Ikaw lang naman laging wala sa gala, hindi ka nga nag siseen sa gc… Makikita na lang namin my day mo kasama mo si Jaiden.” saad niya. Tumawa ako.

Hindi ako active sa mga social media, active lang kung may upload ako.

Pinisil ni Maella ang pisngi ko. "Iba talaga kapag nasa tamang tao, tumataba." saad niya.

Inirapan ko siya. "Akala mo talaga, hoy! Pati ikaw tumataba." balik ko. Tumawa naman siya.

Napag desisyonan na lang naming kumain sa resto nila Benjie.

Maganda ang resto nila simple lang at maaliwanas.

Seafoods at kung ano-ano pa ang mga pagkain nila dito.

Kumurap-kurap ako dahil hindi ko alam kung namamalikmata lang ba ako. Kinindatan ako ng alimango.

Ang aliw ko ay napalitan ng pag-aalala.  I mean, isang alimgangong kumindat? Hindi naman 'yon normal. Pero kumindat ulit siya, kumpirmado na ang nakita ko. Sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko na napigilan ang tawa ko. Parang surreal, nakakatawa, at hindi inaasahan.