Her Steps (GS #1)

Chapter 22

"What are you doing here so early?" I asked as soon as I saw Tienn outside our house.

Kasalukuyan siyang nakasakay sa sasakyan niyang ngayon ko lamang nakita. Mukhang bago ito?

"What do you think?" she taps the door of her car.

"Fancy." sabi ko rito. She smirks.

"You bought a new car?" tumango ito sa naging tanong ko.

"Dad saw my grades."

Right, the midterm has already passed. Finals na kaya bugbugan nanaman.

Tienn gestured for me to hop in and so I did.

"I haven't seen your grades." sabi ko rito.

She grabbed her bag from the back and got her iPad. My jaw dropped.

1.00?

1.25?

Iyon lamang ang laman ng portal niya.

"It was actually my first time seeing it. Hindi ko kasi binubuksan ang portal ko since prelims." she chuckled.

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Ha?"

"Reward?" I tilted my head.

Her lips suddenly formed into a smile before looking away.

"What's with the smile?" I chuckled.

"Wala, tara na. Let's talk about that later." sabi nito at pinaandar na ang sasakyan niya.

The day went slow. Dahil katatapos lamang ng midterms ay medyo chill pa ang mga bagay bagay. Starting next week, paniguradong wala nang tulugan.

"Have you seen your fiancé's new car? Damn, tinalo ka 'tol." Kelon even taps Ray's shoulder. I looked away.

Damn, fiancé.

"Krytienn, I went to your house earlier. Maaga ka raw umalis sabi ng Daddy mo." Ray said as soon as we saw Tienn na naglalakad papalabas ng building nila.

"Ahh yeah, I wanted to try the new car. Sorry." Ray just nodded and got her bag.

Gentle ass.

"So hindi kita maihahatid?" Ray asked. Umiling si Tienn.

"I'm good. Ano ka ba?" Tienn giggled.

"Una na ako." paalam ko sa kanila. I even tap Gail's arm.

"Huy, ang aga?" Paula said.

"Coffee shop." nilakasan ko talaga ang pagkakasabi noon. Hoping maybe... she would follow?

And I was right.

"Jhie... gusto mo bang tigilan ko na 'yung sa amin ni Ray? Kakausapin ko si Dad—,"

"Ano ka ba, Tienn?" I stopped cleaning a table but didn't bother looking at her.

Pasado alas diyes na't kasasarado lamang namin ng coffee shop.

"May tamang oras para diyan. Hindi ito ang oras para magrebelde ka sa tatay mo. We both know mainit sa kaniya ngayon ang mga tao kasi nagspread na ang balitang tatakbo siyang Governor." I said. I still refused to look at her.

Alam ko ang pakiramdam nang mawala sa ilalim ng isang ama. Alam kong parehong valid ang rason naming dalawa pero aaminin kong mahirap panindigan iyon. Ayaw kong maranasan niya ang mga pagbabago't paghihirap na naranasan ko gayong hindi pa siya handa.

Nagulat ako nang niyakap niya ako mula sa likuran.

"I'm sorry." bulong nito.

"Alexa! Pack your things and you may go na." hiyaw ko at mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong nagsitayuan ang mga empleyado ni Mommy at nagsilabasan.