Run, Princess! Run!

24km

Katatapos ko lang magshower at lumabas na ako sa locker room ng makasalubong ko si Kate.

"Cess, may naghahanap sayo sa labas."

Tumango ako at tinungo ang labas ng gym.

Nadatnan ko si Manong driver.

"Manong! Ano pong ginagawa niyo dito?"

"Iniimbitahan ka ni Ma'am Selina na maghapunan sa mansyon. Andito ako para sunduin ka."

Hindi ko alam kung pinaglalaruan ba ako ng tadhana. I am trying to divert my attention to other things. I know that ever since Subic escapade, I fell a little deeper. My feelings got stronger and that's bad news for me.

Ang hirap. Umiiwas na ako eh kasi ako ang magiging kawawa pagnagkataon pero sa ganitong sitwasyon, wala akong takas.

Kahit na connected sila sa kanya, I just can't ignore them 'cause I already consider them as a family.

"Sige Manong, kunin ko lang po yung gamit ko sa loob."

Madilim na kami nakarating sa bahay nila. Ang traffic naman kasi.

Dumiretso nalang daw ako sa dining sabi ni Manong.

Nadatnan ko sila hapag kainan. Bumati ako kay Auntie at yumakap sa mga bata. Tumabi ako kay Emmy. Si Eden ang katapat nito tapos si Auntie ang nasa dulo.

Wala siya?

"Yehey ayan na ang food!" masiglang saad ni Emmy.

I raised my head and my eyes landed on the girl who's wearing an apron that really suits her. And I felt like time slows down as she walk with a tray in her hands.

Then I thought, what kind of wife she'll be in the future.

I was back in reality when Emmy spoke "Brace yourself Ate Cess. Mapapalaban ka dito because Ate is the best cook ever!!" and she dig in.

I know.

That guy is so damn lucky.

Nagmumuni muni ako dito sa garden ng tumunog ang phone ko.

"Yes hello?"

"What time are you gonna be home?" it's Kate.

"Maya maya lang uuwi na rin ako."

"Okay, just checking up on you."

"I know, so see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah see you, good night!"

Medyo close na rin kami ni Kate kaya hindi na bago sakin 'to. She's like our Ate. Maalalahanin siya, mabait, madaldal at magaling makisama. The Scary Kate was just a front, I guess.

"Who is that?" it was her just a few meters away from me.

"It's Kate. She's asking when will I be home."

And her famous brow is up again "Diba she's your new coach?"

"Ah yeah. You don't remember her? She was the one I am with when we were gone to the beach last year."

"Oh that was her."

"Yeah . . . so um where are the kids?"

"Upstairs. Doing their homework."

"Is that so? Um puntahan ko lang
sila para magpaalam. Kelangan ko ng umuwi eh."

"Sure. I'll ask Manong to drive you home." but before she can turn her back I spoke.

"Thank you for the dinner though I didn't know what's the ocassion. You are really good in cooking."

"There's no special ocassion. I just feel like cooking for them and thank you too . . . for coming."