Man in the Rain

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The Past: The Ride

I forgot to tell you to wear jeans.

I couldn't help but frown upon reading Luke's text message. Bakit kailangan kong magpantalon?

Today's Saturday at ngayon hanggang bukas ay makakasama ko si Luke. We would go somewhere. Hindi ko alam kung saan because Luke wouldn't tell me. Sabi niya it's a surprise daw.

This was the weekend I mentioned to Laura and Celine. Luke and I pushed through this weekend getaway kahit na hindi ko na ginamit na excuse ang mga kaibigan ko. I just went straight to Dad at nagpaalam na aalis ako.

I told him that I need to unwind because school was so toxic and I also told him na I was going alone.

He was adamant at first. He was not comfortable na mag-isa lang akong aalis but after a little persuasion and a hell lot of begging ay pinayagan din niya. He just made me promise na mag-iingat ako, I would stay out of trouble and I would update him about my whereabouts and activities.

I couldn't deny that I was really excited. Halos hindi na nga ako nakatulog kagabi. At kanina ay sobrang aga kong nagising. Ang usapan namin, eight o'clock in the morning ay nasa condo na niya ako. Hindi niya ako pwede sunduin dito because I have to bring my car with me pag-alis ko. Magtataka kasi si Dad kapag umalis ako na walang dalang sasakyan.

But because I was so excited, ala-sais pa lang ng umaga ay handa na ako para umalis. I was all prep. Kagabi pa lang ay pinag-isipan ko na ng mabuti kung ano ang isusuot ko. I chose a navy blue, off-shoulder and above the knee lenght dress. I partnered it with a white strappy sandals.

Kanina, pinaglaanan ko ng oras ang pag-braid ng buhok ko at pag-apply ng light make-up to complete my look. Pinaghandaan ko talaga ito at pinag-isipan. I wanted to look pretty for him. I wanted to wow him. I think I am gonna be sucessful on wow-ing him.

I mean, who would not? I looked at my reflection on the mirror. Ang ganda ko kaya today! Pagkatapos ay magti-text siya at sasabihin niya na magsuot ako ng pantalon. Is he freakin' joking?

I narrowed my eyes and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My stubborn side kicked in. I crossed my arms against my chest and I shook my head.

No. I ain't gonna change.

Hindi ko sinagot ang text niya. Kinuha ko ang bag ko na may lamang mga damit mula sa kama and I headed out of my room.

Nadaanan ko si Daddy sa dining area. He was drinking his coffee while reading the newspaper. I approached him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Hindi ka muna ba mag-aalmusal, Blaire?" He asked me.

I shook my head. "Hindi na po. Sa daan na lang po ako kakain."

"Do you need anything? Extra money?"

"Hindi na po. I have enough cash and I am also bringing my credit cards with me."

"Okay."

"I'm gonna go na po." I said and kissed his cheeks again. I was about to walk away when I heard him call my name.

"Blaire."

"Yes po?"

"Remember," seryoso niyang sabi.

I almost rolled my eyes. "Yes, Dad. Mag-iingat po ako. I will stay out of trouble and I will call you."

"Don't forget," he added.

"I won't, Dad. I promise. I'm gonna go na talaga. Baka maipit ako sa traffic."

Before he could say another word, I half ran toward the door and went out of the house.