That Cold Boy

6

"Whose this beautiful girl in our house?" Kahit may ngiti, the serious demeanor of Prince's father did not leave his aura. It's like... It's a part of him. Palangiti ang Mommy niya, and jolly. And I can construct their happy love story way back in their high school or college years in my mind. And it was wonderful.

"I don't expect you to be my son's girl. Maybe you're a friend?" Although his face offered a smile, I can sense tension in his voice as he glance (or glare) at Prince's direction.

"He's my classmate po, Dad." Ani Prince, nakikipagsukatan ng tingin sa kanyang ama. I wonder how he did that. Just by looking at his father's built, it's intimidating and scaring the hell out of me.

Para bang nag-uusap sila gamit ang mga mata nila. Pero agad na naputol ang titigan nila ng humalakhak si Tita Flory, as what she preferred me to call her. Habang wala kasi si Prince upang tawagin ang kanyang Daddy ay nakapag-kuwentuhan na kami ng kaunti. And she's very nice. Just like my mom. And if she was Daddy's friend, I'm sure she'll like my mom, too.

Tumingin sa akin ang Dad ni Prince. Kahit nai-intimidate, I flashed him my sweet smile. "Good afternoon, Sir. I'm Alison Finlay, Prince's classmate." Pagpapakilala ko sa sarili ko. Mukhang nakalimutan ni Prince, e.

Napangiti siya sa sinabi ko, pero ilang saglit lang, bigla siyang natigilan. "Finlay?" He asked.

Sumabog ang sopistikadang tawa ni Tita Flory sa tanggapan ng kanilang bahay. Ang ganda talaga niya.

"That's what I want to tell you, Art. But you're busy glaring at your innocent son."

I felt out of place. Para bang sa bawat titig nila at simpleng salita ay may ibig sabihin na hindi ko alam. Well, I should have expected this. They're family. At hindi naman ako pumunta dito para maging welcome. I just need a place where I can work my history activity with my partner.

Nagtitigan pa ang mag-asawa.

Tinabihan ako ni Prince at bumulong sa akin. "Sorry. I didn't expect my parents to be weird today."

"It's okay. They're lovely." I said.

"Prince, dun na lang kayo sa garden o kaya sa library gumawa ng activity niyo. Ipapahatid ko na ang merienda. Please take care of Alison." Tita Flory smiled at me. Sabay naman kaming napabuntong-hininga ni Prince kaya nagkatinginan kami. Mine was a sigh of relief. I just don't know what's his. Well, I thought we still have to handle his parents.

"Okay, Mom." Masaya ang boses ni Prince at inaya niya na ako sa kung saan. And since we're walking towards the front door, I think he chose us to work in the garden. Lihim naman akong napanguso habang sinusundan siya sa paglalakad. I think I'll be more happy at the library. Baka kasi may maganda silang libro. It was obvious they're rich.

"Dito tayo. I want you comfortable." Napatango na lamang ako ng igiya niya ako sa may gilid ng swimming pool. May wooden benches and round wooden table doon sa bermuda grass, just before the tiled floor surrounding the big rectangular pool.

Binuhay ko na ang aking laptop at tumawag naman siya ng katulong upang ipakuha ang kanya. May mga gamit ng nakahanda doon sa wooden table gaya ng typewritings, pencil, different colors of pen, ruler, and other school supplies we might use. Habang hinihintay ang laptop ay muli kong binasa ang direction para sa activity'ng gagawin namin. Si Prince naman ay inayos ang juice at cookies na dinala ng katulong.

"Is it okay with you if you do the powerpoint presentation tas ako sa reporting?" I asked. At mukhang wala naman sa ginagawa namin ang focus niya, kundi sa mukha ko, kaya alam kong hindi siya aangal.

Ginawa ko ang report ko at siya naman ay nagsimula na rin sa paggawa ng ppt sa kanyang laptop. Pero hindi minsang nahuhuli ko ang mga titig niya at ngiti lang ang isasagot niya sa nagtatanong kong mga mata.