A LOVE THAT STARTED IN MY BOSS' OFFICE

CHAPTER 34

Fere's POV

As much as I wanted to stay in the hospital for my son, kailangan ko din gampanan ang pagiging kapatid ko kay Faye. Faye needs me in her school. Pinatawag kasi ako ng principal and I'm much needed. Patchie promised to watch over my son kaya lang, indoubt ako kasi naman, she's very pregnant at hindi na bagay sa kanya ang magbantay sa hospital.

"Friend, buntis lang ako. Chill ka lang, babantayan ko si baby boy mo!"

"Pero Patch, malikot si Yugi."

"Magsasama ako ng yaya!"

I sighed. Paano nga ba ang gagawin ko?

"Friend, kailangan ka ni Faye ngayon. Ikaw na lang ang pamilya nya. Ofcourse, we won't mind kung kami ang aattend pero diba, para sa'yo yung achievement nya? You are needed there, principal na mismo ang pumunta sayo at nakiusap."

"Alam ko naman yun Patch. Pero syempre paano naman ang anak ko."

"Ako na nga ang bahala. Wala ka bang tiwala sa akin? Aba Ferella! pa-tatlo na tong pinagbubuntis ko, well practiced na ako no?!"

"Osige sige. Dadaan muna ako sa ospital bago pumunta sa school ni Faye. Pero kung ano man ang mangyari, tawagan mo ako ha?"

"Oo naman! Promise yun!"

And I let Patchie take care of my Yugi for a while. Oonga naman, I needed to be a sister for Faye. She deserved to feel loved and cared. Pati ba naman ito ay ipagkakait ko pa sa kapatid ko?

Before I go to Faye's school, dumaan muna ako ulit sa ospital to make sure my baby's fine.

"Baby, behave ka kay Tita Patch ha! Kapag hindi ka nagbehave sasabog ang tummy nya!"

"Iiiiiih Mama."

"Totoo yun kaya magbehave ka!"

"Kapag nagbehave ka dadalahin talaga kita sa mall ng mayaman tapos maglalaro kayo ng babies ko sa playground na pangmayaman."

"Talaga ba yun Ninang Pawtch? Baka hindi ako papasukin kasi hindi ako mayaman!"

"Mayaman ka kaya!"

"Ay nako Patchie, tigilan mo na nga yang anak ko. At ikaw naman Mr Yugi baby boy, behave ka po please?"

"Opo Mama! Pwamis! I love you Mama!"

"I love you more baby. Alis lang ako saglit ha, magsabi kay Ninang kapag may need ka ha? I'll see you later."

I kissed him and went out to make my sister happy.

As I walk in my alma mater's pathway, I can't help but recall the good times I've had in this school. The gym, where Tamie and her husband met. The west lounge, the place that keeps most of out secrets. The parking lot, the garden, the arts building, the PAC quarters, and of course the chapel. I suddenly realized, I forget Him. I forget to thank him for keeping me strong despite of every chaos I've been through. Finally, I reached the auditorium.

My sister Faye, has been awarded with St. Yves' Badge of Honor. Minsan lang magaward ng ganito. Only deserving students will be awarded. In my 16 years sa St. Yves, apat lang ata ang naawardan nito. I'm so proud my sister had been chosen. Actually, my sister doesn't have a single idea that I'll come she even didn't tell me dahil naospital si Yugi at ayaw nyang mahirapan ako.

The principal happily hugged and welcomed me. Pinaupo nya ako sa lugar kung saan hindi ako makikita agad ni Faye.

"After 5 years, this institution of 100 years for the service of the young people will be awarding the St. Yves' badge of Honor. Yes, after the long 5 years, another young, pure hearted individual will be awarded. It is with honor and great pleasure to present to you, our 50th awardee of the St. Yves' Badge of Honor, Ms. Miyara Fiametta Enriquez."

Everyone stood up and clap their hands habang ako, natatawa sa pagbanggit sa pangalan ng kapatid ko. Our mother knows well how to annoy us with our names. Oh well, whereve she is, I know she'll be very proud of her little baby girl as I am now with her.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang maiyak sa speech ng kapatid ko. All she did is thank me and says she loves me so. How I wish I've given her enough, because I know, she deserved the best. She deserved more than I can give. After her speech, the host called me.

"To award the St. Yves' Badge of Honor is Mrs. Maraya Ferella Enriquez-Hernandez, the sister of our awardee."

I saw my sister's surprised look, as I step up on stage, our eyes both become cloudy. But this time, it's because we're very very happy. We're happy because God gave this rainbow to us.

"Ate, thank you."

"I love you Faye, always."

The ceremony ended well. Some went near us and congratulate. Some asked how are we. There are guys who gave my baby girl flowers which made her blush. Maganda ang kapatid ko and boys attracted to her is no doubt. But there's this one big boquet that outshined the rest. And the card reads as:

Hi Baby Faye,
Congratulations!!
As much as I wanted to join you celebrate the honor you've received, I would be busy taking care of your nephew.
But always remember that to me, you'll always be my first born.
I love you Baby Girl!
We'll celebrate soon as Yugi comes out in the hospital.

With much Love & Pride,
Kuya Yuseff

I feel my sister twitched. Hindi ko maitatanggi na talaga namang naging close ang mga kaptid ko kay Yuseff lalo na si Faye. Pero dahil sa nangyari, pilit na tinago ni Faye ang pagmamahal nya sa Kuya Yuseff nya.

"Mahal ka nya Faye"

"Ate"

"Alam naman natin na mabuti syang tao. Si ate talaga ang may kasalanan ng lahat Faye,kaya sana wag kayong magalit sa kanya."

Faye nodded and accepted the flower. Idinaan ko na muna si Faye sa mansion ng mga Hernandez para makapagpahinga muna sya at saka ako tumuloy sa ospital.

Nakagawian ko nang silipin muna ang kwarto bago ako tumuloy at mukhang hindi nga ako nahalata ng mga tao sa loob. Narinig ko ang pinaguusapan nila.

"Papa, sleepy na si Yugi."

"Sige anak, sleep ka na."

"Wala pa Mama ko."

"Ako na lang magwait kay Mama anak. Sleep ka na kasi magagalit yun kapag late ka nangsleep."

"Gusto ko palo palo"

"Anong palo palo yun?"

Iminwestra naman ni Yugi kung paano. I saw how careful Yuseff was while tapping Yugi's legs. I saw how they hugged each other. I saw how happy Yugi was. I saw my Yuseff, the old Yuseff who loved me.

And there, I walk to the chapel and say my gratitude. This day had nothing but the best in my life after all the chaos I've been through.