Gravity

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Humiwalay ako mula sa mahigpit niyang pagkakayakap nang tumunog muli ang doorbell.

Clifford Tyler looked at me, confusion was seen in his eyes.

"That must be dad with my sister." Salita ko.

I instantly went to the door and opened it. I saw my dad holding two paperbags with both hands.

"Daddy." I kissed his cheek.

I was surprised when my daddy didn't say anything. Instead, he eyed someone behind me. Doon ko napagtantong sinundan ako ni Clifford Tyler upang pagbuksan ng pintuan sila dad.

Duff gasped when she saw him. "Oh my god." She muttered. Humalakhak pa ito nang makita ang madilim na tingin ng ama sa akin. Umirap ako.

I knew this was new to them. Kahit na nagkaroon man ako ng mga boyfriend noon, hindi pa rin magandang tingnan na maabutan akong may ibang kasama sa condo. Ang malala, lalaki pa. At si Clifford Tyler pa.

My family was used at me being alone. Sanay rin naman ako doon. At ito rin naman ang unang pagpunta ni Clifford Tyler dito.

"Good evening, sir." Pormal na pagbati ni Clifford Tyler.

Dad nodded in response. Gumilid ako at isinama si Tyler. Dumaan sila ni Duff sa harap namin. Parang batang humahagikhik pa rin ang kapatid ko. She even winked at me.

Hinila ko ang pinto upang maisara na ang unit. I walked my way back to my living room.

"I cooked lasagna, Duff. Anong dala niyo?" I asked.

Ngayon ko lang napansin ang isang bote ng wine at hard liquor na nakalapag sa aking maliit na table sa sala.

"That's good. Dad and I are famished. Dumaan kami para mag-order ng mga pagkain. We didn't expect you'd have some company." Sambit nito sa akin.

"Dad... Ate... This is Clifford Tyler. Mr. Villafuerte's cousin."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Duff. Dad remained still, but there was something in his eyes. I could see him a bit shock.

Tyler immediately went to them. Nakipagkamay siya sa dalawa.

"Hey. It's nice to meet you." Salita ng ate ko. Halos lumipad ang mata ko dahil nagawa niya pang bumeso dito.

Really, Daphne Agnese?

"That's why you're familiar huh." Puna ni daddy.

Trust me, dad. I thought so too when I met Ran Dane.

"Siya ang tumulong sa akin sa Palawan noong naaksidente ako. You should thank him, dad." Banggit ko bago tumungo sa kusina para kuhaan sila ng pagkain.

Dad knew Ran Dane Villafuerte because of business. We had a little share from his family's company.

Naaalala kong nagulat pa si Ran Dane nang makita ako sa unang formal meeting para sa lahat ng stockholders upang mag-represent ng aming kumpanya. Well, that was when I stopped my acting career.

Kumuha muli ako ng dalawang platito at sinalinan iyon ng lasagna. Lalabas na sana ako para ihatid iyon nang pumasok si Duff.

She's smiling like a total lunatic.

"What?" Tanong ko. Kitang-kita ko ang pang-aasar sa kanyang mata.

"I'm not saying anything, Olivia. You're so paranoid." Nakangisi nitong sabi sa akin.

I could sense that she's thinking about something else between me and Clifford. Pero ang katotohanan ay wala naman.

He went to my house. I let him in dahil sobrang bastos ko naman kung hindi. Siya ang tumulong sa akin sa Palawan kaya bakit hindi ko siya tatanggapin sa sarili kong bahay?