Captured

Captured 33

"Bes, kalma ka lang." I heard Arnillo said.

"Oo nga, kanina ka pa palakad-lakad diyan. Nahihilo na kami sa'yo." Aya countered.

"Bes, paano na 'to? Baka kung ano an sabihin ni Dad. Baka utusan niya si Ricci na hiwalayan ako or what..."

"Masyado ka naman atang imaginative... Baliw ka ba? Bakit naman gagawin 'yon ni Tito Raffy? Monique, nag-uusap lang 'yon,"

"Aya... Kinakabahan ako. First time kasi na ginawa 'to ni Daddy."

"Malamang, Monique. First time mo rin kayang mag ka jowa. Susko! Nag-aalala lang 'yon, Monique and besides that's normal. 'Yung princess niya may boyfriend na. And believe in Ricci. Dadaain niya ang Daddy mo sa charms niya." Si Arnillo.

I shut mouth... Ayokong mag-isip ng kung anu-ano. Nakakapraning. Bakit ba kasi ang tagal nilang mag-usap? Ano bang pinag-usapan nila? Bakit wala pa rin sila?

I waited a little longer bago sila dumating. My Dad was wearing his straight face and Ricci was following my Dad. I really need to know kung ano ang pinag-usapan nila.

"Monique, I gotta go." Paalam ni Ricci.

My Dad gave him a look. Okay, bakit magpapaalam si Ricci?

"Saan ka pupunta?" I asked.

"Uuwi sa dorm." He replied.

"Akala ko ba may dinner tayo mamaya?"

"Ako ang magiging ka-date mo mamaya, Monicka. Let Ricci go. We need to talk." Sabi ni Dad and that shut me up. Wala na akong magagawa. My Dad is freakin' serious at kinakabahan ako sa kung ano ang pwede naming pag-usapan... Hmm, okay.. Everything will be fine. Walang may mangyayari. Think positive! Your Dad is a good man. He'll like Ricci for you, sabi ng konsensya ko just to calm my nerves and myself. Kalma lang bes!

"Bye, Monique." Paalam ni Ricci at kumindat... And that was it. He's gone, wala na siya sa harap ko.

Tumikhim naman sina Aya at Arnillo na binigyan naman ako ng isang nakakalokong ngiti. Pinandilatan ko na lang sila ng mata. I'm not used to this kind of vibe. I mean, my Dad being grumpy and I know this whole thing is new to me and maybe to him as well.

I heaved a sigh. I checked my wrist watch. It's 5:45 pm I looked at my Dad and he was looking serious. Okay, ano na naman kaya ang pag-uusapan namin?

"Monique, let's find somewhere else." He said.

"Okay."

Agad naman kami tumayo at nagpaalam kina Aya at Arnillo.

We were driving along EDSA. The traffic was kinda heavy. Sa kabuuan ng biyahe my Dad and I weren't talking that much. Medyo hindi ako sanay na ganito.. Knowing that from the very beginning kami talaga ang pinakaclose. Maybe he was just shocked na may boyfriend na ako? Or maybe he expected na si Philip ang magiging boyfriend ko? But, no! My heart belongs to Ricci. At si Ricci lang ang magmamay-ari noon.

After an hour. We finally arrived sa cozy restaurant. My Dad already reserved ourselves a seat and food.

"Monique.."

"Yes, Dad?" I asked while munching.

"So, you really love that Ricci guy? Akala ko pa naman si Philip ang gusto mo?"

I almost choked. See? My Dad was expecting na si Philip talaga.. Pero sorry not sorry to disappoint him. I love Ricci at hindi na 'yon magbabago. He owns me already. He has my heart.