That Cold Boy

29

"O, may lakad ka?"

I kissed Dad's cheek. "Good morning. Can I go alone today, Dad? I mean alone." Ngumiti ako ng matamis.

Nanatili ako sa gilid ni Dad na nagbabasa ng diyaryo habang nagkakape.

Kumunot ang noo niya at tiningnan ako sa ilalim ng kanyang salamin. "How alone?" He asked.

My lips protruded. How alone? "Well... Alone like no driver or bodyguard?" I crossed my finger. Naalarma ako ng nanahimik si Dad at kunot na kunot pa din ang noo. "S-si Mom po?" I asked, unable to think of a better way to make him say yes. Maybe 'pag pinayagan ako ni Mommy?

"I got a fever last night. Hindi niya 'ko pinayagang pumasok today."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "But you're fine now, right?"

Tumango naman siya. "But I won't let you go alone. Are you with a friend? You can't ride the public vehicle."

Napanguso ako. "Yes. We'll meet-"

"Tell him to fetch you here. I wanna meet him." May pinal sa tono ni Dad. And the way he concluded things, he just sounds so sure.

Him!

"But, Dad-"

"Call him now, Alison. Or I won't let you go out without a bodyguard."

Oh my God! Pa'no na 'to?

"O-okay."

Pumunta akong living room then nervously ring his phone. "J-JM?"

"Yes? I'm already here." Aniya mula sa kabilang linya.

Lalong bumagsak ang mga balikat ko. Five past eight in the morning na. 8am ang usapan namin kagabi. Hindi naman ako nagising ng maaga dahil puyat ako kagabi sa kakaisip ng mga nangyari kahapon. Or just that certain happening rather.

Kakatapos ko lang magbihis at mukhang lalo pa akong male-late dahil sa gustong mangyari ni Dad. Or worse, I couldn't make it.

"Alison?" Pagtawag niya sa gitna ng pananhimik ko.

"Sorry, I think I'll get there late." If it's still not late.

"It's okay." Mabilis niyang sabi na para bang okay lang talaga sa kanya na maghintay doon sa coffee shop.

"Hey... What's the problem?" Maybe he sensed the growing sadness in me.

I shook my head no. I was about to tell him what really the problem is when my eyes caught a glimpse of one of our housemaids. At hindi lang 'yon, may kasunod siyang lalaki sa kanyang likuran.

I heard JM spoke again from the other line but I just can't process what he's now saying. All I know is I have to deal with another problem now as I coldly stare to Prince.

"Miss, may bisita po kayo." Parang kinikilig pa yung aming batang katulong.

"Bisita?" I heard JM asked from the other line, hearing the giggles of the housemaid.

I sighed. "I'll call you again after five minutes." Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at binaba ko na ang tawag.

"Alison! Eat your breakfast now!" Pagtawag ni Daddy mula sa dining room pero hindi niyon naputol ang malamig na pagtititigan namin ni Prince.

"Naku, Sir!" Yung batang katulong ay dumiretso marahil kay Dad. "May bisita po si Miss!" Kahit mahina ay dinig pa din ang boses nito.

Iniwan ni Prince ang aking mga mata. "Good morning, Tito." Bati ni Prince kay Daddy.

"Good morning, Prince." Kahit hindi ko nakikita ang mukha ni Daddy dahil nasa likod ko siya, alam kong nakangiti ito. "Anak, you didn't tell me you have a date with Prince. A friend, huh?" Umakbay pa si Dad sa akin.