The New Year Kiss

9. Autumn in New York

"Quinn, you didn't have to come. It was just a minor heart attack. They brought me to the hospital right away. " Quinn's dad said, nakahiga sa hospital bed ng New York Presbyterian, quite shocked that the first person he saw when he woke up was Quinn. "By the way, who told you?"

"It could have been worse, Dad, kung di ka nila dinala on time." Quinn replied. "Tumawag si Tita Lisa kina Lola at Lolo." Quinn's dad remarried Lisa Holt, a former business partner of their family's Architectural firm in New York.

"I thought Midterms mo this week. You missed it tuloy. Sabi pa naman ng lola mo wala ka raw tulog kaka-aral. Well, that's something new. But that's a good change. I like it."

"That's okay, Dad. I wouldn't have answered the exams properly rin naman sa kaka-worry. I'll find a way."

"Thank you for taking good care of yourself, Quinn. Whether or not you are doing it because you got scared that we will cut your allowance off, I'm glad to know that you have finally matured and that you are starting to think about your future. I am so proud of you."

First time narinig ni Quinn na sinabihan siya ng dad nya that he was proud. Growing up, she may be spoiled financially, but her parents were barely home. Tears were threatening to form in her eyes.

  "The most important thing is that you are okay, Dad. Kahit ilang eroplano pa ang kailangan kong sakyan, at kahit saang lupalop ka pa ng mundo, I would have come."  

Sige na, Kakainin ko na lahat ng sinabi ko. I cannot break my dad's heart. Lalung-lalo na ngayon. I have to be in that goddamn play. I have to pass! Sana naman tanggapin pa ako ni Sir Torres.

AAAAhhh... Autumn in New York.

"Hi Soph, Hi Lex!!!" Quinn greeted, sitting down on one of the chairs ng Central Park. Yes, NYC is the city of dreams. The most popular metropolis, the shopping capital of the world and Quinn's most favorite place on earth. But everytime she comes to visit her Dad in NYC, place of comfort and peace ni Quinn ang Central Park and she sees to it that she comes to the park at least once, every trip. "Kumusta midterms?"

"Okay naman...Quinn, we hope Tito is doing okay." Alex said. "Kumusta na kayo? One week ka ring nawala."

"Quinn, wag ka mag-alala. Kinausap na namin si Sir Torres about your dad. He wants to talk to you pagbalik mo." Sophia added.

"I'll come back the day after tomorrow.......... WOOOOAAAAHHH?!"

Waaaiitt.. Shit. Is this some kind of a joke?!

A familiar face..Namumukhaan ni Quinn from about a 100 meters away. Agad naman natabunan ng mga nagsidagsaang mga tao.

"Grey....." Quin realized that she said that aloud.

"Quinn? May problema ba?" tanong ni Alex sa videocall, noticing Quinn moving around as if looking for someone.

"Ahh, wala, wala. Thought I saw a familiar face." agad namang sinagot ni Quinn, sitting down again and focusing on the video call.

Shit. Nababaliw na yata ako. Pati dito sa New York, mukha pa rin ng mayabang ang nakikita ko.

"Grey as in Greyson?" patuksong sinabi ni Sophia. "Miss mo noh? Sa bagay, araw-araw mo rin namang kasama yun for a month during rehearsals huh."

"Come on, Soph, don't be ridiculous." Quinn automatically rebutted. Yes, self, don't be ridiculous. Shit, nababaliw na akooo...panic mode, panic mode..

"Speaking of..." Sophia answered in a more serious tone. "Balita ko 1 week ding wala ang prinsipe mo. Kaya 1 week na ring walang rehearsals sabi ni Sir Torres when we went to talk to him about your absence."

So could it be..... No, no. Impossible! Walang hiya tong lalaking 'to. I'm a thousand miles away, nagpakalayo-layo na nga, mukha nya pa rin nakikita ko. I must be getting insane. 

OR STARTING TO FALL IN LOVE.