No Way! Yes Way!

Ace

Den woke up with a big smile on her face. Naisahan lang naman kasi niya ang high school volleyball rival niya kagabi.

The thought that she's in control of their 'relationship' also gives her satisfaction. Akala niya tatlong taon siyang magtitiis pero mukhang maeenjoy naman niyang pahirapan ang isang Alyssa Valdez.

I'll show her what a slave driver does. Naisip ni Den.

"Yes!" she shouted as she jumps out of the bed.

Pababa siya ng hagdan ng makita niya ang magulang na naghahandang umalis. She could see luggages.

"Den, your mom and I will be leaving for Korea. There's this conference we have to participate in," instructed Mike.

"How long will you be gone?" tanong ni Den.

"Three days lang. Iyong mga kapatid mo pala kumakain na. Ikaw na bahala sa kanila ha. Here's some money kung kailanganin. Nabilin ko na kay manang yung food niyo," reminded Arlene.

"Okay, mom. Ako ng bahala dito.You guys, just enjoy the trip," Den said while hugging her parents.

"Uhm, by the way Baby, if Alyssa asks you out, pagbigyan mo sana. Her lolo said that we should encourage the two of you to get to know each other better," Arlene said.

Napangiti naman si Den. "Sure, mom. Would definitely love to hang out with her."

"Teka, teka. Tama ba yung narinig ko? Don't tell me may gusto ka dun sa babaerong yun?" tanong ni Mike.

"Not in 10 million years, Dad. Narinig niyo naman po siguro yung sinabi ni Lolo Luis, right? I'm in control of this game," Den said, still smiling.

"Just don't overdo kung ano mang pinaplano mo. Baka si Aly naman ang umayaw," paalala ni Arlene.

"As if naman makakaayaw siya sa lolo niya," sabi ni Den.

Inakbayan ni Mike ang anak at sinabing, "Basta, huwag kang padedehado sa kanya, anak. Pahirapan mo." Nagtawanan ang mag-ama.

"Tama na yan. Mike, we have to go. Dennise, please be mature enough to handle this matter. Hindi ka na bata. We'll go now," Arlene said, kissing her daughter goodbye.

"Leave this to me, Mom. Sige na po. Ingat na lang po and pasalubong," Den said.

After her parents left, Den joined her siblings for breakfast.

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It's already late afternoon. Nasa kwarto lang si Den at nagbabasa ng libro. Wala siyang ibang magawa kung hindi ang magtulog, manuod, at magbasa.

Paiyak na siya sa librong binabasa niya ng tumunog ang cellphone niya. Who might this be? She asked herself. Unknown number kasi.

"Hello?!," Den answered in an irritable manner. Naistorbo kasi ang pagbabasa niya

"Den, anak? Tita Lita ito. Aly's mom," sabi ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Ay mama, kayo po pala. Kamusta po?" Napa-mama tuloy siya ng di oras.

"Okay lang naman. Magkaaway ba kayo ni Aly? Parang iritable ka kasi nung sumagot ka," asked Lita.

"Ay hindi po. Sorry po. Someone has been calling me kanina pa. Nangtritrip po e. Akala ko po yun ulit," pagsisinungaling ni Den.

"Okay lang, hija. So, where are you having your first date?" Lita asked excitedly.

"Po? Hindi naman po kami magkasama."