JAMES
"Yes, Rico?" I picked up the phone the moment Rico's name was flashed on the screen.
"Good evening, Sir. Galing na po kami kanina sa orphanage and maganda po talaga ang pwesto ng lugar kaya lang po may problema." Napakunot-noo ako.
"Wag mong sabihin na nagmatigas ang mga tao doon?" I asked him and he sighed.
"Opo, pero hindi naman po ang madre and nagmatigas. May isang babae po na umiyak kanina at nagmakaawa na sana sabihin ko ang pangalan niyo at gusto niya raw po kayong makausap." May pag-aalangan pa sa boses niya.
"What?"
"Opo pero hindi po namin sinabi an---"
"Wait!" I suddenly maneuvered the wheels to the left side dahil may mga taong nagwawalis almost in the middle of the street. Shit! I hissed.
"Okay lang po ba kayo, Sir Ford?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about the girl? Who is she?" I inquired.
"Hindi po namin alam kung sino siya pero parang napaka-importante po ng orphanage sa kanya."
"Baka naman dun siya nakatira? An orphan maybe?"
"Parang hindi po eh. Sa narinig ko kanina parang araw-araw lang po siyang dumadalaw doon at nagvo-volunteer. Nagmakaawa po kanina."
"Fine. Ako na ang bahala. Pupunta tayo doon tomorrow." I ended the call and drove to my college friend's house to attend to his daughter's 1st birthday.
"Hello Mr. James Tyler Ford!" Bati sakin ni Travis. We're friends since college days and we were teammates in Ateneo Basketball Team 6 years ago.
"Hello bud!" Mabuti na lang at malapit lang dito sa kanila ag location ng orphanage so I decided to attend the party dahil pupuntahan ko naman talaga ang lugar bukas.
Travis and his wife introduced their child to me and I smiled when I held her. She is so cute and no wonder sobrang ganda. Sa gwapo ba naman ng lokong to and his wife ay hindi na maipagkakaila that she will grow to be a fine, beautiful lady.
"Hello baby girl!" I greeted her and she immediately opened her arms na para bang magpapakarga sakin.
"Oh no, honey. Tito James is allergic to kids." Biro sakin ni Travis. Noon pa man ay alam na niya ang likot ng bituka ko. We are as close as brothers and he knew me too well, pero tama ba na sabihin yun infront of his wife and the baby? Ulul!
"Shut up, Trav and hand me your Princess." I smiled when the little girl chuckled and baby talked when I smiled at her. She is really cute.
"Wow. I can't believe that you are actually holding a baby. Parang kailan lang noong allergic ka sa babies. You can't even stand the thought of planning your future with your future wife and kids." He mocked me and I can't stop myself from punching him.
"Easy there bro at baka mahulog ang anak ko. I'm sure as hell na manghihiram ka ng mukha sa kambing." Para namang nahimasmasan ako at agad na inayos ang pagkarga ko sa bata.
"How are you, James?" His wife, Cassandra asked me.
"I am fine."
"Busy with his businesses, sweetheart." Travis interrupted and I shook my head.
"Ganun talaga bro."
"Ang sabihin mo mahina ka sa chicks!"
"I am just very busy."
"At sa sobrang busy mo ay wala ka nang time for your lovelife? That's sad." Cass said.
"Parang hindi party ang pinunta ko dito ah. Are you two trying to make me jealous?" I joked.
