Santi dropped her jaw as her eyes widened in shock. Is Jace out of his mind?
Naglakad palapit sa kaniya ang binata habang nakapamulsa ang isa nitong kamay. He smiled a lot today, hmm.
“J—Jace..”
Tumigil ito nang ilang dangkal na lamang ang layo. Huminga ito ng malalim at alanganing ngumiti. “I know what we're going to do means risking our friendship, we don't know what the future holds but.. I wish it would work.”
Napakurap kurap siya at nagugulat pa ring napatitig sa binata.
Jace held her hand and pull her closer not minding the people around them.
“Santi, let's give this a chance.. Do you want to give it a try?”
Napayuko siya. She wanted to say yes, hell, she would! But then, seeing the state of Harley.. she's hesitating.
“Santi?” Jace called her.
Huminga siya ng malalim, at sinalubong ang umaasang mata ni Jace. And there, at that time.. she risked their friendship while Harley on the corner.. was so miserable upon hearing Santi's answer.
“Yes, Jace.. Let's work this out.”
—
After that day, when it was the end of their semestral break, Harley was no where to be seen. And exactly that day, their connection was also cut off.
—
Santi’s Point of View
“Baby..”
Napakurap kurap ako at nakusot ang mata. I dreamed about my past again, parang kahapon lang lahat nangyari.
“Baby, wake up.. Our daughter is crying, she's calling for you.”
Napangiti ako at napatingin sa asawa ko. How lucky am I to have him. Naupo ako sa kama at napatitig sa asawa ko na buhat buhat ang nag-iisa naming anak. Natawa ako nang mas lumakas ang iyak ng anak ko at nagpapapasag sa bisig ng daddy niya.
Tumayo na ako at nilapitan sila. I extended my hands to my daughter and she instantly went to my arms.
“Aww, my baby.. You don't like daddy?” Nangingiting bumaling ako kay Lucas at inilingan siya. Umirap ito at nangiti.
“I wonder why my daughter hates me, like what the f—”
Pinandilatan ko siya nang akmang mag-mumura nanaman. “Shut it, Lucas. Didn't I told you to not curse in front of our daughter?”
“Yes, yes, I'm sorry.” Umuklo ito at hinalikan ako sa noo. Aw, my sweet husband. Pagkaraan ay hinalikan naman nito ang anak namin na nakahilig sa balikat ko at nakatulala.
Napahalakhak ako nang umingit ang anak ko at iniwas ang ulo sa halik ng ama niya. Napu-frustrate na napasimangot ito na mas lalo kong ikinatawa.
“Stop it, Lucas.. She hates you.” Tumawa pa ako para mas lalong maasar si Lucas. Nagdadabog na naglakad ito patungo sa c.r at naligo. Napailing nalang ako sa pagiging childish niya.
Lumabas na ako sa k'warto namin at bumaba para pumuntang kusina habang buhat parin ang anak ko.
“Baby, what do you want for breakfast? Pancakes or cereals?” Ani ko at binaba ito sa island counter. Ngumuso ito at sumimangot.
“Hotdogs..” Maliit ang boses na sabi nito. Tumango ako at nag-labas ng hotdog sa ref. I turned on the stove and put the frying pan. I pour a small amount of oil on the frying pan and waited for it to heat up. I sliced the hotdog in to half. I took out bacons and eggs on the fridge for my husband. I started frying those and when I'm finished, I cooked fried rice and a normal rice for my daughter.
