New York
January 2017
Bea's Graduation
The De Leons are now on the way to the venue of Bea's graduation.
"Dad, don't forget, we will pick up Zel near Central Park ah."
"Yep."
A few more minutes and Zel is already with them.
"Baklang to, naiwan mo sapatos mo sa Africa," Zel blurted out pagpasok na pagpasok ng sasakyan.
"Dinala mo?" Bea asked, and all the De Leons looked at her because she spoke Tagalog.
"What?" Bea asked when she saw na nakatitig sa kanya family niya.
"Ay opo, tinuruan ko po yan mag-Tagalog," Zel said. "Pamilya ko nasa airport pa lang, kaloka," she added.
Det chuckled. "That's good. Thank you, Zel."
"Pero alam mo ba, Tita..." And Zel told everyone in the car all the pagpapakipot moves Bea did.
"Good thing Thirdy didn't give up on you, no?" Elmer said.
"Daaaad," Bea said.
"Why? Ilang beses mo inapakan ego niya?" Elmer explained.
"He loves me daw." Binelatan ni Bea ang mga kasama sa kotse.
"I love Thirdy too. Super bait na bata," Det praised Thirdy.
"Dad, my flight to the PH will be tomorrow ah," Loel reminded his dad.
Napatingin naman si Bea kay Loel.
"You're going to the PH?"
"Yeah. For your boyfriend. He'll open his restaurant in a few days."
"I know, but he didn't mention you coming."
"Surprise kasi. Don't tell him ah."
"Oh, okay."
"Why not join him, Bea?" Det suggested.
"Nga naman," Zel added.
"Uhm, I have duty in the hospital already eh."
"Bakit kasi nagmamadali?" Zel asked.
"True. Hindi naman aalis mga hospital," sabat ni Loel.
"I'll think about it. That's my dream hospital na papasukan eh," Bea said.
"I'm sure Thirdy will understand. No need to worry," Elmer said, comforting his daughter.
"Yeah. All Thirdy does naman is understand," Loel said.
And that made her think.
After the graduation ceremony, Bea and Zel took a lot of pictures with their friends before they both went back to their families.
"Let's go home," Loel said.
"Why? Aren't we going to eat? I want buffet," Bea demanded.
"Uhm, I think Manang and the helpers are cooking a lot today, Angel," Det said to her daughter.
"K," Bea said and went straight to the car.
"Hala. Dad, baka magtampo si Bea. What's your surprise ba?" Loel said.
"You'll see." Elmer smirked.
They are now driving on the way home. Loel played Beatriz's playlist pero nakasimangot pa rin si Bea at ginagamit yung phone niya.
When they were already at their house, Elmer parked the car.
"Swear. I'll hate the three of you if Manang didn't cook crabs," sabi ni Bea palabas ng kotse.
