Wretched Choices

Chapter 36

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Chapter 36
Answer

In the midst of awkward silence, Jerome cleared his throat which made me focus on him. He gave me a wry smile.

"I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have came unannounced," he apologized to me. "Kung alam ko lang na kakauwi pa lang ng daddy mo, hindi na dapat ako dumaan. I also didn't bring anything which can be of use to your household."

Not wanting to make him feel bad, I shook my head. "No, it's okay. Mom also invited you to join us for dinner, anyway. Also, my dad's not very particular with our guests."

Though, I understood why he was hesitant and apologetic—he might had thought that this should be an intimate dinner for our family since my father just got back, but there was really nothing to feel sorry for.

"That's true," Sharry agreed with me. "And besides, Archer's also here. No need to fret, Jerome."

I saw how she glanced at Archer with a very sophisticated look. If she was still trying to be civil with Archer tonight, it felt like she was going to fail big time. But to be honest, she actually proved a point to Jerome, even though she was too biased.

Muntik ko nang makalimutan na ayaw niya nga pala kay Archer para sa akin. She was rooting for Jerome and making sure that Archer would know that.

"Wow! Ang dami pala nating bisita ngayong gabi."

Bago pa kung ano ang masabi ni Sharry ay nakabalik na si mommy kasama sina daddy at lola. Ipinuwesto kaagad ni mommy si lola sa aking kaliwang tabi upang malapit siya kay daddy na uupo sa kabisera.

My dad looked at our guests with amusement in his eyes. Nagtagal ang paglapat ng titig niya sa dalawang lalaking nasa aming hapagkainan, ngunit napunit din ito nang lumapit sa kanya si Sharry.

"Welcome back, Tito Jeric!" Sharry welcomed him with a huge smile on her face.

Napangiti rin si daddy at niyakap ang kaibigan kong tinuturing niyang parang sariling anak. "Kumusta, anak?" malambing na tanong ni daddy nang bumitaw sila sa isa't isa. "Mas lalong gumaganda ah."

Sharry chuckled shyly. "Si Tito talaga! Halos wala nga pong nagbago sa akin."

Kahit na mukhang itinatanggi ni Sharry ang puri ni daddy, I was pretty sure that she liked his compliment.

Bumalot ang baritonong tawa ni daddy sa hapag. "Anyway, I brought home something for you and your family. Kuhanin mo na lang sa Tita mo or kay Keia mamaya pagkatapos nating kumain."

"Yes po, Tito! Thank you!" Sharry exclaimed and she couldn't hide her excitement.

With that short exchange of conversation, her time's already done with my father. But if there were no strangers present in our dining room, I was pretty sure that Sharry would have a longer time talking to my father. Kaya nga lang, dahil hindi pa kilala ni daddy sina Archer at Jerome, alam kong sa kanila mapupunta ngayong gabi ang kanyang atensyon.

Mabilis akong tumayo dahil alam kong ako ang dapat magpakilala sa aking mga bisita, pero mukhang walang balak magpatulong sa akin si daddy dahil siya na mismo ang lumapit kay Jerome na agad ding tumayo upang salubungin ang aking ama.

"Ano ang pangalan mo, hijo?"

"Jerome po, Mr. Ariolla," magalang at pormal na pakilala ni Jerome at saka inilahad ang kanyang kamay kay daddy. "It's a pleasure meeting you po."

"Jerome..." Tumango-tango si daddy. "Just call me Tito Jeric. Masyado ka namang pormal."

Ngumiti si Jerome. "Kung iyon po ang gusto ninyo."