From Riches to Rags

Chapter 21 - Pretty J

<Paolo's POV>

Naabutan ko ang dad na naghahapunan sa dining room. It's past 10:00PM at kakauwi ko lang mula sa picnic/roadtrip namin sa Antipolo.

"Hi, dad!" Bati ko.

"Looking good, huh! Kumain ka na ba? Sabayan mo 'ko." Utos niya.

"Yep, already did. Thanks!" I took a glass and pour some fruit juice on it and silently sat on one of the 12-seats of our huge dining table. Nilagok ko iyon ng dahan-dahan.

"Somebody told me you have a girlfriend in ITC." Napatingin ako sa kanya ng banggitin niya iyon. Bahagya akong nagulat sa bilis ng balita! I-ilang oras pa lang ang nakakalipas, alam na niya agad. Sa bagay, lahat naman ng nangyayari sa school nalalaman niya. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung papaano.

"She's not my girlfriend, dad." Pag-amin ko. There's no need to lie about it. Malalaman at malalaman niya rin naman. "Kaibigan ko lang siya."

He looked at me with those teasing eyes. "Really? Kaibigan o ka-ibigan?"

I chuckled then some of the most memorable moments of this day flashbacked. It made me smile. Para 'kong teenager na first time nagkaroon ng crush.

"I like her." I genuinely said.

Tinuon ni dad ang pansin sa akin. Na-excite ata sa sinabi ko.

"You should court her. Ikaw din baka maunahan ka ng iba. I know your taste so even if I haven't seen her, no doubt she's beautiful."

"Yes, she is." Mabilis kong sagot. I smiled with the thought of JeyEn's pretty face. "She's the most beautiful person I've ever seen."

"Then what are you waiting for? Wala sa lahi natin ang mababagal!"

"Natatakot ako dad."

"Natatakot saan?" Takang tanong niya.

"Na baka masira ung friendship namin. Okay naman sakin na friends lang kami. Ayoko siyang lumayo. If I'll court her, it would make the situation complicated. Kontento na ko sa ganito." I felt a sudden sore in my chest. I sighed.

"I think you're falling for her, kid." He smiled sweetly while cutting the food on his plate.

His comment was unexpected. I looked at him bemused then asked, "How come?"

"You love her if you're contented with the smallest thing she can give. And while giving her everything, you'll ask nothing in return." Still smiling, he continued. "True love is the most patient and selfless thing in the world. It can wait no matter how long it would take."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. I'm still not sure of myself. Naguguluhan ako. Nagkaroon na ko ng girlfriend dati pero iba talaga si JeyEn. There's something special about her that I can't explain.