Ring of Promises

Chapter 5

Ring of Promises

Chapter 5

That's what happened, I took Caspian in our mansion later that day. Gulat na gulat pa si Kuya nang nakita si Caspian sa sala, pinagkakaguluhan ng mga kapatid namin.

"Kuya, you're so tall. Are you sure classmate ka lang ni Ate? You look older because of your height!" Si Marquise na manghang-mangha.

"And you're a member of a soccer team, too? Here, I saw you in Kuya's team!" Pinakita ni Marquee ang picture frame ng litrato nina Kuya ng nanalo sila sa isang game. Ngayon ko lang din narealize na may mga picture ngang nakadisplay rito sa bahay kung saan kasama si Caspian! Every class picture I have in high school, he's also in it! How naive, Amanda.

"Kuya! Ate Amanda's boyfriend is here. Have you met him?" Sobrang hyper ni Maddie ngayon at nagawa pang tumakbo sa pinto para hilahin si Kuya palapit.

"Of course, we're teammates and we're from the same school, just like your Ate Amanda."

Tumayo si Caspian at bumati sa nakakatandang kapatid ko. Kaswal lang ang tungo nila sa isa't-isa. Lalo pa nilang ginulo si Caspian nang dumating sina Atascka at Miranda.

"Why didn't you tell me, Ate? You're so mean," nagtatampo si Miranda habang si Atascka naman ay tahimik.

"Why, Mira? It's not your Ate's obligation to tell you everything. Parang hindi naman niya sinabi sa 'yo ngayon, kasi kung hindi ay wala si Caspian sa harap mo ngayon." si Kuya na hindi ko mawari kung anong nakain at kung ano-anong nasasabi.

"Still! Don't tell me Kuya, may girlfriend ka na rin?" Napabaling kaming lahat sa kanya.

"I'm not into those things, Mira." Walang ganang sabi ni Kuya. Inirapan lang siya ni Miranda at kinulit na agad si Caspian.

"Saan kayo nagkakila ni Ate kung ganoon? I know hindi niya sasagutin ang mga tanong ko kaya sa 'yo na lang ako magtatanong. Hindi ka naman mukhang snob gaya ni Ate."

"We're classmates, since grade 7," napatango si Miranda sa nakuhang sagot.

"That's so sweet! Nakakainggit!" She clasped her hands and sighed dreamily.

"What did you just say? Come again, Miranda?"

"Nakakainggit, I said-" mukhang ngayon lang niya nakita ang matalim na tingin ni Kuya sa kanya.

"Whatever," humarap siya kay Caspian at muling nagtanong. Sinubukang pigilan ni Daddy ang mga kapatid ko pero hindi sila nagpatinag dahil sinasagot naman ni Caspian ang mga tanong.

He looked at me, his eyes screams gentleness. I smiled at him, feeling euphoric.

He formally introduced himself infront of Daddy.

"Good Afternoon, Sir. I'm Caspian Silvestre, Amanda's boyfriend." Daddy pat his shoulder and invited him to the dining room. Nakasunod lang ako sa kanilang dalawa. Kinakabahan pa rin ako kahit na mukhang hindi naman galit si Daddy.

"My distress lessen, Caspian. I'm glad someone's reaching out for Amanda. Please take good care of my daughter." He smiled. Dahan-dahan akong nagpakawala ng mabigat na hininga.

"Thank you for entrusting Amanda to me. Rest assured that I'm not gonna ruin your trust and sorry for showing up too late. Dapat po ay bago naging kami ay nagpakilala muna ako."

"No worries, it doesn't matter to me. Naiintindihan ko si Amanda kung bakit hindi ka niya pinakilala agad. But I'm not angry, okay? I'm overjoyed." Hindi ko maitago ang ngiti sa aking labi. Hearing that from Daddy makes me want to cry. Why do he have to be so thoughtful? Akala ko ay magagalit man lang siya sa akin.