As The Sun Sets (Mi Amore #1)

01

"Girls, I finally said yes to Blake!"

It was a typical Saturday afternoon when Tallulah gushed in excitement during our video call to let us know that she and Blake were official. I witnessed Blake's efforts through these months. They're a good match.

"Pakipot ka pa kasi noon, e!" Czarina teased on the screen, hawak hawak ang phone niya habang may nakabuklat na libro sa desk.

"Inggit ka lang palibhasa wala kang jowa, wala pang nagkakagusto sa'yo!" balik sa kaniya ni Tal.

Czarina laughed. "Excuse me, dami kayang nagkakagusto sa 'kin pero study first ako?!"

"Does this call for a party then?" Hindi mawala ang ngisi sa labi ni Serena nang sumali siya sa usapan. All of us turned to her and smirked.

"Alam niyo naman mapapahamak ako kapag nalaman ni Papa na aalis nanaman ako ng bahay." I pouted habang hawak hawak ko si Hailey, ang pomeranian na regalo sa akin ni Mama noon.

"Paalam ka kay Tita! I invited Blake and his friends, may mga gwapo do'n! I'll be the one to organize everything! Sumama ka lang!" Pagmamakaawa niya sa akin, showing me her usual puppy eyes.

I thought about it for a moment before finally nodding. They gave off huge smirks and already started planning.

"Okay, pero susubukan ko palang. Alam niyo naman dito," mahinahong saad ko. Tumango naman silang lahat. I ended the call while they still kept teasing Tal about Blake and making plans for later.

Four consecutive knocks were all it took for my mom to open the door to her office room. Alam niya na ako 'yon kapag gano'n. Dad isn't around yet, thankfully. Busy iyon sa restaurant namin kaya makakapagpaalam pa ako.

Sinalubong niya ako ng yakap kahit nagkita palang naman kami kanina. She's really the sweetest. I immediately clung to her and buried my face on her neck.

"Do you need something?" malambing na saad niya.

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya at tumingala para tingnan siya. Kahit may kaedaran na ay halatang-halata parin ang maganda niyang kutis, making her seem young. Binigyan ko siya ng isang nahihiyang ngiti. Agad tumaas ang kilay niya, alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng ngiti ko.

"Nag-aalok po sila Tal sa condo niya mamayang gabi, sama po sana ako," paalam ko.

Her smile faded a little. I mentally sighed. At least I tried.

My heart hammered on my chest loudly when I heard the engine stop downstairs. I'm sure it's Dad! Agad akong kinabahan. I always get this feeling every time I see him.

Like I'm terrified of him.

Tiningnan ko si Mama, hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at nginitian na para bang sinasabi na siya na ang bahala na kausapin si Papa. Bumaba na kami at sinalubong si Papa.

My father was now standing at the door. If you look at him, his aura really screams authority and power. Unang tingin mo palang sa kaniya ay alam mo na hindi siya basta basta lamang. He gets everything he wants in every way possible no matter how good or bad it is.

Nilampasan ako nito at dumiretso kay Mama habang binibigyan ito ng tipid na ngiti. I always wondered how in the world could he hurt his daughter, when he loves my mom so much? Doesn't he think of my mother every time he hurts me?

I like to think that he's just being protective like how a Dad should be, but that sounds funny. He never showed me the love I needed after the accident. And even when I strived twice, thrice as hard as anyone, it was never enough. Nothing seemed to satisfy him anymore.