Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing

48th League: Father and Son

48th League: Father and Son

"ARE YOU sure you're finally ready to do it?" Iris asked Travis.

"Yes, I'm sure. I want you to be beside me, Iris. Hindi ko kaya nang wala ka," Travis replied.

Kahit hindi pa siya masyadong palagay kay Travis, she really wanted to be with him as he faced his own issues. She had to set aside her issues with Travis for the meantime. It was unclear to her if she wanted to be with him for the sake of his problems or for the sake of just being with him.

Anupaman ang dahilan, gusto niya pa ring samahan ang binata.

"Travis, the car's ready. The annoying lady is in there already. Let's go," Eris stated.

After meeting his cousin, Bela, Travis decided to pay his grandmother a visit the next morning. Bela, popping out of the blue, was definitely such a blessing to him. And for the first time, he saw something good out of him being a famous singer now.

"You should go, naghihintay na sila," Iris told him.

"Iris... p-puwede ka bang sumama?" tanong ng binata.

"A-Ano naman ang gagawin ko ro'n?"

"Wala. I just want you to be with me. And besides, this is the first time that I'm gonna meet my grandmother. This is a big deal for me. I hope you can come with me," ani Travis.

Wala nang nagawa ang dalaga kung hindi ang sumama. Magkakatabi sa likuran sina Travis at Iris at sa pinakalikuran ay sina Arthur at Santi. Si Eris ang nagmamaneho at katabi niya sa passenger seat si Bela upang ituro ang daan.

"Where are you taking us, lady? This place is a slum," Eris uttered.

"I don't understand you, just go to left and you see a kanto there with a sari-sari store, go right!" singhal ni Bela.

"Ugh, this is crazy," nakabusangot na reklamo ni Eris.

The place reminded Iris of San Miguel. And she was sure that Travis was also thinking the same thing. Habang nasa byahe ay nakatulog na sina Arthur at Santi. Nang makarating na sila sa baryo ng San Ildefonso ay bumaba na ang lahat pwera lang sa dalawang nakatulog.

"Tara, sunod ka sa 'kin, Kuya Travis. You, don't come to us. Just stay, okay?" sabi ni Bela kay Eris.

"No, I want to go with you. I don't want to stay with these sleepyheads," Eris said.

Umirap na lang si Bela at hindi na nakipagtalo pa. Sumunod sa kaniya ang tatlo. May mga taong tumitingin sa kanila pero wala namang lumalapit. Mabuti na lamang ay wala masyadong nakakakilala kanina Travis at Eris dahil nakasuot sila ng shades at sombrero.

Huminto sila sa isang bahay na tila hindi pa natatapos. Sira-sira ang bubong nito. Gawa ang bahay sa hollow blocks na hindi pa napaplatadahan ng semento. Eris grimaced at the sight but immediately pulled out an innocent look when Bela stared at him.

"Kuya Travis, pasok kayo. Sorry, medyo madumi ang bahay. Ako na lang kasi ang mag-isang kumikilos dito," Bela said. Pumasok naman sila.

"What did she say, Iris?" bulong ni Eris.

"Bela and her grandmother are the only ones living here. She hasn't cleaned up the house yet. She has a lot of work to do and her parents are long gone already. She is the only provider in this house by doing different kinds of jobs at the same time. Do you know that Travis used to be like her when we were younger?" ani Iris.

"No, I didn't know that. He rarely talks about his personal life," Eris answered.

"Lola, may surprise ako sa inyo," masayang saad ni Bela. Lumingon ang matandang naka-duster sa dalaga. "Kilala n'yo po ba siya?"