Since He Came

III

Whenever I'm having trouble with socializing, my mom would always be my haven. She backed me up all those years that I'm afraid I grew dependent under her protection.

Am I weird to think that, ever since my father came back, the team my mother and I have always had slowly decapitated?

I felt alone. Indifferent. Though I think I got used to it through the months, but tonight I specifically felt indifferent.

From the time I reached the restaurant that Dalia informed me, I was tensed.

The server led me to the room that was reserved under my father's name.

As the door was opened for me, I saw her, the gorgeous yet scary lady from before. Miss Hyra Vegas. Wearing her office attire from this morning, she looked tired but she was nonetheless attractive.

She slowly almost lazily lifts her gaze from what she's reading in her iPad to me.

"Magandang gabi." I greeted as I was stuck in my place few feet away from our table. It is a round table that I believe is too big for just four people.

Umangat ng kaunti ang kanyang kilay as she did a quick rundown of my look.

"I see that Dalia did a great job fixing you." Hyra said as she return her gaze on whatever she's reading before I came in.

I am wearing a simple dark blue polo shirt which contrasts my pale complexion pair with a khaki trouser that's just above my ankle. Dalia also goes to the length of buying a pair of penny loafers to conclude my look.

"But maybe you could lose the bag pack. It's out of place."

"Dalia told me the same thing pero di naman kasi ako nakauwi para iwan sa bahay."

She didn't bothered answering and just went back on what she's doing before I came in.

I fixed my collar as I cleared my throat.

"Have a seat." She finally offered nang marahil mapansin niya na nakatayo pa rin ako.

"O-okay." I obliged.

Hindi ko alam kung papano magsimula ng diskusyon marahil dahil na rin sa sanay na akong nasa receiving end of conversations.

"I see, Wala pa sina mama." Pilit na pagsisimula ko nang usapan.

"I see, your eyes are working." Sagot niya na parang nanunuya.

Nanatiling nakatungo pa rin siya sa kung ano man na ginagawa niya.

"Aa. Eh. Haha. Kanina ka pa ba dito? Ang aga mo naman yata. Dalia told me I'm 15 minutes early for the dinner when she dropped me off." Pangalawang subok ko na magsimula ng usapan.

"I like being punctual."

Ang gara niya kausap. Tsh. Ano bang ginagawa niya at di siya makausap nang maayos?

Sige subukan ulit natin.

"Ang ganda ng panaho –

"I'm working. I'll appreciate it if you shut up." She said cutting me off and giving me her full attention for a minute then later on goes back on what she's doing.

ANG. SUNGIT.

Napahiyang yumuko na lamang ako at binigyan pansin ang aking mga kamay na nasa aking mga hita.

Few minutes later, my parents arrived. After the pleasantries, well mostly sa part ni Hyra at ng parents ko, they proceed to order their foods.

"How about you son?" Tanong ni dad.