One Night Surprise

56(Prey)

Matagal na rin nung pumunta ako sa ancestral house. Dad is bragging his new recipe of pastry na gusto niyang ipatikim sa akin at baka raw gusto ko itry idagdag sa menu ng Cafe de Monte.Wala sa hitsura ng daddy ko na magaling itong magbake.
We are having a lunch in our garden when I spotted the old fountain.
"I thought you replace it already" I said.
He follows my gaze.
"That old fountain? I change my mind Prey may nakapagsabi sa akin na wag ko na lang itong palitan."
"There's so much memories on that fountain." I said.
"You're right, I still remember your mom bought it. I wish she was still alive." I can feel his sadness when dad talk about mom.
"How I wish it too dad anyway let's finish our food."
He nods and smile.
Then I focus with my food.
"Prey you know Yara right?"
Napatingin ako kay daddy bigla at napahinto.
"Yung pinakilalang anak ni Ronaldo." He reminds me even though I know her siya lang naman ang karibal ni Miu kay Jeffer.
"Yes dad I know her." I continue eating.
"Ronaldo and I are talking the other day nag-aalala siya baka hindi niya masabayan yung gusto ni Yara and he said that Yara seems secretive lately. Dagdag pa ni Ronaldo baka lang kailangan ni Yara ng makakausap at makakatulong sa pagpaplano ng nalalapit na kasal nito."
"They have so much money dad they can hire whatever they want."
"I mean Yara doesn't have much friends Prey and I think it would be better if may kaibigan siya na kasing edad niya or kasing edad mo Prey. I want you to make friends with her."
Is he kidding right? Make friends with Yara? I can't believe dad suggested that.
"I can't and I won't dad magiging awkward lang kaming dalawa."
"Normal lang naman na magiging awkward kayo because hindi pa kaayo ganun ka close ni Yara." He smirked. I hate him smirking I know he has a point but he doesn't know the reason why I avoid Yara to be my friend.
I can't blame him after all he doesn't know why I don't make friends with the rival of my bestfriend.
"Come on, Prey what will I say to Ronaldo na ayaw makigpagkaibigan ng unica hija ko sa anak niya because hindi niya ito gusto?!"
"That's right! You can say that to Tito Ronaldo."
"You know that Ronaldo and I are best of friends." He let go a heavy sighed knowing that he will reject the request of Tito Ronaldo.
"Dad, you said that you want me to taste your new recipe right?!." I change the topic para tumigil na si daddy na ipilit na makigpagkaibigan ako kay Yara.
Kanina pa kami kumakain wala akong napansin na pastry na nilapag ni daddy sa table.
"About that I was planning to make it in front of you because I was planning to teach you how to make it."
"So gagawin mo pa lang dad?!"
"Yes, but I change my mind if you are finish with your food Prey you can go." Is he upset of me??
Bakit tila gusto na niya akong paalisin agad. Ngayon ko pa lang siyang nakitang nagtampo sa akin.
Pinunasan niya ng table napkin ang mga labi niya bago ito tumayo at pumasok sa loob ng bahay. It was the first time that he walked out in front of me and giving me a disappointed look. I can't believe this.
"Miss Prey tapos na po kayo kumain?" Sabi ng kasambahay namin napansin niya kasi na hindi ko na ginagalaw yung pagkain ko.
"Let me help you clean it up." I volunteered.
"Yes po, Miss Prey."
Nasa kitchen na kami ng mapansin ko yung mga nakalagay na ingredients sa counter table. Yun sigurong gagamitin ni dad sa new recipe na sinasabi niya.
Isa kasi sa mga bonding namin ni daddy noong una ang pag-bake ng mga pastry. I know how supportive my dad is kasi nung nalaman niya na gusto ko mag-aral ng barista at magpatayo ng coffee shop ay sinuportahan niya ako bagkus kahit super busy niya sa office ay naglaan ito ng oras para matotoo si daddy mag-bake para na rin may macontribute siya sa coffee shop na gusto ko na ipatayo which turn into a successful Cafe de Monte. Karamihan sa mga pastries na nasa menu sa Cafe de Monte ay sariling ideya ni daddy.
Now that he is so upset of me. I feel sad about it.

I spotted dad reading newspaper in the living room.
"Dad do you want a tea? I'll make it."
He was ignoring me.
"Dad why are you ignoring me? I'm your daughter and your only princess right?! How dare you to ignored me" kunwari ako naman ang galit.
"Princess?! I don't have a daughter who is heartless." He interrupt.
He think that I'm heartless because I don't want to be friends with Yara.
"Dad you make my baby upset." I blurted.
"I'm upset too Prey and now I can't even face Ronaldo."
I can't stand to see how upset he was. I love my dad so much even my own happiness I'm willing to give up just to make him happy those I promised when the time mom decided to go in heaven. Fine dad you win.
Tumabi ako sa kanya umupo sa couch.
"Dad, I love you and I don't want you to get upset with me. Fine, I'll make friends with Tito Ronaldo's daughter." I sigh as I defeated.
"Really Prey?! Making friends won't hurt you Prey and I love you too." His face lighten then he hug me.
"You act like a kid when you upset dad." I chuckled.
"Who's don't act like a kid when they are upset??" He chuckled then parted the hug.
"But dad I'm not promising you that I get so much close to Yara."
"It's fine Prey, as long you are making friends with her and I know eventually it's getting there." He was never give up of wanting me and Yara
to be close.
"Don't close your door to her Prey you don't know her yet." He added.
"Fine."
He was happy to show me how he will make his new recipe.
After some time finally natapos rin kami mag-bake and it's time for food tasting. Hindi ako nagkamali masarap ang new recipe ni daddy. It's a walnut sponge cake covered in a sweet syrup definitely I'll add it in the menu.

He baked two cakes because he wants me to give it to LJ. Gusto niya rin kasi matikman ito ni LJ and he wants to get his opinion about it. I know dad only wants to bragged it to LJ na magaling siya magbaked and definitely he like LJ so much. Feeling ko nga si LJ ang anak niya hindi ako.

I texted LJ na pupuntahan ko siya sa school pero hindi siya nagreply siguro busy siya. I parked my car tapos bumaba na ng sasakyan bitbit yung cake na niluto ni daddy.

I was in the hallway walking ng makita ko ulit yung babaeng kausap ni LJ nung nakaraang araw. She is sitting in the waiting area. What is she doing here? I recall when she see my bump, she accused me of seducing LJ. Who is she? My mind is clouded with questions. I sit in the empty bench I try to call his phone but I guess nakasilent ito because it keeps on ringing pero hindi ito sinasagot ni LJ. The girl saw me then decide to sit next to me. Inilapag ko yung box ng cake sa tabi ko.
"LJ's wife?" She said.
I nod because I don't know what to say.
"How sweet you brought a cake for him." She smile but I know it's a fake smile. I was sitting beside that girl and the awkwardness is killing me how much minute do I have to wait bago matapos si LJ magturo ng taekwondo sa mga bata. If he only knew na darating ako malamang hindi ako maghihintay sa kanya.
I give up, uuwi na ako at sa bahay ko na ibibigay ang cake kay LJ why am I so excited na ipatikim yung cake na niluto ni daddy kay LJ?!
"Excuse me, I need to go." I said then I stand.
"Not waiting for him? You know that I still like him don't you?" That scandalous woman blurted.
I froze there for a second then turn my gaze to her. A frustrated ex-girlfriend?? Is that a joke? Or is she playing a game, is she wants me to get jealous??
"Excuse me?! Do you hear yourself?!"
"Pinakasalan ka lang naman ni LJ because you're pregnant am I right?!"
"What? It's none of your business." I said.
"You don't love him right?" She said with a smirk on his face.
I don't know what to say. I bit my lips out of frustration.
"You are aware that I'm LJ's ex-girlfriend do you?!"
"You're acting like a child that lost a toy." I can't believe how vulgar she is.
"Lost a toy?! Give up on LJ and give  him back to me " she demand.
I'm glaring at her and try to sink in what this woman wants. I can't believe her.
"Why are you not answering?!" She said.
"You are nonsense." I blurted.
I don't give a damn on her she is nothing compared to me.
I can see her mad face.
The bell rang and some kids are running toward their moms.
"Prey?!." LJ calls my name.
Lumapit si LJ.
"Chantal what are you doing here?" He said.
"I was waiting for Pete." The woman named Chantal smile. Definitely she has a two face.
"Pete? Is he your son?" LJ curiously asked.
"Pete is my nephew, he is the son of my sister." She answered.
"Taltal!" The little boy shout running towards that woman.
She act like a sweet person.
"Pete you say bye to your teacher." She said.
"Bye master LJ!" The little boy wave his hand.
"I can't believe they are related." LJ said.
I feel out of place when LJ and that woman named Chantal talking.
"Prey do you miss me? That's why you visit me." He smiles staring at me.
I feel irritated and I don't know why.
"Here take this." I gave him the cake.
"Did you baked it for me?" I can see the amazement on his face.
"No, dad made it."
"Oh, really and why you look so annoyed?" He asked
"I'm not." I deny.
"I can sense it Prey? May nagawa ba akong masama?"
"Wala."
He is not convinced.
"Perhaps you are jealous?" He blurted.
"What are you saying? LJ kung may gagawin ka pa sa school mauna na akong uuwi."
"Prey, wait! Why are you avoiding my question, you are jealous of Chantal am I right?!"
"No." 
His smiles fade away then I walk away.
"Prey wait!" Sinundan ako ni LJ hanggang napadpad kami sa parking lot.
"Prey."
I stopped walking and turned to him.
Bitbit niya pa rin yung box ng cake ng mapansin niya na dala niya pa rin yung box inilapag niya ito sa sahig.
"Prey just you and no one else."
He reassured me with his sweet words. Then he approached me and kissed me on the lips. I was surprised at his sudden kiss but I could do nothing but let him kiss me.