Faded (Published Under TDP Publishing House)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"If ever he will beg, please accept him back. He didn't mean it, he just did it in order to protect you. It is all my fault! Sorry!"

Her last words occupied my mind. Para akong lutang ng makalabas ng station. Hindi ko man lang naiintindihan ang sinasabi niya.

Kung wala lang ang mga bodyguards ko sa aking kiliran tiyak na nabundol na ako sa kung sino-sino. I was really in my deep thought, is he reffering for someone? If yes, for whom?

I was going to entered in the car when I saw a bunch of teens holding a cup of milk tea. Kumalam bigla ang sikmura ko.

I roam around my eyes nagba-bakasakaling makakita ng malapit na milk tea-han. Pero bigo ako, tanging mga karenderya lang ang mga nakikita ko sa gilid. Ngumuso ako. I carassed my tummy, looks like I can't satisfied my cravings for today. Or maybe I'll just order it later on Grab.

"Ma'am may malapit lang po rito na starbucks." My moods lightened. Lumingon ako sa kanya. He notice it? Did Kuya Boyet said it?

Nagdiwang ako sa tuwa.

"Really?" He nod as answer. I'd enter the car with a wide smile. "Wait, Kuya may milk tea na sa starbucks?"

I asked in confusion. Sa pagkaka-alam ko Starbucks only have coffee how strange they sale milk tea.

"Opo Ma'am" he looked at me at the rear mirror and started the engine.

He was right it wasn't that far. Dalawang liko lang sa kanto naroon na ang two-storey na Mini Starbucks.

Kuya Boyet opened the door for me. Napangiti ako ng batiin siya ng mga crew. Is he always come here? Para kasing close na close niya ang mga tauhan rito.

I looked up at there menu. And he was right again. May nakapuslit na doon na iba't ibang flavor ng milktea. I ordered the raspberry milk tea. And 5 cups of the Iced White Chocolate Mocha for them.

"Kuya, how did you know that they also sale milk tea?" I asked when went out. "Palagi ka ba rito?"

He smiled and looked back at the counter. I remembered how the crew greeted him with a smile.

"Gaya niyo po, Ma'am mahilig rin ang anak ko sa mga milk tea. Halos araw-araw nga po may dala siyang cups." He stated. "Kaya ayon po naisip niya, bakit daw hindi idagdag ang milk tea sa menu kung pati rin naman ito bet ng mga tao."

That left me speechless.

"Siya ang may-ari nito?" I pointed the starbucks. He nodded. I was amazed. Kuya Boyet is indeed a best father just like my Dad. Kahit sa trabaho niya nagawa niyang nakapagtapos ang anak niya at nakatayo pa ito ng sariling mall.

"Iha?" Agad akong napalingon sa pinanggagalingan ng boses. That voice was very familiar to me. Kaya hindi na ako nagulat ng makita ko siya.

"Tita Alexa!" I smiled and kissed her on the cheeks.

Its been a long time since our last met. Hindi pa kami naghihiwalay ni Eric noon. I just notice when I thought of not seeing them and all Eric's relative on our break-up, hindi ko na sila nakita pa. I don't know if it coincidence or Eric commanded them not to show themselves . If I'm not mistaken sa Casa Abella ko sila huling nakita. On the celebration.

Kuya Boyet excused himself. Para na rin daw maibahagi niya ito sa kanyang kasamahan. I nodded. Ganun rin ang ginawa ng mga bodyguards ni Tita Alexa. Iginiya niya ulit ako papaloob.

"Can we talk inside?" She offered.
"Sure po, Tita!" We headed on the second floor. Napagpasyahan naming sa taas na mag-usap dahil na rin sa puno na ang mga upuan. We choose to sit near the window.