MASH Romantic (Chase Series #2)

16th Paper

16th Paper

Not A Good Greeting To Start With

Simula ng marinig ko ang boses ni Drian kahapon ay naisip ko na oras na para umuwi sa Pinas. It's been like, what, a month since I got here with Papa. Hindi ko maikakaila na miss ko na rin ang init at polusyon back home. At isa pa, kailangan ko nang magseryoso dahil malapit na ang pasukan.

"You can stay here if you'd like, y'know. All you have to do is ask your dad." Pakielamerong sabi ni Gage habang tumitingin tingin ako ng mga regalo pasalubong pag-uwi. And oh, I am not going alone. Kasama ko ulit si Papa dahil bawal pa akong mag-isa. At tsaka hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko rin iyon. With the jet lag I've been traumatized with, I don't think I could even ride the freaking plane on the next day.

"I want my life in Phil. 'Cause you know, it takes a whole lot of great effort to speak in English to converse. And who knows, maybe we'll go straight to blood bank when we touchdown." I shrugged. Wala ng point para mainis ngayon, uuwi na rin naman ako in less than forty-eight hours.

"You can always use sign language, babe." He winked. What the earth's heck!

"Oh no, little guy. I won't let my life be some kind of reality charade. So back off." Tumalikod ako, only to face him back. "Or you can pay for these at cashier eight." Walang pasabi kong ibinigay sa kanya ang mga damit na hawak ko at tsaka umalis kaagad.

"What? Jesca!"

Tumatawa ko siyang iniwan kung saan hirap na hirap siya sa dinadala ko kanina. I might have given them to him abruptly so it loses its organization. Very cool.

Pero kinagabihan ay para akong kinarma dahil sa BIG BAD NEWS ni Papa. Narito kami sa living room, trying to figure out how to crawl out of our dilemma. Mostly mine. Really.

"I can cancel my work the time of our departure, Jesca. But the next day before that is crucial. Kinakailangan ng tao ng kumpanya namin para sa project na gagawin sa Pensacola."

"Hindi ako makakauwi nang mag-isa, Papa." Mahina kong sabi.

Napainom si Papa sa kanyang kape. Tahimik kaming apat, and for the first time in history I am not aggravated by the presence of Gage sitting beside me. By the looks on his face, I can tell that he's frustrated as I am. What I am oblivious about is his reason.

"I can get her to Philippines, Tito." We all whipped our heads to see Gage's face, and then waited for the punch line to arrive. But nothing did. All we can sense is the assurance on his voice. Napailing ako sa narinig ko. Tumingin ako kay Papa.

"Hihintayin na lang kita hanggang sa pwede ka nang lumipad pa-alis ng Florida, Papa."

Minatahan niya ako, his eyes are weak and asking for certainty. "May dumating na sulat mula sa Summerridge University kahapon sabi ng mama mo. It won't be opened unless you do it."

For anyone who's taken an entrance examination at their last, or maybe only, university they have applied to, well, they can understand what I am feeling right now. Halo halong saya, kaba, at excitement ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Gusto kong makapasa, hindi dahil iyon na ang last resort ko, kundi I learned to love Summerridge even before I went there because of our never-ending plans about college. Halos kumpleto na ang gamit sa titirhan ko, mama already planned my route and transportation to school and back, and I think I'm ready for Summerridge, too. Just not now, I'm still having this vacation that I well-deserved.