Richard's Standard

Chapter 8 - What's with Dona?

I texted Dona that we would meet at the rooftop. I had been here for ten minutes, but she wasn't here yet. I tried calling her, but she could not be reached.

Where on Earth could this girl be at this moment? I wasn't supposed to be the one waiting for her, it should be the other way around! Argghhh, Dona! You're really a challenge!

Without hesitation, I decided to look for her. I went to the canteen but she wasn't there. I checked the hallway where she usually spent her time running, and even Mom's office, but she was nowhere to be found in those places. Magpapaturo na sana ako ng ibang Bisaya words, pero wala yatang balak na turuan ako.

When I was about to go back to Mom's office, I saw Gilbert and Dona outside, and it seemed they were talking about something important. Wait, is Dona going behind my back? O baka naman iba ang pinag-uusapan nila? I will ask her later.

I waited for them to finish whatever they were talking about. When Dona went inside Mom's office, Gilbert walked away. I followed him so I could play mind games with him.

"Mr. Angeles!" I called out.

He stopped and looked back. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. But I hope it's not bad, lalo pa't sabi ng Mommy mo that you're accepting me already."

Ang kapal. But I still had to fool him by smiling as if he were right.

"Yeah, I was sincere about that. What I wanna ask you is about Dona. Do you, perhaps, know a lot of things about her?"

He seemed to be bothered. "Only a few things, especially if it's about photography and your Mom."

I nodded. "Then I believe you." But it was a fake line. Why would I believe this guy? I still had to ask Dona about it.

"May itatanong ka pa ba?" he added. "Because I still have business to finish."

"Oh, it's okay. I have nothing more to ask you, but please take care, Mr. Gilbert."

He nodded and smiled at me. I faked a smile back.

As he was out of my sight, I was really eager to know if anong napag-usapan nila. I just went back to Mom's office and followed Dona there.

When I opened the door, I saw Mom handing Dona an envelope, and I didn't know what's inside it. When they saw me, they froze in shock, and Dona hurriedly put the envelope into her bag.

Mom stood up, instantly alert by my presence.

"A-Ala kang p-pasuk ngeni?" Mom stammered.

I shook my head. "It's Dona's day to tutor me, but she seems very busy today."

"Oh no," Mom answered. "Actually, Dona is about to leave now. I just gave her an extra allowance for being so good."

I smirked as I saw Dona remain silent. "Good? Why? Seems she had fulfilled a mission, eh?" I didn't know why, but what was up with Dona today? She even looked nervous.

"No, Chad. I'm always like this to Dona if she has another fee to pay."

I didn't listen to Mom, instead, I faced Dona. "Bakit tahimik ka yata? Diba, dapat masaya ka dahil may pambayad ka na?" I asked her. Though she looked sad, I was mesmerized by her presence 'cause she was wearing the casual yellow dress I had bought for her.

Dona hesitantly smiled. "Masaya ako," and faced Mom. "Salamat po, ma'am." She was really quiet this time. I am feeling that Mom is lying and so is Gilbert. I hope Dona won't do the same. I hope she won't lie to me.