It's monday. Thursday and Friday will be their final exams.

Floreign is studying on her favorite spot at school when her phone rings.

It's unknown number. At hindi ito PH-number.

Walang ibang nakaka alam ng personal number niya kundi ang Dada, Lola at Lolo niya lang.

She accepted the call.

"Dada?" She confidently asked.

"Good thing, you know." Masigla ang boses nito. She doesn't know why. Unang beses din itong tumawag sa personal number niya, lagi itong tumatawag sa messenger o di kaya'y sa WhatsApp.

"I know you are studying, sorry for interrupting you, I just want to check if you are doing fine. You haven't open your messenger, tumawag na lang ako."

"Okay lang po ako, nag re-review na lang. Wala po kaming pasok ngayon. Vacant po, 12-2 pm."

"Where are you right now? Who's with you?"

"Ako lang po, gusto ko lang mapag-isa kapag nag-aaral ako. I don't want any disturbance." Tiniklop niya ang libro at pinasok sa bag niya. She became interested talking to her Dada.

Sa isang buwan minsan lang ito tumawag, pa tapos na ang buwan at naka apat na ito ng tawag.

"I see. How's my baby? Felt so pressure? Hmm?" Tumawa siya.

"Sobra! Last exam I thought I'm not gonna make it, I studied all my subjects well. I have a goal that exam, Dada but I failed."

"But still you got the highest scores, hindi naman sa lahat ng oras makukuha mo ito. There's a lot of struggles while achieving your goal."

Hindi na siya magtataka kung bakit halos alam ng Dada niya lahat ng nangyayari sa kanya sa school. From her scores, grades, recognitions and certificates alam ito ng Dada niya.

"Keep it up, baby. You have a reward after."

"Dada naman, you spoiled me a lot of things since I was elementary up to my high school life. Wala na siguro akong mahihiling pa. Lahat ng gusto ko binibigay mo." Wala rin naman siyang ibang hangad kundi ang suklian lahat ng iyon. Having Dada Trevor, her Lola Therese and Lolo Von is a precious gift she ever received.

"Freedom? Do you want it? Next month will be you 20th birthday, I will give you freedom to do what you want." Napa-isip siya bigla. It's a good offer.

"I feel free, Dada. Hindi ko rin naman na isip na ang higpit niyo sa'kin. I do understand why you are doing this. It's for my own good."

"Am I that strict?" Nag iba ang tuno ng pananalita ng Dada niya.

"No, Dada. Don't be upset."

"I'm not!" She laugh kahit klaro naman, pananalita palang ay alam na niya.

"Anyway, Dada. May trabaho po ba kayo? Naninibago lang po kasi." He barely call her to check if she's fine. They always have serious conversation like their topic a while ago. School stuffs, exams and etc.

"Why? You don't like talking to me?" Mukhang mag tatampo na ito sa kanya. Minsan lang sila mag-usap pero alam niya kung ano ang boses ng Dada niya kapag nag tatampo ito.

Last year, she forgot to greet on his birthday. Hindi sa nakalimutan niya, naging busy lang talaga siya sa araw na 'yon. The next day she called her Dada to great him and to say sorry that she forgot. Matamlay na nag thank you lang ito sa kanya.

She also remember when she was 12 when her Dada gave a necklace, it was a silver with a T on it. Minsan lang niya ito suotin dahil tinutukso siya ng mga kaklase niya bakit daw T ma Floreign naman daw ang pangalan niya. T*t* daw siguro ang ibig sabihin 'non. Nobody knows that, siya lang. Kahit na nagtampo ang Dada niya, hindi niya ito sinabi.

"Magtatampo na naman po kayo. Kaya ko nga sinagot ang tawag kasi alam kong ikaw. You're being negative again, Dada. Nag away ba kayo ng girlfriend mo?" Papakagat siya sa labi niya dahil sa sinabi.

"Girlfriend? I don't have one..you are my only girlfriend, baby." Tinawanan niya ito.

"You're such a liar, Dada. Last month, I heard your secretary said na may babae sa labas ng office mo, ayaw umuwi dahil hindi ka lumalabas."

"Arg! I don't have one, promise. That woman is nothing, baby. She's not you. My priority is you." Tumaas ang boses nito. Baka magalit ito sa secretary niya dahil sa sinabi niya.

"After I graduate, promise me to have girlfriend, Dada. How old are you na ba? Malapit kanang lumagpas sa kalendaryo." Rinig nig humalakhak ang Dada niya sa kabilang linya. Minsan niya lang din itong tumawa kapag nag uusap sila. Her Dada is always serious.

"Not yet, baby. Sabi ko, ikaw ang priority ko. Ano bang hindi mo maintindihan sa sinabi ko?"

"Huwag mo naman ubusin ang oras mo sa'kin, Dada. Malaki na po ako. Isang taon na lang po ay ga-graduate na ako."

"You are always my baby Reign. Kahit lumagpas pa sa kalendaryo ang edad ko, I don't care." Matigas ang pagkakasabi ng Dada niya sa kabilang linya. Hindi na lang siya makikipag-talo.

Lagi naman panalo ang Dada niya.

"It's already 1 am here, baby. Dada will take a rest. May early meeting pa ako. Don't pressure yourself, okay? You are still my top one here in my heart. Good luck on your exams. I love you.."

"I love you more, Dada. Take care." And the call ended.

After the call, she open her book again. She wanted to got higher score on every subjects this time. Next year, 4th year na siya. Every year may mga goal siya, may isang taon siya para ma achieve ang goal na 'yon if she's not, ibig sabihin non, hindi siya mag do-doctor.

"You can't fail this time, Reign. You can't. Kaya mo ito!" Gaya ng sabi ng Dada niya. On thursday, she will be doing her very best to achieve those goals in her to-do list. She can't disappoint her Dada, kahit na hindi naman ito nang-pe-pressure sa kanya to aim high. Gusto nya lang suklian ang mga bagay na binibigay sa kanya at ang pagpapaaral nito.

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Next week pa po update ni Darker 😁💕