Chapter 10

HER CLASS ended early. Nag stay muna siya sa office ng Mamu niya para gawin ang visual aids na gagamitin niya para bukas. She prepared a simple activity before she'll start her lesson tomorrow, baka kasi nagsasawa na ang mga bata sa recitation.

She was humming happily. Hindi alintana ang mga kalat niya na sahig.

"Ang saya mo, nak…" pansin ng Mamu niya.

Tumigil sa paggupit si Khaila at tumingin sa nanay niya. Her mother softly smiled at her, tumigil ito sa trabaho na ginagawa nito.

"There's something in your smile today… Actually, kahit noong mga nakaraan na araw. Lalo na kapag kasama mo si Sir Klein. Madalas kayong lumabas, Aila… Perhaps you two are already dating?"

Mabilis na umiling si Khaila sa Mamu niya. Yes, they're close now and always eating out together, but it doesn't mean they're dating.

"Hindi po, Mamu. We're just simply going out…" humina ang boses niya sa dulo. She realised that dating and going out were different.

Nahuli niya ang malisyosa na ngiti sa mga labi ng Mamu niya.

"Yes, Aila, you two are not dating. Just simply going out." Pang-aasar nito sa kanya.

"Mamu! Wala sa dalawa!" Nakasimangot na sagot niya.

She sighed and continued her work. How she wished they're really dating or going out. Mas masaya sana siya ngayon. Because the more that they stick together, the more na nakikilala niya ito, and her heart was in real danger. Sa tingin niya, it's not just a simple 'like', it's more than that. Her feelings were growing and there's no way to stop it.

"If ever… Hindi naman kami tutol ng Papa mo. I mean, he's good. Medyo matagal na rin siya nagtuturo dito…"

Umangat ang kilay ni Khaila. "Si Papa? Hindi tutol?"

Doubt was written all over her face.

Tumawa ang Mamu niya. "Aila, busy lang sa agency ang Papa mo, pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay hindi na niya kayo napapansin. He knew that Atticus and you are constantly eating together, shopping together — na dati siya ang kasama mo."

"Nagtatampo?" kinakabahan na tanong niya. Kaagad na umiling ang Mamu niya.

Her father was a very understanding man. She's still guilty because of what she did last time.

Khaila almost jumped on her seat when her phone beeped, disturbing her and her mother's conversation. Kinagat niya ang pang-ibaba na labi nang makita na galing 'yon kay Atticus.

"It's okay, baby, you can smile. I won't tease you." Pabiro siyang kinindatan nito.

Sumimangot lang si Khaila at binasa ang message nito.

Atticus Aleir: Wanna eat dinner with us?

Khaila Miller: Sure! Nasa office lang ako ni Mamu.

She smiled. Khaila changed her surname to Miller immediately after she transferred to high school. It was late when she realised that no matter what her surname was, people will still talk behind her back. They're still going to criticize her.

"Mamu, ayos lang ba kung hindi ako sa bahay mag di-dinner?" tanong niya.

"You're going with him?" Her mother asked. Pertaining to Atticus. Tumango lang siya bilang sagot. "Okay, I'll inform your father."

She took her time doing her visual aids and cleaning up at the same time while waiting for Atticus. Malapit na siyang matapos nang may kumatok sa pinto ng office and Atticus showed up.

"Ma'am…" Atticus bowed his head a little when he saw her mother. Ngumiti lang ang Mamu niya sa lalaki at pinagmamasdan ito na lumapit sa kanya. Atticus took the broomstick she was holding. "Ako na ang magwawalis… Ligpitin mo na lang ang gamit mo."

Her eyes caught her mother's gaze. Ngumiti ito sa kanya at mabilis na inilipat sa screen ng laptop nito ang tingin. Khaila nodded at him and quickly fixed her things. Iniwan niya ang visual aids na ginawa niya sa lamesa at hinabilin lang 'yon sa Mamu niya bago hinila palabas si Atticus kahit hindi pa ito tapos.

"My goodness!" Khaila exclaimed.

"Hindi maayos na nalinis…" Atticus said.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Ayos lang! Bahala na si Papa mamaya doon."

Umawang ang mga labi niya nang bigla na lang kunin ni Atticus sa kamay niya ang bag na dala niya. He even held her wrist as they walked towards the parking area. May mga nakakakita sa kanilang mga estudyante at meron din na mga guro.

"They're looking at us…" Khaila whispered.

"Let them." Lumingon sa kanya si Atticus. Her heart leaped when he properly held her hand.

"Issue 'to bukas." Pagbabanta niya.

Atticus shrugged. "At least, sa akin ka na-i-issue?"

Khaila laughed heartily. Para itago ang kilig na nararamdaman niya.

She'll cursed Atticus Aleir Klein kapag wala lang ito sa lalaki. She did the first move, he flirted back. Kailangan siyang panagutan nito.

Todo alalay rin sa kanya si Atticus habang sumasakay siya sa sasakyan nito. And all throughout their trip, they're mostly talking about their students and how are they going to teach them better, not only in terms of academic, in terms of how are they going to behave too. After all, ikalawang tahanan na ng mga ito ang paaralan at nagsisilbi na silang ikalawang magulang.

Khaila didn't know that a conversation like that could make her feel that she matured, even just a bit.

She roamed her eyes around when they finally reached Atticus home. It was a 2 storey house and big enough.

"Atticus… I forgot to ask… What do you mean by 'us'?" tanong niya. Bigla siyang kinabahan sa hindi niya malaman na dahilan.

He chuckled. Mukhang nakita na nito sa mukha niya ang kaba.

"Relax, Ma'am. I'm living with my mother and my niece…"

"May bata?" nanlalaki ang mga mata na tanong niya.

"Meron. Pasok na tayo?" aya nito.

Khaila pressed her lips together and let Atticus enter his home first, alangan naman mauna siya?

Nang tuluyan na siyang makapasok sa loob ng bahay, hindi mapigilan ni Khaila ang mapangiti. Malinis at kaunti lang ang mga gamit. There's no paintings, puro picture frames ang nakasabit sa dingding. Atticus graduation picture, Atticus holding a baby, Atticus celebrating the baby's first birthday, Christmas and so on.

"Sayo na lumaki ang pamangkin mo?" tanong niya at tinuro ang isang picture frame na hawak nito ang isang bata.

Maliit na ngumiti sa kanya si Atticus bago sumagot, "Sa amin, ni Mama… Namatay ang kapatid ko pagkatapos niya manganak."

"Pa! To!"

Lumingon si Khaila sa pinanggalingan ng matinis na boses. Tumakbo ang bata papalapit kay Atticus at yumakap sa binti nito. Atticus smiled. The kind of smile that could make her heart beat insanely, sa sobrang bilis minsan ay nakakasakit na.

"She can't decide kung ano ang itatawag niya sa akin," sabi nito. "Hey baby, say hi to Tita Khaila."

The baby girl giggled and looked at her. Bahagya na tumabingi ang ulo nito at pinagmasdan ang kabuuan ng mukha niya. Nanliit ang mga mata nito na ikinatawa ni Atticus.

"Sorry, she likes pretty faces so much." Atticus grinned at her.

"Hi, baby… How old are you?" Khaila asked.

The little girl shyly showed her four fingers and giggled.

"Pretty!"

Napangiti siya nang makita na tinapik nito si Atticus at pinalapit sa kanya. Her eyes widened a bit when she stretched out her arms and her small hands cupped her face. The little girl smiled at her brightly as she scanned her face more.

"You like my face?" nakangiti na tanong niya.

"Yes! So pretty!"

Bahagya niyang pinisil ang tungki ng ilong nito. "Thanks! You're pretty too."

Nang tumama ang paningin niya kay Atticus. She saw how he looked at her, it was soft and his eyes held so much fear mixed with adoration and hope.

"Hey, may problema ba?" Bahagya niyang tinapik ang balikat nito.

"Wala naman. Ang cute niyong dalawa."

She placed the back of her hand below her chin. "Maganda, Sir. Maganda."

Tumawa lang si Atticus at inilapag ang bata. The little girl held her hand and pulled her towards her playing area, naka set-up 'yon sa sala. There's a lot of balls, soft bears, dolls, may food cart din ito.

"What's your name, baby?" tanong ni Khaila.

"Fle—air!" mabagal na pagbigkas nito sa pangalan.

Mukhang sawa na ang bata na marinig ang mispronounced na pangalan nito.

"Fleair…" she whispered. "Ang ganda."

Naglaro lang silang dalawa at nabalewala ang presensya ni Atticus. He tried to join but his niece was pushing him away, saying na sila lang dapat. Girls only.

"What's your favorite food?" tanong ulit niya. Khaila wasn't still good when it comes to cooking but she's getting there.

"Cereals!"

"No cereals, Fleair. Kakain na tayo pagdating ni Lola." Atticus strictly said.

Lumapit sa kanya ang bata at naglalambing na tinuro ang cereals nito na nakapatong lang sa taas ng ref.

"Don't you dare, Ma'am."

Imbes na matakot ay napangiti pa si Khaila sa lalim ng boses nito.

Tumayo siya at inalalayan ang bata. Fleair was smart enough to prepare her bowl and spoon, abot naman nito ang mga 'yon dahil may sarili itong maliit na lalagyan sa kusina.

Muntik na siyang mapatalon sa kinatatayuan niya nang maramdaman ang mainit na palad ni Atticus sa gilid ng bewang niya.

"Hindi ko alam na matigas pala ang ulo mo, Ma'am?" He whispered behind her ear. Kinilabutan siya dahil doon.

She gulped hardly and composed herself before turning her body to face him. Gahibla na lang ang layo ng mga mukha nila sa isa't isa.

"Hindi ako makatanggi sa bata, Sir."

"Kakain na tayo mamaya… Hindi pang dinner ang cereals, Ma'am."

"Oh please, Atticus! Stop addressing me 'Ma'am'!" Khaila hissed.

He looks hot and she might forget that there's a little girl watching them. Mahalikan niya ito ng wala sa oras!

He grinned mischievously. "Ma'am…" Atticus called her using his damn sexy hoarse voice. Hindi pa ito nakuntento! He leaned and smelled her neck.

"Kakain 'yan mamaya. Ako ang bahala!" Umiwas si Khaila sa lalaki. Tinanggal niya ang kamay nito sa bewang niya at nilapitan ang bata na tahimik na naghihintay sa kanya.

"Tita? Are you sick?" Fleair asked her.

"No, Fleair… Tita is not sick." Atticus answered in between his chuckles.

Mas lalong uminit ang buong mukha niya dahil sa pang-aasar nito. Hindi niya ito pinansin at pinakain lang si Fleair. Saka niya lang nilingon si Atticus nang tumayo ito.

"Ma…" He uttered. Nakagat ni Khaila ang pang-ibaba niyang labi.

She quickly stood up too. "Ahm, bless po…"

Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang inabot ng ginang ang kamay nito at hinayaan siyang magmano.

"Sino naman 'tong maganda na 'to?" His mother asked Atticus. "Girlfriend mo?"

"Ah, hindi po—"

"Nililigawan pa lang, Ma," sabi nito. Umawang ang mga labi ni Khaila.

His mother laughed shakily when she saw her reaction. "Mukhang hindi niya alam na manliligaw ka niya, anak."

"Hindi mo alam?" Atticus asked her. Khaila shyly shook her head. "Ngayon alam mo na?" sarkastiko na tanong nito.

Khaila rolled her eyes.

His mother simply smiled at her and said, "You look kind and different. Ibang-iba sa mga babae na inuuwi nito noon dito."

"Huwag mo na lang pansinin si Mama." Atticus sighed.

They had dinner together and Khaila fed Fleair while she's eating her cereal too. She was asking the little girl from time to time if she still wanted to eat rice or ang cereals na lang nito ang kakainin. Little did Khaila know, Atticus mother was smiling as she watched her softly talking to her granddaughter.

Naunang umakyat ang Mama ni Atticus pagkatapos nilang kumain. She also need to go home but Fleair was clinging to her.

"Fleair… Come here, kailangan na umuwi ni Tita. Babalik siya bukas, hm?" Atticus softly said and tried to get his niece. Mas lalo lang na humigpit ang yakap nito sa leeg niya at nag-umpisa na pumalahaw ng iyak.

"No, no! I want Tita!" Fleair cried.

Atticus was still trying to talk to her. Inuuto na nito ang bata but she's still shaking her head and keeps on saying she only wants her.

Nakita niya na bumaba ulit ang Mama ni Atticus at pagod na ngumiti sa kanya.

"Pasensya ka na, Khaila… Pero pwede ba na mag stay ka muna ngayon?" pakiusap nito at bahagya na sumulyap kay Atticus. "Hindi kasi tatahan 'yang bata na 'yan kapag hindi napagbigyan."

"Tita!" Fleair looked at her. Ngumiti si Khaila at pinunasan ang basang pisngi nito, her cheeks and nose were red. Her eyes were puffy too.

"Sige po… Tatawag na lang po ako sa amin." Khaila mentally noted that she needs to message her father first, and the rest will follow. Baka mabigla na lang sila at nasa harap na ng bahay ni Atticus ang mga Tito niya.

Pinahiram siya ng extra pajama ng Mama ni Atticus. May sariling banyo ang kwarto ng bata kaya doon na lang siya nagpalit. She stayed in her room until she fell asleep.

"Palit tayo. Doon ka na sa kwarto ko matulog."

Khaila pressed her lips together. Atticus was wearing a sando shirt and pajama pants. Nakakaakit ang katawan nito. His biceps were showing as he hugged his soft pillow.

"Hindi ba niya ako hahanapin?"

Umiling si Atticus at ngumiti. "Tulog mantika na oh."

Hinatid siya nito sa kwarto niya. Napangiti siya nang mapansin na parang kwarto lang rin ni Ky ang pinasukan niya. There's only a single bed, a study table, chair, and closet. That's it.

Umupo siya sa kama at kaagad na nagchat sa kapatid at Papa niya. Ky sometimes act more strictly that their father. Hindi siya makatulog dahil sa tanong ng kapatid niya.

Lumingon siya sa pintuan nang marinig niya ang mahinang katok at sunod noon ay bumukas ang pinto. Atticus showed up.

"May kukunin lang…" He said.

She shrugged and let him in. Bumalik ang atensyon niya sa cellphone, she's now texting her Tito's one by one.

"Hindi ka makatulog?" Atticus asked.

"Hmm, nagpapaalam lang ako, matutulog na rin mamaya." Khaila answered without looking at him. Ni hindi niya namalayan na umupo na pala sa tabi niya si Atticus at nakatitig lang sa kanya.

"Khaila…" Atticus called her.

Lumingon siya kay Atticus.

"What?"

"I wanna kiss you…" Atticus uttered.

Atticus reached for her face and gently caressed her cheek, down to her lips. His thumb was tracing her lips and Khaila almost cursed.

"Kiss me." Hamon niya.

He leaned in and captured her lips. Atticus started kissing her and she did the same. His hands were gripping her side waist as he nipped and bit her lips in a gentle manner. She wanted to cry as their lips locked, sobrang bagal ng halik nito. It was addictive.

Pinatakan siya nito ng tatlong marahan na halik sa mga labi bago dahan-dahan na lumayo sa kanya.

"This is bad, Atticus. I think I like you harder than I thought…"

Atticus smiled and traced her lips again using his thumb. "I might shock you…"

"Why?"

"Baby, I think I'm falling. I'm afraid my heart only beats for you."

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