Chapter 47

"Holy fu—" My father's curse suspended. "Princess, what are you doing there? With... Eclair?"

Eclair and I were on the floor behind the bar counter in our kitchen. My legs were folded on my side beside him, and a plate of his favorite food was served in front of him. But still, he wouldn't eat.

Tiningala ko si Papa habang may bahid pa ng luha sa pisngi. His brows furrowed when he stalked toward us. Hinagod ko ang nakadapang katawan ni Eclair.

"Pinagalitan po ni Kuya Rain si Eclair kaninang umaga. And now, he didn't want to eat, Papa! Kanina pa po siya hindi kumakain!"

"What? Why?" Lumuhod siya sa harapan namin.

My poor dog was old. I couldn't believe Kuya Rain still scolded him. My brother already apologized but that didn't work for Eclair. Ngayon, hindi ko rin siya papansinin hangga't hindi kumakain ang alaga ko. Ang tamlay tamlay niya na tuloy.

"Tawagin mo ang Mama mo," utos ni Papa habang hinahawakan ang ulo ni Eclair. "Eclair, gusto mo si Mommy ang magpakain sa 'yo?" he talked in a persuasive tone.

Tumayo ako at lumabas ng kusina para hanapin si Mama. I found her in our living room, talking with someone very familiar. I briskly dried my face with my fingers before I marched toward them.

Hollie smiled widely when she saw me approaching. Napalingon din si Mama dahil sa paglingon sa akin ni Hollie. Nakangiti siya noong una pero medyo napawi iyon nang matitigan ako.

"Hi, Riri! I heard you passed the board exam. Congratulations!" Hollie said before she hugged me.

"Thank you, Hollie!" I smiled. "Hanap mo ba si Kuya? Nasa itaas siya, pero hindi ko siya tatawagin dahil hindi ko siya bati."

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. Hinawakan ni Mama ang braso ko at hinarap.

"Shortcake, what happened? Umiyak ka? What did your brother do to you?" she asked worriedly.

Umiling ako at ngumuso. "Si Eclair po kasi, kanina pa ayaw kumain kasi pinagalitan ni Kuya."

"Huh? Why?"

"Ewan ko po sa kaniya. Tawag po kayo ni Papa sa kusina. Nandoon sila ni Eclair, Ma. Baka kumain na kapag ikaw po ang nagpakain."

Lito pa rin ang mukha niya. She turned to Hollie.

"Hollie, I'm just going to check on Eclair. Maiwan ko na muna kayo rito ni Riri. Siya naman ang pakay mo, hindi ba?" ani Mama. "You can stay here for dinner if you changed your mind, hija."

Tipid na ngumiti si Hollie at tumango. Isang hagod sa braso ko ang ginawa ni Mama bago niya kami iniwan ni Hollie. Nang humarap ako sa bisita, tinanaw niya pa muna si Mama bago ulit ibinalik sa akin ang tingin.

Her medium tan skin was glowing even with her simple powder blue shirt and high-waist pants. It was quite new to me to see her in this outfit since I was used to seeing her in sophisticated dresses and killer heels. Her curly hair with pink highlights was falling over her shoulder. Her fedora was missing, too. Not even a small hairclip could be found on her hair.

Overall, she looked plain. For the first time. And when I stared into her eyes, I could almost feel her weariness. Hindi tulad sa tuwing nakikita ko siya noon, mukhang ang tamlay niya ngayon. At hindi iyon maitago ng ngiti niya.

"Ako raw ang hanap mo? Bakit pala?" usisa ko nang nakabawi.

May kinuha siya sa dala niyang chain bag. When she held it out to me, I already knew it was an invitation for something. I accepted it and pulled one side of the ribbon. My lips parted when I saw what kind of invitation it was.

"Hollie..." I flickered my gaze to her.

She smiled sadly. "Sorry, sa 'yo ko na lang ibinigay. Nahihiya kasi ako kay Tita Rappy. I will understand if you don't want to attend..."

"You're going to get married," I cut her off, swallowing the lump in my throat. "P-Pero... not with my brother? I-I thought... you two w-were..."

I couldn't finish my sentence because my mind was unhinged. Why does this wedding so sudden? What did my brother to Hollie? Hindi ba talaga sila? O kung hindi nga talaga, wala ba talagang balak si Kuya na ligawan si Hollie?

"Riri," Hollie called softly as she went closer to me, so I had to lift my chin since she was as tall as Ate Harley. "You're really like a sister to me, you know that, right? I treasure you and your family. I... love your brother. But..."

Nangilid ang luha ko nang mapait siyang ngumiti sa akin. She held my hand firmly. Her hands were quite cold.

"Hollie, my brother is just in denial! H-He likes y-you! I know-" I rambled my words.

"Riri, you don't have to speak for someone else's feelings. I know your brother. Even if he likes me in any way, he will never commit to me. I want a commitment with him. I want assurance. But I know that that isn't what he wants, and I have long accepted that heartbreaking truth," she said with a gentle voice. "But now, I found someone who can give me the love that I wanted..."

"But do you love that someone, Hollie?"

"Mas nauna ko siyang nakilala sa kuya mo. He's my childhood bestfriend..."

She didn't answer my question. I heaved a sigh.

"Does my brother already know about this?"

She shook her head. "Ikaw pa lang ang sinabihan ko sa inyo. I'm not going to tell him, but I know that he'll soon know about this from another person. And that's that."

Why... it wasn't my love life, but it deeply affected me. Kuya Rain might be suplado most of the time, but he's also sweet and affectionate in his own way. I want someone who will also take care of him other than us, his family. I know that he wants that, too. There must be something that is holding him back from pursuing Hollie.

Kung mayroon nga... ano naman kaya iyon? At alam ba niya na ikakasal na si Hollie? Nasaan na ba siya? Hindi ko siya bati dahil sa ginawa niya kay Eclair pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nito ay hindi na ako nag-aalala.

My response to her got postponed when my brother appeared in our doorway. He was still wearing his corporate attire, with his coat hanging on his left arm while he was busy with his phone in the other hand. Nakalagpas na siya nang kaunti sa amin nang tumigil siya sa paghakbang at lumingon sa aming puwesto.

Hollie detached her hand from mine and took a step back when my brother's grave eyes focused on our visitor. Kitang-kita ang pagpasada niya ng tingin kay Hollie mula ulo hanggang paa. Binaba ko ang hawak na invitation at bahagyang itinago sa likuran.

Akala ko magtatanong siya kay Hollie, pero lumipat sa akin ang mga mata ni Kuya.

"Kumain na si Eclair?" malamig niyang tanong, tuluyang binalewala si Hollie.

My vex toward him recurred right away just after worrying about what he'd feel if he learns about Hollie getting married. Kaya sinukuan, e, kasi hindi marunong magpahalaga. Ano? Hihintayin niya pa ba kaya na maging huli na ang lahat bago niya pa ma-realize na mahal niya rin si Hollie? O matagal niya nang natanto iyon at talagang may bagay lang na pumipigil sa kaniya para maging masaya?

Umismid ako at hindi siya sinagot. Inirapan ko rin bago bumaling ulit kay Hollie. Yumuko siya nang kaunti at pumikit nang mariin.

"Hollie, you should stay here for dinner," I insisted.

"Hindi na. Uh, may kasama rin kasi ako. He's waiting for me outside," she informed me. "Pakisabi na lang kina Tita at Tito na umalis na ako."

"Oh..." I nodded unwillingly. "Okay. Hatid na lang kita sa labas."

Tumalikod na siya kaya sumunod na ako. I glanced at my brother over my shoulder, only to get disappointed by seeing his back and on his track to the staircase. Hollie's cold hand got a hold of my arm.

I drew my attention back to her. "Nakakainis 'tong si Ku-Hollie!" sigaw ko nang halos mahigit niya ako pababa kasama niya nang bigla siyang bumagsak sa sahig.

My blood ran cold and my nerves stopped functioning. My feet rooted on the floor while I could only do was to stare at the unconscious body of Hollie. Nalimutan ko lahat ng itinurong first aid sa amin noon. Kung hindi ko pa narinig ang tawag ni Kuya sa pangalan ko at ang pagluhod niya sa gilid ni Hollie, wala pang tutulak sa akin para kumilos at magsalita.

"K-Kuya..."

Unable to provide another word, my hands could only grip each other, and my feet teetered. I almost didn't notice my brother's key fob in my hand. Natagpuan ko na lang din sa sahig ang envelope na hawak kanina.

My brother scooped Hollie from the floor and hurtled outside. Nagmamadali akong sumunod sa kanila nang nasa may pintuan pa lang si Kuya ay may humarang na sa kaniyang isang lalaki.

"What did you do to her?" tanong nito na may halong pang-aakusa sa tono.

Iniwasan siya ni Kuya at lalagpasan sana nang humarang ulit ang lalaki. He must be the one Hollie was talking about.

"What the fuck? Get out of my fucking way!" my brother roared.

"Kuya, he could be the-"

"I'm Hollie's fiancé! Give her to me! Dadalhin ko siya sa ospital!"

Prumeno ang mga paa ko sa gilid nila. Tinulak ko ang lalaking nakaharang kay Kuya bago hinarap ang kapatid.

"Kuya, ibalik mo sa loob si Hollie. We should lie her down first!"

"Skyricharm!" si Kuya.

"Kuya, listen to me and follow what I said," mariin kong utos at tinitigan siya. "She needs to lie down first. Trust me. I have to check her first."

His jaw clenched, but he swallowed his attempt to argue and followed my order. Sumunod ako agad kay Kuya nang marinig ang pagtutol sa likuran. I turned my heels and faced the man.

"I don't know you, but if you're concerned with Hollie, shut your mouth and just follow what I say."

Ngayon lang gumana ang utak ko sa dapat na gawin sa ganitong sitwasyon. Sumunod ako kay Kuya pabalik sa bahay, at naabutan sina Mama at Papa na walang alam sa nangyari. I instructed my brother to lie Hollie onto the carpet and I knelt on her side to guide her head.

Pinakuha ko ang tatlong throw pillow at inilagay iyon sa ilalim ng mga paa niya. Her legs should be slightly higher than her heart level, or eight inches to one foot from the ground. My hands searched for her belt, unbuckling it and unbuttoning her pants as soon as possible while maintaining myself calm. Loosening tight clothing from someone who faints and elevating her feet helps restore the person's blood flow to the brain. After that, I checked her pulse and breathing.

"Can you tell why she passed out?" my brother asked. "Is she gonna wake up in a few minutes or should we call a doctor now?"

Pinalayo ko sila sa amin para magkaroon ng sapat na hangin si Hollie. Nanatili akong nakaluhod sa gilid niya, pinagmamasdan ang namumutla niyang mukha. She held my arm for support, and I failed catching her!

"Stress, anxiety, fatigue, hypoglycemia, anemia, hypotension..." I enumerated the possible reasons, silently praying that nothing more serious illness was the cause.

"We should bring her to the hospital! Baka mamaya ay lumala lalo dahil hinayaan dito!"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa nagsalita, pero naunahan ako ni Papa na magsalita.

"Sino ka ba? Ba't ka nandito?"

"Trivo..." tawag ni Mama para pakalmahin si Papa bago humarap sa estranghero. "Hijo, I hope you don't mind. But who are you, anyway? Are you with Hollie?"

"Yes, I am with her, Ma'am. I'm her fiancé," the guy said. "My name is Carter."

"Fiancé?" sabay na tanong ng mga magulang ko.

Napalingon ako kay Kuya na mataman lang na nakatingin kay Hollie. Parang hindi narinig ang sinabi ng lalaki.

Binalik ko ang tingin kay Hollie nang bahagyang gumalaw ang kaniyang ulo. Isang iglap, nasa kabilang gilid na ni Hollie sina Kuya at ang fiancé nito. When my twin realized what he did, he rose from kneeling at once and walked away from us.

I hoped my brother's desperate predicament could put him under sleepless nights for overthinking about Hollie, her fiancé, and their wedding until he finally realizes he doesn't want Hollie for anyone but himself because he loves her. Sana mangyari iyon bago nga ikasal si Hollie, dahil hindi ko rin hahayaan na may mangyaring infidelity dahil sa kaniya.

Knowing Kuya Rain, he can break all the laws to get what he wants. Even a person.

I made sure that Hollie was feeling better before they left. We still invited them again to stay for dinner but Hollie firmly declined the offer while still being polite. Nag-sorry pa siya sa nangyari kahit hindi naman kailangan. Pinayuhan ko lang siya na magpa-check kung sakaling makaramdam siya ulit nang matinding pagkahilo. I could run some tests for her but even though I knew she trusts me, I doubt she will accede.

Ako tuloy ang tinanong nina Mama tungkol kay Hollie habang kumakain kam. Ayaw ni Kuya lumabas ng kuwarto at hinayaan naman siya ni Mama. Mabuti na lang at kumakain na si Eclair dahil kay Mama.

I was hesitating to knock on my brother's room after our dinner to check on him. Again, hindi ko pa rin siya bati. I-che-check ko lang kung nasa loob pa o tumakas na at pumunta kay Hollie. I bet on the latter.

"Kuya?" katok ko sa pintuan. "Kuya. Kuya. Kuya," tawag ko sa bawat katok.

No response. I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open when it wasn't locked. The light was on, so I surveyed the room and winced at the sight of perpetual motion machines and other designed objects related to physics in every corner of his room.

Nang narinig ko na ang mahihinang yabag ng pusa ko ay dahan-dahan kong isinara ang pinto. Nag-iwan ako ng maliit na space at sinilip doon ang pusa kong nakatingala na sa akin.

"Sorry, baby, but you're not allowed here. Wait mo na lang ako rito, ha?" I apologized to her before I closed the door.

Narinig ko pa ang ngiyaw niya sa labas. The first and last time I let her inside Kuya's room, she played with my brother's machines and ended up breaking some. Kaya ayaw sa kaniya ni Kuya.

"Kuya?" I called again as I dawdled to his bathroom.

"What, Ri, get out of my room," he talked out of nowhere, causing me to spring back with a hand on my chest.

"Sa'n ka, Kuya?" Lumapit ako sa kaniyang kama.

"I said get out, Skyricharm."

I let my knees kiss the floor before I drooped my head to peek under his bed. He was lying on his back with his arm over his forehead. I extended my arm to his face to poke his cheek. He clicked his tongue and slapped away my hand slightly.

"Why are you here? Aren't you hungry yet?"

"No. Get out."

"What time are you going to eat?"

"When you're dead asleep."

"I'm not gonna sleep until you eat!" I stabbed his cheek again with my finger.

He scoffed. "Then don't..." he said dismissively.

"Hindi kita bati!"

"E 'di hindi."

"Talaga!"

My lips turned downward. Hindi ko na siya pinilit at lumabas na lang ng kuwarto niya. Tart was waiting patiently beside the door, and stood on her four legs upon seeing me. Yumuko ako para buhatin siya at dalhin sa kuwarto.

I wanted to check if he had already had his dinner
before I fell asleep, but I contemplated.

Maaga akong nakatulog kaya maaga rin akong nagising. Nag-check ako ng messages sa business email bago tiningnan ang personal inbox.

Bumaba ako sa kitchen para maghanap ng makakain. Kinuha ko ang box ng Koko Krunch sa isang cabinet bago kumuha ng gatas at baso. Puro cereals ko na lang ang nandito dahil iba naman ang kinakain ni Ate Harley noong nandito siya. E, wala na siya ngayon kaya mga pagkain ko na ang umuukupa sa space ng kaniya dati.

Wala na ring sumisimangot sa akin dahil hiwalay kong kinakain ang cereal at iniinom ang gatas. I never like seeing my cereals floating in the milk in a bowl. Also, the cereals only get saggy because I tend to eat slow most of the time. I just don't like it. I want them crunchy.

I sat down on my stool chair behind the counter with my breakfast. My phone lit up when a message arrived in my inbox.

Engr. EL Merrick:

Magandang umaga, Riri. Rio Grande has something for Tart later. Busy ka ba mamaya? Kumain ka na?

Skyricharm:

Hi, good morning! I'm not really busy today. I'm having my breakfast now. Kain ka na rin.

Nagsalin na ako ng gatas sa baso at binuksan ang karton. Bawas na 'to kaya diretso na akong dito kakain.

Engr. EL Merrick:

Ang aga mong gumising. Anong kinakain mo?

My mouth was full after pouring the cereals into it. I took a picture of my breakfast before I sent it to him.

Engr. EL Merrick:

Iyan lang almusal mo?

Skyricharm:

Hindi. Kakain ulit ako mamaya hehe. Tinatamad pa ako magluto and ako pa lang ang wakey wakey :(

Engr. EL Merrick:

Wakey wakey?

Engr. EL Merrick:

I'm gonna cook breakfast now. Ano'ng gusto mo?

Two gulps of milk before I threw my head back and refilled my mouth with cereals through its box. Some pieces spilled from my mouth and fell on to my lap, which I immediately picked and shoved again in my mouth.

Skyricharm:

Hala, wag na. Uy, sige. Luto at kain ka muna. May pasok ka pa yata. Magpapakain lang din ako ng mga anak pagkatapos ko kumain hehe.

During my college days, mas marami pa yata talagang nakakain ang mga alaga ko kaysa sa akin. Mas mag-aalala pa ako kapag hindi sila kumakain, lalo na sina Cookie at Eclair na madalas magtampo noon. Si Mama lang talaga ang madalas nakakapagpilit sa kanila kumain kapag nagtatampo, katulad nang nangyari kahapon kay Eclair.

It was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon when Rafa flooded my inbox with pictures and messages.

Rafa:

OMG HAVE U SEEN THIS ALR??

Rafa:

GORL I SAW BILLBOARDS OF U??

Rafa:

YOUR BILLBOARDS IN KATIPS AND PASIG!! LOOK AT THESE PICTURES OMAYGAD GORL????? SINO NAGPALAGAY NITO SAnINYO??

I got up from the couch after viewing the pictures she sent to me. They were from two different areas. A short video clip followed them, showing the ten seconds congratulatory greetings with my picture wearing my uniform on a large LED billboard in EDSA Guadalupe. I did a double-take until it finally knocked my socks off.

"Ma!" I yelled, eyes still glued to my phone screen. "Mama!"

"Miss Riri, bakit? Nasa shop ang Mama mo, ah?" si Ate Cara ang sumagot. "Tapos na pala akong magluto. Puwede ka nang kumain."

Napatayo ako at umakyat agad sa kuwarto ko. I wore my knitted daffodil skirt and string halter neck top with sleeves, fully revealing the ink on my left shoulder blade. I put a generous amount of sunscreen on my face and neck before applying face powder and swiped my lips with peach color lipstick, all from Aspaden Beauty. Tart flirted with me so I dressed her in a pink crochet dress with a collar.

Lulan ng aming SUV, nakatanaw kaming dalawa ni Tart sa labas ng bintana habang nakakandong siya sa akin. My jaw dropped when we passed by the first electronic billboard we encountered. Nakarating kami sa BEC Holdings na abala sa pagtingin ng mga picture at video na s-in-end sa akin ng kaibigan.

"Miss Riri, magtatagal ka ba rito?" tanong ni Kuya Oyo nang tumigil kami sa paglalakad malapit sa entrance ng building.

Papa didn't know that I would visit here today. I didn't even know if he was in his office or in a meeting, but I was sure he was here.

"Opo. Huwag ninyo na po ako hintayin. Sasabay na lang po ako kay Papa mamaya."

Tumingin siya sa kaniyang pambisig na relo. "Pero tanghali pa lang, Miss. Hihintayin mo ang Papa mo rito hanggang hapon o gabi?"

Ngumiti ako at tumango. Wala rin naman siyang nagawa at tumango na lang din. Kumaway ako at tumalikod sa kaniya bago pumasok. Hinayaan ko naman si Tart na maglakad dahil may suot naman siyang harness kung saan naka-attach ang leash niya.

"Good afternoon, Miss Riri!" the guard greeted energetically. "Congrats po pala sa pagpasa ng board exam!"

"Hello po! Thank you, Sir! Paano n'yo po pala nalaman?" Hinila ko si Tart para tumigil din sa paglakad.

"E, Miss, paanong hindi namin malalaman? Nasa LED screen po kayo ng building natin. 'Di n'yo po ba nakita sa labas kanina?"

"Ho? Meron din po rito?"

No doubt, it was my father's doing! I wasn't sure what to feel. Why would they even do that. Hindi naman na kailangan ng paganoon. How much did they spend for those billboards? Ilan ba lahat? Hindi naman ako ganoon ka-relevant kaya medyo nakakahiya naman.

"Hi!" isang babae ang lumapit at bumati sa akin. "Ang cute naman ng pusa mo. Puwede ko ba siyang i-pet?" nakangiti niyang tanong at itinuro si Tart.

I grinned and nodded at her. "Yeah, sure. Tart is friendly. Thank you for asking!"

Binuhat ko si Tart para hindi na yumuko o lumuhod ang babae lalo na't maikli ang kaniyang dress. She giggled when she started caressing Tart's head.

"What's your name, by the way?" she asked me politely.

"I'm Riri. You?"

She stopped petting my lovely cat and held out her hand to me, and I accepted it with my free hand.

"I'm Architect Lauria Gomez. Nice to meet you," she introduced.

I returned her words. She gave Tart another stroked on the head.

"She's a ragdoll, right?"

"Yup. Do you like cats, too?"

"Not really. But my boyfriend has a ragdoll, too!" Ngumisi siya. "Sorry, sige. May meeting ka ba rito o may dadalawin? This is my first time seeing you here, e."

"Dadalawin ko 'yong Papa ko. Nagtatrabaho rin siya rito."

"Talaga? What's his name? I might know him! I can assist you in finding him," she offered with a smile.

"Uh, nakakahiya naman po. Ako na lang ang hahanap kay Papa. Baka busy ka rin. Lunch time rin, e."

"No, I insist. Hinihintay ko pa naman matapos ang meeting ng boyfriend ko para sabay kaming mag-lunch," ngiti niya.

Binaba ko na ulit si Tart habang hawak ang leash. Sumabay na lang ako sa lakad ng arkitekto. Tinanong niya ulit ako kung alam ko ba ang department o floor ni Papa, e 'di sinabi ko. Mabilis niya tuloy nakuha kung sino iyon. Hindi niya rin siguro nakita ang mukha ko sa big screen ng building na 'to. Sana hindi niya na lang makita.

"What a coincidence, huh? Ang papa mo ang ka-meeting ng boyfriend ko..." aniya habang nasa elevator kami.

"Architect din ang boyfriend mo?

Umiling siya. "He's an engineer."

"Talaga? May manliligaw rin akong engineer. Dito rin nagwo-work," sabi ko.

Her face brightened. "Woah, that's nice! What's his name? I know most engineers and architects here, especially the tenured ones."

"Si Engineer Merrick..." sagot ko kasabay ng pagtunog ng elevator.

I stepped out after the doors opened, still holding Tart's leash. The narrow hallway was empty. I wondered where my father's secretary was?

I delayed my feet motion upon realizing she hadn't left the elevator. My eyes widened a fraction when she stormed outside the lift with now cold eyes and straight lips. I moved a bit when she ended her strides closer to me, as though she was trying to intimidate me with her inches higher than me.

"Who's Engineer Merrick are you talking about? Iisang Merrick na engineer lang ang nagtatrabaho rito," she interrogated in a demanding tone.

I tilted my head. "Engineer Ectorious Lairgren Merrick. Why?"

The holes of her nose expanded as well as her fiery eyes. Kumunot ang noo ko sa kaniya. Why did it seem she was mad all of a sudden?

A gasp erupted from my mouth when she pushed my shoulder with too much force that I stumbled a few feet backward and clumsily fell to the floor. I accidentally dragged my cat with me because of that. I tugged Tart's leash to me when she started yelling at Lauria angrily that it echoed in every corner of the floor.

Ano'ng problema ng babaeng ito sa akin? Bakit bigla-bigla na lang siyang nanunulak?

Humakbang siya palapit sa akin nang bumukas ang pintuan na nasa gilid ko, dahilan kung bakit natigilan si Lauria. My friendly cat was now hostile toward the architect.

"What's happening here?" It was my father.

"E-Engineer Blaustein—"

"Riri!"

Tinukod ko ang kamay sa sahig para tulungan ang sariling tumayo nang may mga kamay na humawak sa braso ko para alalayan ako. Napalingon sa akin si Papa nang tuluyan akong makatayo at kitang-kita sa panlalaki ng mga mata niya ang gulat.

"Princess, why are you here?" lito niyang tanong. "Ano'ng nangyari sa 'yo? Ba't nasa sahig ka?"

Bahagyang lumayo sa akin si Lairgren nang lumapit si Papa para i-check ako. My gaze flew back to Lauria who was now as white as paper when Lairgren's bloodcurdling voice made her flinched.

"What did you do to her, Architect Gomez?"

Umiling si Lauria at mas lalong namutla. My father's hands rested on my forearms. Tart's ear-splitting yowl disagreed with Lauria's silent and non-verbal rebut.

"Architect Gomez?" malamig na tawag ni Papa sa hindi pa rin gumagalaw na kausap. "Bakit ka rin nandito? Do you need anything?"

Bumaling ako kay Papa. "Papa, kayong dalawa lang po ni Engineer Merrick ang nagmi-meeting?"

His and Lairgren's head swung back to me.

"Yes. Why? How'd you know?"

I bobbed my head very slowly and smiled at Lauria. Bumuka ang labi niya para magsalita nang unahan ko siya.

"Ah... hinatid lang po ako rito ni Achitect Gomez, Papa. Wala po siyang ginawa sa akin..." Napawi ang ngiti ko. "Pero may sinabi po siya." Lumingon ako ngayon kay Lairgren.

Naguguluhan pa rin ang mukha ng tatay ko at palipat-lipat na ang tingin sa amin ni Lauria.

"Sinabi? Ano'ng sinabi niya sa 'yo?"

"Engineer—"

"Boyfriend niya raw po ang ka-meeting n'yo ngayon, Pa," putol ko kay Lauria at itinuro si Laigren.

"What?" magkapanabay na bulalas nina Papa at Lairgren.

"I-It's a m-misunderstanding—" Lauria tried to deny when I spoke again.

"Pero nagkamali lang po yata si Architect Gomez." Ngumiti ako kay Papa bago bumaling kay Lairgren. "Kasi... nililigawan na po ako ni Lairgren. Hindi naman po siguro niya ako liligawan kung may girlfriend na siya, 'di ba?"