Aidan

The university ground starts to get crowded with students from different faculties when the bell cried for dismissal. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot na relong pambisig, her class ends at four, and I'm waiting right in front of the gate nearest to her building. Alam kong dito ko siya makikita, nasisiguro ko iyon. I've studied in the same school for a couple of years before I transferred to another university to finish my studies, I know what gate is the exit of what college.

Nagsimula nang maglabasan ang mga estudyangteng nakasuot ng puting uniporme, saglit akong napa-isip. If I see her now, what would I tell her? I anxiously leaned on the door of my car, still searching for her face in the pool of people. Ang alam ko lang, kailangan ko siyang makita. Kailangan ko siyang makausap. And I think that can be a good start, I'll try to figure out what I'm gonna say once I see her face.

As if on cue, she walked out of the gate. I decided to take a moment and watch her from afar, I need to. Paris Amanda Santa de Leones could have rocked any magazine covers, although she's no doubt better than those two dimensional photoshopped models. I've always noticed the elegance and the confidence in her body movements, which made her even more beautiful. She's wearing a uniform similar to everyone but she stood out from the crowd. It must've been her ebony hair or her small and pretty face. Looking at her now, I can attest that Audrey Hepburn isn't the only one who owns the natural graceful temperament of a classic girl. Paris is classic.

I gathered myself and was about to come and talk to her when someone approached her from behind. Napahinto ako, kunot-noong pinagmasdan ang paglapit ni Alaric kay Paris. Alaric is my brother but what is he doing here? I know they both go on the same school but his building is on the other side of the campus. He's not supposed to be here.

They were talking, talking about something I assumed is so funny for Paris to laugh with all her teeth showing. But whatever its is they're laughing at was cut short when a black SUV stopped right in front of them. A uniformed bodyguard came out and I immediately noticed the change of mood on her expression, although she didn't complain when the man took her things. Nagpaalam na siya kay Alaric, I know because he waved his hand bye when she stepped in the car.

Tinanaw ko ang papalayong sasakyan kung saan naroon si Paris. A realization struck me, she's obviously sheltered from head to toe like a Crown Princess of the eighteenth-century and I got her pregnant. Paris is pregnant with my child. At eighteen there's so many things ahead of her and my carelessness puts a pause to it. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mag-alala para kay Paris, kung ako'y nabahala paano pa siya?

Since I learned about her being pregnant, I couldn't stop thinking about her. About how she is, how she's dealing with it and I have to know. I found out she was pregnant when my Mom called me to come over in an ungodly hour. My Dad was mad, fuming mad. Red Santa de Leones -Paris' father, went to my parents' house looking for me like a raging bull.

Paris is only eighteen but I am young, too. At twenty-two I haven't yet started thinking about how I'm going to be the best father for my child on the way. I suppose I have to start doing it now.

"Alaric," tawag ko sa aking kapatid na magsisimula na sanang umalis sa lugar nang tuluyang mawala sa paningin ang sasakyan.

Agad ko namang nakuha ang atensyon nito, he gave me a stoic look. If there's a hidden what the hell on his face, I can definitely see it. I ignored it.

"Aric, I've seen you talking with Paris." I didn't know they're friends. "I suppose you have her number and maybe I could ask for it. We really need to talk." And I feel stupid for not knowing at least the phone number of the girl I've gotten pregnant.

Sandali ako nitong tinignan, I can't read his emotions too clearly but I know he's not happy. Alam ko rin na alam na nito ang sa amin ni Paris. "Ask her yourself,"

"Thank you for your suggestion," I said in sarcasm. "You think I haven't thought of that? I've actually had a better idea in mind, that's why I'm out here waiting for her to come out of that gate but I barely get into her."

"I hear you," sagot nito. "Although that's not my problem anymore, Aidan. And no, I'm not willing to help."

Iyon lamang at tinalikuran na ako nito, muli ko siyang tinawag ngunit hindi na ito lumingon pa. Maybe they're really that close, huh? Para maging ito ay magtanim ng sama ng loob sa akin.

Nasa ganoong pag-iisip ako nang may unipormadong lalaki na lumapit sa akin. He's holding a photograph on his hand and a radio on the other. Nagpabali-balik ang tingin nito mula sa akin at sa hawak na litrato, now I'm certain that's my photo.

"Can I help you?" I asked politely, though confuse.

"Mr. Aidan Castañeda?" Tanong nito, sinipat ang litrato sa huling beses bago iyon tupiin at ibalik sa likurang bulsa ng pantalong suot.

"It's actually Aidan, like how you pronounce the letter A and the word done." I corrected him. "Yes, I am he."

Tumango ito. "Kailangan niyo pong sumama sa akin."

Nang lingunin nito ang sasakyan na nasa kabilang bahagi ng daan ay ganoon din ang ginawa ko. Then I noticed that the black Ford he's driving is the one that has been tailing me since I left my loft. "Have you been following me around?"

"Ipinag-utos po ni Mr. Zanti Dela Paz,"

I frowned, Uncle Zanti is one of my godfathers. He's friends with my Dad and he's also Paris Amanda's uncle. "Why? What does he want from me?"

"Napag-utusan ho ako na sunduin kayo at dalhin sa kaniyang opisina." Iyon lamang ang sagot nito. "Naroon ho ang sasakyan-"

"I have my car. Go and I'll tail you."

Without complain, I followed his lead. I'm not sure why Uncle Zanti wants to see me but I have a feeling that this has something to do with Paris. In about twenty minutes we reached the DP Holdings.

Hinatid ako nito hanggang sa opisina ni Uncle Zanti. Naroon ito at hindi ito nag-iisa. May mga kasama ito roon, muntik na akong mapaatras nang matanto kung sino ang mga iyon. They're her uncles. Now I'm definite that this is about Paris and nothing else. I'm not sure what I should feel. It's happy to know that there are people who care about Paris so much to go to this extent of actually meeting the man who got her pregnant, yet I know I should be afraid for my life at the same time. These men are no joke.

"Have a seat," Uncle Zanti motioned a vacant chair. He's smiling but I didn't miss the warning in his expression. It's like telling me one wrong move and I'm dead.

Naupo ako at tahimik na inobserbahan ang bawat isang nasa loob ng silid. Is it weird to feel as if I'm a sheep caught in a tire swing with different kinds of predator waiting for my fall.

"I bet you already know why you're here," si Uncle Zanti muli iyon.

"You have the balls," one from the twins said. I'm not sure if it was Vince or Kurt De Salvo. "When you get Paris pregnant, you're aware about who her dad is and how much trouble you're gonna get yourself into aren't you?"

I didn't know how to answer that. Truth is, when that thing happened that night all I could think about is Paris and how soft and perfect she is for me. Do I know who her father is? Sure. But did I give a fuck? Definitely, no. Everybody knows Red Santa de Leones and the things he's capable of. He's ranked as the most influential person in the country and is amongst all over the world. Respected and feared, that's what he is.

"Kurt, cut him some slack." That was Roy De Salvo, I've heard that he's the nicest among siblings and so I hope. Binalingan ako nito, kumpara sa iba ay mas magaan ang ekspresyon nito. "What's your plan, Aidan?"

Hindi pa rin ako nakaimik. Not that I don't have a plan, I'm just not sure it's them I should discuss it with. "I was hoping I could talk to Paris about that,"

"Of course," he agreed like he understand what I mean. Inabot nito ang pakete ng sigarilyong nasa harapan ng isa pang De Salvo.

"Light it up and your wife's gonna kill you." Exodus warned.

"Who's telling who?" Tinuloy pa rin nito ang pagsindi. "Oh, fuck I miss this."

Napailing na lamang ang mga ito. Muli akong binalingan ni Uncle Zanti. "We have to settle this thing, Aidan. Chiara called me last night to get everything straighten out, she's worried for your safety."

"And I don't want her worried," may diin na sabi ni Roy De Salvo. Humithit ito ng sigarilyo bago muling nag-salita. "But you, assholes, has got to stop pressuring this boy. It isn't just about Paris' life, it's about his life too. We all have done stupid things in the past, so much worse than this I don't need to name each of that. Let's cut the hypocrisy and start being adults here."

"I agree with Roy," Vince De Salvo spoke for the first time since I've been here. Tahimik lamang itong nakamasid sa akin simula nang maupo ako sa tapat nito. "Besides, it's done. They did what they did, now they have to face the challenges that comes with it. The least we can do is guide them."

Mentioning challenges had me thinking about parenthood I wasn't ready for. Although that doesn't mean I can't be ready for it. I still have a couple of months of preparation on how to become the best father to my child, I'll make sure to master it so it wouldn't be hard for Paris once it's there.

Tumunog ang cellphone ni Roy na nakapatong sa ibabaw ng lamesa, sinulyapan nito iyon at nang makita ang pangalan ng asawa sa screen ay nagmamadali nito iyong sinagot, agad ding pinatay ang sigarilyong hinihithit nito. "Baby, okay, okay, I'm still here, yeah. Wait for me at the lobby, I'll pick you up. I love you."

Nang maibaba ang cellphone ay agad nitong binalingan si Uncle Zanti.

"Do you have an extra shirt and a mouthwash? Naya's gonna kill me."

"There's a cabinet inside the comfort room. I did warn you, didn't I?" Natatawang sagot nito. "Is Nayu coming over?"

"Yeah, with my Thalia. They're on their way." Matapos ay nilingon nito si Vince at Exodus. "I'm counting on you two, help them think with their head over fist. Don't let Santa de Leones kill this boy, lalong mahihirapan si Paris. And that will break Chi's heart, we don't want that."

Nang makalabas si Roy De Salvo ng silid ay nabalot ang lahat ng katahimikan, well the De Salvos started talking about something after a few minutes but I, I lost my tongue somewhere deep my throat. Isa pa, abala ako sa pag-iisip tungkol kay Paris.

The door creaked open, lahat kami ay napalingon doon at hindi ko maipaliwanag ang kabang naramdaman ko nang makita ang pagpasok ni Red Santa de Leones, may kasama itong isa pang lalaki ngunit wala roon ang atensyon ko. Agad na nahanap nito ang aking mga mata, he's not a raging bull but a lion enraged.

"Good that you're here now, Red."

Is it really a good thing? I feel like he's trying to kill me with his eyes.

Tumayo si Vince De Salvo, tila handa sa kung ano ang mangyayari. "Chiara is worried you'll send someone to hurt this young man,"

"Why would I do that?" Red Santa de Leones responded with his eyes still on me. "I will kill this son of a bitch with my bare hands."

"Okay, that's mature." Exodus De Salvo also stood up. "What do you want to happen, Red?"

"I want him dead."