Sebastian

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"How's school? Is everything okay?" I slowly chewed my meat as I wanted to have a longer conversation with him.

It's been some time. I've been mostly occupied with business and work, while he is focused on his studies. I didn't even realize how much he had grown and that he was now about my height.

"All good, Dad. Nothing to worry about."

"That's good..."

"Wala si Yaya Lina, at sa susunod pa na buwan iyon babalik. You can manage yourself, right?"

He nodded.

"And by the way, if you want your classmates to come here for group study, that's okay with me. They can stay overnight if they want. Our house is open to your friends, son."

"Okay. That's cool, Dad. I will tell them. Thank you."

I smiled as I continued eating. It felt good to see him doing so well at school.

Matalino siyang bata. Nagmana sa ina niya. He looks a bit more on her too than me. Hindi na kami halos nagsasabay sa hapunan dahil sa abalang schedule ko. At alam kong abala rin siya sa mga school home works at group study.

We recently moved into a new house. I created this piece, and I'm thrilled with how it turned out. While I want to enhance it further, I may pause for now as I have two significant projects in progress.

"Dad, is it okay if I take my girlfriend with me here at home one of these days?"

I wavered at that and looked at him. "You have a girlfriend?" I smiled.

This is exciting. He's sharing his personal emotions with me. I like it.

Umayos siya at tinitigan akong mabuti. Ininom ang tubig bago nagsalita.

"Uhm, there's a girl that I really like, Dad."

"And she's your girlfriend now?" I slice more meat.

There's a difference between like and love. I want to tell him that, but since he is only a teenager, I think it's all right for him to discover that. After all, he is still young.

Kahit anong uri pa ng pag-protekto ko sa kanya ay alam kung darating ang araw na ito. . . Ang magkaroon siya ng sariling decision para sa puso.

"Yes, Dad. She's my girlfriend."

I nodded. He smiled, and you could see the inspiration in him. That must be one of the reasons he was performing so well academically.

"Alright. As long as you behave, okay? And always take precautions. Ayaw ko muna na magka apo." Bahagyang tawa ko.

"Sure, Dad. Thank you. You're the best!"

I couldn't help but smile at this. My son means the world to me, and I'm devoted to doing everything for him.

Kaya kong ibigay ang lahat sa kanya kapalit ang kasiyahan niya. Siya ang bumago sa buhay ko, at wala akong pinagsisihan. I may not be the best Dad for not giving him a mother, but one day I hope he will understand that.

It's Saturday today. After securing a spot for Eva, I felt pleased as I sat down with Luciano.

Garet has returned to Davao and will be staying for a while to handle business and family matters. In the meantime, Luciano and I will be catching up this week. 

Sinigurado ko na ang dalawang linggo para kay Eva. I want to avoid experiencing that stress again. I prefer not to share. I can't bear to see her with someone else.

"Do you have any plans for the next two weeks? I'm thinking of going on a trip since school is on break." He appeared relaxed as he watched the people who walked by.

"I've made some plans as well, Luci. I won't be leaving town, just staying in the city."

"Oh, really?" He cautiously looked at me. "Rampage? Fucking girls?" He scoffed.

I jerked my head and beamed a little bit. "I'm off the market to that. It's no longer fun to play with them."

His mouth fell, and he looked stunned at my response.

"What the. . . don't tell me you are finally going to settle everything to Rose?" He laughed.

I dipped my head halfway and smiled. Rose has been helpful in many ways. 

Noong maliit pa lang ang anak ko ay kasama ko siya sa pag aalaga nito. She serves as my personal secretary at The Grays, our family business owned by my father. My father remains as the CEO, while I hold the position of COO.

Rose is beautiful, wise, and incredibly responsible. I have great admiration for her and value all she has done for me.

After my divorce from Dahlia, Rose was with me. I never felt alone at that and enjoyed her company. Kung may nangyari man sa amin noon ay isang beses lang iyon at hindi na naulit. It was a mistake on my part, and I'm glad that she took it as nothing.

Luciano and Garet know that she's the best candidate to replicate as my son's mother. But not for me. She's my ex-wife's sister, and I'm not attracted to her.

"Rose is my friend and nothing else, Luciano. What happened before was nothing. We're both casual," I smirked.

"Damn, casual... how can I make myself casual to the woman I like? Damn it," he mumbled.

"May nagustuhan ka? Mas bata ba sa huli?" Pilyo ko siyang nginitian.

"Oh, nothing..." He shook his head like he was trying to get it out of his system.

It's funny that we are talking about this because most of the time, we always talk shit.

I sighed after taking a sip of my macchiato. "Give it a try, Luciano..." I devise without eye contact.

"I'm going to try it, too, Luciano," my jaw tightened. His eyes widened a fraction at me.

"Yes, I'm gonna give it a try... Eva might be different. I want to try with her," I uttered.

***

Eva

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I kept walking back and forth like a yoyo. Umalis na ako sa rehersal, dahil hindi naman ako kasali doon. I'm out of the list for two weeks. And in that two weeks will be more than enough to quit.

Walang kontrata sa Rampage. I can quit whenever I want. Ito ang pinag-iba naming mga calendar rampage sa normal Rampage employee.

I saw the amount in my account. The commission I got from my first and second night at the Rampage was pretty good. I'm loaded with money, and I'm so excited.

Ganito pala ang pakiramdam kapag nakikita mo ang higit six figures sa bank balances mo sa bangko. I feel so secure and confident. Wala akong inaalala maliban nga lang sa pag-aaral ko. Magpapadala rin ako ng pera kina Mama. Alam kong hindi niya kailangan ito, pero gusto ko lang.

Binayaran ko na rin ang lahat ng utang ko, kasama na ang utang ko sa bestfriend kong si Amye.

"Saan ka kumuha ng pera, Eva?"

I nibble the nail of my pointy finger while looking at her on the screen. Naka-video call kami.

"Teka nga muna. Magkano ba ang sweldo mo sa coffee shop? At saka may bagong sideline ka ba? Nagta-trabaho ka pa ba sa public library?"

Kumurap-kurap ako. Matagal na akong huminto sa public library, apat na buwan na. Hindi ko sinabi ito sa kanya dahil ayaw ko siyang mag alala.

Sabado at Linggo ako noon sa Library, pero simula nang malaman ko na ang bagong librarian assistant ay ang walanghiyang babae ng ex ko, ay huminto na ako.

"Nakapag-ipon ako, Amye. Pinag-upanan ko ang pambayad ko sa 'yo." I lied.

"Oh, really? May natira ka pa ba d'yan? Enrollment na sa susunod na semester, Eva. Baka kailangan mo 'to. Okay pa naman ako. Hindi ko pa ito kailangan."

"Okay lang. Pinag iipunan ko na ang pang-tuition, Amye."

"Talaga? Okay. But if you need it, just tell me, okay?"

"Okay. Salamat, Amye..."

"Kailangan ka babalik rito?"

Tinitigan ko lang siya sa screen na walang imik. Wala akong plano na bumalik hanggang matapos ako sa pagiging abogada.

I will take the BAR exam, and if I pass, I will come back there and kick the living daylight of my ex. Kukunin ko ulit ang lahat sa kanya, dahil akin naman talaga ang mga iyon!

"Hindi pa ako d'yan, Amye, hangga't hindi pa ako tapos rito."

Huminga siya nang malalim, at nalungkot ang mukha.

"I know...I just miss you, best friend."

Natahimik kaming pareho.

"Don't worry. I'm here. So, cheer up! I know you can do it. Walang imposible sa 'yo, Eva. Matalino ka. Kaya mo 'yan!" Nakangiti na siya.

Humalakhak na ako sa kakaibang tingin niya.

"Marami bang gwapo? Go and date, Eva..." Kapilyohan sa ngiti niya.

Napailing lang ako. Pinangako ko ito noon sa kanya na hindi muna ako makikipag relasyon.

It's been two years now, and yes, there are a lot of handsome lawyer students at the University. But I'm not interested. May nanliligaw rin naman, pero inaayawan ko agad. Wala akong plano at wala akong gusto. At madalas sa kanila ay mga bata pa.

I'm somehow attractive to the young and the same age as me. Iyong ex ko, pareho lang kami ng edad.

"Date the older ones, Eva... Iba sila. You will be treated like a queen. Trust me." Kumindat siya. Inihalintulad niya ang sarili sa kasaluyang relasyon niya ngayon. Sampung taon mahigit ang tanda ng boyfriend niya sa kanya, at mahal na mahal siya nito.

"Really?" kapilyon sa ngiti ko.

"Oo... they're sweet and know how to look after us well. Look at me and Rhino? Twelve years ang gap namin. I feel like a queen every time I am with him." Kumislap ang mga mata niya.

Pinagtagpo ko ang labi at uminit ang pisngi ko. Naalala ko si Sebastian. Thirty eight na siya, at mataas nga naman ang age gap namin dalawa. Twenty four lang ako, running twenty five in a month. Birthday ko na sa susunod na buwan.

I was about to share something with Amye, but my phone rang. It covered the video-screen call, and Sebastian's name was on it.

Oh my goodness!

"Amye, mamaya na tayo mag usap. May tawag ako. Bye!" I dropped our videocall and answered Sebastian.

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c.m. louden

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