Chapter 14.1NassPlaying the song : I Don't Want to Miss a ThingWALA akong ginawa sa loob ng sasakyan kung hindi ang magkwento kay Caine ng kung ano-ano. Simula nang umalis siya at hindi nagpakita ng anim na taon, lahat iyon ay sinabi ko sa kanya. He just kept on listening and never said anything. He smiles, nods and most of the time, gazes at me through the rearview mirror. He was like that until we reached the restaurant.Pagkababa namin ay kaagad niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko at hindi iyon maluwag. He has that grouchy face and I want to giggle. Ang sungit niya talaga.“Good evening! Any reservations for tonight?” the crew asked but his eyes settled on my face.“Caine Walker,” Caine arrogantly replied.Agad na nalipat ang atensyon ng lalaki kay Caine, na para bang hindi iyon makapaniwala sa sinabing pangalan. The man outrightly bowed his head a bit. “I’m sorry Major General Walker, this way to your tables,” the crew's face was blanched.I can’t believe this. My golly, I think the
Chapter 15CaineI stare at my own reflection in front of the mirror. What is this I’m feeling? I can’t even explain this. This is new, totally odd.Nassandra is sending my different waves of emotions that were truly indecipherable. I know she loves me and I know how much I mean to her, but I kind of feel different when she tells me that she loves me. Holy cock! May maligno na siguro sa Walla Walla kaya ako nagkakaganito. Oo, may malignong Nassandra. I’ll die finding out this unacceptable occurrence in my life. Para akong tanga! Daig ko pa ang bulag na nangangapa sa dilim. My heart keeps on hammering inside my chest at some unexplainable things. Tumitig lang ako sa kanya, kumakabog na ang dibdib ko. Am I drinking too much coffee or taking too much caffeinated drinks to experience these palpitations?This is weird. I had never felt any fear or any drumming of my chest during war, but this heart literally convulses just because of a teenage girl who happens to be like my own daughter?
Chapter 16Nass“UGGGHH, Goliath, stop licking my cheek,” I groaned when the dog started licking my face. I feel so dizzy and terribly sleepy. Mag-aalas dos na kami umuwi nina Caine pero heto at ginigising pa yata ako ng kambing na ito. Ang sakit ng paa ko kasi hindi ko tinigilan si Caine na isayaw ako. Ngawit na ngawit na nga ako kasi ang tangkad niya pero hindi ko ininda. And I was totally sated. I left him on the dance floor. He kept on cursing when he was driving home and said he’d never dance with me again.He couldn’t do that. I’m his princess. Hinalikan ko lang siya sa pisngi kaya tumigil siya sa pagsasalita.But now, here’s his naughty dog. “Arf! Arf!” Goliath barks!Sus naman! Bakit naman boses ng tao ang kahol ng aso ni Caine?“Goliath, out!” I commanded in an overbearing tone.I pointed to the door with my sleepy eyes.“I don’t want to. I miss you, lady.” Boses dwende na si Goliath.Ano ba ‘yan? Marahas kong kinamot ang ulo ko. Am I taking drugs to hear this dog talk? N
Chapter 17NassBUNTONG-HINGA habang naglalakad ako papunta sa aming designated room, kung saan may preliminary orientation kami. Kahapon pa pala ang e-mail na natanggap ko, pero masyado akong nakalimot.I am still on time. Kuya Andi rushed me here. Hindi pa siya nakuntento at bumaba pa siya sa sasakyan, siya ang naghahanap ng aking classroom.I looked at my brother. He was in front of me, busy scanning the doors here. Lots of women are busy scanning him, too. Who will not? Napakagandang lalaki ng kuya ko. Magkaiba kami ng mukha pero napakagwapo niya. Malaki rin kasi ang hawig niya sa nanay niyang maganda, sindikato nga lang.I have a very heavy heart today. Why didn’t Caine stay at home to spend the day with my family? Bakit para siyang umiiwas? Bakit gano'n siya? He never visited us. He was so distant.I never noticed that Kuya Andi stopped. Bumangga ako sa braso niya dahil naka-side view na pala siya. He was looking up at the door, and then looked me.“What’s the matter, baby?” kun
Chapter 17.1NassPASIMPLE kong tiningnan si Caine. He’s finally home. Inakbayan siya kaagad ni Daddy. Lumabas kami ng bahay habang ako naman ay yakap si Rechel sa braso.I smiled when I saw the preparation outside. This feels like home. I feel like crying. The last time we had Caine in a dinner like this was more than 5 years ago.“Kumusta ‘yong pagpunta mo sa school kanina?” biglang tanong sa akin ni Rechel kaya nabaling sa kanya ang atensyon ko.“It was good. You know what, my professor is so beautiful. Para akong natotomboy, Rech,” bulong ko.“Gaga,” natatawa niyang batok sa akin, “May mas gaganda pa ba sa mukha mo?”“Meron nga kasi. Ang ganda niya sa lahat ng anggulo. Hindi siya maharot na tulad ko.”“Hindi naman porke hindi maharot ay maganda na. May mga gano'n na minsan nasa loob ang kulo parang volcans.”I furrowed. Volcans?We looked at each other and both laughed.“Volcano!” I giggled.Nakakalimutan ko ang sama ng loob ko kapag ganito. Oo, masama ang loob ko dahil ang hirap
Chapter 19NassI FEEL so really sad again, looking at my parents leaving with Andi.“Bye, sis,” si Kuya ang huling nagpaalam sa akin, saka ako hinalikan sa may tainga, tapos ay bumulong siya.“Kuya is always willing to listen when everything turns rough, ha,” he reminded me again, and it was enough reason for me to look up at him with a smile and nod.“I know, big brother. Thank you,” I kissed him on the lips.Agad siyang nagpahid ng bibig at sumimangot kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.“Daddy o, ayaw ni Kuya pa-kiss!” I immediately called Dad to have a backup.“Andi,” Dad warned when he looked back, “Magpa-kiss.”Napahagikhik ako dahil parang dismayado si kuya na itinulis ang nguso. I kissed him again and hugged him.After that, he rumpled my hair before turning away.“Babye!” Kaway ko sa kanila saka ako nagpahid ng imaginary tears ko, but the truth, naiiyak talaga ako.They all waved at me until they were out of my sight. I saw Caine, walking toward me. Siya ang naghatid kina Mommy
Chapter 19CaineI POCKETED my hands and sighed, pursing my lips at the same time.A lucky bastard was giving my Nassandra a handkerchief. I wanted to tersely walk toward him and grab his collar, but I controlled myself. I just inhaled deeply as I watched them. Humakbang ako, isang hakbang pero tumigil din ako.I looked away. This is not fatherly jealousy. Kahit hindi pa ako ama, alam kong hindi ganito ang selos na nararamdaman ng ama sa lalaking nagpapansin sa anak. This jealousy is the kind of jealousy that kills. And what's my right to do that? I don't have any right. I am a dirty old man.Muli ko silang tiningnan. Nag-uusap na sila. Nassandra refused to accept the handkerchief but they were talking now, and I immediately tilted my head when I felt a hand on my shoulder.Nakangiting mukha ni Sue ang nakita ko.“You never told me that you were already a Dad,” She said.“She’s my niece.”“Niece? Hindi naman kayo magkahawig,” natatawa pa niyang sabi.I just didn't bother answering tha
Chapter 20NassI HEAVILY slept. I looked around when I woke up. It was dark outside. Buhay na ang ilaw sa kwarto at pailaw sa labas. I grabbed my phone from my bedside table and checked the time, as well as my messages. It was seven in the evening.I rubbed my eyes and moved out of bed. Sumilip ako sa bintana at totoong gabi na nga.Nasaan na ba si Caine?I decided to go out of my room. I looked at his room's door and Moved like a rat. Pinakinggan ko ang pinto niya. I heard a sound. Tumikhim siya.“Nass,” he said, so I widely opened my eyes.I immediately stood up straight when I saw him standing in front of me.“You're…not inside your room.”“I wasn't. I just finished cooking.”I smiled. He was half naked and sweating.“Next time, I'll do the cooking na,” nakangiti kong sabi. Ayokong mapansin niyang nakatanga ako sa katawan niyang nilalabasan…nilalabasan ng pawis.He smirked, “I don't Want to compromise my house, sweetie.”“How dare you?” I snapped right away, frowning, “I know how