David’s P.O.V.
We enjoyed teasing each other until time passed by. No one had surrendered but Helena had always been easily angered. Kung hindi siya nambabato ng unan ay nanghahampas naman siya.
It was almost dinner time when we heard an alarm which signaled us that her father already parked his car at their garage. Sa sobrang asaran naming dalawa ay hindi na namin narinig ang pagbukas at pagsara ng malaki nilang gate.
Teka, bakit parang nalungkot ako nang ma-realize kong kailangan ko na ring umuwi?
“Hi, Dad!” Helena kissed her father’s cheek while I only bowed my head as a sign of respect.
“How’s my girl? Parang wala ka nang sakit ha? Mukhang magaling ‘ata ‘yong personal nurse mo ha…” inakbayan nito si Helena sabay tingin sa akin.
“Dad, I don’t need a personal nurse in the first place. I can take care of myself even though I’m sick,” she said as she glared at me.
“So how are you, young man? Did my daughter show her bratty attitude while I’m not around?” Her father suddenly asked me. Aminado rin pala siya na pasaway ang anak niya.
Yes, Sir. If only you knew what she did a while ago. I wanted to say but I chose otherwise.
“No, Sir. She behaved so much and she drank her medicine on time,” I exaggerated the word behaved and I just wanted to laugh upon seeing how Helena gritted her teeth. It looked like she was ready to murder me right away. “Since you’re already here, Sir… I think, I’ll better go.” I politely said.
“No, just stay here. And what did I tell you this morning? Call me Tito… right, David?” He smiled and I just shyly nodded. “Anyway, magbibihis lang ako at ipahahanda ko na ang dining table. Dito ka na mag-dinner and I will not accept ‘no’ for an answer. Just a minute,” sabi niya bago niya hinalikan sa noo si Helena at iwan kaming dalawa ng anak niya.
“I hated the idea that you would be joining us for dinner, but since Daddy insisted that you should eat with us… I guessed, I don’t have any other choice!” Helena glared at me right after her father went out of the living room. “You’re lucky that I didn’t tell him that I jumped into the pool because of you!”
“Teka, hindi ba’t ikaw naman ‘yong tumulak sa akin? Bakit parang ako pa ‘yong may kasalanan ngayon?” natatawang sabi ko sa kanya. She only rolled her eyes on me—and I must admit that it was her very cute mannerism.
A few minutes went by and the maids had already setup the dining table. Then, we started to eat. I awkwardly noticed that they were not praying before eating but I didn’t mind that anymore. I just prayed on my mind. Maybe, rich people doesn’t need to be thankful for their blessings? I wasn’t sure.
Helena’s father was at the head of the table, while the two of us were facing each other. Helena was on his left side while I was on his right.
Grabe, ang daming pagkain! Nauubos kaya nila lahat nang ’to? Akala ko kanina, tapos nang maglagay ng mga pagkain sa mesa ang mga katulong nila… pero hindi pa pala.
Their long mahogany table was full of different viands, fruits and desserts. Everything was mouth-watering and it looked like the setup was more than a fiesta. There was chopsuey, chicken adobo, kare-kare, beef steak, fish fillet, shrimp sinigang and crispy pata. I didn’t even know the term of other viands and I couldn’t remember when was the last time I was able to eat such… or if I were able to eat such.
I then noticed that Helena’s plate only had a half cup of rice and beef steak, that was why I exerted an effort to reach her plate and place some vegetables for her to eat.
“Cristoff, ano ba? Hindi ako kumakain ng gulay!” Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko. Akmang ibabalik niya ‘yong gulay sa pinagkuhaan ko nang pigilan ko siya.
“Alam mo, Helena… dapat kang kumain n’yan kasi maganda sa katawan mo ‘yan. Tingnan mo, ang payat-payat mo! Kaya ka siguro madaling magkasakit kasi hindi ka kumakain ng gulay. Tsaka para mabilis ka na talagang gumaling at makapasok ka na bukas sa school.” I said because I wanted her to realize some sense.
“David is right, Helena. There’s nothing wrong with eating vegetables,” her father agreed as if he was in favor of what I did. For that, I held my head up high. Malamang, asar-talo na naman itong si Helena.
“But, Dad?” She tried to argue but her father’s response left her with no other choice.
“Don’t waste your food, Helena.” Mr. Delgado brought a closure to her daughter’s objection.
She closed her eyes as she ate the cauliflower and broccoli, chewed and swallowed them. After that, she drank a lot of water—maybe because the taste of vegetables was still rooting on her tongue.
After a few moments, I decided to go home. Gusto pa nga sana akong ipahatid ng Daddy niya sa driver nilang si Mang Carding, pero ako na lang din ‘yong tumanggi. I already ate my dinner in their house. Having their driver to drive me home would be too much.
Hinatid naman ako ni Helena sa labas ng gate nila. “Ako na lang ‘yong magpi-print ng report natin, Cristoff. Papasok na rin naman ako bukas.”
“Sige. Pero kapag hindi ka pumasok bukas, pupuntahan na lang ulit kita rito. Kahit ako na lang ‘yong mag-submit ng proposal natin kay Mrs. Cheng bukas, para naman makapagpahinga ka pa nang maayos.” I smiled at her.
“Okay then. I hate to say this to you but I think, I should. Ingat ka sa daan. Hmm, ingat ka pag-uwi…” seryosong sabi niya.
I was caught off guard because I wasn’t expecting that she would say those words. I looked at her and said, “Thanks for the concern. I promise, I’ll take care of myself… for you,” then I winked at her, trying to hide the feeling of butterflies in my stomach.
“What are you talking about and who’s concern? Mukha mo, masyado kang assuming. Sana pala ay hindi ko na lang sinabi. Tsk, you better go and leave at baka hindi kita matantiya, masipa lang kita!” Tumalikod na siya at papasok na sana sa loob ng gate nila nang lapitan ko siya sabay binulungan…
“By the way, I forgot to mention this earlier… nice pair of two-piece!”
I caught her shoulders somewhat trembled. She was clearly blushing when she faced me pero bago pa niya ako tuluyang masipa ay mabilis na akong nakatakbo, pinagpatuloy ang paglalakad nang paatras habang nakangising kumakaway sa kanya palayo.
And now, I could no longer erase the smile she brought on my face when I realized something…
Damn it, she’s really pretty!