The Night We Met

Chapter 3

Annika

Things were starting to get all full and occupied in my mind. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang tingin sa akin ni Rhyze. Am i his fling? A fuck buddy? A friend with benefits? A plaything? A sex toy? A person whom he can depend on to? Hindi na ako makapag-isip ng matino dahil sa kung ano ano na lang ang tumatakbo sa isip ko. I shouldn't be worrying of what am i to Rhyze in his life. Mas mabuti na nga na kung ano man ang meron kami, iyan na lamang ang mapagpapasalamatan ko.

I woke up after having deep thoughts. Naramdaman ko na wala na si Rhyze sa tabi ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad akong bumangon mula sa kama. I was worried that he might've left or run off somewhere far away that i didn't know kaya nagmadali akong tumakbo papalabas ng kwarto. I ran as fast through the hallway and ran down the stairs with much speed i have.

Nang marinig ko ang kung sino sino ang nagsasalita at nag-uusap sa labas namin ay dahan dahan naman akong napatigil at naglakad papunta sa backyard door. Laking gulat ko nang nakita ko si Rhyze na tinutulungan si Samuel na linisin ang mga kotse ni Daddy. Samuel was Maxine's husband.

Namahagi si Samuel na bodyguard ni Maxine bago pa man kami ni Krystal makarating galing sa ibang bansa dahil doon kami nag-aral samantala si Maxine ay dito lang namahagi sa Pilipinas kasama si Daddy. Samuel was a highly mastered, professional elite bodyguard. He had done anything to protect my sister under his care. Kaya naman dahil sa pagkarupok at sobrang kaharutan ni Maxine ay nahulog siya sa binata. Well, Samuel also fell in love with her.

Marami man na pagsubok ang dinaan nila but their love proved to be stronger against all odds. Nagpakasal sila isang taon matapos ang ilang buwan na pagiging magkasintahan. Umaasa nga si Daddy na magkaka-apo na siya, and he really was expecting that something sooner or later steamy and erotic might happen between Samuel and Maxine.

Wala naman akong naririnig na kababalaghan mismo sa kwarto ni Maxine. Kwento pa nga nito sa akin, she still has her virginity at kung may mangyayari man sa kanila ni Samuel sa kama o sa loob ng kwarto ay tiyak na mapapasigaw na lang ito sa sarap sa pakiramdam. But it's not in my position to meddle with their sex or sexless married life, either.

Hindi ko na lang sila inabala at nagpatuloy ako naglakad pabalik sa kusina. I was hungry. Nasaan ba si Maxine at Krystal? Buong bahay ay tahimik. It's the first time that they are not usually present around here. Akmang kukuha na ako ng isang piraso ng cookies sa mesa nang marinig ko na nagsalita si Daddy.

"Anak," mahinang tugon nito sa akin. Oh, i feel pity for Daddy. It's been years since he still misses our Mommy. He had never dated or had any infatuations and romantic feelings towards any other women, because Daddy is still loyal and devoted, and faithful to our Mommy, who became an angel in heaven, guiding our family. I found it very romantic and indeed sweet. Kahit alam ni Daddy na hindi na babalik si Mommy ay siya pa din ang laman ng puso't isip nito.

"Yes, Daddy?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya. He put up a gentle smile around his face before he answered me. "Sino ba yang lalake na yan na kasama ng asawa ng kapatid mo?" Tanong nito sa akin. I felt myself shaking with nervousness for a bit. Kinalmahan ko ang sarili ko bago kong sinagutan ang tanong ni Daddy.

"He's my friend, Daddy. Actually, kaibigan din siya nina Maxine at Krystal. He's just here to visit them dahil galing ito sa ibang bansa," mahinahon kong sagot sa ama ko. He let out a smile and sighed. "I see. Are you sure that he's just a friend of yours? Baka mamaya ay kasintahan mo pala yan at mamaya ay may dinadala-dala ka nang bata sa sinapupunan mo," sunod nitong pambibiro sa akin.

I knew it. May pinagmanahan talaga si Krystal. She and Daddy always comes up with the same jokes. Gosh, why do i have to be always suspicioned of being pregnant all the time?