Sorry guys kung medyo magulo na ang story... T.T
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Best friend
"Your father is from Davao. Are you related to Robert Veluz?" Drake's father asked when we talked about the province where he grew up.
I didn't expect that he's here. Kung alam ko lang, sana hindi na ako pumunta sa condo ni Drake para surpresahin siya. I miss him. Ilang araw din kami hindi nagkita.
Naunang bumalik ang mga kaibigan ko. Ilang araw din muna ako nanatili sa Zambales. Siya ang una kong tinawagan bago ako bumalik ng Manila.
I thought he was the only one here today. I was surprised to find out that his father was with him.
"Yes, po, do you know my father, sir?" I answered politely.
I was sitting on the single couch properly while his father was sitting on the long couch. Drake, on the other hand, was just standing beside me and seemed to be amused by my situation.
Pasimple ko siyang tinitigan ng matalim. Naagaw lang muli ang atensyon ko nang magsalita ulit si Tito Atticus. Tito na nga ang tawag.
"Yeah... How is he?" He said after sipping on his coffee. He was wearing casual clothes, but his presence exuded authority and strictness. He's intimidating as hell.
My forehead furrowed when I noticed something in his eyes while speaking. Nakatuon ang mga mata niya sa kape na nasa harap niya. It was as if his eyes were sad and filled with longing. He stared at me again and smiled, not reaching his eyes. I also noticed his gray eyes, just like his son's.
He stared at me for a long minute. It seemed like he was studying my entire face.
"He's fine. How did you know my father, sir?" I asked when I noticed the awkward silence between us.
Umayos ako sa upuan nang maupo sa arm rest ng couch si Drake kung saan ako naka-upo. His father watched us. Marahan ko pang tinulak si Drake at tinuro ang upuan sa tabi ng ama niya. Ngayon pa talaga siya magiging ganito sa akin kapag kaharap ang ama niya.
Mahina itong tumawa sa tabi ko nang mapansin ang hiya ko sa harap ni Tito. Parang sinasadya niya ito para asarin lang ako.
Hinayaan ko na lang na maupo siya sa arm rest para ibalik ang buong atensyon kay Tito.
"We're friends back in college." Sabi nito. Ngumit siya nang magulat ako at mangha siyang tinignan.
Ibig sabihin mag-kaibigan sila ni Papa. What a small world.
"Manila rin po pala kayo nag-aral,sir? Dati rin po ba kayong basketball player?" Tanong ko.
May mga nakwento rin sa akin noon si Papa tungkol sa pagiging athlete niya. Kaya rin ako nakapasok sa basketball dahil teammates at magkaibigan sila ni coach dati.
Kilala ko ang ibang kaibigan ni Papa noon, minsan na rin dumalaw sa bahay namin sa Zambales noong bata pa ako. Hindi ko maalala na nakita ko na noon si Tito.
"He's a player, but not in that kind of ball." Singit ni Drake. Sumimsim siya ng wine habang nakangisi sa daddy niya.
His father shook his head and laughed softly at what his son told me.
Napangisi ako nang biglang naproseso sa utak ko ang ibig niyang sabihin.
I didn't anticipate his father to be okay. We even played chess at Drake's condo. He claimed he only returned because Drake's graduation is approaching. He'll merely return to the United States after graduation.
