Chapter 3

Buti pa

"Dadating daw si Tita Nadya,"

Naghintay ako ng ilang saglit ngunit walang narinig na tugon mula sa loob.

I landed another three knocks on the door.

Nang wala pa ring marinig ay unti-unti nang kumunot ang noo ko. Pinihit ko ang doorknob para buksan iyon.

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa nadatnan. I knew it.

There he was inside his studio, fully engrossed with what he was doing. His side was facing me. His ears were covered while his eyes were fixed on the monitor. I can see electric and neon colored soundwave patterns on the screen. He might be recording or something. He even has his guitar on his lap.

I may have been staring for too long for him to feel my presence. That made him turn to me. The wheels of what it seems like a gaming chair that he was sitting on subtly turned towards me with his movement. He looks quite taken aback for a second but he was quick to recover as he got rid of the headphone that was covering his ears by letting it hang on his neck.

I sighed.

"Your Mom's coming," I said. "Nasa lobby na raw sa baba," dagdag ko.

He stared at me momentarily before he then nodded. Wala sa sariling pinanood ko pa ang pagtanggal niya sa nakasabit sa leeg niya pati na rin ng gitara mula sa kandungan niya.

My gaze unconsciously roamed around the entirety of the room too. Sa apat na silid ng unit namin, ang isa ay nirenovate para gawing soundproof music studio ni Sky. I can't help but feel fascinated at how well-equipped it turned out to be. He has an absolute love for music and it shows.

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko nang marinig ang tunog ng doorbell. Saglit na bumalik ang tingin ko kay Sky at mukhang napalingon din siya dahil sa narinig. I sighed as I turned on my feet to get the door.

I was immediately welcomed by Tita Nadya's charming smile. 

"Isang!" she lengthily exclaimed in an enthusiastic tone before throwing herself to hug me.

Halos mapangiwi ako nang marinig ang nickname na tanging siya lang ang tumatawag sa akin. I breathed out lightly as I returned the hug. If only she isn't my favorite godmother.

She released me from the hug and held me by my arms with the same pleasant smile.

"How's my dearest inaanak?" she sweetly said.

Before I could even answer, I caught a glimpse of Sky finally getting out of the room. He walked towards our direction.

I cleared my throat. "Okay naman po, Tita."

Her face fell. 

"Tita?" she muttered in a disappointed tone.

"You should start calling me Mom, Isang. We're practically family now. In no time, you'll get married and you'll be my daughter in law-"

"Ma," I heard Sky's restraining voice from somewhere beside me.

The scenario makes me want to bit my lip.

I grew up always hearing how I would soon get married with Sky. I used to not have any problem with it back then. To be honest, I actually.. like the idea. 

I was secretly thanking the heavens that our mothers are best of friends. I was silently feeling lucky that they had this crazy promise with each other that they will make their children get married in the future. I was quietly feeling grateful that my Dad was just supportive of my Mom's every whim. I was lowkey gratified for our families' business partnership that makes up another reason for this to push through.

But now.. it's just starting to sink in to me. How absurd this whole thing is. How mess up this can get.

Lalo na kung.. labag naman sa loob ni Sky ang pagpapakasal.

Inirapan lang ni Tita Nadya si Sky. She then turned to me again with the same warm smile.

Nang tila may maalala ay bahagyang nanlaki ang mata niya. 

"Aha! Before I even forget," she turned to her back.

Saka ko lang napansin ang kasama niyang bodyguard na kanina pa nakasunod lang nang tahimik. 

The stiff middle-aged man was carrying a... shih tzu?

My lips parted at the cute fur baby. Was it fur though? Or hair? I'm not sure but it's just really lovely to look at.

Hinarap sa amin iyon ni Tita Nadya habang malaki ang ngiti.

"Tada," she animatedly said. 

She can be really child-like at times. Bagay na bagay sila ni Mommy.

She grinned. "Ito muna ang alagaan niyo habang bawal pa yung totoong baby," she meaningfully said.

I felt my cheeks heating at her remark. I even stiffened on my position and can't bring myself to glance at Sky. Siguro diring-diri siya sa pinagsasabi ng Nanay niya.

"Come on, Isang. Hold your panganay.." Tita Nadya chuckled.

I panicked when she started handing over the pet to me. Napalunok ako habang tinatanggap iyon.

"It's a girl, by the way.." Tita cheekily added.

It felt so fragile against my hold. She seems very soft and vulnerable. My touch was filled with carefulness as I fear that a single harsh move can hurt her.

My lips slowly lifted up as I stared at her. This cute little one is very mesmerizing. It feels so good to carry her like this.

I was slowly feeling a heavy gaze directed on us. I was about to turn my head up to find out where it was coming from when the dog suddenly flinched.

It then created rigid movements as if she wanted to go down the floor. She was reaching for it. And so I gently bended down to let her step on the carpet.

Nanlaki pa ang mata ko nang mabilis agad itong tumakbo. She was making tiny little steps. Maliliit ngunit mabilis ang mga hakbang niya.

She was still actively running and I noticed she was going towards the open door of my room. I was just following her the whole time.

Napangiti ako nang makita siyang lumapit sa isang knot cotton rope sa sahig. She was playing with it using her mouth.

Napalingon ako sa kama ko at nakita ang unan ko na hugis buto. Napangiti ako atsaka lumapit doon. Sumampa ako sa kama habang hawak iyon.

I turned to the cute shih tzu.

"Hey," winagayway ko sa kanya ang hawak.

"Come here," I softly said while still offering the bone pillow.

My smile grew wider when it started running towards the direction of the bed. 

I started chuckling when it started making adorable efforts in hopes of getting on the bed. I began helping her while her feet continuously crawled into the bed.

Konti na lang sana ay magtatagumpay na siya nang matigilan ako dahil sa isang tinig.

"Hey," a soft worried voice said.

I shivered a bit while turning to the direction of the door. I stiffened upon seeing Sky.

He even started taking steps towards us. I was taken aback by his actions. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay ito ang unang beses na pumasok siya sa kwarto ko.

Tahimik na nakasunod lang ang tingin ko sa kanya habang diretso ang pagtungo niya palapit sa aso.

My lips parted when he swiftly carried it on his arms. His movement was full of mildness. 

"Huwag mo siyang sanaying umakyat sa kama.." he gently said. "Her joints might get damaged," 

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa sinserong pagkakasabi niya. His eyes were filled with tenderness as he stared at the pet. He was even lightly stroking and patting it on the head.

I tried hard not to shake my head. 

Buti pa sa aso may pake.