Chapter Sixteen

“I’m so sorry about what happened, Ivan. I’m okay now. I promise.”

“Are you sure? Don’t worry about the kids. They are still playing upstairs. I hope you don’t mind though. I told Jeremy that you’re not feeling that well. Nagtatanong kasi siya kanina kung okay ka lang.”

“No, that’s definitely okay. Thank you for covering up for me.”

“Na-distorbo ko pa kayo. You were supposed to go somewhere tonight, right?”

“Nah, Nate was cool with it. The meeting was also canceled. If anything, it definitely worked out for the kids. Baka nga may iiyak pag umuwi na kami.”

“Si Jeremy or Nika?” I asked.

“Both, I think.”

“Nauna na ata akong umiyak.” I felt stupid when I remembered, in a funny, distracted way.

“No. I don’t mean that.”

“Ivan, relax. It’s a joke.” Whatever it was that he was doing, well, it’s working. I’m distracted and my mind is somewhere else. Hindi ko man nakalimutan kung ano ang nangyari kanina, I don’t feel the rush of panic anymore. I only have Ivan to thank for that. “Thank you.”

“