Chapter 10

RIZ

“WHY are you being mean to me?” I knew he was going to find out who my father is, I just didn’t think he would be this quick. I couldn’t read his face. It’s hard to tell if he was serious or just trying to intimidate me para gawin ko ang gusto niya.

“They don’t call me that for nothing. Let’s use the elevator at ihahatid na kita sa Batangas.”

“Sino’ng may sabi sa ’yo na pupunta ’ko roon?” As far as I know, wala kaming napagkasunduan and I am free to go.

Namulsa siya at tumitig sa akin. “We both know you don’t have a job. At kung may dala ka man na pera ngayon, hindi iyon sapat hanggang makapanganak ka. Paano ka magpapa-checkup? It’s expensive. You have no place to stay and let’s be real about this: walang magha-hire ng buntis na magma-maternity leave a few months later. Hindi ko nilalahat, but you know what I mean. Bihira ang matatagpuan mong trabaho na tatanggapin ka.”

Tama siya sa lahat ng sinabi niya. How he can read people this fast is a gift. Kaya siguro siya palaging nananal