Miggy's POV
On Saturday, I woke up early and went to the gym. It's been weeks since the last time I went there because so many things happened that it made me preoccupied. I spent an hour there like the usual and then went back to my unit to take a shower and prepare to leave for work. But I'll drop by at the office today and head straight to Bulacan to visit Gabriella. Meynard was at the parking area in the building when I went down from my unit.
"Have you had your breakfast?" when I saw him wiping the car.
He continued what he was doing and just took a glance at me.
"Let's just pass by the office for a while, I'll just do something for a while and then we'll push Bulacan further,"
"There was a shooting of the commercial today, Neri told me," he said.
"Yeah, I knew about that. I already talked to Andrew about it, so there was no need for me to be there, "
"Their team is great because they are the top this month,"
"Andrew is really hardworking and good, and I admire him for being so dedicated to his work. He also motivates his team differently. I can see myself with Andrew, who is almost too focused on work, "I said.
"Yes, you were an idol then. That's why you don't have a love life either, "I was just shaken because I already knew where this conversation was going when I hit it.
"Hey, pretend no one heard," he said with a laugh as he rolled up the rag he used to wipe the car. But I still ignored him. I just made myself busy by fiddling with the cellphone because I sent a message to Gabriella.
Our whole trip was quiet because Meynard didn't bother me anymore. He saw that I was as busy as I was on my cellphone, which I meant to do because I wasn't in the mood to get married yet.
When we arrived at the office, I immediately finished the document that I had to submit to my boss, who was asking for a report. That's it, but I just want to review it first before submitting it to make sure there is nothing missing and no typographical errors. I just asked someone to submit the folder to the President's office on the upper floor, and then Meynard and I immediately left for Bulacan.
"Do you think she'll accept it?" I'm referring to the ones we bought the day before. I am willing to use some amount from my trust fund just so I can provide for her, while the one for her left by daddy has not been fixed. I am actually planning to buy a condo for her graduation gift here in Manila so she can stay close to me.
"Of course! We both know he needs that. Willie mentioned to me he was finishing his thesis because I asked him last time after we talked about the things we were going to buy for him. I just forgot to tell you. So it works hard and we both know how important those are in doing the thesis, "he pointed at the back where the items we bought landed.
"I just hope he doesn't get offended,"
"He won't understand that if you do those things to him," he comforted me.
"I hope so,"
"Where are we going to go home or will we find him somewhere?"
"We'll meet him at a coffee shop because he's supposed to come from his classmate's house. They're finishing a project, "I explained.
"I guess that's the thesis but he's not just telling you, it's not research because that's what he said to Willie but he just slipped when they talked so he found out that there is a thesis being done so he always uses computer internet shop.
I was just shaken by what I found out.
"Why didn't Willie tell me about that the last time we met?"
"He said he would have said that he was hesitant because Gabriella begged him not to mention it because he was embarrassed, especially when you offered him that you would give him his monthly allowance," he said. Niya?
"But Willie didn't do anything when I asked because I thought he was the only one I could ask since he was the first to talk to Gabriella. Actually, I fought just in case when I called him, but I didn't think it would be like that. But it's a good thing I called her and at least we found out the truth that Gabriella doesn't want to tell you, "he added.
When we were close to the place he said we would meet him, I informed him immediately. Well, we didn't have a hard time finding the said place. We also immediately saw him standing outside the coffee shop staring at the cellphone as if waiting for a call or text.
Meynard came out to call him because it was more in his favor since we didn't U-turn because there were a series of cars so it was difficult, because there was a bit of traffic. So Meynard just chose to park the car and he went down to go to Gabriella across the street.
I just watched them talk when Meynard got close to him and I saw him point the car where it was parked. They crossed to where the car was and I heard Meynard open the door for him and then I saw him get on.
"Good morning," I said as I looked back at him.
"Good morning, you've been waiting for us there before?"
"No, I just arrived," he replied politely.
"Have you eaten lunch?"
He didn't say a word but I saw him shake.
We ate at the nearest restaurant we passed because Meynard and I were also a little hungry. We just talked casually. I feel like you're not that comfortable with me or talking to me. But I can see that he's trying, so I'm happy because at least we met half way. I know that I'm not the only one who has a hard time and needs to adjust to our situation, so I'm really thankful that he doesn't make it difficult for me to deal with him.
I didn't mention the things I bought for her while we were eating, because it might have ruined the good chance we have to be together now. So when we finished eating…
"Ah, Gab, I'll give you something but I hope you don't mind," I said hesitantly.
I saw him surprised after he drank iced tea. He looked at me then blinked a few times then bowed.
"Ah, w-what's that?" he stuttered the question.
"Uhm, I know you need it at school, so I bought you a laptop and a printer, so you don't have to worry about it. I also bought bond paper,"
"Huh? Ah, you don't have to do that but thank you but it was a lot. It's embarrassing because we've only just met and not completely, but you're right, I really need those. That is a big inconvenience to you, "he said shyly.
"No! Don't say that, you're not busy for me, okay? And then it's not in the years that we haven't done anything to help you. "You deserve to have a better life, Gab," I saw him crying, so even though he was hesitant, I tried to stand up to get close to him, then I hugged him sideways because he was still sitting.
"Thank you. Thank you so much, "she said tearfully, as I stroked her hair.
"Shhh, it's okay. Don't cry. From now on, you're no longer alone, okay? I am here to help you whatever you need, "I leveled my face as I said that, and then he nodded softly and hugged me, so I patted his back softly.
We didn't stay there long. We left immediately after we paid.
"Maybe you're not eating well because you're thin," I said worriedly.
We just sat in the car, saying "I'm eating."
"Is it okay for us to go to the grocery store to shop before we take you to your place?"
"Oh, I'm not okay anymore,"
"No, I insist these are small things I do. Then I know if daddy is alive now, he will do the same for you, so let me go, okay? "
He didn't do anything because of what was said, so he just nodded softly again, then he pointed the way to the grocery store.
"If I were you Gab, you would get used to your older brother. It's rude to look at, but it's a mammon heart. I'm not blood related to him, he doesn't hate you yet, so you're brothers and father, "he said as he arranged for the car to be parked. I didn't say anything, I just listened to their conversation. It's a good thing that Meynard is really talkative, because he's the one who talks to Gabriella when I'm quiet. That was also a big help so that Gabriella wouldn't be able to ease us somehow.
"You've known each other for a long time?" Their story continued as we entered the grocery store. I just let go and I walked to them first to get a cart.
"Get what you need, don't be ashamed of me," I told her as soon as Meynard and I approached me.
"Oh no! Listen to my brother. We should follow what he says because he knows what is good for us better than we do. Because you know he's old because that's it," so I hit him right away. I was still listening seriously, but the end had an insulting sequel.
"You, what kind of nonsense did you think you would teach Gab?" I said to him at the same time.
"Aray naman kuya! It really hurts you, no! " He complained while nuzzling what my opponent had hit him with. I saw Gab laugh softly at us when he saw the two of us.
"Don't listen to her Gabriella; it's just more nonsense that she will teach you compared to what you can learn well,"
"Kuya really complained to mama," he growled as we walked to the meat section.
"You thought that nanny was on your side in the nonsense you were doing," we continued in the quarrel. I can hear Gabriella laugh softly at what she hears the two of us.
"Gab, don't be like your older brother who hurts you?" he begged.
As he stared at Meynard, he laughed softly.
"Are you cooking? Or are you just eating outside? " I asked as I walked beside him, Meynard taking my place pushing the cart.
"I cook because I save money and I also bury myself in school," he said.
"Maybe there's a refrigerator where you live?"
"Grandma has a refrigerator left but I only use it once because it's often empty," he said with a smile.
I myself bought another one because I knew he was still shy and then I understood that. I made sure he had plenty of food stock so he wouldn't have that problem. We had a good story. It was a good way for us to get to know each other.
After we bought everything he needed, we took him to his place of residence and helped him get the items in and fix them. We also helped her get her laptop connected to the printer I bought for her.
"Oh, you don't have to hang out at the internet shop anymore, you're safer here at home because we don't know who just enters the internet shop," as Meynard and I watched them pointing at him. on the printer. He approached me and held both hands then…
"Thank you very much for what you gave. I did not expect all this but many, many thanks indeed,"
Don't mention it, then I hugged her voluntarily because she was in tears again as she thanked me.
"Let me one of these days, I'll take you to where daddy is lying," I said.
"All right, thank you very much for accepting me even if I made a mistake,"
"Don't think about that anymore. Let's talk about that. The important thing is that today and tomorrow you won't be alone because I'm already here. When you graduate from college in Manila, I'll take care of where you live, okay? In the meantime, I'll just visit you here in my free time. Sometimes I go home to mommy because she's alone at home. I'll be the one to explain to mommy, just wait ah? " I will warn her.
"It's okay. It's a big thing that you were there and you accepted me. Then I'm just afraid to think about what else your mommy can say to me, "
"Mommy is not that okay. It's just that I haven't talked to him yet, so please forgive me first. I can't take you home, "I added.
"It's really okay with me, don't worry, I really understand," he replied with a small smile.
It was afternoon when we said goodbye to her. I'm happy because little by little we got along well with each other. I didn't expect to be able to do all this, because I felt so differently when I first found out about this thing. It was unthinkable that my relationship with her would be like this, despite everything.
"Mission for Gabriella, done. Now the mission for Gabie is on-going, "I heard Meynard say after a moment of silence while driving.
"It's really good that he accepted what we bought for him," I replied to what he said.
"It's easy to talk to him and then it's as ugly as thinking if he refuses, isn't it?"
"I was just scared because he might think like his mother, he can cope even if it's very difficult,"
"I understand Teresa's point about her reasons. She knows how much trouble she will get into if she approaches your daddy. So he endured the hardship. He didn't just be the cause of your family's ruin, so he chose to stay away, "he said.
I know and I understand, but even so, daddy still has an obligation to their son, so even if he just thought of that so that Gabriella wouldn't be in trouble either, I said sadly, because honestly, I won't lose the sadness and pity that I have felt since I found out what he went through.
"You both have Teresa's point, but we can't bring everything back. You said that today and tomorrow are not important, so let the past go, "
I just gasped because he was really right.
"So, what's the update on you and Gabie?" He changes the subject.
"It's still the same. Every Thursday he only takes one subject, and it's only until three o'clock,"
"Jhay already told me that, but he said he has a photo shoot scheduled for next Thursday and then when it doesn't end, they set it to end on Friday night after his class.
"I'm reserving the place for next week so I won't disturb him the week after this week,"
Oh! That's okay! Have you told her yet? "
"I'll just say because I didn't call or text him before because I was busy in the office reviewing the report, then Gab was with us,"
"You can text him now so you can recharge. Whether you admit it or not, brother, I know he's one of the ones who makes you happy right now,"
"You know, you can really be the host of a talk show, because your speed on the news makes me very fond of you, eh," the madman laughed.
I'm just saying the things I know, because I've been through all of that, so I'm just sharing them with you," he said.
"Aba! Yabang!" we laughed.
"Where are you going to take us there?" I changed the subject.
I was surprised by his story. "I'll get my motorbike first, so I'll take you because it's scary to commute like last time we were sitting in the jeep of the manyakis." I was surprised by his story.
"Why didn't you tell me about that?" I wonder if the question is
"No, we were busy when I came in on Monday, so I lost my mind trying to tell you,"
"Then what happened to the victim?"
"Brought to the precinct, the driver of the jeep helped and then gave a statement. We saw it. It's a hassle instead of going on a date. We can't go on because we left the precinct late. "
"If I'm with you, use my old car so that Shane and you are more comfortable when you walk, then you're safe when it rains." I've been offering him to use it for a long time. because I don't use it anymore. That was my car when I was still in college until I worked before I bought my car that we use today.
"Eh, it's embarrassing because it doesn't matter to me. They might say I'm rich, but the truth is I don't have any money and I just borrowed it.
"Why do you think about what other people will say, not the poor or the poor when it rains, then that's good because when you go to church they babysit you're just in the same car. Let people go if they can't help you when you have a problem, "
"It's better if you go home tomorrow. I'll wait for you there because I'll come home later to visit mom. Let's check that, bring manong with you so he can look at it himself because I know he knows it, "I added.
He was speechless and then he was just shaken by what I said. It's also a pity because there were no users then just hanging out in the garage. I also don't want to sell it because I'd rather he just use it. Maybe later I'll just give it to him when I see that he takes good care of it.