Chapter Seven - I Won't Bother You

With a heavy feeling, I rose from my bed when the sun rays touched my face and went to the mirror to check myself. Damn, I looked like a middle aged woman already with these heavy bags under my eyes. Thanks to Warren, I couldn't get a proper sleep last night.

I decided to do my morning routine and go down. Pagdating ko sala, bumungad sa akin ang iba't-ibang uri ng mga tanim na halos mas mataas pa sa akin. My mom is a plant collector and because there is no space from our garden, she placed some pots here at napapansin kong parang unti-unting nagiging gubat na ang bahay namin.

I arrived at our kitchen where Dad and Mom is already having a meal. Kumunot ang noo ko nang umupo ako sa harap nila.

"Bakit hindi niyo ako ginising?" Sabi ko habang nagsasalin ng kape sa tasa ko.

"Your sister tried to pero ayaw mo daw bumangon kaya umalis nalang siya." Mom replied after chewing.

Did Hannah went to my room? Why did I not sense her?

"Besides, you look stress lately. Are you perhaps.."

"Pregnant?" Dad interrupted and I spewed the coffee that was in my mouth.

My brows creased into confusion.

He shrugged. "Well, you collapsed last night. Warren has been here for two months now and seeing you getting along with him--"

"Wait, what?" My eyes narrowed. Is he thinking that I'm pregnant with Warren's?

Napansin kong siniko siya ni Mom.

"Come on, don't surprise her." Binaling niya ulit ang attensyon niya sa akin. "Darling, I swear didn't know, okay? You're dad just told me last night and it was my first time meeting him again yesterday."

I pressed my lips and strared blankly at my coffee. I'm confused.

"But Tito Faustino said that he's still smelled like America?" I mumbled.

"He's been going here and there because of some business. Kakarating lang niya ulit kahapon galing doon. Was it also your first time meeting him again yesterday?"

I nodded mindlessly.

"So, are you pregnant or not?" Dad added.

I rolled my eyes after my thoughts came back. I shouldn't have acted like that last night and to the extent that they would think that I'm pregnant is out of the plan.

"Dad, you're ridiculous! What makes you think that?"

"It's because you are bringing different men each time you had the chance to come here! Kailan kapa ba magtitino? And to tell you, your mom has the same symptoms when she had you. You know already that I don't want a grandchild out of wedlock." The way Dad pronounced every word pierced into my head.

I swallowed hard. He can be terrifying sometimes.

"I-I'm not pregnant! And who would be the father? I didn't sleep with any man in my entire life!" I almost screamed.

"That's good to hear." Mom said in relief and placed her hand on her chest.

"Chill, you don't have to get mad." Dad wiped his lips using the napkin before taking a quick sip of his juice. "Well, if you happen to conceive Warren's baby, that would be an exemption."

I was going to talk when he stood up and kissed Mom's cheek before leaving us with a smirk. I watched his back and gritted my teeth.

"Sometimes, Dad gets on my nerves." Sabi ko habang iniikot ang kutsara sa kape.

"Paano nalang ako? I have to deal with him everyday." Mom said and the whole kitchen echoed with our laughter.

It was already 2 in the afternoon where I am making a draft for my next story. After hours of sitting, wala akong nai-type kahit isang letra. I kept thinking about Warren. It kind of bothers me as to why he was already here for months before meeting me. Something is odd.

I turned off my laptop when my phone buzzed. It was a text message from the jerk.

(I'm sorry, Dana.)

That's all? Yun lang masasabi niya? My phone buzzed again.

(I think we've made a mistake. Maybe it's better for us not to see each other anymore. I regret meeting you because I hurt you again. I hope you forgive me for what I did last night. From now on, I won't bother you.)

I clenched the phone as my heart twisted into a knot. Huh? What is this feeling? Why does my eyes feel hot? Is he dumping me? No, I can't let him do this!

I furiously stood up and grabbed my bag and keys. I can't let this happen. My brain is dry like the Sahara and I need him!

"Saan ka pupunta? Nagluto pa naman ako ng meryenda." Mom shouted in the kitchen as she saw me almost flying down the stairs.

"I'll be right back." I replied as soon as I reached the front door.

I immediately opened the car and threw myself on the seat and drove away from our house. What is Warren thinking?!