my 18th Birthday

Chapter 3

The day of my 18th Birthday arrived. I happily got up when the door opened.

"Dad!?" I asked in surprise. Meet its eyebrows. He was obviously angry.

Papa stepped closer to where I was lying and pulled me upright.

"Dad?" I'm so scared of his appearance, it's not enough because he's going to strangle me.

"I never thought you would flirt with your Godfather!" Papa said while slapping me so I fell back on my bed, holding my face which was hit by the slap.

I stared at Papa. "I-I'm sorry. I-I like Uncle

"He is not raising you and your Uncle Raphael I! !" Papa dragged me out of my room. Then I was pulled out of the House and thrown like trash on the Road.

People stare at me especially our Marites neighbors. All right, I'm crying. I also have a few bruises and scratches from Papa throwing me.

"You're shameful! I don't have a son like you! You're flirtatious! I told you, right! Go ahead! Go to your immoral Godfather! Get together! But this is what you'll remember. You won't take anything from inside my House!" . the gate closed at the same time.

"Papa! Papa! Have mercy on me. Papa!" I'm begging outside our gate. The door opened, I thought Papa was going to let me in, but he didn't throw Paeng on the road like trash.

"Paeng!". I immediately took it and hugged it as it cried like me. I first sat in a corner to accommodate Paeng.

The sun is getting a little warmer so I just decided to walk like Papa said I'm going to see Ninong. I don't know anyone else that I can always be with but him. I have no money, only myself and Paeng I carry.

It was night when I Arrive at Uncle House. He doesn't seem to be there because I can't see his car. Where did he go?

I sat on the side of the gate. I hugged Paeng. I'm hungry and thirsty. Paeng and I were about half an hour outside the gate of Uncle House when a Car stopped, its light dazzling. I heard the door open and someone walked towards me.

"Eka." it said my name.

If I had stopped crying before, now I was suddenly crying.

"Godfather is Papa---" I reported.

It keeps me standing. Then I noticed that he had a few bruises on his face.

"I know what happened. I'm from you. And Evan and I didn't understand a bit. Have you been here before?"

I shook my head. "Paeng and I just arrived. I walked from the house to here. I'm already hungry."

Uncle picked me up after locking the gate. I just cried more and more. When we entered the house, he laid me down on the soft couch, then he took Paeng and brought him to the kitchen to feed him. I just watched her while cooking something in the kitchen.

It's my birthday, I should be happy.

"Or eat some soup first. Then it's orange juice. I'll just fix what will be your room."

He stood up and went to the stairs.

"Godfather." I call He turned to me. "Thank you."

"It's nothing, Eka. I took your things from your house. I'll bring them in later. Don't worry, I won't leave you alone."

I just smiled as I continued to wipe away my tears.

Until came back after fixing the room I was going to sleep in. He had a bimpo and he read it in the kitchen.

He sat on the floor facing me then he took my left foot and wiped it quietly.

"You must be wondering how your Papa found out about us. Am I right?" Uncle spoke every word calmly. "There are as many CCTVs in your area as Reporter." it smiled at the same time.

I get it. The suspects are Marites, that's why there are so many of them immediately outside our house because they are expecting the drama they will see. My feet are now being wiped by Uncle.

"Papa is very angry.". while I swallowed the hot soup.

"It's normal for him to be angry. I'm your godfather and I raised you so I shouldn't have beaten you, it's immoral."

"Immoral, doesn't that mean bad? I'm not like that." I started to cry again.

" don't cry about that thing. Okay, Something only becomes immoral if it is not made legal." Uncle stood up and put the wet bimpo in the kitchen. "I'll get your things from the car."

"Godfather, what do you mean by the word legal?" I have a good question.

It laughed. "I will marry you, Eka, but not yet. Maybe your feelings will suddenly change when you're in college because you'll meet more different types of men. I don't believe in divorce. Just eat there."

I was very moved by what he said. I'm sure my feelings for him won't change even though I've always wanted him!

Uncle took my things up one by one. I was happy to see my books. Good thing he also brought my things to School. But how can I study if I don't have money and I don't have a job.

Uncle carried me up to my room after I ate soup.

"Wow! Is this my room?"

"Why don't you want to?"

"I want it! The lake is beautiful!" it put me on the bed.

"Alright, I'll leave you for now so you can rest. I'll just give you your gift tomorrow. Rest first. I'll give Paeng a bath first before I put it away for you."

"Thank you Godfather."

"You're welcome then, if you can, Raphael, after all, you're already in my power, right? Then this is your home, too. And about your school. I'll transfer you to Hamilton International School, it's better there and you'll learn better."

"It's expensive there, isn't it."

"I'll pay for everything. Don't worry, I'll take care of you, just study properly okay."

"Okay."

I just shook my head when I left Eka's Room, I didn't think Evan could do this to her. I grabbed the side of my lip that was hit with a blow.

I still remember the argument between the two of us earlier.

"Where is Eka?"

Evan grinned. "Are you really that desperate and you beat your own child! Are you surprised to find out, you shouldn't be surprised because you are in a place of simple people whose hobby is celebrating the lives of others like my son ! How did you do that to my Son Raphael! Why did you beat Erika!" sow it.

"Calm down Evan. Erika and I are not doing anything wrong----"

"You kissed my Son! Isn't that bad for you! Raphael, Erika is not even eighteen and you are like her Father! Let's be Bestfriends! But it's different when it comes to my Son! That's my son!". It rushed at me at the same time it released a crisp blow, I didn't dodge I let it land on my face. I was slightly taken back by the force of its blow.

"Raphael, you know everything about me, don't you. And you know Erika is very special to me because she is my daughter with the woman I really love! I hid her from my family, so I kept her here in Manila, right? I kept her but I didn't think that you yourself would beat my son. You are his godfather, it's hard to accept that fact!"

I just stayed silent and accepted all of Evan's complaints until he got tired.

"Just take all of Eka's stuff. After all, you already beat her, right? If you find her, she's yours." My ears perked up when he said what he thought of his Son.

"Evan! If you can talk it's like Eka isn't your daughter."

"From today he is no longer my Son. He flirted with his Godfather. He is just a disgrace. Take all his things and if possible please tell him I don't want to see him anymore!" It turned back but I spoke.

"Why Evan? Is it because you are going to be with your real family that you are reacting like this, yes I did kiss Eka but my intentions towards her are pure, I am raising her but we are not related by blood. Don't I'm worried if I can take care of Eka until I'm old. It's still the same as before, right Evan, who supported Jasmine when she was pregnant with Eka? Was it you? And whose house does she live in? Is it yours? No. You gave me the responsibility I wish you were the one who did it, When Jasmine died, you just appeared in Eka's life like a mushroom because you were with your family in Mindanao, then you'll clean up, I'm the immoral one. Don't worry, I'll take care of Eka and give you more I got an invitation card to our wedding and your wife too so they know that there is Erika De Leon who lived in the world."

Evan didn't answer anymore. He was hit by the silly things he used to do.

Paeng barked so I came back to reality that I should bathe him so he can be next to his Mommy Eka.

"Come to the bathroom and Daddy will give you a bath so you can sit next to Mommy. When you grow up, I will teach you tricks on how to bite the boys that stick to your Mommy. Only Daddy should be!" Paeng barked making me laugh. "Well, you're smart, aren't you! Let's go after you take a shower."

I woke up early because I was excited to get the gift Uncle was telling me about.

"Paeng! Where is Godfather?" I feel like I'm crazy, should I ask the dog? It barked and then ran so I followed it maybe it knew where I was looking for.

Paeng entered through an ajar door so I went straight there too. It was a room and the bed was still a bit messy, obviously someone had just gotten up from lying there. Then I thought that maybe the room we entered belonged to Uncle!

I was stopped by a door opening. I turned around at the behavior.

"Godfather?" My jaw dropped at what I saw. Ninong was just wrapped in a towel and her hair was still a little wet.

I drooled at the beauty of my Godfather's body.

"Eka?" it's smiling. "Why are you in my room?"

I suddenly closed my eyes which made Uncle laugh. "Why are you still covering your eyes? Oh, let's quit."

I turned back. "Ummm Because I looked for you Because you said you were going to give me a present for my birthday. Can I have it now?"

Uncle laughed and later I felt his presence right behind me. All the hair on my body stood up and I closed my eyes tightly. Oh Erika, this may be your last day as a Virgin but it's okay! I love Raphael, but it's just scary because according to what I read in the stories of my favorite Author, Chan Zee, my Petchay will hurt after I see San Pedro in Heaven! My God, Lord, please pray for me!

"Eka? Are you okay?" I heard Uncle question. It was as if I was confused then I turned to face him. Ooops I think it's a wrong move because my face is directly opposite his chest. I didn't even have to look up because he was tall.

"I'm fine."

He smiled then took my left hand. I was even surprised when he put a Diamond ring on my finger.

"Did I say that and it's right. Did you like it? Happy 18th Birthday Erika.". then he bent slightly and kissed me on the forehead.

"Thank you. Is this really Diamond too?" I doubt it.

Godfather nodded.

"Isn't it the only woman who gives a diamond ring to a man who wants to marry her?". I clarify.

It squeezed both my cheeks but it didn't hurt. "Have your feelings for me suddenly changed Eka?"

My eyes widened and I shook my head one after the other. "No!"

"Good." it's smiling.

"Will you marry me?"

It squeezed my cheek again. "You're still young because you have so many questions. As long as I'm still the one you want, you can wear that sing-sing but if you change and you like someone else or not, just return it to me or throw it away that's all."

"Ha!? Oh, I won't like anyone else! I want you! And when are you going to marry me?"

Godfather laughed even more. "You really want to marry me huh."

"Yes! Want to want!". I jumped at the same time.

"Okay, I'll marry you after college after graduation."

"Really! Wow! Did you hear that? Uncle is going to marry me!" Keep barking while moving its tail.

"I'm just going to get dressed and then I'm going to cook pancakes. You should also take a bath because today is our appointment at Hamilton International School."

"Okay, are you really going to teach me there?"

"Yes, we already discussed that." He turned around and opened the door of his cabinet, signaling for me to leave his room.

"I'll just wait for you in the Kitchen." then I was bitten and left the room. I'm happy even though my prediction didn't come true, because even though Uncle didn't say we were engaged!

To Be Continued...