My Bestfriend Dad

Hindi ko akalaing ang simpleng sleepover sa bahay ni Elle, best friend ko since high school, ang magpapagulo ng isip ko. “Girl, you’ll love my dad. Promise, ang cool niya,” sabi niya habang nag-aayos kami ng gamit sa guest room. Ngumiti lang ako. “Sure. Dads are all the same, Elle. Boring.” Pero paglabas namin sa sala, muntik akong matigilan. Doon siya — Mr. Javier Cruz, 42, tall, broad-shouldered, at may ngiting parang nakaka-hipnotize. He wasn’t the “boring dad” I imagined. He looked… dangerously charming. “Hi, you must be Aria,” sabi niya habang iniabot ang kamay niya sa’kin. Mainit ‘yung palad niya. At sa di ko alam na dahilan, parang tumigil sandali ‘yung mundo. “Ah, yes po. Aria, Elle’s friend,” sagot ko habang tinatago ‘yung kaba sa boses ko. He smiled, that soft yet confident kind of smile. “Just call me Javier. No need for the ‘po’— it makes me feel old.” Elle laughed, “Dad! You are old!” He chuckled, and I swear — that sound did something to me. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa amoy ng coffee na hawak niya, o sa tingin niyang parang binabasa ako hanggang kaluluwa. Later that night, habang tulog si Elle sa tabi ko, hindi ako mapakali. Lumabas ako para uminom ng tubig, tahimik na lakad lang sa hallway. Pero pagdating ko sa kusina, nandoon siya — naka-white shirt lang at may hawak na baso ng wine. “Couldn’t sleep?” tanong niya, that deep voice filling the quiet air. I swallowed. “Uh, yeah. Medyo mainit kasi.” He leaned against the counter, eyes never leaving mine. “Or maybe something’s keeping you awake.” Bakit parang may ibang ibig sabihin ‘yung tono niya? I looked away, trying to act casual. “Just not used to sleeping in other houses.” He smirked. “You’ll get used to it. You’re always welcome here, Aria.” My heart skipped. Bakit ganon? Baka naman friendly lang siya. Pero nung nilapitan niya ako para abutin ‘yung baso sa taas ng cabinet — halos magdikit ‘yung mga braso namin, at naamoy ko ‘yung faint scent ng perfume niya. “Here,” bulong niya, halos pabulong sa tenga ko. And I swear, goosebumps ran down my spine. “Thanks…” mahina kong sabi, halos pabulong din. He smiled again. “Goodnight, Aria.” Pero habang lumalakad siya palayo, hindi ko mapigilang mapansin kung paano kumikilos ‘yung balikat niya, ‘yung lakad niyang may confidence. At doon ko lang na-realize — I was in big trouble. Because I just found myself falling for my best friend’s dad.