After a while, Dad leave the hallway. I was left with Simmy. When I looked at her, she was staring at me. There was a small smile on her lips. "Hindi ko gustong magsalita para sa 'yo at sa binatang 'yon, pero nakikita kong mabuting bata si Japen. Kaya sana ay hindi niyo baliin ang tiwalang binigay ko at ng ama mo, Azora."
I was dumbfounded at her words. She sounded like my mother. But then, I sighed. "You don't need to do that. I can defend my own from Dad."
Her expression soften. "Hindi ko gusto na makita kang mahirapan." She sighed. "Azora, kahit na palagi kang masungit sa akin, hindi ko naman gustong mawala ang kasiyahan mo. Nakikita kong masaya ka kapag kasama ang binatang 'yon."
"You don't care."
"Kailangan kong siguraduhing nasa maayos kang kalagayan, Azora. Pinangako ko sa ina m
