Mama Ko, Karibal Ko

CHAPTER 48

MAMA KO
KARIBAL KO

(Chapter 48)

V I N C E

"But you promise me, you'll take care of my son!" rinig na rinig ko ang boses ni Mommy sa phone habang kausap nito si Auntie Jessica. Alam namin pareho kung gaano kabuti ang Mommy ko. Pero kahit naman na sinong ina, kapag nalaman na may nangyaring masama sa anak ay hindi maiiwasang magalit diba? Sinabi ko na rin naman kasi kay Jessica na huwag nang sabihin pa 'to sa parents ko, dahil nga iniiwasan ko itong mangyari pero hindi siya nakinig. Tsk!

"I know, Mrs. Chang. I'm sorry, I don't wish this to happen." At mula sa paghawak ko ng aking balikat na may nakatapal na gasa matapos tahiin ang balikat ko na nadaplisan ng bala, ay itinaas ko ang kamay ko para hingin ang cellphone na hawak ni Jessica, na agad din namang ibinigay nito sa akin.

"Mom..."

"My God! Vince. How are you? Are you okay now? Me and your dad are so worried here! Don't worry we already booked a plane ticket to see you there as soon as possible today." Mabilis na pagsasalita ni Mama. Kahit kailan talaga ang o-OA ng mga ina.

"Please cancel it Mom. Don't bother to come here. I know how busy you are and Dad. I'm okay. Daplis lang ito. Auntie is doing her best to take care of me."

"But we almost lost you. Her husband! That ass—"

"—Mom," putol ko sa mga sinasabi niya. "He's dead. So, nothing to worry about. I am perfectly fine. This is just a scratch, you know."

"At nakukuha mo pang magbiro sa nangyari sa 'yo. Fine, we will cancel our flight today, but you need to go home."

"Mom, you know I can't, it's Christmas season. My restobar have many occasions needs to handle, that's why I can't leave."

"Really? Or is it because of Macoy?" Sandaling natahimik ako at tinapunan ko ng tingin si Macoy na nakaupo katabi ni Jessica. Nasa loob kami ng hotel, dito muna kami magpapalipas ng gabi habang pinapalinis pa ang bahay ni Jessica na naging magulo dahil sa mga ginawa ng asawa nito.

"Yes. It is because of him." Lakas loob na pag-amin ko. Ayaw ko nang maglihim pa sa mga magulang ko. At sa tingin ko, ay ito na ang tamang pagkakataon para malaman nila na may nagugustuhan na ako. Their son is not a boy anymore.

"What are you talking about? Do we need to know something?"

"Didn't I told you, that he is my special friend?" sa pagitan ng pagsasalita ay malalim akong nakipagtitigan kay Macoy. "He is not just special for me Mom... but he is a person that I want to be with for the lifetime."

"Tiān nǎ! Are you out of your mind? You are not a gay!" Si Dad na ang nagsalita mula sa kabilang linya at hindi na ako nagulat ngayong galit na galit ito. "Please don't do this to us. You will marry to a girl someday and you're gonna give us a grandson that will inherit our wealth."

"Dad... is that the only important for you? Our wealth?"

"Did you underestimate all of my hard work?!"

"I guess, Dad, let's just talk some other time." At pinatay ko na ang call.

"Kumusta ang pag uusap ninyo? Galit pa rin ba sila? I'm sorry Vince, hindi ka na dapat pa nadamay dito."