Against the Decalogue (Velez Series #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Collision of Paths

"I told you over and over again, Suzette, that you're not allowed to go anywhere unless it's school. With or without bodyguards, hindi pa rin pwede." my Dad tried to keep his cool but his voice still echoed throughout his office here in our house.

I looked at my Dad who's now pinching the bridge of his nose. He is sitting on his recliner chair habang may mga papeles na nakakalat sa kaniyang lamesa. He is holding an expensive pen on his free dominant hand habang umiiling dahil narito na naman ako sa kaniyang harapan at nagpapaalam.

Wala akong magawa kung 'di ang yumuko at ngumuso.

I'm on my 11th grade at isa ng Senior Highschool student. As expected, mas nagiging hectic na ang academic schedule ko at idagdag mo pa ang sandamakmak na mga group projects. I don't know why most of our teachers are fond of giving us group projects at hindi individual projects lang.

Wala namang kaso 'yon sa'kin. I prefer it that way. I don't have any courage on doing something on my own. Sa lahat ng bagay na ginagawa ko, it's either may kasama ako o may tumutulong sa'kin. I just don't have the confidence, the courage and the guts.

But now that I think about it, isang malaking disadvantage pala 'yon sa'kin.

"D-Dad, kasi...major subject 'yon a-at—"

"Suzette," Dad cut me off, looking so impatient at me.

Napakagat kaagad ako ng labi. Right. No reason is valid when it comes to the decalogue he's set in this household. Excuses, whether believable or not, is of no value because the decalogue is unbreakable. Para sa kaniya, siya ang tama at wala ng iba pa. Kahit ano pa ang rason ko, siya pa rin ang tama at ako ang mali.

Almost all of our subject teachers are fond of giving us group projects. I was about to rejoice but I have a hard time explaining my situation to my groupmates. Dahil nga group project ito at aabutan ng ilang araw para matapos, they all decided to go to one's house and do the project there.

If I were a daughter of an ordinary father, I would go immediately. Pero hindi, e. I am the daughter of a Senator and a well-known Reality TV Star.

I grew up being secluded to other people other than my family. I only know two places very well, my house and my school. Sa dalawang lugar na 'yon lang ako pinapayagang pumunta. I wasn't even allowed to go to my cousin's places everytime I want. Namulat ako sa mundo na may kasamang mga bodyguards. I am very sheltered at hindi ako pinapayagang gumawa ng bagay na hindi nila alam.

The decalogue has always been clear. My only destination outside our house is only my school. Nothing else.

Hindi tatalab kay Daddy ang mga rason ko. The decalogue is unbreakable and unbendable. Kahit pa kausapin ko si Mama tungkol dito, hindi rin niya ako papayagan. She's always been submissive to my Dad. My words always fell on deaf ears whenever I talk to her.

But I am a good and understanding daughter. Kahit nakaka-frustrate at sobrang unfair para sa'kin, I don't have the courage to disobey them. I don't have the guts to even do that. I can't do anything that is an act of defiance. Kaya kahit...kahit hindi ako pinapakinggan ni Daddy...

Ngumiti ako. "Okay, Daddy. Sorry for bothering you. Punta na ako sa school."

His face immediately softened after I said that. Hindi na kumunot ang noo niya at nakita ko nang huminga na siya ng maluwag. He removed his specs and wiped it with a cloth.

"Very well, then. Ipapahanda ko na ang sasakyan kay Romeo."

Tumango ako bago tumalikod, papalabas na sa opisina ni Daddy dito sa bahay. When my hands touched the cold french-styled knob to close the door behind me, sadness immediately crept inside my system.