Just the Ticket

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 #jttwbs

People often state that what's important is one's inside beauty. That an inner goodness weighs more than what's on the surface. But it just doesn't... seem like it.

Ganoon kasi ang sinabi sa nakita kong post mula sa Facebook. It's absolutely comforting to see posts with that kind of message. People were also agreeing with their short or lengthy opinions in the comment box.

Pero bakit parang hindi naman ganoon ang nangyayari? Or is just me?

My chest raised at the explosion of a car horn. Inilipat ko sa center table ang bowl ng watermelon slices na kinakain at ang throw pillow na nasa aking hita. Bitbit ko ang cellphone ko nang inunahan si Mamala na lumabas.

I hurriedly opened our gate for my parents with a great zest. I witnessed the end of luminance from the headlights followed by the engine's halt. Naunang lumabas ang sopistikadang babae mula sa passenger seat.

It's almost as if her facial features defy aging with her through the years. And maybe, to bear only a solo child was what maintained her figure. Nanatiling maalindog ang babae sa kabila ng edad. May kaakibat na tapang ang klase ng ganda at hindi kailanman matutukoy na mahinhin.

But Mommy's drowsy eyes indicated exhaustion. Malamya siyang naglakad habang mahaba ang mga hikab. Galing kasi siya sa isang event sa downtown. I wasn't quite sure if it was held by the company or just their colleague.

Nagpaskil ako ng matamis na ngiti. I waited for her to come near then I stepped back so she could enter the gate.

"You're oily," she remarked, which I expected, before she went straight to the house.

Daddy closed the car door with a small thud that snatched my attention. His key fob and keys were jiggling as he walked towards the gate.

Para silang isang sikat na tambalan sa showbiz noon ni Mommy... Kung nag-artista lang sana sila. Sa tangkad at tindig ay hindi nalalayo si Daddy sa mga guwapong sikat na aktor noong araw nila. I trust that he can even line up with them.

Sinarado ko ang gate nang nasa loob na kaming tatlo bago ako sumunod sa kanila.

"Ano ba 'yan, Eri, hindi talaga nababawasan ang mga tigyawat mo," Mommy said while unclamping the strap of her nude block heels. Nakaupo na siya sa sofa.

"Bakit kasi hindi mo tanungin si Ashtine kung ano ang ginagamit sa mukha at ang kinis," Daddy intervened with fading voice because he was heading to the kitchen.

Nagtanggal naman si Mommy ng mga suot na alahas. Isinilid niya ang mga ito sa kulay pula na hand bag. I saw her shake her head amid her speech.

"Ashtine doesn't use anything. Natural na makinis ang balat ng batang 'yon."

I slowly reached for the bowl of watermelon slices I was eating. Aakyat na sana ako sa taas kung hindi lang siya nagsalita ulit.

"Your classes have already started, 'di ba? How are your grades, Eri? Puro itlog na ba agad?"

I fought the urge to scowl.

Hindi naman laging zero ang scores ko. There are just... tough times! Many of it! Kapag lang hindi ako talagang nakapag-aral, hindi alam na may tests, o kapag surprise ang quizzes.

Saka fine, tuwing tinatamad mag-aral... which, by the way, occurs ninety-nine percent of the time.

Hindi kabilib-bilib ang records ko. Simula noon, hindi na talaga ako ginanahan na mag-aral at hindi ito nagbago sa paglipas ng panahon. Hinahawaan lang talaga ako ni Camara. Saka dala na rin ng hiya sa mga magulang na nagtutustos sa akin siyempre.