Till the Last Game Do Us Part

Chapter 28

Gaviel's POV

Victory

I was raised by my father through the hard work of other people. I was little then but I knew this isn't right. We can do it on our own. We can live on our own. We can live simply without relying on other people. But my father can't be contented. He wanted more. Mas makaya niyang maging sunod-sunuran para lang sa pera at karangyaan.

Nakatingin lang ako sa pamilya Gutierez na inuutusan ang kanilang tauhan sa pagbubuhat at kung saan ipu-puwesto ang mga mamahaling materyal na bagay para sa amin.

I was thirteen then when I met Eunice, the only daughter of the family Gutierez. Bata pa lang ay ipinagkakasundo na kami ng mga magulang namin. I was being friendly with her though, but I knew in my young mind that I can't treat her more than just friends.

Ngayon kami lumipat sa bago naming bahay na bigay ng pamilya ni Eunice. I don't understand why my father was so eager to move out. We have our house. Hindi man malaki at maganda pero maayos naman titirhan. This house isn't that grand. Sakto lang pero hindi ko pa rin kayang hindi isipin ang luma naming bahay. That's where I grew up. That's where my mother gave birth to me at dahil lang sa mas maayos at maganda ito ay iiwan nalang namin 'yon.

Pagkatapos ayusin ang appliances na gagamitin sa bahay ay may pinamigay sa amin ang mag-asawang Gutierez. They gave my sister dresses, toys, shoes and a lot of expensive things.

"Come here, Ezran. We have some for you." tawag sa akin ni tita Janice.

I hesitated to go near them pero dahil alam kong papagalitan ako ni Papa kapag tumanggi ako, ay dahan-dahan akong lumapit. Tita handed me two pairs of expensive shoes. Matagal ko itong tinitigan at iniisip kong paano ito tatanggihan.

"Here. For you." tita Janice forced me to get the box.

It will be rude if I'll refuse so I accepted it and said thank you.

"You can throw your old shoes, Hijo. May bago ka na kaya huwag mo na suotin iyang luma mo." tita Janice said after she glanced at my feet.

I looked down on my shoes. May sira na ito sa gilid at mapusyaw na rin. This shoe was given by my mom kaya kahit luma na ito ay hindi ko ito itatapon.

"I'll keep it, Tita," I answered.

"Look, it's already dirty. Sira na rin kaya wala ng silbi iyan." pagpupumilit ni Tita

Eunice comes near me. "I'll help you try your new shoes, Ezran. I'm sure this one will suit you better."

I was about to protest when she kneeled in front of me. Sinimulan niyang tanggalin ang sintas ng sapatos ko kaya medyo inilag ko ang paa ko.

"Dali na para matapon na 'tong luma. Pangit naman na 'to." Eunice told me.

"Mahalaga sa 'kin 'to." sabi ko

I move my feet away to make her realize that I don't like what she's doing. Tumayo rin naman siya pero parang hindi alam na ayaw ko nga sa sinasabi nila.

"What's wrong, Ezran? Your new shoes are nice. Luma naman na talaga 'yang suot mo at madumi na. It's shameless wearing old dirty shoes." si tita Janice ulit

It will never be shameless wearing old dirty shoes when it was a special gift from a special someone.

"Remove your shoes, Hijo. Bago lang 'yong tiles ng bahay n'yo at madumihan agad dahil sa sapatos mo. Hubarin mo na nang matapon at mapalitan ng bago mo." tito Niel said.

I was insulted. Pwede ko namang suotin ang bigay nila ng hindi ito tinatapon.

"Salamat po sa bigay n'yo pero mas komportable po ako sa luma. Kung ayaw n'yo pong suot ko ito, ibabalik ko nalang 'tong bigay n'yo." sabi ko at nilapag sa harapan nila ang dalawang box ng sapatos.