The Art Of Hating

Chapter Forty

XL. Another

Lolo was really mad at me.

Kahit no'ng nagluluto na kami para sa mangyayaring dinner at pagblow ko ng cake, nagpahatid lang siya ng pagkain sa Study. I stand on my decision but I can't help but be worried.

I knocked on his door, telling him that we'll have dinner but I received no answer. Kinatok din siya nila Mommy. I heard him talking but he didn't go downstairs to celebrate with us.

I usually write letters for him even before. Lalo na kapag napapagalitan ako o hindi kaya'y nagtatampo siya. It was kind of funny because when I was a kid, it was not a heartfelt message I usually write. Para iyong ulit-ulit na reason ko kung bakit nangyari ang mga nangyari. I'll write it on a paper and the lists of my 'sins' will be jotted down. Then at the end, I'll say sorry.

No'ng lumaki ako, naging madalang na lang. Lalo na at na-master ko na ang pagiging masunurin sa kanya. We do clash in ideas but I just often hide it to myself. . .or I'll talk to my parents or Nanay Linda about my frustrations. And this happened.

Sa nangyari ngayon, I've decided to write again an apology letter for him. I gave it to Mom because I know he won't face me until I'm out of this house.

Salo-salo lang ang nangyari kasama na rin ang lahat ng tao sa bahay. And this time, with Alexander and Yugi around.

We had karaoke after I blow the candle on the cake Nanay Linda and Mom baked together.

It feels like a short weekend to me. We did a lot of activities on Sunday morning at the beach, but later that afternoon, bumyahe rin kami pauwi ng metro. Lolo's still mad but he managed to give his present through Mommy. Nangingiti na lang ako kahit na mukhang wala pang balak mamansin.

Monday came and I faced my usual day at work. May mga complaints na natanggap at minor accident na nangyari sa warehouse but nevertheless, it was the usual matter at the factory we can handle. Hindi naman kasi maaiwasan ang mga gano'n.

That afternoon, I had an early out and was preparing to go out of the building when I received a call from Alexander.

"Yes?" Pormal kong sagot.

I heard him chuckle and I can't help but smile. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya nakikita dahil sigurado akong mang-aasar lang siya. If he's not playful, he'll basically turn into a flirt. Tss.

He cleared his throat after a moment.

"Busy, Ma'am?" He asked playfully.

Umirap ako pero sinagot na rin ang tanong niya. "I'm done. You? I'm on my way meeting Bria." Pinindot ko ang susi para ma-unlock ang kotse.

I'll be having dinner with the group. Didiretso rin sa usual hangout naming Bar at doon na hahabol si Alexander.

He cleared his throat. "That. ." Pumalatak siya. "I can't make it. May inaayos pa kami rito. Sorry. . ."

Oh.

"It's okay." I said right away. "Usual lang naman 'tong lakad kahit na celebration din sa birthday ko. They'll be busy next week, eh. I understand that you're busy, too. It's Monday." I chuckled.

Natawa rin siya. "Alright. I'll call you when I get home."

"Sure."

"Alright. Take care, Babe."