Connecting Threads (Book 2 of KOV series #2)

II: One After Another

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Psyche Valentine Collins

"Leave us alone, I want to talk to my Daughter". Dad uttered as if he was telling his employees to get out of his office. He's still the same after all, he and his attitude.

Hindi na sila nag-salita, all of them stood up and left us alone. North and West looked worried about me, ganon din si Tita Martina pati si Tita Melissa but the rest of them specially Eros? Blangko ang ekspresyon nila. I can't tell by myself whether they are worried or none of them cares.

Well, it doesn't really matter.

Matapos nilang umalis, Dad and I stayed quiet for a while. Ni isa sa'min ay hindi man lamang kumikibo, akala ko ba ay may sasabihin siya at gusto niya akong maka-usap kaya pinaalis niya ang mga kasama namin kanina?

"Psyche, how's the hotel?". He asked.

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? It's doing great". I replied to his question.

"Psyche, I'm still your Father. Have some respect for me".

Respect for you? Really? That's pretty much a big word and yes, it's really too much to ask. Gusto mo ng respeto? Seryoso ka ba? After all that you've done to our family?!

"Dad, I'm not being rude. It's not like hindi ka pa sanay sa pamamaraan ng pananalita ko".

"Psyche, Anak".

Anak? Haven't heard that word for a while now.

"What now? Aren't you gonna tell me kung bakit mo ko sapilitang pinatawag dito?? Nag-effort kang gamitin ang kahinaan ko laban sa'kin tapos hindi mo naman sasabihin kung ano'ng gusto mong sabihin".

"You've been gone for a long time, it's time for your to go back in here and live with your family again".

"Family? What family? Where?".

"Psyche, I know you're mad at me because of what happened to your Mom but you can't deny the fact that we are a part of your life whether you like it or not".

"Well, I consider myself as an unfortunate person. Why! It is because I can't deny the fact that I'm your flesh and blood! That you and I are blood-related, you said it yourself. I am your Daughter so why?! Why are you making my life miserable!??".

"YOU KNOW THAT I HATE YOU! ALAM MONG AYAW KITANG MAKITA PERO ANO'NG GINAWA MO?! YOU USED EROS!!
YOU USED THE MAN THAT I LOVE PARA LANG SUMUNOD AKO SA'YO AT SA GUSTO MO! ARE YOU REALLY THAT BORED KAYA GINAGAWA MO 'TO?!!".

"Psyche, I didn't use Eros. He came here on his own accord, I didn't do anything at all. You can ask him by yourself".

How can he be so calm and dumb at the same time?

Mukha bang maniniwala pa ako sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig niya? I'm no longer a kid nor an innocent person, nakikita ko ang buong katotohanan. My Dad is a huge jerk, wala na siyang ginawang matino para sa'ming lahat lalong-lalo na sa'kin pati na rin kay Mom.