The Art Of Hating

EPILOGUE

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EPILOGUE

"What's your plan?"

I was preparing to wear hearing protection and protective eyewear when Mr. Henry Alvarado looks sideways at me.

Nililinis niya ang hawak na baril habang tinatantiya ang distansya ng target. Kinakabahan ako. I'm not sure though what I'm afraid now. The things I'm about to tell him or the fact that he might shoot me after this.

Of course he won't do that. My mind was just running wild at the moment. At isa pa, alam kong may kutob na siya sa sasabihin ko kahit na pinilit kong maging kaswal na ayain sila rito para makipaglaro. . . at usap.

"Mamaya po." Sagot ko.

I looked at the back benches, where my Dad's watching. Beside him is the great Gregorio Antonio Alegre and of course, Leandro Guillermo Sarmiento, Sr.-- my grandfather. Abala ang dalawang matanda, tumatawa sa kung anong pinag-uusapan. While my father was watching and smirking at my direction.

Umiling ako sa kanya. Mukhang natutuwa pang nakikitang kinakabahan ako. I grew up with that smirk. Palaging ganyan ang ngisi niya kapag alam niyang pagagalitan ako. Especially Jefa-- our lady boss.

Damn it. He's really enjoying this.

Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Tito Henry ng bigla itong natawa. A bit relaxed because of his reaction, natawa rin ako.

"Sigurado ka bang papayag 'yon?" He mocked.

Remembering Hya's raised brow at me everytime I tell her something, mas lalo lang akong napangiti.

"Papayag po 'yon," sigurado kong sagot.

Tinitigan niya ako ng matagal bago sinuot ang equipments na kailangan.

"Siguraduhin mo lang," Finally, Mr. Henry Alvarado tapped my shoulder, giving me the final signal of approval.

Napailing ako dahil mukha na siguro akong gago sa ngiti ko. Nakakahiya pero mas nakakatuwa. The urge to call him Dad was strong but I stopped myself. May bala na 'yong baril niya.

Napahinga na lang ako ng maluwag dahil do'n. Shit. I'm fucking happy I can't relax my hands. I calmed myself first while I watch Tito Henry shoot his target.

Mrs. Alvarado was very vocal about her inclinations towards her daughter's relationship with me but his husband was different. Kahit mukhang hindi naman tutol sa 'min si Tito Henry sa nagdaang limang taon, pinagpapawisan pa rin ako sa tuwing nahuhuli siyang nakamata sa kamay kong nakahawak sa anak niya.

Kaya kahit na ganito kakaswal ang sagot niya sa 'kin, panatag na panatag na ako.

Tito Henry has that snob and strong aura just like my girlfriend pero sa totoo lang maayos at mabait namang kausap. Madalas lang talaga akong ma-intimidate sa kanya. I have so much respect on whatever he will say that most of the time, I'm way too formal whenever we're talking alone. Malayo sa pagiging makulit ko sa mga tao. Mas seryoso kasi siya kapag kami lang ang magkausap. Parang palaging may banta sa tono kapag may paalala.

Now I know where my girlfriend got that intimidating stare.

Nangingiti ulit ako.

Ah. My bossy girlfriend.

Although I find her intimidating, I was also fascinated at her at he same time. That little pout I always see whenever she's annoyed or the rolling of eyes whenever she'd hear something stupid was something rewarding to me. Siguro dahil noon hindi man lang ako napapagbigyan kahit tingin man lang. Ngayon, ang saya-saya ko kapag iritang-irita siya sa 'kin. All her emotions directed at me give me bliss.