Chasing Chase

Prologue

I woke up because of the sound of my alarm. I immediately stood up because if I stay longer I would probably be back to sleep at hindi iyon pwede dahil may pasok ako ngayon.

May kailangan pa akong ipasa sa professor ko masungit pa naman iyon at hindi tumatanggap ng delay. Also, I don't want to pass something na on the day ng deadline pa. I don't like that. I don't even like procrastination. Hindi ako masyadong nakakapag isip ng mabuti kapag nape-pressure ako. 

Gusto kong pinag-iisipan ang bawat project o assignment na ibinibigay sa akin ng mga professor ko because I wanted to get high scores. Sayang ang perang pinag-aaral sa akin nila Daddy kung hindi ko pagbubutihin ang pag-aaral. Every coin that my parents gave me is equivalent to their hard work and love for me. Iyon ang palagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko. I don't want to abuse my parents love for me.

I immediately get ready, I wore my usual clothes that some people would label as manang style. Ano bang problema nila sa palda kong below the knee? T-shirt na pinatungan ng cardigan? Mainit mamaya at masakit sa balat. I don't want to expose my skin in the heat of the sun wearing trendy clothes na mukhang halos lahat kinulang sa tela. I just braided my long hair na hanggang bewang ko na and wore my thick rimmed glasses.

Bumaba na ako para mag almusal. I saw my father at the end of the table reading something on the newspaper. It's his daily routine every morning. My dad wanted to be updated in all the events happening here in our country. 

Nagpunta ako sa kanya para halikan siya sa cheeks.

"Morning, Daddy." I sat at the right side of the table. Kumuha agad ako ng pagkain and say a little prayer and started my meal.

"How is school, Krys?" tanong ni Dad. He put down the newspaper he's reading and then took a little sip on his black coffee with no sugar. I can imagine how bitter it taste, well it's his daddy's choice of coffee anyway.

I shrugged my shoulders at him. "Okay lang naman. I can manage." I smiled and then sumubo sa chicken hotdog na nasa tindor ko at kumuha ng kanin.

"Where's mom?" Iginala ko ang paningin ko sa paligid.

I heard Daddy sighed. "Maaga siyang sinundo ng Tita Beatrice mo. Mag bo-bonding daw silang dalawa." umiling si Dad.

 "Hindi na nga dito naka almusal dahil lalabas naman daw sila." tumango ako.

This is what I like about my parents almost 20 years of marriage and they still love each other. They got jealous evey time the other one are being admired by other people. They still crave for each others attention and still sweet as ever. Kahit na minsan ay nakaka-ilang na makikita niya itong nag hahalikan sa sala nila ilang beses na.

I remember every special days nilang dalawa. Daddy never failed to be romantic in all ways. Suprises, gifts, and love letters are always present. I love the consistency of my father. Kaya naman mataas din ang standards ko pagdating sa lalaking mamahalin ko.

My daddy set the standards so high.

"Ihahatid na kita. I have seen the news lately na tumaas na naman ang rape cases sa bansa kaya ikaw Krystal Mian mag-iingat ka palagi. Don't get close to boys." napapailing ito ng itiklop ang newspaper na binabasa at tumayo na.

 Tumayo na rin ako at tumango sa mga sinasabi ni Dad. He is always overprotective sa akin but it's okay with me. I don't complain. When I enter college it is not an exemption para hindi niya ako ihatid-sundo. Elementary up until now na college na ako ay walang pinagbago.

Consistency.

Nasanay na rin ako kaya okay lang sa akin. Besides it is good for me dahil hindi na hassle sa par ko na mag commute or mag hire ng driver, less gastos. Besides wala naman akong ibang pinupuntahan. School at bahay lang ang cycle ko and when I go out it's either I am with my Dad or Mom.