Firm Tenacity (The Athletes #3) COMPLETED

EPILOGUE 2

Mooze Diego N. Montevinski

I was never the responsible type of a man. I was always liberated and an ass happy kid. I just really didn't care so much about some shits.

"What are you talking about? Are you drunk, Mooze?I told you to stop drinking so much!" tumaas ang mahinhin na boses ni Mommy nang tawagan ko s'ya nang hating gabi.

Norwyn was still crying in the room, and I was just sitting behind the door. Para kung kailangan n'ya 'ko, mapupuntahan ko s'ya kaagad.

"I am serious, Mom..." paos kong sabi.

"W-what?" She was really confused. "If you're not talking silly right now why is this all of a sudden? Ang ibig mong sabihin, nagdala ka ng babae sa condo ng Kuya mo? And that you will live together in that place?"

I nodded. "Yes, Mom..."

Nanghihina pa rin ang boses ko dahil sa halo-halong emosyon. Nanlulumo ako dahil sa nangyari kay Norwyn. Fuck. Her cheek was burning. I wasn't mistaken that she was slapped with a calloused hand.

"You're... with her now?"

"Yeah..." I whispered.

Narinig ko ang malalim na buntong hininga ni Mommy. I know this is big news to her. I also accept that she couldn't trust me easily. Tarantado ako, at alam kong alam din 'yon ni Mom. Kaya nga punong-puno ng pagtutol ang boses n'ya.

"I don't know what to say, Mooze. I don't know why you're doing this..."

I just really called to inform them. Sa bahay lagi ako umuuwi, at simula ngayon ay dito na.

"I want to be responsible for this, Mom..."

Another deep sigh from the line. "Talk to your Dad..."

I just want to inform them. Kung tutol sila, itutuloy ko pa rin ang gusto ko. Even though they know better than me, I'll stick to my plan. I will take care of my girl. I will shelter my girl. Hindi ako papayag na bumalik pa ulit s'ya sa madilim na lugar na 'yon. Not when they only do to her is to inflict pain in her heart. Na alam kong dadalhin n'ya buong buhay n'ya.

"That is a big responsibility, Mooze. Are you sure you can handle that?" Seryoso ang boses ni Daddy, pero alam ko na naiintindihan n'ya ako. If I am not wrong, he can relate to my situation.

"I am sure, Dad..."

Nakaupo ako sa sofa. I just paid them a short visit to explain. Si Mommy ang nakaupo sa swivel chair samantalang nakatayo naman si Daddy sa likod ni Mom at nakahawak sa headrest ng upuan. They were both serious about the matter.

"You are still not ready for this, Mooze. I know you..." si Mommy.

I know she's speaking for my dirty pasts.

"What if..." Mommy started with malice. I cut her off.

"Mom, I'm not doing this to build a family with her at this age. I am doing this because I have to..." mataman kong sabi.

Bumuntong hininga si Mommy at wala nang nasabi.

"Be responsible, Mooze... Respect the girl. Draw limitation," nakakrus na ang mga braso ni daddy nang sabihin 'yon.

Nag-angat ng tingin si Mommy, hindi makapaniwala na pumayag si Daddy. My dad looked back and he was faltering a smile. Damn, I know they're in love, but sometimes they're so cheesy!

"I heard you borrowed your brother's condo? Bakit hindi ka na lang bumili ng iba?" si Daddy kaya mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mommy.

Pumayag na rin silang dalawa kalaunan. Siguro kung kilala at nakita na nila si Norwyn, siguro papayag sila kaagad. Kung alam lang din siguro nila na unti-unti na akong nagbabago, siguro madali lang silang nakausap.