"Mrs. Tiexiera,"
Napalingon kami sa tumawag. Natigilan ako saglit nang makita kung sino. I just stood there as if I had been hit by lightning.
"Mrs. Silva, it's a pleasure to meet you once more," my mom greeted Gahala's mother with a professional smile.
I looked away when I met Gahala's eyes. He looked calm at nakangiti pa nga as if he's not bothered by this whole scenario! On the other hand, I feel so uncomfortable and guilty.
Kakatapos lang ng recognition day namin at dahil nando'n ang mga parents, hindi maiiwasang magkita sila ni Mama.
Kabang-kaba ako dito sa pwesto ko kahit wala naman akong ginawang masama. Naalala ko kasing pinayagan kong manligaw sa akin si Gahala. Kahit bawal!
"Hi Ma'am," bati ni Gahala kay Mama with a pabida smile which made me pursed my lips tightly. Hindi ba siya natatakot?
Mom gave him a warm smile, "Hello, Ijo. Still excelling, huh? Congratulations."
His face lit up. "Thank you po, Ma'am."
"Is she your daughter?" tanong ng Mama ni Gahala after glimpsing at me. I inhaled sharply because I could see how Gahala's Mother hid her smile.
You could see the traces of beauty in her aging skin and face. Sa palagay ko, she's already in her 30's. She looked calm too pero mapang-asar ang vibe niya because of the playful smile plastered on her lips.
Tiningnan ako ni Mama matapos itanong iyon. There's an expression on her face that says na kung pwede niya lang sabihing hindi niya ako anak, gagawin niya talaga because she's embarrassed.
I forced a fake smile when something twisted inside me. I looked away from their stares, even from Gahala's.
This is why I decided not to study sa Salles. Kasi alam kong ipapahiya ko lang siya doon. Paniguradong laman siya ng usap-usapan if I could not live up to their expectations.
"Well, yeah," Mom shrugged.
"She's pretty! May boyfriend na ba 'yan?" Gahala's mom asked jokingly.
Mas lalo akong napangiwi at napatingin sa kanila. I felt an urged to punch Gahala's face when I saw him chuckling at the side! Damn it! Nakuha niya pa talagang maaliw sa sitwasyong 'to?! Baka mahalata kami!
"Bawal pa siyang magboyfriend. She needs to focus on her studies," usal ni Mama saka pinaningkitan ako ng mata. " Maliban na lang kung may tinatago siya sa amin ng Papa niya."
Napalunok ako nang biglang nabulunan si Gahala! Napatingin tuloy sa kaniya si Mama at napakunot ang noo.
His Mom laughed while rubbing her son's back." Gano'n ba? Oo nga naman. Kailangan nilang magfocus muna," tango-tango niya para sumang-ayon pero hindi ko alam kung seryoso siya do'n kasi medyo natatawa siya e.
Now I know kung kanino nagmana sa kapilyuhan si Gahala. Pareho sila ng ugali ng Mama niya!
"How about your son, Velinda? May girlfriend na?" tanong pabalik ni Mama.
Gahala's Mom shrugged and looked her son. She grinned evilly, "Sabi niya sa akin...may hinihintay daw siya."
Para akong binuhusan ng tubig at kaagad na kinabahan sa sinabi ni Tita. Gahala looked at me and smiled, parang inaassure ako na hindi kami ilalaglag ng Mama niya!
Napapatingin tuloy ako kay Mama, tinitingnan ang reaksyon niya. Shit. Sana naman hindi niya mahalata. I really need to clam down first if I don't want to be caught. But how?!
"Well, Gahala's smart, " Mom nodded. " Wala naman sigurong problema as long as alam niya kung ano ang priorities niya."
"That's exactly what I'm telling him," his Mom replied.
BINABASA MO ANG
Sailing Close to the Wind
Roman d'amourSeason Series #2: SUMMER Ayel spent her entire youth living up to her parents' expectations. Things only started to change when Gahala appeared and entered the picture. He dove into her submerged life and showed her the world above the horizon. He b...
