Love Against Us

CHAPTER 3

Even after clearing that the pictures were just part of the game, my father remained cold and giving me silent treatment. Hindi siya nagsasalita pero kita ko ang disappointment sa mga mata niya. Hindi niya ako kinikibo which is not anymore new to me.

I realized that he talked to me whenever I have issues or seen with Alas but if there's none, he'll go on with his life like he doesn't see me roaming around the house.

Tahimik ang hapag habang kumakain kami ng agahan. My Mother looked at my Dad and back at me. Nakita ko ang ginawa niyang pagbuntong-hininga pero hindi nagsalita. Kuya Allen is already on his business attire. Narinig ko nung papasok palang ako sa dining area na may meeting siya with the investors. He's also not into politics. He's managing our family business and doing good in his business career.

May ilang beses na rin siyang kinausap ni Daddy about entering politics but he stand on his choice. Naalala kong nasuntok pa siya ni Daddy dahil sa pagmamatigas niya. My father even said that we can just pay people to manage our business na hindi sinang-ayunan ni Kuya. Ang sabi niya, he studied business to manage our business and it will be a waste if we'll just hire someone to do it on behalf of our family. He also received a dead air after that.

Mapahanggang sa ngayon nga ay iba pa rin ang trato sakanya ni Daddy. Or this is how he father us? Hindi niya papansinin kapag hindi nasusunod ang gusto niya.

"I have to go, Mom... Dad." paalam ni Kuya habang pinupunasan ng table napkin ang bibig. Tumingin siya sa akin at hinalikan ang noo ko. Magkatabi kami ng upuan kaya madali lang niya akong naabot. Hindi man lang ito tinapunan ng tingin ni Daddy na nagpatuloy sa pagkain na parang walang narinig. Hindi naman na 'yon pinansin ni Kuya Allen at humalik nalang kay Mommy.

"Drive safely, Allen." my Mother sweetly said.

Ngumiti si Kuya.

"Sabay na tayong lumabas, Kuya." habol ko. Hindi ko na kaya ang katahimikan sa hapag kaya mabuti pang pumunta nalang sa University at doon nalang igugol ang ilang oras ko bago magsimula ang klase.

"Papasok na po ako." paalam ko at mabilis na humalik kay Daddy at Mommy.

"I'll deposit money in your account for your allowance." sabi ni Mommy. Ngumiti ako at magpapasalamat na sana kaso nagsalita si Daddy.

"You are not depositing money in her account, Celeste!" mariing sabi ni Daddy. Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ko at umawang na lamang iyon. I shrugged my shoulders after, accepting his little punishment.

I won't starve in the University for having no money, right?

"If that's what you want, Dad." mahinang sabi ko at lumabas na. Kuya Allen is waiting for me and has this not so happy expression. Kita ko pa kung paano nito mariing itinikom ang bibig.

"I don't really like how his brain works! He's so close-minded!" mariing sabi ni Kuya Allen. Nagkibit-balikat nalang ako dahil sanay na ako sa ugali ni Dad.

"I'll deposit money in your account. Our Mother never disobeyed her husband." he said with bitterness. Kunot na kunot ang noo niya habang naglalakad kami papuntang parking.

"Where's my car?" tanong ko nang makitang wala ito sa parking space na madalas nitong pag-park-an. I looked around to see if our driver just moved it into another space but it's not there.

Tumingin ako kay Kuya nang makuha ang nangyayare. He cursed and looked angrily at our house.

"I'll drive you to school." he said. Tumango ako dahil wala naman na ang kotse ko at imposibleng may maghahatid saking sasakyan. I'm pretty sure that my father already warned our drivers not to drive me to school.