Scarcity of Chances

Chapter 4

"Kahit kailan talaga, epal 'yang Ate mo! Can't she just mind her own business?" Shannon ranted after I told her everything on the phone.

I honestly don't understand too why my sister needed to butt in earlier. I know that she has a point but it was as if she did not go through that phase back then.

Mas malala pa nga siya noon e. Alam kong tumatakas siya minsan pero kailanman ay hindi naman ako nagsumbong kila Mama.

"I'm doomed, Sha. Nakakahiya kay Hans kapag hindi ako sumipot. He's expecting me to come," matamlay at problemado kong tugon bago tumagilid ng higa sa kama.

Minsan na nga lang magkaroon ng chance na mas makasama siya, mukhang mapupurnada pa.

"What if pumunta ako d'yan bukas? Subukan kitang ipagpaalam kay Tita?" she suggested.

My lips curved. "I don't think she'll let me. Not after my father didn't give me permission. Sabi kasi ni Mama, si Papa daw ang nasusunod pag gano'n e."

"Well can't she convince him then? Baka ayaw ka lang din talaga payagan ni Tita. Kasi kung oo, sigurado akong mahihilot naman niya si Tito para payagan ka."

I sighed. "I don't know..."

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mainggit kay Shannon. Hindi kasi mahigpit ang mga magulang niya.

Kung noon ay wala naman akong pakielam kung hindi ako papayagan dahil hindi naman din talaga ako mahilig sa mga gan'yan ay ibahin mo ngayon. Not when Hans is involve.

Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with being strict. I just hope that some parents will not be too strict and controlling to the point that their children are already missing out on a lot of things.

Hindi naman sobrang higpit ng parents ko. Sadyang may rule lang talaga na hindi pa puwede habang wala pa sa wastong edad.

If only my birthday will come asap. But that's still more than two months away. Hindi ba puwedeng tumawad kila Mama?

"Do you really want to attend?" Shannon threw after a few moments of silence.

"Sobra."

"You know, Vine, you actually can attend the party. You just don't have to tell parents then it's all good," walang bakas ng biro niyang sambit sa kabilang linya.

Napakunot-noo ako. "Sinu-suggest mo ba na tumakas ako?"

She chortled a bit. "Well... yeah I mean... if you really want to come then I think you should consider that. Wala ka ng choice e. Think about this chance, Vine."

Natahimik ako at hindi magawang ibuka ang mga labi upang maglabas ng kahit isang salita. May parte sa akin na nagsasabing mali ang ideyang iyon subalit mayroon din namang nagsasabi na wala naman akong ibang pagpipilian kung hindi iyon lamang.

Now I understand why my sister used to that back then when she's still not allowed.

"Natatakot ako na mahuli. Sigurado akong matindi ang sasapitin ko kung sakali."

"Mag-ingat ka na lang kung gano'n. I'll back you up, don't worry. Ako ang susundo at maghahatid sa'yo. This is the only option you've got. Tatlong araw na lang bago ang Sabado," she persuaded.

Bumuntonghininga ako. "I'll... think about it first."

"Alright. Take your time, but not all the time."

Hindi nagtagal ay ibinaba na rin namin ang tawag. Nanatili akong tulala at nakatanaw lamang sa kisame ng aking silid habang nag-iisip nang maigi.

I am not certain that I have the heart to defy my parents' decision and go against one of our house rules which is to always obey their commands.