That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 10

Why fall in love if you can just watch it go away? I've always wondered why people bother falling in love, if it never lasts? Maybe, for them, love is something that will make you feel alive but for me, love is deadly and bloody.

Seeing my mom cry every night because of my dad's infidelity, made me see what love could bring to a person. Trauma, emotional pain, and self doubts; these are some feelings that my mom had a difficult time dealing with. I was angry at my dad, even now, I am still angry at him. My mom... all she did was love him, but what did he do? He betrayed her.

Maybe, I was just lying to myself when I said I never blamed anyone. Maybe, all this time, I blamed my dad about what happened... about what happened to my mom. Maybe, I am still blaming him until now.

"How's your mom, Zachary? It's been a long time since we hung out." Biglang tanong ni tita.

We sat around the rectangular table. Pinagitnaan ako nina Gabriel at Timothy, habang si Terence ay katabi ni tita na aking harapan sa kabilang side ng mesa. Si dad naman ay nakaupo sa gitna.

"She's doing great, ma'am. She's releasing a new product, maybe next month." Gabriel smiled.

I heard about their company. Isa itong tanyag na kompanyang gumagawa ng beauty products. Her mom's known for being a great dermatologist here at Covertny. Ang ipinagtataka ko lang ay kung bakit hindi ko gaano nakikita sa mga news outlet ang pangalan ni Gabriel. It's like the media doesn't even know he exist. Kumpara sa amin, kahit saan kami pumunta, may media. Nakakainis.

"Wow. She's hard working as ever. Are you going home tonight? The rain seems like it won't stop. You should stay the night, hijo. It's not safe to drive. You can sleep at Dee's room." Pagpepresenta ni tita.

What? Pero tama si tita, parang hindi hihinto ang ulan ngayon. Bumuntong hininga ako.

"You should go with your dad tomorrow, hijo. We have a celebration here." Si dad naman ang nagsalita ngayon.

"He actually just told me lately. I'll surely go, sir. I can't turn down the invite of the best engineer in Covertny, can I?" Gabriel joked, letting out a soft chuckle.

Narinig kong tumawa si dad saka muling nag salita "It's good that you pick your friends well, Dee."

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Here we go again with his 'status' talk. Are we seriously talking about this right now?

"I can hang out with anyone, dad." Walang ganang sagot ko.

"Sure, but you need connections, Dee. You need to maintain my name." Diretsong saad ni dad saka nagpatuloy sa pag kain.

Napansin kong tumigil sa pag kain si Tim kaya nginitian ko ito. Gabriel was just looking down, eating, probably making himself not to get involved with our family quarrel. Terence was just happily eating, not understanding what is happening while Tita Tiffany apologetically gazed up on me. We can't be like this right in front of our foods. This dinner was supposed to be good because we have a guest. But now, this is the night. I softly shook my head before continuing to eat.

Nakakapagod nang makinig sa mga ganyang salita ni dad. Ito ba ang sinasabi niyang babawi siya? Itutuon niya ang kanyang atensyon sa akin upang makontrol ako? Pucha. Kailan ba ako makakaranas nang normal na buhay? Nakakapagod maging anak niya.

Binilisan ko ang pagkain ko para makaalis ako kaagad sa dining table. I feel suffocated.

"I'll go upstairs, dad, tita." Sabi ko matapos kong maubos ang aking pagkain.

"Sure, dear." Tita Tiffany sweetly smiled at me.

"I'll go with him, ma'am, sir." Wika naman ni Gabriel.