Remorseful Enticement

Pleasure 11

I happily sat down as I look at the living room that I just finished cleaning. Theo promised me that we could keep Thali if I can get my chores done without complaining. Thali is still sleeping sa table at parang wala siyang naririnig despite me being noisy while cleaning. I looked low and high just to check if any dirt left, but luckily there was none.

I took my phone from my pocket and took pictures of Thali sleeping cutely. Ilang beses pa itong nag-shift ng position dahil kinikilito ko. I even took some selfies and decided to show it to Theo. He's still not happy about the cat, but I'm eager na magustuhan niya ito. I excitedly ran outside to look for Theo, and I saw him laughing with someone. Iyon 'yong babaeng nagtitinda dati ng mga gulay.

"Hey, Theo! Look at this!" masayang sabi ko at ipinakita sa kaniya ang picture sa cellphone ko, pero hindi niya ako pinansin. He told me to wait and continued talking to that woman. Hindi ko rin maintindihan ang pinag-uusapan nila dahil nga ilokano sila.

"This will be quick, I promise! Look how cute Thali is!" I insisted.

"Mamaya na 'yan, Cali." He continued talking to that woman as he ignored me.

"Mabilis nga lang 'to, e! Pansinin mo naman ako!"

Sumabat ang babae sa amin. "Napaka-importante naman ba ng ipapakita mo?"

"Yes! Very important! It's Thali!"

"Sino 'yon?" She looked at Theo but before he could speak, inunahan ko na siya.

"Anak namin, bakit?!"

"Cali!"

"Ano?" sabay nilang sigaw ni Theo. "May anak ka na? Akala ko ba hindi mo nobya 'to?" parang naiiritang singhal niya at itinuro pa ako.

"Sa tingin mo naman ba aanakan ko siya?" sagot ni Theo. "Spoiled ang babaeng 'yan! Palagi nga akong naiinis sa kaniya, e! Pusa lang 'yon, Jillian!"

So that's her name. Jillian. Tunog pa lang nabubwisit na ako. I don't like her. Not even a bit.

"At bakit naman parang nag-e-explain si Theo sa 'yo? Are you even his asawa?" I yelled.

"Cali! Umayos ka nga!" sigaw pabalik ni Theo.

"Fine! I'll shut up na! From now on, hindi na ikaw ang Daddy ni Thali! I'll find a better Daddy for my baby!"

I stomped put of there at pumasok sa loob kung nasaan si Thali kanina. Siguro dahil na rin malakas ang pag-stomp ko, Thali was startled. She got up and stretched. She looked at me then meowed. Binuhat ko naman siya at inupo sa lap ko sabay pet sa kaniya.

"I hate that guy! I super-duper hate him! I hate, hate, hate him!" inis na sabi ko kay Thali. "I was just gonna show him your pictures! Mahirap bang tingnan niya iyon kahit isang sandali lang?"

Thali meowed at me as if it understood my rants. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkuwento. "He doesn't want you, okay? And we don't need him, too! From now on, he's not your Daddy na. Stupid siya! Stupid!"

"Oh, tapos? Naintindihan ka niyan?" I glared at Theo's direction. He's leaning his arm on the doorframe. Nakangisi pa siya sa akin na parang nang-aasar.

"Do you hear that, my Thali? May nagsasalitang shit, 'di ba?" I told my cat.

"Bakit naman kasi gan'on ang pakikitungo mo sa tao, Cali? Mabait naman siya, tularan mo kaya?"

I glared at him again and flipped my hair as I strut my way out. Taas-noong naglakad ako paalis doon habang karga-karga ko si Thali. Wala akong time makinig sa lectures ng lalaking mas piniling maging chismoso kaysa tingnan ang pictures ng anak niyamg tulog. Ew!