Chasing Admon Damien

Chapter 2

Maaga akong gumising kinabukasan para sa mga gawaing-bahay. Bago ako pumapasok sa eskwelahan ay kailangan ko munang magtrabaho. Mommy had forbidden me doing household chores before. ‘We have many haousemaids’ was what she always tell me. Ayaw daw niya na mapapagod ako. Pero mas maganda din palang marunong sa mga gawaing-bahay. It’s good not to depend on others all the time.

Tita Celestine and tito Sebastian were at the dining area already. Mabilis ko silang ipinagtimpla ng kape. I served their coffee while tita glares at me. She is daddy’s sister. The way she’s treating me right now hurts me.

Tito Sebastian is good to me. He doesn’t treat me like tita Celestine does. They have one son and that is kuya Kael. We’re close. He treats me like a little sister and he always saves me in times of trouble. Right now he is in New York studying medicine. He is in his last year in college now. I miss him already.  

“There’s a rumor that your irresponsible mother is in New York.” Tita Celestine seriously said habang sumisimsim sa kanyang kape. She looks strict and stiff, but you can’t deny the beauty despite her age.

“Tin!” tito Sebastian stopped her. Tita just rolled her eyes.

“Kung bakit kasi umalis-alis yang ina mo. My god! What a selfish and inconsiderate mother!”

“Celestine!” pagalit na saway ni tito. “Manners, please. Nasa harap tayo ng pagkain. Come here, Ava. Saluhan mo na kami ng tita mo.”

Nahihiya akong umupo sa upuan habang si tita Celestine naman ay tahimik lang na kumakain at minsa’y sinisimangutan ako.

I just kept quiet all the time she rants about my mom’s irresponsibility and selfishness. What else to say? It’s true, by the way.

Kahit na ganoon, I am still shocked about the news and longing for my mom filled my heart.

Kung ayaw niyang umuwi at kunin ako dito, ayos lang. If that what makes her happy, I will let her. Ayos lang naman ang buhay ko dito kahit nahihirapan ako. I just want to finish my studies and have a decent job. I’m happy knowing that she’s fine. Pinipilit kong intindihin ang lahat. She’s my mom, after all.

Naiintindihan ko naman na nagdadalamhati siya sa pagkawala ni daddy pero paano naman ako? I’m her only daughter. She must consider my feelings. She had been gone for three years now. Palipat-lipat siya ng bansang pinupuntahan. Last time she was in Canada and in London. I tried to reach her in all her social media sites but always failed because she turned off all her social media accounts.

Bawat oras namimiss ko siya. She had been a good mom to me. Napakasakit dahil nawalan na ako ng ama, nawalan pa ako ng ina. But I always look at the bright side of life. That’s the only thing that keeps me going.

Pagpasok ko sa eskwelahan ay iyon pa din ang laman ng utak ko. I’m in my second year college taking up architecture. Kaunti na lang at ga-graduate na ako. Gusto kong umuwi na si mommy at manatili na lang dito. We only have each other at ayokong mas lalong lumayo ang loob namin sa isa’t-isa.

“Hi, Ava. Ganda natin ngayon, ah?” nakangiting bungad ni Dexter pagpasok ko. Umirap ako at nginitian din siya. Dumiretso na ako sa upuan ko.

“Tapos mo na ba yung assignment natin? Pakopya naman.” Kakamot-kamot na sabi niya. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Sabi ko na nga ba at nambobola ka lang, eh.”

“Hindi, ah. Ang ganda mo naman talaga.”

Nagkantiyawan ang mga kaklaae namin.

“Damn. May mauunahan pa ata.” Naiiling na wika ni Ranzen.