"I'm glad to know you are enjoying your summer job, Adie."
"Surely. Hindi ko ito inaakala."
I smiled at my Dad as I placed a forkful of spaghetti in my mouth. Tinupad nga ng aking ama ang kanyang pangako na kakain kami ng pananghalian sa paborito kong spaghetti house sa may Ermita, Manila.
At gaya ng napag-usapan, hindi kasama si Ate Ranie. Siya na mismo ang tumanggi dahil gabi na siya nakauwi at gusto pa niyang matulog hanggang tanghali.
"Baka naman dahil sa Sir Benjamin na kinukwento mo," biro ng aking ama.
"Dad! Hindi naman!" Natawa ako sabay inom ng tubig. I looked at my father's face across from me, a knowing smile forming on his lips.
"Hindi naman kita pinagbabawalan magkaroon ng crushes, ang sa akin lang, huwag magmadali na pumasok sa isang relasyon," paalala niya. "You and your sister are grown ladies now. Naaalala ko kayo sa awitin ng The Lettermen, ang Morning Girl."
"Your favorite song," ngiti ko. "But I'm not in a hurry, Dad. Having a relationship is far from my mind. Also, I don't want to be..."
Nag-alinlangan ako sa naiisip. My father finished it for me instead.
"To be like your Ate?" tanong niya.
I nodded at him.
"Magkaiba kayo ng kapalaran. Hindi porke't nangyari sa kanya ang isang heartbreak, ibig sabihin, mangyayari rin ito sa iyo. Though heartbreaks are a part of life," wika niya.
"Pero kayo ni Mommy, nagkatuluyan," seryoso kong sagot. "Sana may mahanap din iba si Ate Ranie, so she won't pin over her ex. We don't know if he's already gone."
"I understand your concern towards your Ate," tumango si Dad. "But it's her choice if she wants to continue waiting. Let's respect her for it. She's strong."
"Okay."
Natapos ang aming pananghalian at ipinasyal pa ako ni Dad. We drove to Greenhills right after, where we stopped at Uni-Mart to buy some snacks to take home. Dumaan din kami sa loob ng Virra Mall at tumingin ng mga damit, comic books, at gift items. For once, it was just us talking about comic books, music, and clothing styles. I'm glad he's my dad today and not dad the businessman.
We ended the day with a snack at Dunkin Donuts. Bumili na rin kami ng dalawang kahon ng donuts para pasalubong. At nang makauwi kami, tuwang-tuwa sila Mommy at Ate, pati na rin ang aming mga kasambahay, dahil sa regalo namin sa kanila.
For once, I did not think of Ben, but as I lay down in bed that night, alone in my room, napuno ako ng kaba at galak.
Monday finally came, and I went to work prepared and kind of excited.
BINABASA MO ANG
Memento
Roman d'amourWATTYS 2022 SHORTLIST (ERA Series Book 3)-COMPLETED A careless, rebellious daughter faces punishment from her father. She must survive the everyday routine of a department store staff and deal with her growing pains during the mid-1980s. *** Set in...
