That Summer Night of August

Kabanata 17

"It's odd to see you wearing eyeglasses, Aurelius. I thought you hate it?" Lolo asked while we're eating at the dining table.

Napahinto ako sa pagkain saka napatingin sa kanya. Kasabay din namin ngayon si Dad na nasa gitna ng lamesa habang pinagitnaan naman ako ni Gabriel at Terence. Si Lolo naman ay nasa kabilang side ng table.

Every time I wore my eyeglasses during high school, everyone would look at me as if I was some sort of weird nerdy guy, which was not the case. Some people would give me strange nicknames, which I didn't care for. That was the impetus behind my decision to begin wearing contacts. But, since the night Gabriel told me that I looked nice with my eyeglasses, I've started to wear them more frequently from that day on.

"Oh, I wear it when I am home po."

"I see. Where's your good-for-nothing brother? I haven't seen him."

Napatigil ako sa pagkain matapos iyon marinig mula kay Lolo. Pati si Manang Teresita ay napatingin din sa akin dahil sa narinig. Ikinuyom ko ang aking kamao saka kinalma ang sarili. Kahit kailan ay hindi ako sumagot sa kanila, dahil sila rin naman ang dahilan kung bakit may kinakain at mga damit ako ngayon. Ayaw kong masabihan na walang respeto at utang na loob.

"Your lolo is asking you, Aurelius." Istriktong sambit ni Dad nang matagal kong sinagot ang tanong ni lolo.

He's with his club president. And I can't say that to lolo.

"He's, uh, Tim's at–"

"He's with my sister, sir." Gabriel suddenly answered.

Of course that was a lie. He probably noticed I was having a hard time thinking an excuse. I sighed in relief when Lolo nodded, buying the excuse that Gabriel made up.

Tumingin ako kay Gabriel at tipid na ngumiti sa kanya. Mahina itong tumango sa akin saka ngumiti rin. I was thankful that this guy was right here.

"Dames, have you already prepared Dee's condominium? He needs a place close to his school. I need him to focus on his course." Lolo said as he picked up his wine glass.

"Tiffany won't let him move. She wants him here. And I also want him here." Dad answered lolo calmly.

Palagi kong napapansin kay Dad na kahit istrikto ito, minsan ay ipinagtatanggol pa rin kami nito mula kay Lolo.

"Your home is a twenty five minute drive to Montgomery University, Dames. I'll settle everything. Tell Tiffany that Dee will move on the day after tomorrow."

"Lolo, I, uh– don't want to move. Timothy will just drive me to school." I said, looking down.

"Follow my order, Aurelius. This is for your own sake." Madiin na sambit ni Lolo dahilan upang ako'y tumahimik.

I flinched when I felt Gabriel's hand rested on my thigh. He looked at me worriedly as he softly caressed my thigh. And I felt better, at least.

Tumayo si Dad mula sa pagkakaupo saka inayos ang kanyang necktie. "I am his father, Pa. I know what's better for my son."

Lolo sarcastically chuckled. "Don't be ridiculous, Dames. Now you care about him? After what you did? Come on, don't make me laugh."

Madiin kong ikinuyom ang aking nga kamao. Pinipigilan kong tumulo ang aking mga luha dahil ayaw kong makita ni Terence na umiiyak ako. Nais ko nang tumayo rito at umalis, ngunit pinili kong manatili dahil baka kung ano na naman ang gagawin ni Lolo.

"You don't know anything, Pa."

"Oh, I knew everything, Dames. I knew everything."

Huminga nang malalim si Dad saka hinilot ang kanyang sentido. Umiling siya kay Lolo saka naglakad papunta sa kanyang opisina. Tumayo rin si lolo bago tumingin sa akin.