Remorseful Enticement

Pleasure 16

The skies are already gray, the sun hasn't shined like it used to since yesterday. Days already passed, and the storm is coming near. Theodore just left to sell his vegetables to the market. I am left all alone in the house.

Bago pa man tuluyang makarating ang bagyo, I decided to call my parents just to remind them to stay safe. It's been a while since the last time I talked to them. Naka-ilang ring na ang phone ni Mom, pero palaging walang sumasagot, so I retorted to calling Nanny instead.

"Hello, anak?" she answered.

"Thank goodness you picked up, Nanny! I was calling Mommy kanina, but wala namang sumasagot. Can I please talk to her?" dire-diretsong sambit ko.

"Hindi na nila nasasabi sa 'yo, anak?"

"Po? About what, Nanny?"

I heard shuffling sounds from her background. She must be doing something. "Noong isang araw pa ang flight ng mga magulang mo para sa business trip nila."

"Business trip? Saan?"

"Hindi ako sigurado, pero sa pagkakaalam ko ay sa America ang punta nila."

"Oh, is that it? Thank you, Nanny. By the way, a storm is coming by, please stay safe."

"Salamat." She chuckled before continuing. "Ikaw rin, mag-iingat kayong dalawa ni Theodore. Ikumusta mo ako sa kaniya, anak."

"Sure po. I'll hang up na. Bye."

She bid me goodbye and so, I hang up. I checked the time. It's nearly four in the afternoon, mamaya rin ay uuwi na si Theo. Maybe he is tired. He said he will help pa sa bayan, with all the preparation for the storm and everything. I should make dinner for him.

Quickly, I paced towards the small kitchen and looked inside the refrigerator. Almost gulay na ang laman n'on, but I don't know any dishes na iyon ang main ingredient. I opened the freezer and found some frozen tocino and chicken nuggets.

"He'll be fine with this," I told myself.

I cleaned the pot first, washed and rinsed some uncooked rice at iyon muna ang niluto ko. Months of staying here, and I know that I can handle a simple rice kahit wala siya rito. While waiting for it to simmer, I sat down by the table.

I can't help but to think about my conversation with my Nanny earlier. She said that Mom and Dad are out of the country, yet they didn't even bother saying a single word about this to me. The last time I talked to them, Dad was staying home to take a rest.

What if it has something to do with that? Knowing him, he hates going out of the country. Business man 'yan o bakasyon. Kailangan pa nga siyang pilitin ni Mom noon para lang sumama sa out-of-the-country birthday celebration ko. He is not a big fan of travelling, at ngayon ay America pa talaga ang pupuntahan nila? Mom, on the other hand, doesn't like meddling with Dad's business. She'd rather stay home, go to the casino with her friends, go shopping with me, or anything else just to avoid sticking her nose in the company. Ayaw na ayaw niyang sumama kay Daddy kahit sa mga trip niya dati.

That's the reason why I am having doubts about this ‘trip’ of theirs. What's bothering me is that, the last time I had a conversation with them, Daddy is not fine. Stressed daw siya sa kompanya. And now, they are traveling to the other side of the world for the same reason! This can't be a coincidence. Malakas ang kutob ko na may hindi na magandang nangyayari sa company namin.

Naiisip ko na baka nalulugi na kami o 'di kaya ang mas malala pa roon, is we'll be bankrupt. I can't imagine a life like that! Iniisip ko pa lang iyon ay sumasakit na ang ulo ko. I really hope I am wrong.

Kung ano-ano na ang pumapasok sa isip ko. I've been thinking about Dad's well-being, if Mom is fine, if I'll be fine during the storm... Ang dami kong iniisip! I've been to caught up, ang namalayan ko na lang ay may naaamoy akong nasusunog.

I suddenly remembered the rice that I was cooking. I ran towards the stove and turned it off. When I removed the pot's lid, smoke came out. I coughed a few times as I put it in the sink. I ran some water into it, and mentally facepalmed when I saw the rice turned brownish.

I heard footsteps coming in. Tumatakbo pala si Theo papasok. His hair is messy, his clothes are obviously soaked in sweat and his brows are furrowed. Nagpalinga-linga pa siya sa paligid bago ako tuluyang tingnan.

"Akala ko may nasusunog," inis na sabi niya.

"I'm sorry, I was just–"

"Tumabi ka nga! Ako na!" he yelled.

I quickly moved away when he walked near me. Mas nagsalubong ang kanina pang salubong niyang kilay nang makita ang kanin na muntik ko nang masunog.

"Anak mg– Kaya naman pala pati sa labas ay amoy na amoy! Sunog na sunog, oh!" he shouted.

"I'm sorry, I can fix that."

Aabutin ko na sana ang pot, pero winaksi niya ang kamay ko. "Pagod ako tapos ito ang daratnan ko? Ang simple lang naman nito, Cali!"

"I was just thinking about–"

He cut me off again. ""Ayan, diyan ka magaling! Sa pag-iinarte! Wala ka bang ibang alam gawin? Paano kung nasunog ang bahay? Paano kung may ibang nadamay?! Ano?!"

"Theo, let me explain, please!"

"Malamang, hindi mo maiisip 'yon? Alam mo kung bakit? Kasi makasarili ka! Wala kang ibang iniisip kung hindi ang sarili mo!"

His tone, his words, his anger... They're tearing me apart. Ang sakit niya namang magsalita. It's like his words are shards, cutting me and making me bleed.

"Kung wala akong ibang iniisip..." My voice cracked. "Hindi sana ito nangyari! I know I'm maarte at times, I know I am selfish, but I'm trying so hard just to keep up with this new lifestyle! I know, I look stupid doing things I'm not used to, but I'm trying my best, Theo!"

I ran out of there  I can feel my eyes getting sore, and tears are already forming at the corners, but I don't care. I just kept running and running. Hindi ko alam ang daang tinatahak ko, ang mga sasakyang sinakyan ko... I went away as far as I could...

I ran away from him.