Bitterness of Affection- BOOK 2

KABANATA 4

Russel's POV.

"Where is she?" pagtatanong ko sa personal nurse ng aking ina.

"She's inside her room. Ayaw po niyang magpapasok ng kahit na sino sa kuwarto niya. You're mom is looking for you, sir."

I gave her a curt nod as a respond and gently knock on her door. As I made my way inside the room, she was lying down on her mattress, facing towards the window. After hearing my footsteps inside the room, she immediately turned her head to face me.

"What took you so long, honey? I've been waiting for your visit since last week," she said in the softest voice she has.

"Is this the reason why you're throwing tantrums to your doctors and nurses?" I asked her, giving her a blank expression on my face.

"I haven't seen your face for a couple of months, Russel. I-I just wanted to see my son," mahinang sabi niya nang isandal niya ang kanyang likod sa headboard ng kama.

Napasinghap ako ng malalim at naupo sa sofa sabay minasahe iyong masakit na ulo ko. Nang ibalik ko ang aking mga mata sa namumutlang mukha niya ay bahagya kong niluwagan iyong necktie na suot ko sabay sumandal sa upuan.

"S-so how was your business trip in Japan? D-did you have fun?" Bakas ko sa kanya na pinipilit niyang makipag-usap sa akin, kahit na alam niyang hindi ako interesadong makipag-usap sa kanya.

"Really? Pinatawagan mo'ko dito para lang mag-update ako sa'yo? I'll just email you my written report tomorrow. I've only been back for a week and for godness sake, please give me a break. Iniwan ko pa iyong mga kaibigan na kasama ko kanina dahil nagwawala ka raw dito sa ospital," seryosong saad ko sa kanya.

"Also, do you think I'm having fun? Ano bang tingin mo sa pagpunta ko sa Japan? Nag-field trip? Please give me a break. I'm really exhausted to start another argument with you tonight," I added as I rose from my seat and prepared myself to leave the room.

"I am not asking you for any report, Russel. Your mom just wanted to know how did your business trip went. Nauna mo pa ngang bisitahin iyong mga kaibigan mo kaysa sa akin, anak eh," kalmado at halos pabulong na sabi niya sa akin.

"Paano ko sila hindi uunahing puntahan kung alam kong mas naiintindihan nila ako kaysa sa'yo na nanay ko? Also, you were never like this to me before. You never asked me how did my day went, or what are the things I am up to. You were never interested on the things about me. Kaya bakit parang biglang nagbago iyong ihip ng hangin? Kaya ka lang ba ganito dahil ako 'yong nagpapatakbo ngayon ng kumpanyang mahal na mahal mo?" Tinitigan ko siya ng may panlalamig sa aking mga mata.

"Russel, you know that's not true. Mas mahal kita kaysa sa kumpanya, anak. I just want you have the bright future that you deserve," she said teary eyed.

"You're lying, mama. Kung totoong mahal mo'ko... hindi ka gagawa ng paraan upang masira kami ni Madison noon," her eyes widen in disbelieve as I've mention Madison to her.

"S-son..."

"Akala mo ba hindi ko malalaman ang totoo? Pinaniwala mo'kong iniwan niya ako, at pinaniwala mo rin siyang iniwan ko siya. You've manipulated my life once again and I'm just so tired of being your son," sagot ko sa kanya na hindi na siya tinataasan ng boses dahil pagod na talaga akong makipagbangayan pa sa kanya.

"I just did that because I wanted the best for you. Hindi nababagay ang mababang babaeng gaya ni Madison sa'yo. What I want is a decent woman like Giselle," pagpapaliwanag niya habang nakakunot ang kanyang noo.

"If you really want a decent woman like her, then you should have treated her properly while we were still together before. Hindi sana nakipaghiwalay si Giselle sa'kin kung tinrato mo lang siya ng tama at hindi siya sinakal. Isa pa... mama, hindi mababang babae si Madison gaya ng iniisip mo. Once you've finally get to know her, you will going to see the beauty of her soul, in which other people like you is too blind to see it," saad ko sa kanya sabay minsahe iyong noo ko.