Love me till the end

10

"Hi, sweetie," my mom greeted me as soon as I entered the car.

I gave her a small smile. "Hi Mommy," Humalik ako sa pisngi niya bago ko nilapag ang dala kong unan doon sa backseat. Humiga na lang ako sa roon at sinubukang ipagpatuloy ang tulog ko.

"How is your life, Callie?" Daddy asked seriously. He looked at me in the rear-view mirror and just continued speaking. "You're not telling us you already have a boyfriend."

I opened my eyes and looked at him. I swallowed hard when I saw the serious expression on his face. I shook. "I don't have a boyfriend, Dad."

"Really?" One of his eyebrows rose. "Just make sure, Callie. We have an agreement. You know the consequences when you break that agreement." Pagbabanta ni Daddy.

Agreement? Kasunduan na hindi muna ako p'wedeng mag-boyfriend hanggang hindi pa ako nakakapagtapos sa pag-aaral. Shit! I forgot. And I agreed to that agreement.

"Finish your course first and become an architect...make us proud," I heard him sigh. "Do you understand?"

"Yeah,"

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, dad," I covered my face with a pillow to hide my teary eyes. Bakit lahat na lang bawal? Ayaw niya ba akong maging masaya? Sinusunod ko naman lahat ng gusto niya, e, pero pagdating sa ganitong usapan, I will choose myself. I'm tired of being submissive to him.

Pagkagising ko ay nasa Tagaytay na kami, sa may parking ng beach resort. My dad got us a suite for two nights. Umalis si Daddy dahil may kakausapin daw siyang
kliyente. Tahimik lang ako habang nag-aayos kami ni Mommy ng gamit.

"Are you alright? Do you want to say something?" Mommy asked calmly. "Kanina ka pa tahimik. I'm just here. You can tell me everything." She smiled at me and gently stroked my hand.

"Nothing, mom,"

She shook her head. "I know you. You have a problem, anak. Tell me everything, I will listen."

"Promise?" Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. "Hindi mo sasabihin kay Daddy?"

She smiled again. "Promise,"

"Someone is courting me. Hindi ko sinabi sa in'yo dahil alam kong magagalit lang kayo. But I'm in love with him," nag-baba ako ng tingin dahil hindi ko kayang salubungin ang mga mata ni Mommy. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipaliliwanag sa kaniya 'yong nararamdaman ko para kay Clarke. Nahihiya akong mag-open up sa kaniya.

"Then?" Sinenyasan niya ako na magpatuloy lang sa pagsasalita.

"Pero natatakot ako kay Daddy,"

"Is he sincere to you?" My Mom asked. I nodded. "Are you in love with him? You sure?" Tumango ulit ako bilang tugon. "Are you happy, hija?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm happy," I took a deep breath, sinusubukang pakalmahin ang sarili. "And it’s okay if you don’t want to support me in my happiness."

"No, Hija," she hugged me. "Mommy will support you in your happiness. If you are happy, go. Follow your heart, and listen to your mind."

"Mom..." I hugged her back.

"Lagi mong tatandaan na kapag pumasok ka na sa isang relasyon, isip ang una mong susundin, hindi ang puso." Tumingin siya sa akin. "Never let anyone to hurt you."