Love and Pretensions (Published Under PIP)

22.

"Seriously, Avery! Ano ba kasi ang pumasok sa kukote mo at naisipan mong sumama sa bahay na 'yun!" my mom scolded.

I came to visit her the next day and told her about everything that happened. And looking at her now, she looks so mad and frustrated.

"I just wanted to meet my father, mom." I answered calmly.

"I think you forgot about the fact that he was never a father to you!" she yelled. Napayuko nalang ako at nilaro ang mga daliri.

"I know that, mother." I said plainly.

Napahilot siya sa sentido at umupo sa sofa sa tapat ko. "Did you mention my name?" she asked.

"No, don't worry. I didn't say anything kasi baka makahalata si daddy." I shrugged.

I hate calling him that but what else should I call him? Mr. Gonzales?

"What else did he tell you? Or did he mention anything important? Something we could possibly use against him?" she asked. Napaisip ako at may biglang naalala.

"Oh, he mentioned about giving all his properties to Kai when he decides to retire. Mga 3 years from now pa daw."

"All his properties? As in lahat? Pati ang mga kumpanya na pagmamay-ari niya?" she asked eagerly.

"Opo daw. Medyo nainis nga ako kasi kay kuya dapat 'yung mga 'yun." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms against my chest.

My mom didn't answer. She was just staring at the wall, looking like she's in deep thought.

"How are you and Kai?" she asked.

"Fine, I guess? He told me he loves me and I said it back."

"You did?" she asked

I nodded and shrugged. "Not that I actually mean it. I just said that to fool him even more."

Hindi ko siya mahal. What I felt... it must have just been a spur of the moment. Because right now? All I seem to feel about him is nothing but hate, anger, and jealousy.

She laughed and clapped her hands. "You're learning, huh? What else did you tell him?"

"Nothing much. But I do act as if I like him. I think he's buying it. And besides, I really think he's deeply in love with me. I'm an actress, I'm good at this." I boasted.

"Okay, so what are your next plans then?" she asked.

Umupo ako sa sofa at nag-isip. "I don't know, mom. All I know is that I'm tired of all this. How long will it take for us to get everything?"

"3 years? If you want it faster, you should marry him."

Napakurap ako at umiling. Sure, Kai's like my ideal man. And okay, I may have a slight crush on him. And sure! I may be in the verge of falling in love with him, but hell no! I won't marry the same guy that stole our father.

"I won't." I said seriously.

"Excuse me?" she scoffed. She looked at me up and down and sighed heavily.

"I won't marry him, mom. Ayaw kong magpakasal." I said firmly.

That's too cruel. Sa pagiging girlfriend pa nga lang niya at pagpapanggap na mahal siya ay halos lamunin na ako ng konsensya ko. At isa pa, tulad ng sabi ko, hindi basta-basta ang pagpapakasal.

"If you want your plan to work, I suggest you do as I say." mom shrugged.

I shook my head and sighed. "My plan is going perfectly well, mother. I'll stick to this by now."

Natawa siya sa sinabi ko. "And how sure are you, huh? Paano kung pumalpak 'yan? Let me remind you, we're doing this for you and your Kuya Trace! This is for your future!" she started yelling. I kind of had the feeling that she was drunk again.

"Well if this is what it takes to get that future you're talking about, then save it. I am not marrying him just for this stupid plan to work. I may be mad at him pero hindi na kaya ng konsensya kong lokohin siya nang gano'n. End of discussion." I said with finality and turned my heels to leave.

'Di bale nang malugmok kami sa hirap. Mabait na tao si Kai at habang iniisip ko na niloloko ko siya ay hindi ko maiwasang mainis sa sarili. How could I do that to an angel like him?

Oo, galit ako. Pero sobra naman na 'to. Walang kasalanan si Kai. Oo, siya 'yung pinananagutan ni daddy, siya 'yung tinuring na anak, siya 'yung lumaking buo ang pamilya, siya 'yung anak ng sumira sa pamilya namin, siya ang kaagaw namin ni kuya sa kung anong dapat na sa'min. But I always end up with the realization that it wasn't his fault.

"You're useless, Avery! Napaka-tanga mo! Hindi mo ba naisip kung ano itong pagkakataong sinasayang mo?! Sabi mo nga, mahal ka na niya! Sobrang dali nang paikutin siya pero inuuna mo pa'rin 'yang konsensya mo? Ikayayaman ba natin 'yan? Mababawi ba niyan ang inagaw sa'tin?!" singhal niya bago pa ako makalabas ng bahay.

"Sige! Subukan mong hindi ako sundin at ako mismo ang magsasabi kay Kai ng totoo. I can easily twist facts too, Avery. I can ruin your career and your image to the public. 'Wag mo akong subukan." she threatened.

Gulat ko siyang nilingon. "Seriously, mom? You would stoop that low? Alam mo kung paano ko pinaghirapan ang career ko! Tapos dahil lang hindi ko po masusunod ang gusto mo, sisirain mo na 'yun lahat?" My eyes started to water.

"Kilala mo ako, Avery. Alam mong kaya kong gawin ang mga sinasabi ko. So choose. Si Kai o ang career mo." she said without even a hint of hesitation.

"Ma, anak mo ako! 'Wag mo naman ako bigyan ng ganitong klase ng ultimatum kasi alam mong hindi ako makakapili!"

Mahal ko ang career ko pero kaibigan ko din si Kai. Parehas na mahalaga sa'kin. How can I possibly choose?

"'Wag mo akong dramahan, Avery. Napakasimple lang ng pinapagawa ko sa'yo." she said dismissively.

"Simple?! Simple ba ang magpakasal para sa'yo, ma?! Kasi sa'kin hindi eh!" She of all people should know that.

I was always an obedient daughter, but this is way too much. Kaya kong gawin ang lahat ng sasabihin ni mommy bukod dito.

"Then you should start kissing your career goodbye because once this week passes and I still don't get any news that you two are getting married, then it's game over for you."

Napasabunot ako sa sarili kong buhok dahil sa pinaghalong inis at galit. "Is this some kind of joke?! Ma, 'wag mo naman po sanang idamay ang career ko dito! Ilang taon ko 'yong pinaghirapan!" I almost begged.

"E'di gawin mo ang gusto ko para hindi masayang 'yang patapon mong career." she rolled her eyes and left me speechless.