When The Weather Is Nice, Let's Meet Again (El Diva Series #1)

CHAPTER 13

Nasa pintuan palang siguro ako, narinig ko na ang nagsisigawan sa loob ng bahay. Kinabahan ako agad dahil doon kaya dahan-dahan kong binuksan 'yung pintuan at walang ingay na naglakad papasok. Tumigil lang ako sa gilid ng living room kung nasaan nakatayo si Daddy at Tita Mildred.

I didn't know that Dad would be coming home today!

"Take a look at yourself, Abraham! You were gone for nearly two weeks, and now that you're back, you've drowned yourself in alcohol? In that state, how would you face Sofia?"

"You have no idea what I'm going through because of my job, Mildred! There's a high possibility I'll lose the project I'm working on!"

"Is it your job that only matters to you? Hindi ba kami mahalaga sa'yo na pamilya mo, na kahit isang araw lang itigil mo muna 'yang kakaisip sa trabaho mo para makasama kami?"

Dad laughed, almost sarcastically. "You won't understand how to bleed to reach the top of the pyramid, Mildred. You've been assigned to that position in just the blink of an eye, so how would you know? The soon-to-be CEO or even the President of the reputable Legascent, impressive," Daddy said, then clapped his hands while laughing.

Pinunasan agad ni Tita Mildred 'yung lumandas na luha sa mga mata niya bago tumango-tango sa kaharap. "Maybe that's how you view my job, Abraham. But at least, I'm more capable of protecting this family, even before," I immediately ran towards Tita Mildred when Dad pushed the vase near where he was standing, causing it to fall on the floor and break.

Ang lakas ng pagbagsak no'n kaya kalat-kalat din 'yung maliliit na bahagi ng vase sa sahig. Masyado 'yong delikado para kay Tita Mildred dahil halos lahat ata ng parte nung nabasag na vase ay sa direksiyon niya lahat napunta.

"Dad!" I exclaimed.

Parang natauhan si Daddy nang makita niya ako. Mula ulo hanggang paa, sinuri nito ang itsura ko. Napapikit siya ng mariin bago sabihin na umakyat na ako sa kuwarto ko at magpahinga dahil gabi na rin. Umalis din siya pagkatapos niya 'yong sabihin sa akin. Nang tuluyang mawala sa paningin ko si Daddy na umaakyat sa hagdanan, agad akong bumaling kay Tita Mildred.

"Are you okay, Tita? Nasaktan ka ba?" I was holding Tita Mildred's hands when she gave me a nod and caressed my hair softly.

She wiped her wet eyes and smiled at me. "Your dad is right, Channel. You should go upstairs and rest. You still have school tomorrow. Go on, I'll clean this mess first, and I'll rest, too."

I just nodded at Tita Mildred even though my mind was saying to do otherwise. Muli akong nagpaalam kay Tita Mildred bago tuluyang lisanin ang living room at umakyat na sa kuwarto ko para makapagpahinga.