Play Pretend

Chapter 10

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 10
Terrified

Medyo lutang pa ako habang pabalik sa aking lamesa. Pagkatapos naming mag-usap ni Mrs. Dela Vega, hinatid ko siya sa kanyang sasakyan na naghihintay sa driveway.

Hindi ako mapakali habang iniisip ang mga iniuutos niya sa akin. I couldn't decide if I should actually do what she asked me to or just disregard everything. I was torn, trying to choose what was right.

Kaya nga lang, naisip ko rin na kahit gawin ko man ang gusto niya, I would never find an answer right away. Si Xaiver na mismo ang nagsabi na wala pa siyang mapagbibigyan ng kwintas kaya ako muna ang magtatago no'n.

Either way, I would still disappoint Mrs. Dela Vega. Wala akong maibibigay sa kanyang sagot.

Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako habang patuloy ako sa pagdedesisyon. It was only when I got near my table that I realized Xaiver had occupied my seat.

Komportable siyang nakaupo roon at nakatukod ang kaliwang siko sa aking lamesa. His thumb caressed his lips while his eyes were fixed on my graduation photo with my mother.

Nang mapansin niya ang pagdating ko'y umayos din siya ng upo at saka inilipat ang tingin sa akin. He pointed to the picture displayed on my table and asked, "Where's your father?"

Iyon ata ang unang beses na nagtanong siya tungkol sa aking pamilya. Although it had been three years since we met, he had never shown curiosity to know more about my personal life. He never asked about my family. He never pried.

"Uhm... Matagal na siyang wala," sagot ko.

Agad napakunot ang kanyang noo sa narinig.

"Bata pa ako nung namatay siya," paglilinaw ko.

Xaiver's lips partnered. The creases on his forehead disappeared as his eyes turned gentle, then turned his head slightly.

"So, he died, too..." he whispered absentmindedly.

Sa sobrang hina ay muntik ko na 'yong hindi marinig. Ngunit dahil tahimik ang paligid at tanging siya lamang ang nagsalita, I heard his words clear.

He died too?

"Ha?" Hindi ko alam ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Nang matauhan ay gulat siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. Xaiver seemed surprised at himself. Agad nga lang siya nakabawi. He wore his usual expression, then shook his head lightly.

"Nothing—I mean—I'm sorry," he said softly.

"Ayos lang. Bata pa ako noon at ilang taon na rin ang nagdaan."

I also didn't even have any recollection of memories with my biological father kaya hindi ko rin talaga alam kung ano ang mararamdaman.

Nodding his head, Xaiver licked his lips and loosened his tie a bit. He then stood up and forced a smile.

"Did my mom ask you to work for her?"

Hindi na ako nagulat na alam ni Xaiver ang pakay ng kanyang ina sa akin, but my eyes still widened a bit because of uneasiness. I licked my lips and bit the lower one, struggling to come up with an excuse. Pero bago pa ako makasagot ay nagtaas siya ng kilay.

"You don't have to lie for her really," he added. "I know how her mind works."

"Wala naman akong sasabihin," agap ko.

Xaiver nodded. "I don't doubt your loyalty, but my mother's desperation can create miracles."

"You can trust me, Xaiver." I sternly said, and I surprised myself for not stuttering.