Yes, No, Maybe

Chapter 2

"You want to be a what?!" Gulat na tanong ni Dad.

"I want to apply as their maid. That way mas makikilala ko pa siya nang lubusan," I replied.

I know. Pretending to be a maid would seem like I'm an undercover spy like one of those action movies I watched. It may sound childish or useless to others pero gusto ko talagang gawin ito.

Getting married to someone all of the sudden is boring enough. So why not do something crazy before getting married. Malay niyo, mag-eenjoy pa ako.

"Anak, hindi na nga kita pinapahirapan pa. Why would I agree on your plan to be their maid?" Nag-aalala niyang tanong.

"Dad, you asked for this favor. Gusto ko lang ding gawin yung pabor mo sa paraan na mag-eenjoy ako. Besides, pretending to be a maid could be the best way to know him. You know, walang filter," I explained.

"You can know him through constant chats. Hindi mo na kailangan pang magpanggap. Please, anak. Huwag mong pahirapan yung sarili."

I sighed. "Do you think he will show his true self when I do that? No. He will act good like how people expected him to be."

Why can't Dad see my point? Hindi ba siya nag-aalala na baka saktan ako nung tao? What if nananakit pala siya at saka niya lang ipapakita sa akin kapag nakasal na kami? Paano kung gumagawa siya nang illegal na gawain at madamay pa ako? I still want to do a lot in life and I don't want this marriage hinder what I want to do in life.

"Anak naman--"

"If you won't agree then I would have to say no for this proposal," I paused. "Take it or leave it."

Napapikit siya nang mariin at yumuko. I watched him as he started combing his hair with his fingers frustratedly.

"Do you really need to?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yes."

"But it's risky."

"I am willing to take the risk," determinado kong sabi.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at tumango. Napangiti ako nang bahagya. He agreed. Yun lang naman ang hinihintay ko mula sa kanya. I knew he would agree. If he won't then his friend's company will be compromised.

"Thanks, Dad," ngumiti ako at tumalikod na. "See you at dinner!"

"I won't be home until midnight," sabi niya kaya napahinto ako.

"Po?" I asked without facing him.

"Marami pa akong tatapusin dito kaya hindi muna ako makakauwi nang maaga. You're okay with that, right?"

Tumango ako kahit nakatalikod pa rin.

"It's fine, Dad. Maaga din naman akong matutulog since aasekasuhin ko pa yung bago kong trabaho," masigla kong sagot.
"Trabaho?" He asked again.

Pilit akong ngumiti bago siya hinarap.

"As a maid. I need to pull some strings para makapasok. Anyway, huwag po kayong magpapagutom. Bye!"
Kumaway ako sa kanya at agad tumalikod.

"Take care!" Sigaw niya pabalik.

Pagkalabas ko nang office niya ay saka na nawala yung ngiti. Hindi na naman niya ako masasamahan sa pagkain. Ilang beses lang niya ako sinabayan simula pa nung naghiwalay sila ni Mommy. All he had been doing was to work. Minsan napaisip pa ako kung anak pa ba yung trato niya sa akin. He didn't act as my father anymore when they separated. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit madali lang sa kanya ang itali ako sa iba. Ngayon ko lang siya pinagbigyan.

One reason that why I agreed to do this because I want to get recognition from him. Nakatayo na ako nang sariling clothing line but I didn't get a single congratulations from him. Natapos ko yung kolehiyo at ganun pa rin. It seems like my hard work is not enough for him- or maybe he just doesn't care.
Gusto ko lang naman ipatunay sa kanya na kaya ko ding maging mabuting anak. I could be the daughter that he can be proud of. I may seem fine from the outside but I am broken in the inside. Gusto ko lang marinig mula sa kanya ang mga katagang 'I am proud of you, anak'. Is that too much to ask?