Wreaking Havoc

vīgintī

"I'll just drop you off back at your apartment after the check-up," Andrei says, munching on the last piece of french fry from the large bucket of cheese fries he ordered just to tease me. I rolled my eyes and happily ate the strawberries that we bought from the market.

"Gross," I uttered. "You're studying medicine and you're not even watching your appetite," I added before tossing the throw pillow beside me in his direction. Andrei chuckled and caught the pillow in no time.

"Just answer that damned phone already. That's probably your dad," he uttered before he stood up from the bean bag. Napairap na lang ako at kinuha na lang 'yung phone ko at sinagot 'yung tawag ni daddy.

"Dad?"

"Hey, Therese. Sorry I haven't been calling to check on you. How are you doing there?"

I smiled, "Doing great dad... How are you guys there?"

"Same old," he uttered. "Remember what I told you about your mom?"

"What about it?"

Dad sighed, "I'm trying my best but your mom's such a headache, but I'm going to everything... Don't worry, hija. I'll do my best. So just study there and don't stress yourself too much."

I groaned in frustration because up until now, I still can't understand what Dad had been up to these days, "Dad... what are you even trying to do?"

Dad remained silent and the silence felt crippling. I may haven't forgiven Dad that much, but if he was doing something that could risk his life, I'd rather just suffer by myself.

I never liked what Dad did pero hindi naman ako tanga para hindi intindihin 'yun... He wanted to save our family and the only way to do that was to accept their offer. The bribes he took weren't just to hush him... pero para madamay rin siya in case na lumabas 'tong kaso. They know it's illegal for a public servant like him to receive huge amounts of money... it was their safety net.

And then when he spoke, it started to finally make sense.

"I can't have your mom risk your child, Therese."

Fuck.

Dad was risking his life... and what he meant about "legally" back then was him disclosing such information.

I shook my head and closed my eyes, "Dad itigil mo 'to... Please, para sa'min ni Isla. If Mom doesn't want to pay for what she's been doing all this time... then just let her. I know she doesn't have a conscience, but I'm sure she'd pay for all her wrongdoings in due time... pero 'wag ngayon Dad, don't risk your life... please," I uttered.

Dad chuckled, but it sounded bitter and agonizing that I just wanted to go to him and stop this madness, "I won't risk anything, Therese. You don't have to worry."

"Dad I know what you're trying to do, but we both know how mom wouldn't want to surrender herself!" I uttered, my voice raising because I was getting really paranoid. As much as I didn't want to be scared for my dad, I know mom has reached the point of no return. She's gotten her hands dirty already and I'm sure she'd continue to do so... she can't let anyone, not even my dad, stop her from reaching her dreams. "Dad... please."

Dad chuckled, as if he even found it amusing, "Don't stress yourself too much, Therese," he uttered. "Promise me I'll meet the baby, okay?"

I sighed.

"Dad stop scaring me..."

"I'm not doing anything," he uttered. "Can I name the kid? I've always liked Mary... or Mikhail."