Chase Me, Ara Portia (Published Under IMMAC PPH)

33:

Nagising akong tumutunog ang aking cellphone. Labag man sa loob ko ay sinagot ko iyon nang makita ang pangalan ni Mom sa screen. Without even getting out of the bed, I put it on my ear.

"Mom?"

"Are you sleeping?"

"Siguro kaya nakakapagsalita ako." Nakuha ko pang maging sarkastiko nang sagutin siya. "Mom, do you know that right now, I hate you?"

"Oh son, you can never."

"Mom! You just tricked me!" Napabalikwas na ako ng bangon. Inis na inis na para bang kinakausap si Mom sa harapan ko. "I should have been doing things more important than this celebratory trip. I am alone right now instead of making it up to Ara."

"Ara will be fine. She's a strong woman. Kaya niya iyon-"

"Kaya ni Ara, Mom. Did you ask me if it's okay for me? Mom naman, e."

I heard her laugh which I find slightly annoying. Gusto ko man kasing mainis sa kaniya ay hindi ko magawa. She's my mom after all. She knows better than me.

"She needs time. Umuwi siya para makita ang pamilya niya. Imagine you being there and stealing her attention from them? Siyempre kung kasama ka niya, wala siyang ibang iintindihin more than anyone but you kasi bisita ka niya. Besides, you need rest. Mukhang pagod na pagod ka na kakawork mo."

"Mom-"

"Shush. Shush. No buts. It's just eight thirty in the evening. Wala ka bang balak na mag-enjoy diyan? Sayang naman ibabayad ng kompanya ko para sa peace of mind mo tapos malalaman kong bored ka lang diyan."

"Mom, how can I have my peace of mind when I know my woman is mad at me?"

Natahimik sandali si Mom ngunit mayamaya pa ay narinig ko na ang malakas na pagtawa sa kabilang linya. I sighed imagining her face laughing at me. I bet she's mocking me right now.

"Your woman is fine. Kaninang madaling araw pa siya nakarating. She's safe and all. Sige na. Kumain ka na. You don't have to entertain Mr. and Mrs. Tamuyaki because they got there for peace of mind, too. Good luck on being bored, anak! Fighting!"

"Mom-"

Mas lumalim ang buntong-hininga ko nang mamatay ang kabilang linya. Mom just cut the line that fast. Marami pa akong sasabihin. Marami pa akong hinaing. Napakamot na lang tuloy ako sa ulo ko at doon din napagtantong madilim na pala sa loob ng kwarto ko. I haven't been able to turn the lights on and only the dim lights from outside and from the pool itself, wala nang makikitang ibang ilaw. Napakunot pa nga ang noo ko nang bigla akong makarinig ng ingay. Isang ingay na para bang mayroong tao sa pool. I waited for a minute, but I still cannot see it and because of my curiosity, I silently walked out of my room. Dahan-dahan akong nagbukas ng pinto. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad patungo sa pool and did not see anyone at the first place. I almost had a heart attack when a woman suddenly afaced from the pool. Si Leigh.

"Oh sorry, sir. Nagulat ko yata kayo." She said.