Chase Me, Ara Portia (Published Under IMMAC PPH)

48:

"No." I immediately replied to Ara. "Mom, you're playing dirty. The deal was me getting his signature myself. There's no part of it that says he will visit us with his woman."

"This is better."

"Better?" I hissed and stood up but Ara kept on grabbing my shirt. "Love, bitawan mo ako."

"Please, love. Kumalma ka. I'm sorry I did not tell you that I know your dad’s going to come. I just did not have any chance to tell it to you because you are always in a good mood. Ayaw ko namang sirain iyon. Ang island trip natin."

"You should have at least warned me, love."

"She doesn’t need to give you a warning about your own father coming home-"

"Matagal ko na siyang hindi ama, Mom. You know that."

Nakita ko ang pagbuntong-hininga ni Mom saka sinenyasan si Kianna na pagbuksan ng gate si Dad at ang babae niya. Sumunod naman si Kianna kaya naman lalong nag-init ang ulo ko. My heart is beating so fast because of my mixed emotions. The anger. The madness inside of me thinking that I'm going to see my dad again makes my blood boil. Nakuha pa talaga niyang isama ang babae niya.

"No, Mom. Get them out. Huwag mo silang papasukin sa bahay."

"This is his house-"

"He's with his woman! Can't you understand? Mom, you're tolerating his infidelity!"

"Really now, son? It can't be even called infidelity. He has my permission."

"I hate you, Mom. Bitawan mo ako, love." I said calmly. Marahan ko ring tinanggal ang kamay ni Ara sa pagkakakapit sa akin at kitang-kita ko agad ang kaba sa mata niya pero hindi pa ako nakalalayo ay agad niya akong hinabol at hinawakan muli sa T-shirt para pigilan ako. "I won't do it. I promise. Sa kwarto lang ako, love."

"No, love. They're here. Why would you get there? Why would you hide?"

"I am not hiding."

"Well, it looks like it."

Tiningnan ko lang si Ara saka tinanggal muli ang kamay niya sa pagkakakapit sa akin. Matapos iyon ay mabilis na akong naglakad palayo. Patungo sa kwarto ko habang hindi pa nakakapasok sa loob ang mga bisita ni Mom at hindi ko pa sila nasisilayan. I do not want to fuck up my mood more.

"Love!"

I walked even faster, and Ara just kept on chasing me. Muntik pang madapa si Ara so I really do not have a choice but to stop and make sure she's safe. Medyo mataas ang hagdan namin at medyo delikado kung madadapa siya. When I am sure she's safe ay saka ako dumiretso na muli sa paglalakad at ganoon din siya sa paghahabol.

"Love! Can you please walk slow?" She screamed. "Love! Love! Kurt Valenzuela, tangina ka!"