Towering the Flames (SS#2) Under Major Revision

CHAPTER 19

Tumahimik nang ilang minuto. Nanatiling nakatitig si papa sa kin, hinihintay na magpatuloy pa ako sa pagsasalita. It must be his first time to hear that "him", bihira lang kasi ako magkuwento sa kanila partikular na sa mga bagay na . . . Pati ako ay nalilito rin.

"Someone you like the most?" ani ni Papa. Hindi ko mabasa ang reaksyon niya. "If he's distracting you, then he is not good for your mental health. Forget him. Studies are more important."

Huminga akong malalim. What do I expect from someone who is rational thinker like him? Kahit sino nga rin siguro ay ganiyan din ang maikokomento.

"What's his name? Do I know him? Walang kang nakukuwento sa 'min, ah? Is he a suitor? Isn't he treating you good that's why you're bothered and your grades are affected?"

He's Cal. Minsan ko na siyang naikuwento sa kanila. And honestly, I am still nervous to what Cal is doing. Gusto niya ako at nakatatakot 'yon. Gusto niya ako at apektadong-apekto naman ako. He's not treating me bad, tho. Bukod nga lang sa mga biro niyang 'di nakatatawa, at mga banat na wala sa lugar, ay 'di ko naman masabi na 'di niya ako tinatrato nang tama.

How I wish I could tell all of that to my parents.

"Chelsy," pukaw sa 'kin ni papa.

"I am sorry po. I was thinking . . . It is not what you think." I breathe in and continue lying. "He's just an enemy of mine— an academic rival and in too much competing, I . . . lost."

My voice must be sounded sad because dad's eyes softened upon hearing my explanation. Lumapit siya lalo sa 'kin at niyakap ako. I bit my own lips, holding back the part of myself that wanted to confess the truth.

"My princess . . . It's not over yet. You can start anytime. If you're thinking that I am very disappointed because of your grades, you're wrong. I believe in you, you can make your grades better."

He let go in a hug, that's when Mom entered the scene. Her beautiful smile faded when she witnessed the hugging session. Matapos niyang ilapag ang mga plato ay tumitig siya sa 'kin.

"Is there something I need to know about?"

I wiped my own tears while laughing.

"I don't want to kill the atmosphere, Mom, we're about to eat," I laughed.

"Come on, tell me." She sat without taking her eyes off me.

"She didn't get in the top 10," Dad spoke up for me. Napalunok ako nang nanlaki ang mga mata ni mama.

"How?"

I bit my own lips. Hindi ako nakasagot pero mayamaya ay kumalma si mama. Sa tantya ko ay naglaan si papa ng limang minuto para e-explain ang nangyari. Nakinig nang mabuti si mama hanggang sa dahan-dahang lumambot ang mata niya.

"I am sorry, 'nak," she whispered. "Only if I was always by your side, I might have prevented this from happening. I know you— you're a grade conscious one kaya 'di talaga 'to madali para sa 'iyo." She reached for my hands. "Stop being overly competitive sa lalaki na tinutukoy mo. It isn't between you and anybody else. It's you between you, remember that."

Nagtagal kami sa hapagkainan dahil kaniya-kaniya rin silang kwento about work. I have had fun listening. Hindi ko nga napansin na dalawang oras na pala naming kaharap ang mga pinggan.

"I really need to take care of the hospital. It's for Rynierre. Ito na lang ang tangi kong magagawa. Even if we hire an investigator to find him, wala pa rin tayong magagawa kung talagang ayaw niya munang bumalik," I heard Mom, drinking wine. "His reasons for choosing not to be with us are valid to me."

"Never did you try to hire an investigator, Ma?" I asked innocently, that's when my phone vibrated.

"Never. But a relative told me that's he's in good hands. Nahihirapan nga lang dahil hindi palaging umaasa sa binibigay na tulong pinansyal."