"Ilang daang libo pa ba ang gagastusin ko, mapatino ka lang, Luch?! Ha?"
I continuously pack my things, not minding my father's loud voice echoing in every corner of my room.
"Really?! You drained the university pool?! The Olympic size pool?!"
Gusto kong matawa nang biglang maalala ang senaryong ginawa ko sa pool area noong isang linggo. Yes, I drained the university pool. And it was fucking awesome. Naisip ko nga, buwan-buwan ko kayang i-drain 'yon? Hindi kasi pinapalitan. Ang lansa ng amoy!
"Luch!"
Pigil ang tawa na nag-angat ako ng tingin kay papa, "What?"
"Huwag mo akong tawanan! Alam mo ba kung gaano kalaki ang inilabas kong pera para lang mabayaran ang kasalanan mo? You're almost expelled for the nth time!"
"Did I ask you to bribe the University Director again?"
Lalong lumabas ang ugat niya sa leeg, "Y-You — "
"Come on, Pa. You know why I keep doing this..." I stood straightly and level my face with him then grinned playfully. "You're spoiling me with your wealth. Go on. Pay. Diyan ka naman magaling, sa pagwaldas ng pera. We're rich, right? Make use of our wealth — "
Before I could finish my words, he cut me off using his fist. Papa punched me, a heavy one, that made me fall on my knees.
"Landrei!"
Gulat akong nagbaling ng tingin sa pinto ng kwarto ko nang biglang sumulpot si tita Diana. Asawa siya ni papa, ang step-mom ko.
"Don't use violence against your son!" She yelled as she tried to help me stand.
"Tita, lumabas po kayo..." mababang ani ko. "I don't want you to see me in this state. Please, let us deal with this."
"No, Luch."
"Diana, labas!" Sigaw ni papa kay Tita Diana dahilan para mamanting ang tainga ko at hinarang ang katawan ko sa harap ni tita.
"Do not talk to her like that. Asawa mo siya," I said to papa in a cold tone.
I really hate it when papa uses his authority on someone, especially on women. Tita Diana may not be my biological mother but she is still the mother of my brothers — Wen and Ino. I also treasure her. Ina na rin ang tingin ko sa kaniya.
"Hindi 'yan ang dapat nating pinag-uusapan, Luch..." nanggigigil na ani papa sa akin habang nakaturo pa ang hintuturo. "Isang beses pa na makatanggap ako ng balita na may ginawa ka na namang katarantaduhan sa university, hinding-hindi na kita pagtatakpan. Hindi na kita gagastusan, naiintindihan mo?"
"Kahit ngayon ka pa mag-umpisa, wala akong pakialam."
I took my duffel bag where my clothes are all packed then gave tita Diana a smile of assurance that I'm okay. Bumalik lang ako dito sa bahay para kumuha ng mga damit dahil dorming university ang pinapasukan ko. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na nandito din si papa at talaga palang inabangan ako na umuwi para lang sigawan at sermunan.
"I'll see you when I see you, tita. Babalik na po ako sa dorm."
"Gano'n ba? Ihahatid na kita."
"Hindi na po. Magco-commute na lang po ako."
I don't want to leave nor stay. I'm worried for tita and Wen dahil maiiwan ulit sila dito sa bahay. Alam ko namang ligtas sila mula kay papa. He loves them and treats them like his own family. Papa does not use violence on them kaya kampante akong aalis ulit. Kasi kung sinasaktan sila ni papa, ilalayo ko talaga silang mag-iina. We'll hide from him, I'll hide them from him and will make sure papa will never find us.
