Story of a Chapter

Ika-walong Pahina

Whenever my friends asks me about my family, I don't have anything else to say except how we're doing well. It is true, but at the same time it isn't. I've never seen my parents fight. They've always been very quiet and calm around each other. At first, I thought it's just what it is. That is how Mom and Dad are. But when I grew up, I understood better; I realized things for what they truly are.

My parents' relationship are from what we call 'convenience'. Mom was an intern at a hospital where she met Dad who was a resident in neurosurgery. In contrast to others' parents, mine didn't have that love story to begin with. They just met through a mutual friend and casually hang out with each other. As they were both in the medical field, that casual get together only happened once in a blue moon.

Dad, with his patriarchal beliefs, wanted to marry someone who only stays at home—taking care of the kids, doing household chores, and organizing events. Events, as I have mentioned, are frequent in my Dad's family. He grew up with everything served on a silver platter. The family's wealth transcended down to my Dad's generation, making him be born with a silver spoon. Similarly, not only the wealth transcended, but my Dad's outdated views was intentionally passed down to him.

Finding someone to marry, he found my Mom to be the perfect candidate. She has mentioned to him once that she doesn't like working. If it was possible to only be a housewife and take care of kids, she would've followed that path. The problem was she couldn't find someone to settle down with. Love was not the issue. It was commitment that she didn't want. She only wanted to have a family, but not to actually fall in love with someone. In their eyes, they were perfect for each other. And so, they agreed to be married as their union will be granting their desires.

It was when I started to watch dramas when I realized, "Ah. Why isn't my parents like the ones on the television? They don't look at each other like that or tell each other nice comforting words. They don't hold hands, hug, or kiss."

The first time I get to be surrounded with much love and acceptance was when I was 15 years old. At the same time, I got to experience the warmth of a home.

As expected, the school held a small celebration for us journalists because we did our best at the event, garnering medals for the school. Umakyat kami sa stage at pinalakpakan ng marami. Natawa pa ako nang sumigaw ng malakas si Tan, "Wooh! President namo na!"

When I got back in the classroom, everybody's circling around me. I appreciated how they're happy for my accomplishment. Ngunit hindi mawala sa isip ko na parang may kulang. Doon ko napagtanto na mag-isa lang na pumasok si Tan.

Pagkatapos ng hindi pagkakasundo namin ni Inno, bumalik nga kami sa dati na walang imik sa isa't-isa. Tumahimik na naman ang mga nagdaang araw no'n. Hindi na ulit siya lumipat sa likod ko. Wala nang sumusunod sa mga kilos ko o kumakalabit sa akin. He stayed at the back and never bothered me. Iniiwasan namin na mapatingin sa isa't-isa. Napansin iyon ni Tan but he's mature enough to not ask us what's going on. He might be real chatty, but he knows how to respect people's boundaries.

Fast forward to now, I couldn't see him anywhere because he got sick. Kahit na hindi kami on good terms, hiniling ko pa rin na gumaling siya. Gusto ko rin kasing humingi ng tawad at magpasalamat sa kaniya. Kung hindi niya binanggit sa akin ang jejemon, hindi ko pa malalaman that it exists. Malamang ay wala na naman akong maisasagot kung sakali. Uuwi akong mas mababa ang tingin sa sarili.

Napatalon kaming lahat nang marinig ang isang malakas na bagsak. Nahulog ang flower vase na kanina lang ay nakapatong sa teacher's desk. Kabadong nakatayo roon si Alexander. Mistulang naging pipi ang lahat nang makita na basag na ito. Sa lakas ng impact ay tumilapon ang mga piraso malapit sa amin.