Towering the Flames (SS#2) Under Major Revision

CHAPTER 31

"You look happier"

I think that's the biggest compliment I have ever received from my parents. Hindi sila magtatagal dahil mayamaya ay kailangan na naman nilang umalis. I actually planned to bring Cal along but then I could not just do so. Baka mas lalo silang magulat na ang delivery boy na nakausap nila noon ay boyfriend ko pala.

"Thanks, mom, kaka-video call lang kasi namin ni kuya, eh. Ilang araw na siyang hindi ako kinakausap kasi busy sa study." I really didn't prepare to tell them the truth. Wala sa plano ang umamin. Pero ngayong kaharap ko sila, naisip ko ang mga pangyayari kahapon sa bahay ni Cal.

Cal deserves to be known by my parents. I should reciprocate his dedication in introducing me to his parents.

"Oh, what are you thinking of? Ubos na ba ang allowance mo?" dad asked.

"Hindi pa po. It will surely last for another one month."

But I wonder what could happen if I ask them related to relationship. Nang sa ganoon ay hindi sila mabigla...

"What are your friends doing, anyway? Sila Johoney, Allysa, and Pearly?"

"Ganoon pa rin naman, ma. Mas napapadalas lang talaga sila sa pagbisita sa bahay nila kaya parati akong mag-isa sa apartment."

Pero if makiusap ako nang todo, at ipaintindi sa kanila ang nangyayari, maiintindihan kaya nila ako? Cal's parents want someone for their son, pero nagawa nila ako pakisamahan... Can my parents be like that toward my boyfriend?

"Mom, I have something to tell you. I hope... You won't misunderstand."

"What is that?" dad asked me as he searched something from his bag.

Kaiinom ko pa lang ng dalawang basong tubig pero pakiramdam ko ay tuyong-tuyo na ang lalamunan ko. I felt my knees shaking. Napansin 'ata 'yon ng mga magulang ko kaya natigil sila sa ginagawa. Dad began staring at me and mom stopped messaging her temple. They look tired from working all day. Tama ba 'tong gagawin ko? Hindi ba bad ang timing? Maybe... I could postpone it?

Pero nandito na ako. At baka ilang araw na naman kaming hindi magkita nila mama't papa. Plus, I am eager to announce to Cal that my parents already know him as my partner... That they want him... That he doesn't need to worry anymore! How I really wish!

"You've been reminding me, Mom... D-dad, that I am not allowed to enter in a relationship... S-so that I could focus in my studies."

They gazed at me as if I am the only subject in this world. Natatakot akong masigawan nila. Matatanggap ko pa kung makatatanggap ako ng pangmamaliit sa iba, pero kapag galing sa parents ko, hindi ko siguro kakayanin.

"I promised, mom, dad, that I would take care of my academics life, and I did. I managed to maintain a good grades. Nabawi ko ang mga quizzes kung saan maliit ang scores ko."

Hindi pa rin talaga sila nagsasalita. Wala ring kung anumang reaction galing sa kanila. That is a sign for me to continue and do my best to elaborate things.

"Sinubukan ko po na hindi pairalin ang emosyon so that I would not be a big disappointment sa family na 'to dahil noon pa lang, paulit-ulit niyong sinasabi sa 'kin na bawal akong magka... Boyfriend."

I know that they know what exactly I am saying. They're just giving me time to explain.

"Sa ibang lalaki na nakilala ko noon na medyo nagustuhan ko... Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin... Inisip ko na lang na siguro sa pagsapit ng tamang panahon, there will be an ideal time to date them. Inisip ko na I should not decide emotionally for now. N-na I should not be catching feelings. The idea of "what's meant for you will always come back to you" is what I strongly believe in, kaya hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras na mang-entertain dahil kung sila talaga para sa akin, babalik-babalik sila sa tamang panahon."