He's not a sweet, innocent dog. He's a sly fox with the face of a puppy, waiting to attack. The prey was chosen and it's me. Let's see how good of a hunter he is because I'm not an easy rabbit, waiting to be devoured. I'll make his catch the hardest.
"Where are you going?"
Nagbabasa ng diyaryo sa sala si Dad nang madaan ako. Sa kabilang sofa ay naroon si Mamá at nagpapahilot ng sentido sa masahista.
I could lie and say I'll be out for fresh air, but my straight-cut jeans, high-cut Converse shoes, and white long-sleeve polo on top of my black tank won't make lying that easy. One more thing, I have my white tote bag with me. Halatang may lakad ako.
"It's Sunday, you don't have classes," dagdag ni Dad.
Nanatili akong nakatalikod sa kanila ngunit nakaharap na sa matataas na pintuan. Sinubukan ko naman mag-isip ng maayos na sagot pero bakit pa? It's not as if he cares if I elope with someone or leave for weeds.
"Maurice." Lumakas ang boses niya nang lumabas akong hindi siya sinagot o nilingon man lang.
"Bastos talaga ang bata na 'yon, Davidos," si Mamá.
Nakalayo na ako kaya hindi ko na narinig pero alam ko ang sunod na sinabi niya. Dapat ipinalaglag mo na lang 'yan noon.
I thought I already passed the screening but someone made it on time to ruin my day.
"You're leaving?"
Nakasalubong ko si Ingrid sa gate. The paper bags hanging on her arms make her look like a rack. She got her nails done too. How did I notice? Kulang na lang ay ipangalandakan niya sa 'kin ang mga 'yon.
"Yes. I never stopped having nightmares since I saw your face."
She lifted her shades on purpose to show me her newly-done lashes. Alam na alam niya talaga kung paano sirain ang araw ko. Makita ko lang siya, nagdidilim na ang paligid. Umasta akong nasilaw at lumingon sa gilid para hindi makita ang mukha niya sabay bulong. "Iba talaga kapag magaling sumipsip."
"What?!" She hissed.
"Wala. I said I'm leaving." I already stepped ahead but she pulled my bag.
"Hey, Mauve. Repeat what you said."
"Huwag na nga. Baka masaktan ka. You know the truth always hurts."
Ngumisi siya. Gumuhit ang mga ugat sa namumula niyang mukha. "Katulad ng katotohanan na mas mahal at gusto ako ni Mamá at Dad kaysa sa 'yo?"
My jaw clenched. I wasn't expecting to hear that. "Tama rin naman. Mapagmahal kasi sila sa mga hayop. Tignan mo, nagpatira pa ng kabayo." Iwinaksi ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak pa rin sa bag ko. Before I could waste more time, I walked away.
"If I'm a horse, you're a rat. You can't even come close to me, loser. Argh! Huwag ka ng umuwi! No! Umuwi ka nang ligtas dahil guguluhin ko pa ang buhay mo nang matagal!"
I could only sigh after passing through the gate. Gladly, Ingrid didn't notice the hanging camera on my neck. It used to be hers. When Mamá got her a new one, she threw this. Kinuha ko dahil sayang, hindi pa naman ito gaanong gamit. I also knew I'd need this and it would be impossible for them to gift me one.
Since childhood, I always get her worn-out stuff. Toys, dresses, shoes . . . even gadgets. Lahat ng bago ay sa kaniya at lahat ng luma, sa akin. They say if I excel like Ingrid, they will buy me new stuff. But I never did. I never succeeded.
Why do failures aren't rewarded? To try is as hard as to succeed.
I put the camera inside my bag and took the headphones in return. I played a bop song before hopping on my skateboard.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Heaven's Wildcard
Romance[SLOW EDIT] For most people, hell is just a concept or a place where the evils fall into after death. But for the registered nurse, Maurice Severina de Morga, it is her reality, her life. Her first cry was on her mother's death, died on a hospital b...
