Cleome Farwina Cinense
Disiplinado silang umalis sa aking harapan at nang makaalis sila ay akmang aalis na rin ako pero kung minamalas nga naman talagang hindi ko matatakasan ang buntot ko.
“You looked hot while giving command with the platoon sergeants, my Lieutenant.” Colonel Vlasmo uttered while smiling from ear to ear.
Para namang nagpantig ang tainga ko. “Your what?” I asked with my brows puckered.
“What?” Maangan niyang tanong. “I admire the way you speak and present yourself earlier. You are so beautiful and . . . yeah damn hot.” Repeating the last word and gave me a sweet smile.
I raised a brow trying to suppress a smile while looking at him.
Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya, inaantay ang sasabihin ko pero napailing na lang ako at sa huli ay pagak nalang akong natawa because of some realizations.
“What are you laughing at?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing,” I answered. “I have to go, Colonel,” paalam ko.
“I’ll go with you,” he answered.
I sighed. “Don’t you have some things to do? Abalahin mo ang sarili mo, Colonel. Hindi ako ang trabaho.”
He chuckled. “You are actually one of my works. I—” Naputol ang sasabihin niya nang tumunog ang cellphone ko.
Kaagad ko iyong kinuha pero sana hindi ko na lang tiningnan, only to see that it’s my father.
I looked at the Colonel and showed him my phone before answering it. I did not wait for his response, tinalikuran ko siya agad.
“Hey, Dad,” salubong ko at naglakad palayo.
Lumapit ako sa may isang malaking sanga ng puno na nasa gilid ng field at doon umupo, pinagmasdan ang malawak na base ng Camp O’donnell.
“Any good news?”
I rolled my eyes in the air. “Still the same, Dad.”
“No offered promotion? I bet you have, nailipat ka ng kampo.” I can imagine his crumpled face while talking to me.
“Still waiting for it, Dad.” I am trying to hide my emotion but it fails me.
Nakakapagod.
And I already expected that Dad would notice, mabilis siyang makaramdam. “What’s with your voice? Pagod ka na? Oh, come on, Farwina . . .” Dinig na dinig ko ang irita sa kanyang boses. “Wala ka pa sa kalingkingan ng mga dinanas ko!” Then I heard him slam his hand onto the table, I think. Napapikit ako sa kaba kahit hindi ko naman siya nakikita.
Parang ako pa rin ang paslit na Cleome na laging takot at walang magawa dahil sunud-sunuran sa tatay.
“You don’t have the right to get tired! Do your thing, you have to continue our legacy.” Yeah, that’s what matters to him, their never-ending legacy and more importantly the power. He’s hungry for it.
I inhaled deeply before answering him. “I’m sorry, Dad. But we cannot rush everything, we have to wait.” Pagpapaintindi ko, dahil hindi naman ganoon kadali ang hinihingi niya.
“I am doing everything! Do you hear me, Dad?” I suddenly burst out. I immediately wipe my tears away. Damn it! “I am doing everything I can just to have that fucking higher rank you want for me. I am trying . . .” I said hoarsely. I lost strength while uttering the last words.
Wala na talaga akong nagawang mabuti sa paningin niya.
“As you should!” he roared, then ended the call. Fury cannot be denied in his voice.
