Miara's Mistakes: Part Two

(204) - September 1, 2020

Breakfast

"Miara. Breakfast. Now." Bago pa maproseso ni Miara ang narinig ay sinara na ng ina niya ang pinto.

She stared at her reflection for a moment. May hawak-hawak pa siyang suklay at hindi ito gumalaw sa ere. Kulang na lang ay may "loading" sign na lumitaw sa harapan niya.

Hindi niya alam kung matutuwa ba siya o matatakot na inaya siya ng sariling ina sa mag-agahan. Surely, there's something going on. Hindi ito mag-aaya nang walang dahilan. And she could only hope that it's a good reason.

She changed into a more decent clothes. Pambahay pa rin ngunit presentable na para kahit sino man ang bisita—kung mayroon man—at least, preparado siya. Buti naman sana kung hindi lang tatlong salita ang binitawan ng ina niya.

Miara's face fell when she saw two familiar faces in their dining room. Literal na naestatwa siya sa kinatatayuan dahil sa nakita. Parang sinuklaban siya ng langit at lupa.

She wants to run back to her room but she's in freeze mode. Samu't saring emosyon at mga ideya ang pumasok sa isipan niya ngunit wala ni isa sa mga 'yon ang nabigyan niya ng pansin. She just wants to melt into the ground.

"Grissy, hey!" Her chest thudded when El Altamirano approached her.

She shuddered when he uttered the nickname he gave her. Noon, tuwang-tuwa pa si Miara na tinatawag siyang Grissy. She felt special that he really thought of a nickname for her. But now, she can't help but cringe.

She never fancied her second name, Griselda, but she doesn't hate it. Hindi niya lang talaga tipo dahil mas gusto niya ang Miara... ngunit dahil kay El ay kinamumuihan niya na ang pangalan.

"Your daughter really takes after you, Mai," pagtawa ng ama ni El.

The Altamiranos are a family of politician. Their name is on the books as one of the most prominent political dynasties in the country. Aside from the fallible system, the Altamiranos are also a mixture of competent ones and those who aren't.

El's father, Rodriguez Altamirano, is a well-known politician. He's one of those who strongly oppose the current administration. But lately, he's being criticized for slowly crawling to the other side. Balimbing.

"Hi, Grissy!" Tumayo si Sen. Altamirano para yakapin si Miara. She shuddered when she felt his arms around her. Parang naestatwa si Miara sa kinatatayuan niya. Gusto niyang itulak ngunit wala siyang lakas para roon.

It's frustrating. So damn frustrating that she wants to leave their house immediately—she can't stand their presence—but couldn't.

"Miara, help me out," tawag ng kaniyang ina.

Nagtiim-bagang si Miara, pinipigilan lang ang sarili. One of these days, she's gonna explode. Sagad na sagad na siya at sigurado siyang hindi niya na mapipigilan ang sarili kapag napuno na.

It's downright insulting... and painful on her part.

Napag-utusan siya ng ina na magtimpla ng juice. She doesn't even know why the Altamiranos are here in the first place.

Is this one of their plots to show the media that their issue has been long resolved? Another publicity stunt to beautify the image of the holier-than-thou Altamiranos? Is she being used to portray that forgiving victim again?

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa baso. Napunta ang tingin niya sa mga garapong naglilinyahan sa harapan niya. Naka-organize ang mga condiments para hindi siya malito kapag nagluluto. Her eyes particularly settled on the jar of salt.

She felt something uncanny within her. Parang may bumubulong sa kaniya ngunit hindi niya 'yon mabalewala. She was either too caught up with her emotions or she miraculously regained some inner strength.