Wicked Games (An Epistolary Novel)

074

Dahan-dahan at tahimik akong pumasok sa bahay. I just got home from work and I knew my parents were already home kasi nakaparada na sa garage ang mga sasakyan nila. Plus, I could hear their loud bickering and laughter in the kitchen from here.

"I'm home," I announced, and that got them silent.

I smiled cheerily at my parents, not minding Mika's warning earlier about Daddy's wrath.

"How's work, Ate? Sumasakit ba ang ulo mo?" Mommy asked, walking towards me while Daddy remained rooted in his spot. I pouted.

Daddy's the strict one and Mommy's literally the chillest person I know. We don't see it as her, tolerating us, even though to some, kinukunsinti raw kami—I've long decided not to listen to people who don't know us on a personal level. After all, dogs bark to people they don't know.

Our parents instilled discipline in us at such a young age. They educated us about being accountable in the consequences of our every action. They made our home a safe space for us kaya hindi kami natatakot mag-open up sa kanila. But that doesn't mean hindi kami natatakot at kinakabahan kapag nagagalit na sila. Like now.

There was a visible frown on Daddy's forehead. Tahimik siyang tumalikod para ilagay sa lababo ang pinag-inumang mug.

"I bought you your favorite donuts."

Kinuha iyon ni Mommy sa kamay ko at inilagay sa lamesa. "Hindi pa luto ang hapunan."

I nodded. "Thanks for setting my alarm, 'my." I mumbled.

"Were you late for work?" It was Daddy.

"HE-HE-HE. Hindi po, 'dy. Buzzer beater."

"You were fucking wasted last night. Buhat ka ni Adriel paakyat ng k'warto mo kasi hindi ka na makalakad nang matino."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

What?!

Sure ako na medyo matino pa ako kagabi! I could still make out what's happening around me kahit na parang umiikot ang mundo ko.

Napailing si Mommy. "Sabi ni Adie mag-isa ka lang sa labas nang sinundo ka niya. We trust you Ate pero madalas, hindi safe ang paligid."

"Matino pa po ako, promise!" I raised my right hand. "And I'm safe." Almost, I wanted to add, but decided against it. What happened last night at the bar was not an isolated case. It has happened before and ayoko nang sabihin iyon sa kanila kasi ayoko na mag-alala pa sila. I'm safe, that's what's important.

"Uh-huh." Daddy looked disbelieving with his arms crossed in his chest while leaning at the counter.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at kumapit sa braso niya. I leaned on his shoulders. "Sorry na, 'dy. Alam niyo namang grabe yung stress ko sa work! Deserve ko naman 'yon!" ungot ko, nagpapaawa.

"I didn't say you don't deserve that night out. But at least be responsible. Hindi naman namin kayo pinagbabawalan pero sana 'wag kang uuwi nang hindi na makalakad sa kalasingan. Kulang na lang i-wheelchair ka." I fought the urge to laugh because a memory came to mind. It did happen to me many years back.

Mommy caressed Daddy's arms on his other side. "Sinabi naman ni Adie na naka-share location kayo sa isa't isa at alam naman nilang magpapasundo ka. Next time, Ate, don't drink too much kapag wala kang kasama o kapag 'di mo na kaya."

I nodded, hugging them both. "Yes, 'my. 'Di na ulit ako uuwi nang gan'on." I chuckled. "Love you. Udabest parents!"

We had a very happy and chaotic dinner when my siblings arrived. Gosh, I so love my family.

***

"Sa'n ka?" I messaged Enzo.

His reply came in quick. "Work."

Oh.

Right.

He's working on something nga pala. He mentioned last time that he and Tita Oli are working on an exhibit with a new fashion designer. Maybe I'll visit them one day.

I sighed.

I wanted to get a new ear peircing. I usually get one whenever there's a new achievement I've unlocked or if there's a milestone in my life, but Project Maroon's expected to run until the next few months. Matagal pa iyon and I'm bored now.

Since it's a weekend—a surprising occurence that I'm not working overtime—I dressed up casually. I wore a white sando crop top that exposed my pierced belly button. I paired it with a brown cargo pants and my favorite Nike Travis Scott sneakers. I kept my hair undone and just wore a black cap and my graded glasses para fashion pa rin kahit malabo ang mata.

I drove alone to our go-to ear piercer. I told Ria that I'd be getting one in my conch because I've been wanting to get one on that for the longest time. That will be my 5th piercing for my right ear.

I joked Daddy that I wanted a lip piercing because he has it and it looks hot AF and badass, but he just gave me a dangerous look. Of course, 'di ko naman gagaw'in yun, noh! Ayaw ko pa mawalan ng trabaho!

It was a weekend well-spent and I'm ready to face a new week ahead.