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Nasa hapag-kainan na kami at pinilit ko talaga ang sarili ko na kumain kahit wala akong gana. I'm still thinking of what Perry said He also told me that his condition is not a joke.
Does he need a prescription from an eye specialist? Does he have money to check up? I think I could help him instead of buying a new one but if he wants me to negotiate and might consider this as my peace offering, then why not?
“I heard what happened earlier in your school, Clover,” si mom.
Shit. I knew it. I know, ma'am, Burat will report this. My mom and she have contact with each other just in case something happens, at ito na nga ‘yun. I already expected this.
I bowed my head and even if I couldn't look at her, I could still feel her sharp stare on me, “Yes Mom and I tried to make it up with him but he's rude though,”
Tumikhim si dad na siyang ikinatakot ko at nagsalita, “Clover, rude is not the right term for you to call him that. Did you think that what you're doing is bullying? I heard he's a person with disabilities. In the first place, ikaw ang may kasalanan kung bakit nangyari ‘yon. Now, all you have to do is go to that person and apologize again,”
Nakakatakot talaga si Dad magalit, dinadala ang trabaho niya rito sa bahay.
I kept my eyes on my plate, avoiding their sharp gazes, but my eyes slightly widened when I heard that he was a PWD. I pressed my lips together in embarrassment. I guess I've gone too far this time. I didn't know his condition classified him as a PWD.
The silence felt deafening. I could sense the heaviness in the air, and I no longer had the energy to continue eating. Para akong naging lantang gulay lang na nakaupo.
“Naiintindihan mo, Clover?” Galit na tanong ni mama sa ‘kin.
Geez, totoong pangalan ko na talaga ang nabanggit niya. Galit nga talaga sila. I nodded as I accepted their words yet I saw through my peripheral vision that Elai was gesturing her index finger at me as if it was my fault.
Ah ganon. Kaya ang ginawa ko ay palihim kong nilapit ang kamay ko na nasa ilalim ng lamesa para hindi makita at kinurot siya sa tagiliran.
She bawled, “Ouch! Mom! Si kuya po, he pinched me here!” tapos tinuro niya kung saan ko siya kinurot.
Nagmaang-maangan ako, “h-huh? Baka langgam lang ‘yan. Ayan oh! Meron nga!” turo ko sa damit niya kahit wala naman.
“Tumigil kayo at baka ‘di ako makapagtimpi, makakatikim kayo ng sinturon!” Sita ni mama sa ‘min.
“Stop you two, ‘wag niyo na galitin pa ang mama niyo dahil ayokong nagiging—” napatigil si dad nang makita niyang mariing nakatitig si mom sa kanya.
“Nagiging ano?! Ha! Rommel?! Kaya gan'yan ang anak mo e dahil sa'yo,” Bulyaw niya kasabay ng pag-iling.
Dahil do'n naging malamya kaagad ang mata ni dad na tumingin sa kaniya, “Sorry na lab, ‘wag ka na magalit,”
Inirapan na lang siya ni mama. Sus, panigurado mamaya bardagulan na kayo niyan sa kwarto.
‘Di na kami mabibigla kung bukas ay may madagdagan na sa ‘min.
I side-eyed Elai, and she was still glaring at me. I smirked. Ha, buti nga sa ‘yo. Epal ka kasi.
“Nga pala sa sabado, nagtext si Sister Nelly sa ‘kin at inimbitahan tayo dahil may magaganap na charity event.”
Napalingon ako agad kay dad at nanlaki ang aking mata sa gulat. What?! We're going to that place again?! Akala ko ‘di na kami makakapunta ro'n dahil medyo malayo na sa lugar namin ngayon.
