Resisting Ezekiel

XLVII - Arrangements

I decided to meet Bethany's mom sa opisina ko. Binigay ko yung location sakanya and now, she is sitting in front of me. Nakita ko na ang mama ni Bethany kaya hindi naging mahirap ang pagkikita namin.

I feel so awkward around her dahil siguro sa mga nangyari. I just want this to be over dahil ayaw ko na magkaroon ng kahit na anong koneksyon sa dalawa. Whatever na nagtitie saming dalawa ni Bethany, gusto ko na putulin ng tuluyan iyon. Not even the lady in front of me can change my mind.

"Bethany is not in good shape as I can see." Paguumpisa ng babae. She looks calm and professional. Mukhang tahimik ang babae at hindi siya yung tipong nageeskandalo. Kalmado man, hindi ko maiwasang mafeel intimidate sa awra niya. Scary in short.

"I know. I'm sorry that it ended this way. I hope I made it clear to you that I can't deal with her anymore." Sagot ko sakanya. Alam kong may kasalanan din ako. Nasaktan ko ang anak niya. If I made it clearer sa intensyon ko, hindi sana mahuhulog ng tuluyan si Bethany sakin. So siguro dapat lang na magsorry ako.

"Bethany is my only daughter. It hurts to see her like this. Alam kong sinabi mo sakin lahat ng nangyari sainyo. I'm mad but it's not the right time to discuss my anger." Seryosong sabi niya sakin. I knew it. This lady is dangerous. Tahimik lang at kalmado. Di mo aakalaing may tinatago na pala siyang galit.

Hindi ko naman siya masisisi. Anak niya iyon. Ginawa kong parausan. Ni hindi ko sineryoso. Kaya siguro nasiraan nanaman ng utak dahil sa ginawa ko. I am the one to blame kaya nauunawaan ko nararamdaman niya. I'm just happy that she's not like any other moms na magaalburoto sa galit.

"It's not really advisable to ask you na balikan si Bethany kasi alam ko na you don't like my daughter. You made it clear and kung ipipilit pa kita sa anak ko, this will happen again." Dagdag pa niya. Nakakatuwa na naiisip ng babae iyon. Kung tutuusin, may mga ina na makikiusap sila na balikan ang anak nila pero iba ang isang to. Masyadong open-minded. Nakakamangha.

"Even if you ask me, I won't do it. I know she's your only daughter but it's not right to force and give everything to her. She will grow as a spoiled brat. I mean, she is already but I know, you can still discipline her." Mahabang paliwanag ko sakanya. Alam ko na malawak ang kaniyang pang-unawa kaya mauunawaan niya ang ibig kong sabihin. Gaya ng sabi ko, kahit makiusap siya sakin, hinding hindi ko na babalikan si Bethany.

"Our flight is supposed to be tomorrow. I already found a psychiatrist in US. No matter what I tell her, she is not listening to me. She is getting worse and worse." Pageexplain niya sa kalagayan ni Bethany. Di ko maiwasang makaramdam ng hiya at awa. Am I really the one who turn Bethany like that? Hindi ko akalaing babalik yung sakit niya. Kung alam ko lang na magiging ganito, hindi ko na siya ginawang fuck buddy.

"I can't be her doctor anymore. I'm not going back to US. If you're gonna ask me, this will happen again. As you can see, she loves me and I cannot reciprocate that feelings." Diretsang sagot ko sa babae. Alam kong masasaktan siya para sa anak niya pero mas magandang sabihin ko sakanya yung totoo na hinding hindi ko mamahalin si Bethany.

"I know. That is why I am here to talk to you. I have one last favor." Sabi niya sakin. Bigla ako nakaramdam ng matinding kaba sa favor na sasabihin niya. Unang pumasok sa isip ko si Sandra. It's another favor and it means, involve ulit si Bethany. If this lady ask me to stay away from her daughter, I will do it. She doesn't have to ask, but if it's a different favor, I don't know what to answer anymore.

"I already told you. I don't want to have connection with Bethany anymore." Pangunguna ko sa sasabihin niya. Nagsisimula na ako makaramdam ng inis sa babae. Alam kong maunawain siya at madaling kausap pero masyado na akong impatient. Nakatatak na kasi sa utak ko mga plano ko kay Sandra and parang mamemess up nanaman.