Chapter Five
"Where have you been all night Kist?" Dad asked. Oh my, I believed that he's been waiting all night.
"Dad, alam mo na siguro yun diba? Oh gusto mo pang irecap ang lahat ng sinabi ko kagabi," I said and was about to enter my room but Dad stopped me.
"Stop this already kung ayaw mong ibigay kita sa Mom mo," he said.
"Stop what Dad?" I asked. "Daddy, I can't remember myself having a Mom," I followed.
"You, being rebellious young lady. And I don't remember raising you like that," he said.
"Really? Who raised me then? Oh, I think I know. Our dark past raised me."
"Kist, you don't have any idea how hard being a single Dad. Don't blame me for all of this," he said.
"Dad, I am not only blaming you. I'm blaming you and your ex-wife for giving me life, oh let me rephrase that, giving me life with no love," I was about to turn my back but then, he stopped me once more.
"Follow me at my office, and please Kist, cut this topic off. I don't want to argue with you inside my office," he ordered.
"Then don't provoke me to, Dad."
***
"Next week will be your graduation, right?" he checked.
"Right and you'll be out of town for some reasons, right? Then can I go out now?" I said. I'm trying so hard for me not to cry in front of my father. I can't afford attending this graduation without my Dad.
"You're right with that matter. And I'm thinking that you're Mom cou—"
"Dad, stop provoking me with that stupid brat. Pwede ba? Stop understanding her, kahit kailan ba naalala ka niya? I don't think so. Hindi ka ba talaga nasasaktan sa mga pinaggagawa niya? Dahil ako, hindi ko kayang tingnan siyang nakangiti at masaya, ang sarap niyang sabunutan. Pero sino ba ako? Anak lang naman akong iniwan niya. And as far as I know, you were the one who swore to her na hinding hindi na niya ako pwede haplosin lang pero ngayon? Pinagtutulakan mo na ako sa kanya? Dad naman, get over that bitch now. At kung iniisip mong pupunta ako sa graduation na yan, no thanks, ipapakuha ko nalang yung diploma ko kay Manang. And right Dad, don't forget to remind your ex-wife na unfortunately nanay ko, na hindi ako sisipot sa graduation baka kasi mapahiya lang siya do--"right, he stopped me with his slap.
"I think I did satisfy you with that slap Dad. See you around. You're such a great Dad for giving me such a gift, buti pa yung hindi nakakilala sa akin nagkaoras pang batiin ako, eh ikaw? Busy. Kailan bang schedule ko jan sa mga meeting mo? Fourteen years. Fourteen years na akong pending dito eh."
As soon as I walked out that office, my tears were racing down. I tried to control my sobs until I reach my room.
***
I clean myself up and blow dry my hair. Please Kist, just enjoy your day. Forget about your Dad and Mom, please. Biglang tumunog yung phone ko so I picked it up. A text from Lee.
From Lee
Happy Birthday! Please smile for the day, I mean for YOUR day. <3: D
To Lee
Thanks. I'll try. See you.
I pack my things and went outside.
"Kist, kumain ka muna ng agahan," Manang leads me to the dining and thankfully, my Dad's gone.
Napansin ni Manang yung buntong hininga ko at umupo na siya. "Umalis na yung Daddy mo," I sat beside her. Her presence makes me feel warm and comfortable. She's been with me for 5 years and I treat her as my true mother more than Dad's ex-wife. Manang is better off than her though.
"Thankfully," I said. Manang scooped me some rice and put some egg and bacon. I started eating as Manang talked.
"Kist, hindi kaya sobra naman yung sinabi mo sa Daddy mo kagabi at kanina? Alam ko at alam mo rin na nasasaktan siya sa mga sa sinasabi mo pero hindi niya yun pinapakita dahil ayaw niyang maging mahina sa harapan mo. Kist please, don't let your Dad lose you. He made everything just for you," she said.
"I know, Manang. But that everything he gave me just ruin our father-daughter relationship. Alam ko ring nasasaktan siya sa lahat ng sinasabi ko but those words are nothing compared to my experiences being lonely my life so far," I said. I never stopped eating, hindi pa talaga ako nabubusog.
"Kist, alam mo rin bang umiyak ang Daddy mo kagabi nung umalis ka?" she confessed. Those words stop me for a seconds. I don't know how to react. We stayed silent there. I'm still eating and Manang sitting beside me.
"Kist,"she called.
"Yes Manang?"
"Parang pang-apat na tao na yata yung nakain mo ha?"
End of Chapter Five
BINABASA MO ANG
Marry Me If You Can
RomanceA story of a young woman. She’s a rebel, just in front of her dad. She’s deeply hurt because of her loneliness. And she’s hurt because of her past--- wait, past? Ha-ha, it’s not love I am talking about. Find out more as we join her journey.
