Before He Cheats

Chapter 7: Home

It is still the place where I can really call home. It is so nice to be home. Seeing things like it's been a quite sometimes. The auras and the memories planted here. I don't know why but I just missed this place. Hindi naman ganoon katagal simula noong huling dalaw ko rito. 

Or maybe .. because sa bahay namin ni Miguel, hindi ko natawag na bahay iyon. Para sa akin para yung isang lugar para lang matulog at magluto, magsilbi at umiyak. Kahit kailan hindi iyon naging importanteng bahay sa akin, hindi tulad noong sa isang bahay na nirentahan namin noon na tinuring ko na ring pangalawang bahay ko na rin. 

"Oh Gev, here you are!" My dad exclaimed when he saw me outside near gate with Miguel. Dumiretso itong tumungo sa akin at niyakap ako. 

Miguel kissed his hand for respect. My dad is his dad too. I saw how he pretended to be okay with me lalong-lalo na nasa harap namin si Papa. He held  my waist and then grabbed my hand as we walked heading inside. 

"You've been so busy Iho, at pinamiss mo talaga ang anak ko sa akin." Dad said to him. 

Ngumiti siya ng konti pero kita lahat ang ngipin. "Yeah, I had been. Sorry po Papa nabusy lang po talaga." he answered.  "But I am so happy that Geneva understands me in all times." 

I gazed at his place at sinita ang kanyang mga mata. He's lying. Ang sakit palang marinig ang mga kasinungalingan na nanggagaling sa kanya lalong-lalo na kung ang taong sinasabihan niya nito ay ang iyong ama. 

"Well so glad to know too that you're both good in everything .. I am so happy for your married life." Dad told us. "And I am so happy that you are here, you permitted Geneva to visit me." 

He smiled on me and Dad. "We also missed you Papa." 

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"Miguel, Dad wants to see me these week." I told him as we were eating dinner around 9 at house. 

Mabuti nga at maaga siya ngayon umuwi akala ko pa naman na hindi na naman siya kakain rito sa bahay at umaga na naman umuwi kaya halos di maipinta ang aking mukha nang marinig kong bumukas ang gate. Di rin nasayang ang mga niluto ko. Nakakalungkot pa naman kumain mag-isa. 

Tumingin siya sa akin na poker ang mukha. "Can't. Busy" just two words from him. 

"Can I just go alone instead?" I asked around. 

He gazed at my place and then nagsimula na itong tumaas ang tono ng boses. Alam kong nagagalit na naman ito. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit hindi niya ako pinapayagan na bumisita sa papa. Whenever I asked him to, he'll always have his reasons na, malayo, ayokong mag-isa kang pumunta doon or if i insist to borrow his car, ayaw naman niya dahil delikado. 

I knew I found it like he just cares but just too much that seeing my father is a big deal for him.

"No." he answered and sighed. He seemed like he didnt want to talk bout this thing.  "You have to travel 6 hours from here to your Dad. I don't like you being stress." 

I didn't answer anymore. 

He noticed that I was drawing a blank thinking of something. I didn't even move to eat my food. He coughed and then stood up.

"Fine, this Tuesday. 2 days visit." he paused and looked at me. "Finish your food." 

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We grabbed our dinner at home. At first gusto ni papa na kumain sa labas but then Miguel insisted na sa bahay na lang kasi daw may meeting siya and then it is convenient for him to talk in the house instead kasi may internet connection. So we all decided to eat at home. 

I just missed home foods and all. Nakakamiss rin talaga ang lutong bahay nina Manang. I demanded bicol express and ginataang alimango which are also Dad's favorite. Dad and I are fond of seafoods. Miguel likes salad and veggies so a simple caesar salad and lasagna were good for his appetite. 

"Oh Miguel, Stephanie is getting married. Have you heard?" Dad asked us in the air. 

"Seriously?" I reacted. 

"Stephanie?" he asked. 

I was aware of him not recognizing Stephanie. Kilala nito ang babae which was I thought na nililigawan niya noon. He treated Stephanie like his girl bestfriend. Simula nang makasal kami nito ay wala na rin kaming narinig sa babae. The last time I've heard about her was, she decided to g back again to Paris para mag-aral ng fashion. 

"Stephanie Miguel, you forgot her." I asked to his puzzled face. "Yung kasama natin sa kasal who was one of the honors." 

He smiled in a moment. "Oh yeah, I remember. Wow naman at magandang balita para sa atin yan." and then he held my hand and pressed it."Sounds to good to know na may susunod na rin sa yapak natin." 

I smiled at him too. "Yeah." and then I looked at Dad." How'd you know that Pa?" 

"Ahh, just I've heard from Zach, tsaka balita ko hindi na kayo halos nagkikita ng bestfriend mo Geneva ah?" I heard him ask. 

Kapwa kami nagtitinginan ni Miguel nang sabay. Alam ko ang iniisip nito at alam kong nababahala rin ito ngayon dahil parang nahohotseat siya sa oras na ito. 

"Yeah, I've been .. "

"Yeah, We've been so busy rin po kasi Papa tapos I don't like Geneva travelling alone. Malayo rin kasi papunta rito." he cut me and then made his reasons.  "But we'll make it up to her." 

I smiled on him for no reason.