Forever Agape [FS#1]

TAKING ADVANTAGE

C h a p t e r  5

We didn't wait for the rain to stop because if we did, we might come home late. When we arrived home, Hell went straight to the bathroom while I stayed in the living room.

Mahina na ang ulan, sinadya kong lakasan ang volume ng TV para hindi na marinig ang kahit na mumunting patak nito. Di kalaunan, sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakita ko si Hell. Basa pa rin ang buhok nito at lumakad papunta sa kusina.

My mood changed like a thunderbolt, I stood up as I turned off the TV. Lumakad ako pataas habang dala ang aking bag, I just don't like to be around him. I am consistent with what I've told him earlier this morning, I want us to distance ourselves from each other.

As I went inside the room, my phone rang. Kinuha ko iyon sa loob ng bag at tinignan kung sino ang caller, it was Mommy. Huminga ako nang malalim, it's been weeks sincr the last time I saw them. They are always busy and their schedules are full, I don't like to call first either.

"Mommy, Good Day..." Bati ko. The Philippines is one hour ahead of Vietnam, Mom and Dad stayed there for almost two weeks now to handle our airline. The one we have here in the Philippines is fine, nagkaroon yata ng ilang problema roon so they have to visit.

[Good day, Ija! How are you? You haven't called since we landed here, how's life there?] Huminga ako nang malalim at naupo sa dulo ng kama, bakit parang ang mahal ng boses ni Mommy?

"I'm fine, Mom. You? How's Daddy?"

[He's in his office, I'm preparing for a dinner later. Kakausapin namin ang mamamahala ng renovation ng lobby sa isang branch ng hotel...]

I slapped my forehead.

"Akala ko ba ay nandyan kayo dahil nagkaroon ng aberya sa aiport?" I'm sure she can sense disappointment in my tone of voicr right now. Minasahe ko ang ulo at tumingin sa kawalan.

[Alam mo na... Double work.] Napairap ako dahil doon. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na hindi lang doble trabaho ang ginagawa nila, it's too much! They are fully loaded!

"Alright, I'm going to hung up now, Mom. I love you..." Gusto ko na lang putulin ang tawag, ayaw ko nang isa isahin niya sa akin ang kanyang schedule.

[Hmm, be good there. Regards to Hell too!

I let her hung up the call, inihagis ko ang cellphone sa kama kaya naman narinig ko pa ang pagtama nito sa headboard. I don't mind, kaya ko namang bumili ng isa pa.

The De Vera built an empire in the field of business for a couple of decades now. Airlines, restaurants, and hotels are the apple of their eyes. Their presence means so much for the people, the power they have made the people hail them. It's not only my Mom and Dad, it's the whole family. Legacy runs in the blood, from the first roots until now. Firm and resilient, never will be taken down. Irreplaceable is the bloodline of the De Vera.

Kung ako lang ang tatanungin, ang yaman na mayroon ang pamilya ay kayang buhayin ang mga susunod na henerasyon nito. Hindi na kailangang ubusin ang sarili para sa pera, stable na ang buhay. Hindi ko lang maisip kung bakit pa kailangang lunurin ang sarili sa mga bagay na iyon.

I took a bath after the exhausting thoughts, nang matapos ay tumuloy ako sa music room. I just want to calm myself with the soothing sound of the piano, I know how to play but I am not that professional.

Binuksan ko ang ilaw at tuluyang pumasok, It's been a long time since I played a piano. The last time was when I was still in our home, ngayon na lang mauulit.

Nang tipain ko ang unang key ay tila kusang gumalaw ang mga daliri ko, nakapa yata nito ang pamilyar na notang lagi kong tinutugtog. It was Eraserhead's Ang Huling El Bimbo, it's still soothing for me and nostalgic.