CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 33

Naunahan ko yung alarm. Ganun ata talaga kapag kulang ka sa tulog, napapaaga ka ng gising. Pero kapag sumobra, dinadaanan ka ng antok.

I immediately went to the dining room to have my breakfast. Naabutan ko sina Mama at Papa na nagkakape.

"Morning," inaantok paring bati ko.

"Morning, Princess," si Papa.

"Di na uso ang magsuklay ngayon, anak?" si Mama.

I ignored them both. Pinagpatuloy naman nila ang mag-usap.

I ate quickly and silently walked out of the dining. Pero bago ko malagpasan ang doorway, may naalala ako.

"Pa, pasabay ah?"

"Ah, about that, I hired a new driver exclusively for you. I'll introduce him to you before you go to school."

"What?" I went back to my seat. "Bakit di niyo nalang ako turuang magdrive? At marami namang tricycle jan, Pa." Kinaya ko namamg mabuhay na sumasakay sa tricy at nagpapasundo at hatid lang pag may susundo at hahatid sa akin.

"Don't you want it?" he asked, confused.

"I-no-I mean yes. But isn't that too much?"

"It's for your safety. Besides, you're my daughter. There's no too much when it's for you."

I was touched. Iba rin si Papa eh.

"Baka ayaw mo kasi may naghahatid na sayo?" sabat ni Mama.

"Ma!"

"Why, anak, is it not true?" tanong niya na may halong pagkapilya.

My father seemed confused. "Sinong naghahatid sa kanya?"

My mom looked at me, weirdly. I signalled her to shut it. She gave me a I'm-not-doing-anything look.

"Hey, ladies, I can't understand your language."

"Tot-tot," si Mama. Gah, she's naughty.

"Arissa Vintorez?" si Papa.

"Nothing, Pa. It's Corbyn. He's just being a good Samaritan."

He seemed confused at first but understanding crept on his face. "That's good. But don't take too much of his time. He has work, you know."

"Yes, Pa. I know that."

"That kid, he's been facing a lot lately."

"What do you mean?" Curiosity ate me.

He blinked a couple of times. "You don't know? Anything?"

"What don't I know?" I asked forcefully. My heartbeat accelerated. When will I be kept in the dark?

"Oh man, he really hadn't told her anything," I  heard him muttering to himself.

"Pa! What is it?" pilit ko. I'm getting really frustrated.

He was asking mom for help. What is this? Even my mother knows?

"Ma? You also know something?" I asked. It's not really a question. It's very clear that she knows something.

My mother gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, anak. I think it'd be best if you heard it from him."

"But he won't tell me anything! It's like he build a wall between us when I tried to enter his world!" I was too angry to even shed a tear.

"We're sorry, princess."

I let out a fake laugh. "You really won't tell me anything, huh?" I tried with all my might to keep my tears from falling. Gah, this is crazy. "Fine don't tell me anything. I'm perfectly okay with that," I said with as much sarcasm as I could muster.