Dealing With The Elite Four

XXXVIII

MATT

After I and Peter talked, I walked him on his way out.

Apparently, I have missed a lot and I need to attend my classes tomorrow.

Hindi ko na nga alam kung hanggang saan ang scope ng mga subjects ko ang kailangan kong habulin.

"Nak, umalis na ba yung bisita mo?" Tanong sa akin ni Tay nang makabalik na ako.

Tumango naman ako sa kanya, "opo, Tay. Nakiramay lang po tyaka sinabi niya sa akin lahat ng mga na-missed ko sa school." Sabi ko sa kanya.

Naglakad si Tatay at sumunod ako sa kanya, "ganun ba? Pumasok ka na nyan bukas, ha?" Sabi niya sa akin bago siya nagsalin ng tubig sa baso.

Tumango naman ako, "siya nga pala, bakit wala yata si pogi? Hindi ba't nandito lang siya kaninang umaga?" Tanong niya sa akin.

Si Liam.

"Oo nga po, no? Wala po siya." Sagot ko sa kanya.

Nasaan ba yun? Kaya pala may parang kulang. Si Liam pala pero nasaan siya?

"Baka po umuwi na, Tay." Sabi ko naman, tumango na lamang si Tay at ininom ang tubig na isinalin niya.

"Tay, akyat lang po ako." Paalam ko sa kanya at nagtungo sa kwarto ko nang tumango siya.

Bakit kaya kaagad siyang umalis?

LIAM

"OH, SO SURPRISING TO SEE YOU HERE MY SON!" Bungad sa akin ng mama ko nang makapasok ako sa bahay.

"Don't start pissing me, mom." Sabi kp sa kanya bago ko siya nilagpasan.

I'm irritated right now and seeing her on those fancy dress and accessories makes me more irritated.

"Liam, don't you think that's rude?" Tanong niya sa akin, "bakit ba ganyan kang sumagot sa akin? I didn't raise you to become like that!" Himutok niya sa akin.

"Really? You're saying all those right now?" Nang-uuyam na tanong ko sa kanya, "let me remind you, for the record, that you didn't raise me." Sabi ko sa kanya.

Natigilan naman siya, "you've been busy with your business and whatever you have that you didn't have even a bit of your time for me so don't go telling me those, MOM." Dagdag ko bago ko siya iwang mag-isa.

This house is just a house. I can't even call it a home.

Bullshit!

...

MORNING came and I was about to get out of the house when my mother called me.

"Liam..." She said that's why I faced her even though I didn't want to.

"What is it?" I asked.

"What time will you be home?" She asked me again.

"Why do you ask?" I asked her.

"W-Well, I just think t-that maybe we can eat t-together?" She said.

I shook my head, "are you feeling guilty now?" I asked while smirking, "because if you do, don't bother yourself. I'll be home late so you eat by yourself or with whoever you want." I added.

I saw hurt and disappointment in her eyes but I didn't take back what I said. "Thanks for the offer though." I said before I walked out and went outside the house.