Reality Over Checklist

Chapter 2: Spring

April

Charlie’s POV

I was strolling at the park in a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Wala lang, gusto ko lang libangin sarili ko and find my inner peace. Gumaganda na ang panahon dahil tagsibol na. My favorite season ever.

Swoosh.

The breeze made me put my hands in my in my pockets. I was fishing for a warm spot at may nakapa ako. A picture.

***

“Mom, I’m home!”

“Charlie, darling. I’m in my office, come over.”

My mom is an interior designer. Kaya well-decorated tong bahay namin and my biological dad is an architect. Perfect match huh? But they got divorced. My mom told me that at first, opposite do attract pero nung nagtagal, nagiging flaws na. She also told me that it’s never too late to find true love. Kaya she remarried a guy. My step father is a very genuine person, mention he’s  a surgeon. We’re one big household, though my two older sisters have their own family, they still decided to live with us. Masyado kasing malaki yung bahay para samin nila mommy.

“Charlie gusto mo tapusin studies mo sa Philippines?”

I was stunned for a moment. Napailing na lang ako. Then she continued talking.

“I was thinking kasi, maybe you want to pay a visit. Kahit one year lang. Or experience going to a college na puro Filipino ang kasama.”

“Am I going alone?”

“Of course not! Cassie’s going with you. Pero babalik din sila dito in December. You know your ate, she loves winter season. And we’ll all come to visit you when you graduate.”

“I’ll stay there for good?”

“No. Babalik ka din dito. I just want you to experience life there in Philippines. Plus, embrace your independence. You’re 19 na, soon you’ll get married.”

“Well, getting married is not in my plans right now, mom.”

“Oh. Anyway, everything is set. You and Cassie are leaving on the end of the month.”

 ***

Though my parents are separated, my real dad and I are still in good terms. We still keep in touch. I’m still his little princess after all.

I’m off to my dad’s penthouse. Sana wala dun yung ka-live in nya. I don’t hate her and I don’t like her either. Ewan ko ba, ang awkward lang whenever she’s around.

Good thing my parents are still friends after the divorce. Honestly, I want them back together. Kasi, why’d they got married in the first place if maghihiwalay din sila, di ba? I find their reasons invalid. Pag ako siguro nagkaasawa, ayoko ng ganon. My definition of marriage kasi it’s the seal of long lasting relationship eh, commitment. When it seems temporary, don’t get married at all.

Sigh.

I took a cab instead mag-drive pa ko. Medyo nagpakalayo din si daddy eh, as I see it, he’s the one who has the deeper wound in the process. Kaya siguro close pa rin kami hanggang ngayon.

As I walked along the sideway, I saw Abby. Sinubukan ko pang magtago pero nakita na nya ata ako.

“Charlie!”

Yeah, nakita nya ‘ko.

“It is you, going to visit you dad?”

“Uhh, yeah. Is he home?”

“Yes. I’m about to go up. Perhaps, join us for lunch?”

“Sure.”

He’s with my dad for a year now, at months palang silang nagsasama sa bahay. Half English, half American si Abby at preschool teacher.

“How’s school?” tinanong nya.

“Good.”

“It’s your last two years, right?”

“Yeah.”

Wag ka ng magtanong please. Ako na-a-awkward sayo eh.

Finally! We reached the penthouse. And there he is, doing his work.

Tinakpan ko yung mga mata nya. “Guess who?”

“Big foot?”

I forgot to mention, medyo joker din sya. Not.

“Ha ha. Very funny dad.”

“Don’t worry, ikaw naman second guess ko.”

Dad talaga.

First time kong makasabay sa lunch na sila lang ang kasama. Lagi akong iniimbita ni Abby pero lagi rin akong nag-iisip ng alibi. Ewan ko talaga, like right now, ang awkward.

“We’re getting married.”

Nabilaukan ako sa sinabi ni dad.

“Are you okay?”

Napalagok ako ng tubig. Trying to compose myself. I’ll try my best not sounding shocked.

“I… I’m fine.”

“Akala ko kung ano ng nangyari sayo.”

Yeah, I heard it right. Napangiti nalang ako and congratulate them. Since he stilled his beans, ako naman.

“I’m going back to the Philippines.”

 Nabilaukan si dad.

Hindi maipinta yung mukha ni dad, but he’s definitely not happy about it. Akala nya ako nagdesisyon na umuwi, he was shocked even more nung sinabi kong si mommy nag-decide. He was puzzled and trying to compose himself. After the silence, mukhang nag-sink in na sa kanya na babalik na ko ng Pinas.

 “Well, have a safe trip then.”