Chronicles of the Step Daughter

Prologue

I dialled his phone number again. Naiinis na ako. Kanina pa ako naghihintay dito. Hindi dapat ako ang naghihintay. He should never let me wait this long. I've been standing here for almost 30 minutes and hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. What if may mangidnap saakin? Kahit naman nasa loob ako ng Ministop hindi mo parin alam ang mangyayari.

"Goddamn it!" I hissed. Hindi niya sinasagot ang phone niya. Grabe ha. Nakakaurat na. Gustong-gusto ko nang mag-mura.

I dialled mom's phone. Buti nalang in three rings sinagot na niya ang tawag.

"Mom!" I said when I heard her say hello.

"Oh bakit anak?"

"Bakit ang tagal ni Lucas?!"

"Anak naman. Alam mo naman galing pang barrio ang Tito Lucas mo. Hintayin mo siya. Malapit na yun."

"I don't care!" I told her, irritated. "I know kung gaano katagal ang byahe niya from the barrio papunta dito sa Metro. It will only take him 30 minutes. Mom, I am waiting for almost 1 hour na! 30 minutes nako dito sa Ministop since sinabi mo saakin kanina na pumunta nalang ako dito para makita niya ako agad! I am standing here for 30 minutes since walang upuan!"

"Clarisse naman. Baka na-traffic lang ang tito mo."

"Mom paano siya mata-traffic? He's driving a single motorbike for whoever's sake! I'm tired of standing here mom!"

"Hay! Oh sige na! Tatawagan ko na po seniorita!"

She hangs up the phone. And surprisingly after I crossed my arms, I saw a red Honda single motorcycle stopped infront of me. He turned off the engine and removed his helmet. After a million decade! Finally!

"Anak! Sorry na-late ako! Nagpa-gas pa kasi ako kanina tapos......"

Blah blah blah blah blah. I don't care. I just wanna go home. I cut him as he is saying the reasons why he is late.

"Nasaan po ung helmet ko?" I asked him while looking down. I cannot look at him straight in the eyes.

"Ah oo, oo." He grabbed something from the handle of the motorcycle and gave it to me. It was a white helmet.

I put on my helmet and gave him the paper bags I am holding. There are five of them. I went shopping kasi sa Metro Mall kanina.

I ride on the motorcycle without saying anything.

"Okay kana?" he asked.

"Hmm." I said, giving him the idea that I am ready to go.

He started the engine of the motorcycle and we went home.

------

After 15 minutes, nakarating kami sa bahay. I went straight inside the house and removed my helmet. I placed it on our center table. On cue, I saw my mom walking down the stairs. I bet galing siya sa kwarto niya.

"Anak! How's shopping?" My mom asked when she saw me.

"It was good." I answered her. I took off my Nike shoes and placed it beside the couch. We have a very traditional family. Hindi ako pwedeng maglakad-lakad dito sa loob ng bahay wearing my shoes or slippers. I only wear my room slippers inside my room.

"Ay anak ung mga paper bags mo oh." He said as he went inside the living room.

I squinted my eyes when I saw something, my brows furrowed. Nainis ako ng sobra sa nakita ko.

"Could you please take off your shoes? Mahihirapan maglinis si Manang Josie". I asked him, showing that I am very irritated.

"Ay. Oo oo sige. Sandali lang." he then placed my paperbags on the floor and I heard a thud. Pucha! Hindi niya iningatan! May Ariana Grande perfume ako dun!

"Oh my gosh my perfume!" I squealed and immediately went for my paper bags. I quickly check my perfume and thank God it was not broken!

"Ay anak sorry! Hindi ko alam na may babasagin pala diyan!" he said apologetically.

I didn't say anything. I still have the irritated face and I looked at him. I quickly went upstairs and head to my room. I locked the door as soon as I entered my room.

Gosh! He is so irritating! I shook my head to forget that he almost broke my Ariana Grande perfume. Huwag niyo akong i-judge. Mahal to. I am taking care of my things because mom works hard for them. Hindi naman ako maiinis ng ganoon kung wala lang siya saakin.

I went straight to my vanity and sat there. I look at myself in the mirror. I took off my false eyelashes and my contacts. I have a 20/20 vision but I love my eyes when they are green. It complemented my dirty blonde hair.

Napatingin ako sa may bedside table ko. Kinuha ko ang picture frame na nandoon. I smiled when I saw our picture. Our happy family picture. This was actually the very last picture we had together as a complete family. Suddenly, a tear fell out my eye as I caress his face. "I miss you." I murmured.

I shrugged off my emotions and went inside my bathroom. I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. After about 1 hour, I put on a pair of matching pajamas and laid down on my bed.

I then heard a knock on my door and it opened. Hindi na ako magugulat. Si mom yun. My mom have a duplicate key of my room kasi hindi ako nagigising ng maaga. I lock my door, for security purpose, every night. Kaya nabubuksan ni mom ang door ko.

"Clarisse?" She said as her head popped on my door. "Anak, aalis na daw ang Tito Lucas mo."

I just nodded my head. What do you want me to do, mom?

"Aren't you going to say goodbye?" she asked me. There's worry in her voice.

I shook my head. "I'm very tired to go down, mom. I'm going to sleep." And to get out of our conversation, binalot ko ang sarili ko sa comforter ko.

I heard my mom sighed and after that, the door closed.

I removed my comforter to my head as I heard them talk outside my room. They are still there. He is still there.

"Pasensya na, Lucas. Inaantok na daw si Clarisse." That was my mom talking.

"Hindi. Ayos lang yun, ma." I crumpled my face when I heard him call my mom, "Ma".

"Sorry Lucas kung masungit ang anak ko ha? Sigurado naninibago pa yun." I snickered when I heard my mom say that. What the fuck, mom? Bakit ako maninibago? It's been two years!

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Ma. Balang araw, matatanggap niya ako. Balang araw matuturing niya rin akong ama niya."

I clenched my fist when I heard his words.

In your dreams, Lucas. Nakuha mo man ang puso ng mom ko pati ng mga kapatid ko, ibahin mo ako. You can never replace my dad.

You will not, and never ever going to be my father.