Selene Montezor

Sixteen

Kierra Rodriguez

I was all smiles when I went home. Two days kaming naglagi ni Selene sa condo ko. I admit that I was such a jerk for ditching our date. That was not so me. Mabuti nalang at pinatawad niya rin ako after so many pang-aakit attempts niya.

Akala niya siguro hindi ko nahahalata 'yong ginagawa niya. I tried so hard to stop myself from taking her. Mabuti nalang hindi ako naambunan ni Miah sa kamanyakan niya. Napailing ako.

Bakit ko nga ba nire-restrain ang sarili ko? She's my wife and it's my right. Pero, baka kasi ayaw niya or she's not ready. Hindi ko alam. I'll just wait for that perfect moment.

Paakyat na sana ako ng hagdan nang tawagin ako ni Mama.

"Where have you been, young lady?" 

Nagmano ako sa kaniya. "Sa condo ko lang po, Ma."

"For two days?" tumango ako. "Okay."

"Sige, Ma. Akyat na po muna ako." I kissed her cheek.

"How's your date with Newt pala?" pahabol na tanong niya.

I stopped. "Okay lang, Ma."

"Very good. Don't leave the house today. We'll have dinner together with the Leviste's." ma-awtoridad na sabi niya.

I sighed. "Okay, Ma." umakyat na ako sa second floor ng bahay. I suddenly feel exhausted. "Ugh..." I locked the door and walked lazily towards my bed.

What a douche, tudyo ng isip ko. I lied. Yes, I fucking lied. What I told Selene is very far from the truth. At ngayon ay kinakain na ako ng konsensiya ko. Hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin sa kaniya na I really ditched our date.

I buried my  face on the pillow. That night when we went home from the immersion, pumasok si Mama sa kwarto ko. She asked me a favor. And that is to date Newton Leviste, my professor. 

I was shocked dahil hindi naman gano'n si Mama. In my twenty years of existence, that was the first time na humingi siya ng favor without asking if okay lang ba sa'kin or hindi. Yes, she used to fix me a blind date pero she would always seek my approval.

Pero, no'ng gabing 'yon, iba. Parang hindi nga favor 'yon. It's more of like a command and I have no right to refuse. Something's changed pero hindi ko lang matukoy kung ano.

I sighed. Kinuha ko ang phone ko at tiningnan ang wallpaper nito. It was a picture of us, kami ni Selene in a wacky pose. I stared at her face. 

"I love you..." I softly whispered.

I closed my eyes.

NAGISING ako sa malambot na bagay na humahaplos sa mukha ko. Agad akong napangiti nang maamoy ko ang pamilyar nitong pabango.

"Hi, My..."

"Hello, baby bear." I could feel her smile. "Bumangon ka na at magbihis. Darating na ang mga Leviste anytime soon."

Natahimik ako. Parang gusto kong mag-rebelde but I don't want my parents to be disappointed at me. At kung sakali man, I would be the very first to rebel.

"My, is Mama trying to hook me with my professor?" curios kong tanong. Nagtataka na kasi ako sa mama ko.

Mommy looked at me. She has violet eyes like mine. Almost of us share the same eye color pero 'yong kay Mommy talaga ang gusto ko kasi may shade na blue.

"I don't think so. Your Mama is not like that. And besides, Mr. Leviste is a business associate ng Mama Angelu mo kaya don't worry, baby bear." paliwanag niya. 

"Hmm, sabagay nga naman." Mommy smiled at me. Lumabas na siya ng kwarto ko para daw makapagbihis na ako.

Binuksan ko ang walk-in closet ko. Tumayo ako sa gitna. I forgot to ask My kung anong susuotin. Now, I'm having second thoughts on what to wear.