"I'm not matigas ang ulo, Dad. But I am just saying na Atticus and I are different! I already finished my studies and I am making my own money, hindi na rin ako umaasa sa inyo so why can't you just let me walk in the path that I really want to go? Business is not my forte, even if gusto ni Lolo 'yon, I just really don't want it nga, at ikaw Lolo!" inis na tumingin ako kay Lolo at kahit matanda na siya, ang hilig niya pa ring gawin ang mga bagay na kinaiinisan ko.
He called me here and told Atticus that he's dying? I was crying my eyes out in the plane at dadating ako dito na naggi-gym pa siya?! I thought something happened to him, and this bitch, Atticus didn't even have a reaction when I knew that he fooled me and he just said 'I just followed instructions' like is he even thinking?!
"What did I do?" tanong niya at nang-aasar pa! That oldie!
"You could have just told me that you miss me! Why did you even tell Atticus that you're dying? I was crying in the plane, feeling anxious like I want to teleport here and you have the guts to smile like an asshole?!"
"Amery!"
Malakas na tumawa si Lolo at mukhang natutuwa pa siya na naiinis ako sa kanya. He called me here so we can have a dinner together. He could have just told me?!
"I knew you were busy so I told your brother to tell you that so you would have the sense of urgency to go here. What can I do? You have someone keeping you busy now. You don't even call me anymore."
"Lo, I called you two days ago, what do you mean?"
"Two days ago is so long. You should call me everyday. I can't do anything about it. What's the name, Hunter? What is the man's job?"
I rolled my eyes. Why is he even asking when he already knows him?
"Is that your boyfriend?" tanong ni Papa.
Tinignan ko siya at inirapan. "Papunta palang po," sagot ko.
"Those eyes, Amery. I don't like it," aniya.
"Hindi mo ako binibigyan ng allowance, Pa," nagtatampo na sabi ko. Kaya nga hindi ko sinasagot ang tawag niya kasi naiinis ako sa kanya. Bumaba na ang sahod ko sa Inferno at kahit hindi ako gumagastos, I have luho in me and I have to wait for like a month to buy what I need.
"You said you don't want to rely on my money?"
"Pero it's the fact that you don't give initiatives anymore. Kahit naman ayaw ko because I want to stand on my own, you should still give me. And you don't even text I love you na? Are you kidding me?"
"And you weren't answering my calls!" depensa niya pa.
Ang dami niyang dahilan. Pareho lang sila ng ama niya, naiinis ako.
"Who's that new guy? You're getting comfortable in Social Media," saway ni Mama.
"It's normal Ma," depensa ko sa sarili ko. Naiinis pa rin ako.
"You're showing too much public display of affection. I can see some homophobic remarks for the both of you. Lessen the PDA so you will not receive those remarks."
"Hindi naman namin problema 'yon, Ma. They're homophobic eh. Palibhasa they don't someone in their life. Kasalanan ko ba 'yon? Their lonely, at wala silang sinusu–walang nagsusubo sa kanila ng food when eating like I don't care with you all, homophobes!"
"You're disgusting," malamig na sabi ni Atticus. I rolled my eyes. Totoo naman. Wala nga kayong sinusubo diyan kaya malungkot 'yang buhay niyo at ibinabaling niyo sa iba ang lungkot niyo.
