Chasing That Holy Feeling

Chapter 32: Question and Answer

Warning: SPG!

"Chas... tama na ang iyak." Dinig kong alu ni Alivia sa anak habang karga ito sa labas ng bahay nila.

"Ang salbahe niya mommy. Bakit ka niya sisigawan? Bakit kailangan ka niya duruin ng ganon? Sabi ni teacher bad 'yong manigaw ng tao. It's bad to yell at someone especially if you don't know the person well!" maktol ng bata at nakita ko ang galit sa kanyang mata na nagpakilabot sa akin. "I want to pinch her or bite her or punch her! She's mean! She's evil! She's a witch! Aaah!" tili niya at nagpumilit na bumaba sa bisig ng kanyang ina.

"Sweetie... hindi mo alam ang tunay na nangyari kaya huwag mo i-judge ng ganon ang mommy ni Tito Leighton..."

"But still! Paano siya naging mommy ni Tito long legs? Tito long legs is so nice and she's so... evil! She has no conscience! She yelled at you mom! Dapat magalit ka sa kanya!"

Nakita ko ang lungkot sa mga mata ni Alivia bago tuluyang yumuko para magpantay ang mata nila ni Chastity.

"You shouldn't fight a sword with another sword because the killings won't stop. The best way to win a battle or an argument is to approach it with a clear mind and explain everything. The cause of wars and arguments are just misunderstandings. What will you do if you're misunderstood? Explain. If you've offended someone; explain and say sorry. That's how life goes Chastity; one should always be humble and let others soar high. You'll get there eventually; well maybe not now but soon."

I saw how pure Alivia's heart and it broke me into pieces. It broke me because the role model I looked up to when I was a kid is now gone. I can barely see the Lillian Dela Cruz I idolized and adored when I was young. I don't have any idea what has happened back in Manila but all I know is they're being irrational.

"Ridiculous." I spat as I looked at mom with disgust. "Why would I marry a person that I don't love?"

"You're the one who's ridiculous, Leighton! Why would you go with a woman who has slept with so many guys–"

"Because I love her!"

"Leighton the world is not all about love!"

"Bullshit, mom!" naputol ang sinasabi ko nang lumagapak ang palad niya sa mukha ko.

"Watch your words, young man!"

Napatawa ako ng pagak at nanlilisik na tumingin sa kanya. "What did you say? The world is not all about love? Then how come you almost killed yourself for that goddamn relationship with the great old Rivero? Hindi ka natanga sa pag-ibig? Hindi ka sumugal? Hindi ka nasaktan? Hindi ka ni minsan naging irrational dahil sa tanga mong puso na inaalipin ang utak mo?"

"Leighton!" sigaw niya para pigilan ako pero nagpatuloy ako.

"I'll make sure to inform Dad about this. Gusto mo akong ipakasal sa babaeng hindi ko mahal? Ano ka, bugaw?" isang sampal pa sana ang sasalubong sa akin nang tumayo ako ng ayos. "Do it mom. Do it and I'll tell Daddy how ridiculous this idea was."

"This is for you!"

"Mamita didn't even try to stop you to be with Dad kahit na buhay mo na ang kapalit!"

"I was pure and–"

"And Dad isn't! The whole clan knows that! He's been with girls! He's been with Tita Kreezia, Michelle, and Ali pero ginusto mo pa din siya hindi ba? Bakit mo ginusto? Bakit mo hinanap si Daddy at pinatawad?" natigilan siya sa sinabi ko at alam kong nasasaktan siya pero wala akong pakialam sa ngayon. I would rip and tear everything I see. "How could you come up with this idea when you had a fair share of your heart breaks and earned tons of lessons from those experiences? Are you that unfair for you to say that I should marry the daughter of your business partner? Kulang pa ba ang pera na kinikita mo? How much more would you want para maging sapat ang pera mo sa bangko?"