Hindi ko maiwasang maging conscious dahil nakamsid ang mommy ni Vincent sa bawat galaw ko. Para bang hinihintay nya akong magkamali para magkaroon ng dahilan na mapintasan ako. Kahit na nagugutom ay parang nawalan na ako ng gana.
"You don't like the food?" Tanong ni Tita, nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya.
"Uhm... gusto po. Medyo busog pa po kasi ako." I lied.
"That's why you're thin." She said while eyeing me. Muntikan na akong mabulunan kaya mabilis kong inabot ang tubig
"Mom, she's not thin." Vincent rescued me with a piece of tissue. Pinigilan kong umirap dahil sa komento ng kanyang ina. Binalewala ko na lang iyon at pilit na inubos ang kinakain.
"So, what's your plan for today, son?" She asks diverting the recent topic.
"Maglilibot kami sa buong isla na kaming dalawa lang, mom." Vincent replied with a hint. Marahan naman na tumango ang kanyan ina.
"Well I'm hoping na we can bond together Coligne. Mukhang maghapon kang babantayan ng anak ko." She said softly, but I know better what she's really up to. Napahinto si Vincent sa sinabi ng ina bago ako binalingan ng tingin. He's looking at me asking if I'm okay with that.
Well, I have no choice. I need to gain her mother's trust. Marahan akong tumango kay Vincent.
"You can stroll the place after this, Mom. Make sure to go back here before sunset." Vincent said like a deal that you can't break.
"Alright! I'm done. Are you done hija?" She said enthusiastically.
"O-opo." Mabilis akong tumango at saka tumayo.
"Maiwan na muna namin kayo boys." Pagkatapos ay sinenyasan ako nitong sumunod sa kanya.
Nakatingin lang ako sa likod nya habang naglalakad sa dalampasigan. Nang sobrang layo na namin ay saka nya ako nilingon kaya awtomatiko akong huminto.
"Let me be honest with you hija. I don't like you for my son. You are still young. Find a boy with your age. I have a lot of plans for my son's future and you're not part of it so stay away from him." She said staring at me directly without blinking.
Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi at nagpakawala ng malalim na buntong-hininga.
"I love your son, Tita. Lalayo lamang ako kung sya na mismo ang may sabi na hindi na nya ako mahal. I respect you po that's why I'm tolerating your indifference towards me. Kaya sana po irespeto nyo din po ang relasyon namin." May paninindigan kong sabi, marahas ang ginawa nyang pagpaypay.
"If you really respect me, you will respect my decision. I know you are smart, Colgine. Finish your studies, earn a bachelor's degree, make money, and be a successful woman. In that way, you can have my approval."
"I understand Tita. I will finish my studies and be successful but I can't promise that I will leave him." I said while staring straight into her eyes.
"Stop calling me that." She said angrily before turning her back to me. "Pretend that we're together for an hour." She said without looking at me.
I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth to prevent myself from talking back. Hindi na muna ako bumalik sa cottage at napagpasyahang manatili muna sa isang cafe shop malapit sa dalampasigan.
Habang nakatanaw sa dagat ay napansin kong mayroong nakamasid sa akin. Sumimsim muna ako sa aking fruit shake bago iyon binalingan ng tingin. Matagal kaming nagkatitigan ng lalaki sa counter bago ko sya nakilala. He's wearing sun glass and a summer shirt pairing it with board short.
"Marwin!"
"Coligne!" Sabay naming bati sa isa't-isa. Hindi ko inaasahan na may makikita akong kaklase sa lugar na ito. Hinagod nya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa bago naglakas loob na lapitan ako.
BINABASA MO ANG
Seducing My Brother's Bestfriend
RomanceBeing known as one of the wisest women in their batch is the best facade for not-so-smart Coligne. Being perfect is no easy job, pretending to be calm while everyone is having a hard time reviewing for the sake of their grades. That's how it works;...