Prince's Downfall(Inc Chaps)

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Paul Shalem

“Hi Dad!” I greeted my father as I walk past him.

Bigla siyang napatanga habang may sinasabi sa sekretarya niyang malaki ang dibdib. Dad even peeked above the rim of his glasses.

“Is that really you?” takang tanong niya. “Nagkamali ka yata ng pinasok, Shalem. This is not a pet park.” He glanced at the dog and glanced at the cat.

“Hindi ako mali. I really brought them. I will work today, and then have them groomed during coffee time.”

Lalong nalaglagan ng mga panga si Daddy. “Jesus. And why did you bring those pets here? Hindi ko alam kung magpapasalamat ako o ano.”

“Magpasalamat ka na lang, Dad na nakita mo ang gwapo kong mukha, if not, you will make Faith cry. She told me to bring Prunes and Raisins. May kasalanan kasi ako kaya kailangan kong bumawi.” Talikod ko saka ako naglakad papunta sa opisina ko.

I pushed the door using my foot  but somebody dabbed my shoulder.

I instantly looked back and saw Nissy smiling ear to ear.

“Hi there.” Pacute niyang bati kaya tumango ako.

“Hi.” I kissed her cheek when she pointed at it.

“I deserve that as a ‘thank you’.”
Nangunot ang noo ko. “For what? You never did something for me.”

“Oh I did.” Bungisngis niya.

Ang lakas niyang maka-Faith Serenity talaga. Para silang kambal sa pagpapacute at sa kulit, sa taray at sa lahat.

“And what is it?”

“Did you like the pix I uploaded?”

“You what?!” humaba ang nguso ko at wala na akong nagawa kung hindi kumamot sa ulo. “Do you know what you just did? Muntik kaming mag-away dahil sa ginawa mo.”

“Shunga ka!” she sassed right away. “Then don’t fight. Saka as if you care if you two will fight. You don’t even love the poor girl.”

“Pwede ba, Nissy.” Napapikit ako.

Ayoko na sinasalitaan niya ako ng ganito dahil nasisira ang sistema ko. Kanina nang magtalo kami ni Faith sa kusina, hindi ko alam pero lumambot ako nang makita ko ‘yon na parang maluluha. My guilt even tripled when her eyes really watered after hearing Fatimah’s words.

There was no other way to make her feel okay but to hug her and make her feel secured, though she’s really not.

“Huwag mo nga akong ma-Nissy, Nissy. Alam mo ba kung bakit ko ginawa ‘yon?
I paid too much for an expert to make that site and upload the pix. I want Fatimah to see that we were happy. Gusto ko na makita niya na welcome si Faith na maging Grande dahil kung siya ang pakakasalan mo isang araw, magsusuot ako ng itim at hindi kami a-attend!” Nissy snarled.

Tiningnan siya ng mga empleyado at pati na ni Daddy.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Siguro na-master ko na rin ang maging pasensyoso dahil sa babaeng ito.

“Nasaan ba ang asawa mo? I think he better lock you inside your office again.”

Umismid siya at inirapan ako. “I swear talagang hindi ako a-attend, Paul kapag si Fatimah ang inasawa mo after your plans. Ngayon pa lang, gusto ko ng mag-sorry kay Faith dahil hindi ko masabi sa kanya ang totoo kahit na gustong-gusto ko. Haven’t you learned from our past? You’ve badly hurt me five years ago and you’re repeating history itself with a different woman. You’ve repented and did to earn my forgiveness. Baka this time, hindi mo ma-earn ‘yon kay Faith. Ako, sinalo ako ni Zed. Sino ang sasalo sa asawa mo kung sakali? Maiiwan siyang mag-isa at umiiyak.” malungkot siyang tumalikod at parang mas nasasaktan na naman siya sa nangyayari.