Breadwinner's a Loser
“Hon, where are you?”
Why is she calling me now? I hesitated to answer her question and stared out of nowhere.
“N-nasa office ako, hon,” I said, in a stuttering manner.
“Bakit parang maraming tao?” she asked again, still with her soft voice and serene expression.
Life is so unfair and it hurts when you’re forced to tell a lie just to not hurt the people who love you with all of their honesty.
“M-may conference kasi mamaya, hon.” A reason slipped out of my mouth. "There's just a little difficulty that we are handling right now.”
The pain begins to compress my chest, making it difficult for me to breathe.
This is the first time I am telling a lie to the woman I love the most, and it feels like killing her secretly. But sometimes, you have to break a promise to keep another— and if it means breaking my heart little by little, I’m willing to— f it’s the only way to keep her heart whole.
Isang buwan na akong tanggal sa trabaho. My boss had to shut down the company due to bankruptcy. So now, I’m in the terminal- sitting inside a bus filled with different people. I comfortably positioned myself by the seat at the very end, with a heavy bag beside me.
So I’m breaking the promise that I’ll always be honest to my love.
I heard my wife talking to our son.
"Baby, be quiet. Daddy's on the phone."
I smiled as a tear involuntary went down to my cheeks and left the bag after exiting the bus.
Dali-dali akong lumakad palayo. This is my only way of fulfilling my duty as a father. I have to work. I have to provide them their needs. And I will do everything to give them the life that I promised.
Mabuting hangarin sa maling pamamaraan.
I joined an organization, where they pay me loads of money just by bringing and leaving bags on vehicles. I know, I know. But I need this job, for my family.
"Hon? Papatayin ko na ang tawag. I just called to say na aalis kami ni Pau-pau, pupunta kami kela mama." my wife said.
"Ah, ingat kayo hon. I love you."
"Sige na, hon. Papaalis na ang bus. I love you too."
I stopped walking. My body froze yet I was filled with hot rage.
"Baby, say I love you to daddy."
I burst out of tears as I turned around and saw the bus where I left the bomb, as I saw my wife carrying our son. This can't be.
"I love you daddy."
(Booooggsshhh! Booom!)
Call ended.
