Il Suo Amore (Her Love)

1

Transferring from one school to another is too tiring. Ever since grade school palipat-lipat na ako ng school. New faces. New environment. New friends. I’m so sick of it. And I want it to stop.

That’s why even though ayaw ni mama na bumalik ako sa hometown namin wala syang nagawa.

“Are you sure about this, anak?” tanong ni mama for the nth time. Trying to change my mind.

I signed heavily.

“I’m sure, ma.” with finality.

Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagsisilid ng mga damit sa maleta at hindi na sya muling nilingon. I don’t wanna deal with her sad face right now.

“But… I already told your dad to process your papers here, anak.” she said with a hint of disappointment.

Napapikit ako ng mariin saka dahan-dahang humarap kay mama.

“Ma, you know that I don’t want to study here, diba? Uuwi ako kay papa and that’s final.” I firmly said.

Tinalikuran ko ulit sya saka inayos ang mga nilagay kong damit sa maleta.

I heard her sign in defeat. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. Ilang sandali syang tahimik bago muling nagsalita.

“Tinawagan mo na ba ang papa mo na sunduin ka sa airport?” tanong nya saka pasimpleng tumulong sa pag-aayos ng mga damit ko.

Napatiim-bagang ako.

“No need for that ma. I can handle myself.” I said flatly.

Sa totoo lang, tinawagan ko na papa, but he said he’s busy kaya hindi nya ako masusundo. As usual.

Napalingon kami pareho ni mama sa direksyon ng pinto ng may kumatok. Nakita kong nakasilip si daddy doon habang nakangiti.

He’s my mom’s new husband. Kind and understanding, and I like him better than papa. No joke.

“Are you ready, ‘nak? Ihahatid na kita sa airport. You’ll be late on your flight.” sabi ni dad saka sinipat ang suot na wristwatch.

“Yes, dad. I’m done.” sagot ko saka nagmamadaling sinara at zinipper ang maleta.

Narinig kong bumuntong-hininga ulit si mama sa tabi ko. Lumapit naman si dad kay mama saka nang-aalong hinalikan sa noo bago lumapit sakin nang nakangiti at binuhat ang maleta mula sa kama. Nilingon ko naman si mama na nakakagat-labi habang malungkot na nakamasid sakin.

“Ma, aalis na po ako.” paalam ko saka nagmano sa kanya.

She patted my hand with a sad smile.

“Mag-iingat ka sa byahe, anak.”

“Yes, ma.” then I smiled.

One of the things that I hated the most every time na lumilipat ako ng school was processing my documents.

Kung doon sa maynila, si dad ang nag-aayos ng lahat, dito sa probinsya, ako ang lumalakad sa lahat. Papa doesn’t flippin’ care about me and my siblings.

He probably thinks, ‘To hell with them! They can handle themselves.’

So much for being a father. Tss.

“I respectfully nominate Ms. Zyra Ventis as president.”

My back straighten-up and my eyes widened with shock after hearing my name being called.

What?! Whaaaaaaat?!

Hindi na nga ako umiimik dito, nakita parin ako?!

“What the hell are you doing?!” I hissed at my friend, Kath, when I saw her snickering like crazy.