Gays over Flowers (Under Editing and Revision)

Chapter 48: Favor

Chapter 48: Favor

Sandaling natahimik ang kwarto. Nang tuluyan nang makalabas ang dalawang babae ay agad na nagsalita ang nagpipigil na si Dwight.

"You scared her."

Bumuntong-hininga ang kaniyang ama. "She's no good for you, son."

Pinigilan ni Dwight ang nag-uusbong na galit. Malaki ang respeto niya sa kaniyang ama. Tinitingala niya ito mula pagkabata at malapit siya rito. Maganda ang samahan nila kaya hindi niya lubos maintindihan kung bakit nito ito ginagawa.

"You don't know her, Dad. If you only give her a chance, you'll see how wonderful she is."

Sumeryoso ang kaniyang ama. "You are getting married, Dwight. Break up with that girl."

Hindi na napigilan ng binata na magtaas ng boses. "I am not getting married. For fuck's sake, I'm only 19! Why are you doing this?"

"Language!"

Hindi nagpatinag si Dwight at sinamaan lamang ito ng tingin. "I never knew you could do this to me, Dad."

Nag-iwas ng tingin ang kaniyang ama. "This is for your own good, so do as I say. Hindi mo kailangang pakasalan agad ang anak ni Mr. Abarquez, we will just have to announce your engagement to make it official. You can marry after you graduate."

Hindi makapaniwala si Dwight sa narinig. Pinigilan niya ang sariling magmura. "How is that for my own good? You are depriving me of my freedom! This is all about business! It's always about your goddamn business!"

"Watch your language Dwight Emmerson! I am still your father!" singhal nito.

Napapikit si Dwight at huminga ng malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili. Sa tanang buhay niya ay ngayon niya lang sinagot at pinagtaasan ng boses ang kaniyang tatay. Alam niyang hindi ito makakabuti sa lagay nito ngayon kaya pinipilit niyang kumalma.

"I just want what's best for you, son," kalmadong sabi nito. "You will be handling the company soon. This marriage will be good for you and for the company. I want everything perfectly laid out for you so I don't have to worry about dying."

Natigilan si Dwight sa sinabi ng ama niya. Parang tinusok ng malalaking karayom ang kaniyang dibdib sa narinig. "You are not dying."

Tipid siya nitong nginitian. "I am growing weak each day, Dwight, and I haven't even had surgery yet. At this rate, I doubt I'll make it. We have to face the fact that I'll be leaving you and your mom sooner or later."

Napailing si Dwight. Parang nawawasak ang puso niya. Unti-unting natutunaw ang galit na nararamdaman niya kani-kanina lang. Hindi niya na nagawang magsalita at pinagmasdan na lamang ang pinakamamahal na ama.

"That's why I am asking you to do this, son. Do this for your old man."

Napahilamos ng mukha si Dwight gamit ang mga kamay at muling umiling. "I can't do that, Dad," nahihirapan niyang sabi.

"You can and you will. It's already settled," balik seryosong sabi ng kaniyang ama.

"I'm sorry but I really can't. If I'm marrying anyone, I'll make sure it's Sally."

Tumalikod na ang binata at akmang maglalakad na paalis nang muling magsalita ang tatay niya.

"Come back here! The moment you step out of this room, I will confiscate everything I gave you. Your credit cards, your car, everything," banta nito.

Napapikit ng mariin si Dwight. Huminga siya ng malalim bago sinagot ang ama. "Do as you please. I just hope you get better," aniya at tuluyan nang nilisan ang silid.