IN 30 DAYS

CHAPTER 2

Nakatitig ako sa aking repleksyon sa salamin habang sinusuklay ang aking buhok. I am wearing a black dress that is a couple of inches above my knees. The dress is nice enough and I look presentable, I guess, but I'm still nervous as fuck. I grabbed my coat off my bed.

Ilang minuto nalang ang meron ako bago dumating yung binook kong grab. Pakiramdam ko'y masusuka ako at hindi ko pa rin batid kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman.

I left my room, slamming the door shut behind me. Walking towards the living room, I heard the sound of someone talking over the phone in a business sort of way. Who else could it be?

Jaime Gonzales, my dad, is leaning against the wall in the living room, with his coat tossed on his shoulders. His phone in his grasp as he chatted during what is no doubt a business matter.

Tumingin sa akin si Dad habang naglalakad ako diretso sa kusina. I was quite taken aback as he dismissed the call by saying, "Hey, John, I'll just call you back later. Sab's getting ready to leave".

I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, drinking it while leaning on the counter. Dad walked right into the kitchen.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito Dad? I thought you're on a medical mission?" I asked.

This is normally how conversations between my parents and I start, which is quite sad.

"Maaga naming natapos ang medical mission sa Cebu so I decided to go home immediately" sagot naman ni Dad.

"Okay," medyo awkward kong sagot. "Congratulations, then".

There are tiny creases at the corner of his eyes which means that he obviously didn't like the way I responded.

Magkamukha kami ni Dad. A lot of people say that I got most of my features from him. We both have pale skin and round shaped face with slightly brown hair and lean figures. The only thing I'd gotten from Mom was my pair of chinky brown eyes.

"Sigurado ka bang pupunta ka sa funeral?" tanong niya. May kung anong concern and worried expression na mababakas sa kanyang mukha.

"Yes," I replied quickly. Ni hindi na nga ako nag-alinlangang sumagot. There's no doubt that I'm completely unsure of everything that has been going on lately, but I am sure that I'm gonna go to TJ's funeral.

May kung anong tanong lang ang bumabagabag sakin. Mga ilang estudyante kaya ang pupunta mamaya? I really don't wanna think about it now so I just shrugged it off.

"Gusto mo bang samahan kita?" medyo may pag-aalangang tanong niya.

For some reason to me, acting like a parent seems to be taking its toll on Dad. Naweweirduhan ako sa ikinikilos nila ni Mommy. Hindi naman sila ganito sakin. They barely look out for me. Last time I checked, okay na silang naproprovide nila ang mga financial needs ko.

"No Dad, really", I responded. "Ok lang talaga. I'm fine with going by myself".

"Fine, is Trish coming with you, then?"

Seriously. I honestly don't know what to answer him.

"Siguro hindi", sagot ko. "Funerals aren't her thing".

Totoo naman ang sinabi ko.

"Don't worry, Dad. I know the rules about being out in Manila at night".

Most of us are aware that we should be extra careful when we're in Manila, I supposed.

Dad flaunted a sheepish smile. "For a teenager, you're surprisingly responsible. Well, I should consider myself lucky".