Fate

Chapter 11

Love

"Oh anak, are you okay?" si Daddy.

Oh no. Baka napansin niya na medyo namumula o namamaga ang mata ko dahil sa pag iyak.

"Oo naman po, bakit Dad?" tanong ko, nagpapanggap na walang nangyari.

"It's just, you look sick. Kanina ko pa napapansin."

Hinawakan ni Daddy ang noo ko para tingnan kung nilalagnat ba ako o ano.

"Hindi po, ayos lang ako." I smiled.

Pumasok si Mommy sa pintuan na may naiwan pang ngiti sa labi. Masayang masaya na nagkita ulit sila ng matagal nang kaibigan.

"Is it true, kayo na ulit ni Kaius?" seryosong tanong ni Daddy.

"Oo nga, hija. You said, no pero sinabi mo rin sa akin that you're working things out."

"Opo Mommy, what I mean about that... tinatry po namin ulit na mag build a brand new relationship. Well, syempre po maraming nangyari sa loob ng limang taon. A lot of things changed. But we're not official yet."

Mabilis na napawi ang ngiti ko nang sumingit si Daddy.

"I didn't like the way Eleanor talks to you, anak."

Napatingin ako sa seryosong si Daddy dahil sa sinabi niya. Sinulyapan ko rin si Mommy na ngayon ay mukhang nagulat at mabilis na napabaling kay Daddy.

"What? What di you mean by that? Why? What did she-"

"She was being sarcastic! Hindi mo iyon napapansin? Have you ever looked at your daughter while we are talking about the things that happened in Canada?"

"Oh my goodness, Ignacio. She was just joking!" paliwanag ni Mommy at nakuha pang tumawa.

No Mom, hindi iyon ganoon.

Pinanood ko lang silang magtalo sa harap ko dahil wala rin naman akong masabi. I want to stop them but the thought that dad was really right about it makes me want to listen to him more. Parang bigla kong gustong malaman ang opinyon niya tungkol doon. Hindi ko rin naman masisi si Mommy dahil halata sa kanya na hindi niya alam ang nangyayari.

She's known Tita Eleanor since they were kids, they were childhood bestfriends at siguro sanay siya sa ganoong pakikitungo ni Tita sa ibang tao na akala niya ay nagbibiro ito kaya kahit sa sariling anak ay hindi na napansin ang pagiging mapakla ng ugali.

"She wasn't joking! Can you hear yourself? You are defending her instead of checking on our daughter!"

"Mom, Dad tama na po."

"Oh gosh... It was Eleanor! She's my friend since I don't know when!? Ignacio, ano ba?"

"I can't do this right now. Just... rest, Gia."

"Ignacio!" sigaw ni Mommy.

"Mommy, tama na po." I sighed.

"I'm sorry anak." humihikbi si Mommy ngayon. "Is it... is it true?"

Tumango lang ako at pagod na ngumiti. "It's okay."

As if I still have time and energy for drama. Masyado akong pagod para gustuhin pang pag usapan ang nangyari.

"Wala bang girlfriend si Kaius dito Gia?"

Napaigtad ako sa taong ni Daddy.

Wala. Pero may nililigawan... noon.

"Uh, wala po."

"That's good, the last thing I want for you is to be a mistress. I won't let that happen."