Off Script Book One

Chapter 28: Not The Parents

A/N:

T-6 days

@yumx24, the song sounds good :)

Enjoy.

xoxo

***

The look on Maria's face made me feel like I said the wrong thing.

When she asked if the invitation had something to do with meeting my parents, I said no.

She slumped on the bench and let out a long exhale.

"Hay salamat. Akala ko kasi eh ipapakilala mo kami sa parents mo."

"Why did you think that?" I scooped a heaping spoon of rice and doused it with the rich tomato sauce from the menudo she made.

"Eh kasi di ba ganun naman ang mangyayari? Meet-the-parents stage?"

I finished chewing before answering her question.

"I'm not going to make you suffer like that?"

Her brows furrowed.

I took that as an opportunity to give her an overview about my family.

Hindi madali sa akin pero I have to tell her about the people who made me who I am today.

"My mother died from an overdose of sleeping pills. She was thirty-three when she passed away." I stopped eating and met Maria's curious gaze.

Sumakit bigla ang dibdib ko.

These things happened a long time ago but the grief still haunts me lalo na kapag napapag-usapan.

"I was seven when it happened and only learned about the real reason from Mommy Chato when I was a teenager."

The thought still makes me feel mad because my family kept it as secret for as long as they could.

I heard whispers during gatherings but everytime I ask my father, he would deflect.

He always said I should let the dead rest.

That he doesn't understand why I'm so curious to learn about my mother when I was told that she died of a sickness.

"I learned from Mommy Chato that the sickness they were talking about was my mother's depression."

"She used to be an actress. When my father met her, he pursued her. She didn't want to get involve with him not only because of his reputation as a playboy but because she was ambitious. She wanted to be famous. Acting was her passion and she was really good at it." A small smile escaped my lips as I thought of the movies I've seen with her on it.

My mother was leading lady material—delicate features, full red lips and light eyes. She's full mestiza and her skin was alabaster."

"Mommy Chato said that she was also famous for her eyes. They call it cat eyes because when she's showing intense passion, the colors turn into a golden shade and it was as if you are staring at the eyes of a tiger."

"Kaya ba ganyan ang kulay ng mata mo?"

"Oo. I got that from her."

"Sorry at hindi ko alam na ganyan pala ang nangyari sa mama mo?"

"I'm sorry too because I never really had the chance to know her. But the memories I have of her were happy. She used to take me out for ice cream then we'd go to the playground where she would push me on the swing. Sometimes, when I think of all those memories, I can still hear her laughing."

Tears welled up and unlike before when I would stop myself, this time I let go of my emotions.

Maria wrapped her arms around me and didn't say a word until I stopped crying.

This was one side of me that a lot of people don't get to see.

Throughout the years, I have learned to put up walls to protect myself.

My family warned me not to be vulnerable in this business.

People will use my weakness and manipulate it to the hilt for personal gain.

I took that advice to heart.

Kaya naman ang tingin ng karamihan sa akin, lalo na iyong hindi talaga ako kilala, I'm cold hearted and distant.

It doesn't bother me because I know who I am.

But I cannot deny that it gets lonely.

My off-putting appearance discourages people from getting to know the real me.

Maybe it was one of the reasons why I was drawn to Maria.

She's unafraid to show her real self.

Hindi siya natatakot sa sasabihin ng iba.

She marches to the beat of her own drum and plays her music loud for people to notice.

"Okay ka lang?" Maria asked while I wiped the tears with the back of my hands.

She released me from her embrace but held my hands tight.

"Yes." I smiled.

"Eh iyong daddy mo? Close ka ba sa kanya?"

Umiling ako.

"He was never really there when I was growing up. My nanny basically raised me at si Mommy Chato ang mother figure sa buhay ko. He remarried when I was fifteen. She worked as his secretary until they started dating."

"Close ka sa kanya?"

"Not really. During a party, I overheard her tell her friends that my presence makes her uneasy dahil I look so much like my mother. She sounded disgusted by it so I stay away."

"Ang lungkot naman ng buhay mo, Kyle." Maria's smile was sad.

I think she finally had an understanding of my life.

"It's getting better now." I looked up and her lips were a few inches from mine.

Maria wasn't into make up or lipstick but her lips were red and plump.

"I have you now." I squeezed her hand.

"Aba!" She laughed and the joyful sound warmed my heart.

"Ang mga banat mo, Direk ha? Nakakakilig." She pinched my side.

I almost jumped off my seat not because I was tickled but because I was surprised.

"What do you say to you and Henry spending the weekend with me?" I pulled her close and kissed the top of her head.

"Basta mangako ka na wala kang gagawing masama." She looked up and there was a naughty gleam in her eyes.

Maria fidgeted with the top button of my chambray shirt.

I swallowed.

"I'm not going to do something you don't want."

"Okay." She kissed the side of my neck.

It took all of my courage not to cover her lips with mine.