On Retrieving The Untold

CHAPTER 8

"What's the meaning of this, Mom?"

I seriously asked here. Di ko na talaga maintindihan kung bakit nila to ginagawa sakin.

"What do you mean?"

She asked nang hindi manlang tumingin sakin. She's just busy fixing herself in front of the mirror dahil kailangan niyang pumunta sa G. Hotel for business stuff.

I took a deep breath.

"Seriously, Mom?! Magtatanong kapa ba talaga? Wala na akong maitindahan sa mga ginagawa niyo sakin!"

She turned her head towards me and give me a smile.

"Why are you raising your voice, darling?"

She asked in a calm tone. Napahinga nalang ako ng malalim.

"We're giving you a favor, anak. We just want you to be well." She continued.

"What?!" Halos mapa-anga ako sa sinabi niya. Giving me a favor? For what?!

"Seriously Mom. Ano ba talagang gusto niyo? Ginagawa ko naman lahat ah. That damn deal, it was me who did the hardwork, bakit iba ang narecognize? Si Lolo, why did you tell him about my plans? Diba nag-usap na tayo that as long as I don't engage to public services di niyo na 'ko papakailaman? You all have my accounts, Mom! All my life I've been living privately, now what? Pati ba naman opportunity ko to work in the company aalisin niyo?! Ganon na ba talaga ka-useless ang tingin niyo sakin?"

I slowly wiped the drop of tears na unti-unti ng dumadaloy sa mukha ko.

"O baka naman kasi totoo yung sinabi ni Uncle Ed. That you don't really need my help. What you only need is to keep me para di alisin ni Lolo kay Daddy ang company---"

Agad akong napahawak sa pisngi kong bigla niyang sinampal ng malakas.

"We didn't raise you to have an indecent mouth, Venice."

I remained standing, calming my shaking fist. Wala na akong pakialam kung patuloy na sa pagtulo ang luha ko.

"You wanna know the truth? We're doing this because we love you. We care for you. Your Lolo sees you as his gone daughter. Now that you're about take Law, mas lalo mo lang siyang binigyan ng rason to compare yourself to your Aunt Amarie. Na ikaw ang magpapatuloy sa mga pinangarap niya para sa nag-iisa niyang babaeng anak! It's not our fault kung Law ang naisipan mong kuning course, Venice. You all have the options pero mas pinapairal mo yang pride mo. You always want to get even to us when we only want to protect you. Now, do you really think kakayanin mong ipagsabay ang pag-aaral at pagtatrabaho mo sa company? Your Dad's just being concerned to you that's why he did what he did. Suit yourself, Venice. You know well kung anong mangyayare sa inyo ni Kent if you disobey your Lolo."

She grabbed her bag at tuluyan nang lumabas ng kwarto. Na-ihilamos ko nalang ang mga kamay ko sa mukha ko.

Bakit kasalanan ko na naman?

Am I really that heardheaded na pati mga sarili kong desisyon sa buhay ay mali parin?

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang luha ko. Iyak na lang ako ng iyak. Alam kong hindi ko naman talaga kaya ang Law. Ano bang pumasok sa utak ko at naisipan kong mag-enroll sa Law School? One week nalang at masisimula na ang pasukan. I really have to face the consequence of my action or else...

I will lose Kent.

I will have to give him up.

I will break our promises to marry someone else who would be benifitable for the company.

Cliché, yes. Pero ganon na nga talaga ang takbo ng utak ng mga businessman. They will never really care on how you feel as long as it would be helpful for the progress of their business.

Siguro nga if I have not made a name of my own during college, matagal na akong na-arrange marriage ni Lolo.

My life's really a paradox. In every action I make, palaging may consequence. I have to do this and that or else. Ganon palagi. Maiiwasan ko lang ang consequence kung susundin ko ang gusto nila.

Isang beses na ngalang akong nabigyan ng chance magdesisyon sa buhay ko, mali pa. Ang bobo lang. Tsk!

"Ate?"

Agad kong pinahid ang luha ko when I saw Drix on the door. He's not used of seeing my cry and I don't want him to ask about it. Kung may isang bagay man kong hindi hahayaan sa pamilya'ng 'to, yun ay ang madamay ang kapatid ko. I'll do everything for him to have a normal life.

"What are you doing here at Mom & Dad's room?"

I shook my head.

"I... I wast just looking for a filt-tip pen. Naubusan na kasi ako." I lied.

"Hmm..."

He looked at me suspiciously. Tsk! I know that look. That's how his interrogative mind will start. Kaya bago pa niya 'ko ratratan ng walang katapusang tanong, I grabbed his arm and pulled him outside.

"Wala ka bang gagawin ngayon? Samahan mo 'ko bumuli ng mga gamit for my class next week."

He rolled his eyes. Hays.

"Sige na kasi. Let's bond nalang din after, my treat. Aalis na naman ang paborito kong kapatid eh."

I said and pouted. He put his palm on my face at marahan itong tinulak. Tamo 'to. Walang modo sa nakakatanda.

"Paboritong kapatid your ass. As if you have other choice eh ako lang naman kapatid mo. Tss! Fine! I'll take a shower first."

"Yehey! Okay, I'll wait you downstairs."

Haaay. I'm glad my brother's here. Kung wala siya, di ko na alam kong anong gagawin ko. Kent and Kiara is busy right now. Si Daisy naman, she's still in Cali and I don't wanna disturb her. She's also making a life of her own now.

It just took minutes for Drix to prepare. I was on the dining area, eating an apple when I heard him calling my name.

Pero bago ko pa man siya masagot, my phone vibrated. It's a text message from an unknown number.

"How can you left them weeping and just actually live a wealthy life for years? You're unbelievable!"

Napakunot ang noo ko. What does this message means? I tried calling the number but it's out of coverage. It's strange. No one knows my number aside from my family. Who's this strange person?

"Hey! Stop eating, you piggy! Let's go!"

Nandito na pala si Drix. I turned off my phone and put it inside my bag.

Nagsimula na din akong sumunod sa kanya papunta sa labas.

Weird.

I think I should change my phone number now.