Taste Series #1: Bitter Taste of Epiphany

Chapter 6

"Just go there by yourself, Alder."

Nawalan ako ng gana habang kumakain ng fries. Kasalukuyan kaming kumakain isa sa mga fast food chain malapit sa university na pinapasukan ko. Umayos ako ng upo at tamad na tinanggal yung coat na suot ko. When he messaged me that he's here, waiting for me, mabilis akong umalis sa klase right after my prof dismissed the class. Kinabahan pa ako dahil, doctor yun! for grade's sake. That's why I forget to put my coat back in my locker. Iuuwi ko nalang at labhan ko na, may konting amoy na din!

"Dad wants to meet you, Pryme," he explained.

I nod to him, as if I care about it. "Kung uuwi ako doon panigurado tataasan na naman niya ako ng boses! He always do that, Alder, hindi ka na ba nasanay? Uuwi ako, sasalubungin ako ng hiyaw. Napapagod na ako sa ganoong treatment!" my voice broke at the end.

I shut my eyes and inhale a large amount of air to calm myself. Kinuha ko yung binili niyang inumin at tahimik na sumipsip doon. He looked at me like he knew already what's my problem with our dad. Alexander has a soft heart for me, he never raised his voice to me everytime na may masasabi akong hindi kaaya-aya kay dad, he always understand me.

"I understand you," he nodded and sighed after, "but please, let's visit him together, Adley, ilang araw na tayong hindi umuuwi. Kahit ganiyan ka alam kong mahal mo si Dad at may sasabihin daw siya sating dalawa." He tried to explain again.

Peke akong tumawa, "Anong sasabihin niya? About his damn company?"

"I don't know, Pryme!" he suddenly raised his voice at me, he shut his eyes when he realize it, "I'm sorry.. hindi ko sinasadya." He looked at me, guilty.

I nodded, "It's okay."

Tahimik akong kumuha ng fries at sinubo yon bago uminom ulit. Nakatingin lang siya sakin parang pinag-aaralan ako kung paano ako mapapaamo. I love him so much, alam niyang bibigay din ako. Ganito naman kami e, magtatalo pero sa huli bibigay din.

I guess, I just really love my brother.

I stood up and he looked at me like he didn't expect it. I looked at my wristwatch, yung binigay niya. I always wear it tinatanggal ko lang kapag kailangan.

"Let's go." I said.

Napalingon pa ako sa babaeng ngumiti sakin. I smiled back when I realize who is it. Just one of my blockmates in biology.

"W-where?" nataranta pa siya.

"Dad," simpleng sabi ko at iniwan ko na siya. Nauna na akong lumabas at dumiretso sa sasakyan niya. The car noise, clue na hindi na nakalock.

We filled in silence inside the car while we're heading to my dad place. Medyo may kalayuan sa university 'ko. Doon ako nag-aral dahil malayo pero nasundan pa din ko. Medyo malapit naman din 'yon sa mga kaibigan ko.

When we arrived mabilis akong lumabas nang sasakyan. Napatingin sakin yung ibang kasambahay namin at ngumiti lang. Usually they would greet me happily but today I find it strange.

As soon as I step my foot inside the house I heard a loud yelled.

"Ayusin mo naman! Bago palang yan, my god! Why we have a clumsy maid? I should fire you, right now!"

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil hindi familiar sakin ang boses na 'yon. Nagtungo ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

"And who the fuck you are?" I asked her, ang tingin ko nakatuon sa kinakabit na bagong painting. I clenched my pist and hide it at my back, my mommy's painting are now gone and changed it to another painting by this unknown woman.

"Your mouth, lady." she replied instead of answering my damn questioned.

"Anong karapatan mong tanggaling ang naunang painting doon?" tinuro ko yung hintuturo sa pinaglalagyan ng bagong painting.