Night Changes

CHAPTER TWO

BARBARA's POV

"Sorry dear but your father and I are still here in Japan. Our meeting with Nishino Airlines was canceled yesterday that's why it was moved today.." Mom said over the phone. A sudden pinch of pain pang my chest. "So you mean that you're not going to make it?" I tried to sound less disappointed as possible but I guess I couldn't.

"We're really sorry dear.. Maybe at you're next exhibit we might be able to make it we prom-"

"It's okay mom. I have to go. Bye." I knew she would make a promise once again and I didn't want to hear it.

I got up from bed and took a quick shower. I wore the dress Ford gave me as a gift for my birthday then went outside my room.

I was about to leave the house when I heard someone spoke from behind. "Gising ka na pala.. Here, eat with me." My older sister, Becca, said. I left out a sigh and sat on the chair beside her.

"What's with the face?" She said, lifting my chin.

I scowled. "They can't make it... again." I blunted, emphasizing the word again. "Don't lose faith on them Barbara, please?" I just ignored what she said and started eating.

My parents haven't been on our side ever since I was a child. They were always on a business trip or maybe on a meeting with business people like them. They were always busy with our aviation company that caused them to have lesser time with us.

"I'm so proud of you Barbara." Duque said as he gape at my pictures. I couldn't help but smile as I l look at him. Duque is one of my long-time friends and seeing him around my photo exhibit just made me feel a little less glum.

"Buti naman at nakarating ka.. Akala ko ni isa sa inyo hindi makakapunta." I said, taking a sip of red wine he just brought.

He just smiled at me.

"Thank you talaga. Buti ka pa, you're always here to support me. Not like my 'busy' parents." I said, letting out an exasperating sigh as we sit on the bench. "Okay lang yan, may next time pa naman." I glanced at him and it felt good to see him looking so fine. His life was never easy, like mine, especially when.. nevermind.

We talked for a while until he decided to go. We bid farewell before he drifted his car away. I went back inside to entertain the other guests 'till I watched them go one at a time.

Until I just found myself all alone. I took a moment to look at my pictures and as I gaze at them, I've noticed something similar on every picture. All of them gave me a feeling of loneliness as if there is a huge hole waiting to devour me anytime.

DUQUE's POV

"Where have you been?" Tanong ni dad pagkapasok ko pa lang ng bahay. "Galing lang ako sa photo exhibit ni Barbara." I said without looking at him.

Pagkapasok ko ng kwarto, pasalampak akong humiga sa kama hanggang sa makita ko na lang ang sarili kong nakatingin sa kawalan.

Nawalan na ng saysay ang buhay ko mula nung araw na 'yun. Sa bawat araw na dadaan parang wala ng halaga. My life was back in the obscured part of the world. Wala akong ibang makita kundi ang mga mata niyang lumuluha nang dahil sa akin. She did nothing but begged for me to stay but I just pushed her away.

I let out a sigh then tossed on the side of my bed and grabbed my laptop and started doing some editing from my last vacation with my friends. It has always been my dream to be a director someday but my dad won't let me pursue it since he wants me to take over our business. I have always been with him whenever he attends business meetings with the investors or in a business tour. He said that it was some sort of 'training ground' for me.

"Tomorrow you must come with me. We will meet up with our foreign clients." Dad said as I take my seat on the chair beside mom. We were eating dinner, silence overflowing the atmosphere.

"I can't." Biglang nagbago ang mukha niya. "What do you mean you can't? Kailan ka pa natutong tumanggi sa sinasabi ko sa'yo?" He said furiously. Hindi ako umimik at nagpatuloy lang ako sa  pagkain.

"Von, don't talk to your son like that." Mom interrupted.

"Kaya lumalaking sutil yang anak mo eh! You always keep on tolerating him!"

Gusto kong takpan ang tenga ko para hindi ko marinig ang pagtatalo nila pero hindi ko magawa.

"I'm not tolerating him! I'm just being a mother to him and as his father you should do the same. For once in your life, do you even asked him if he's okay?" Mom paused for a moment and stared at dad. "Alam mo kung anong hilig niyang gawin at sa tingin ko, kaya naman niyang patakbuhin ang negosyo natin kahit ituloy niya ang pag-didirektor." Mom added, trying to convince my Dad. He looked at her with great enrage on his face.

"Do you hear what you're saying Coraline? This is not just a family business. This has been our business even before I was born and even before I met you."

"But-"

"Just shut the fuck up!" I shouted, breaking into their conversation. They both looked at me with unexplainable expressions on their faces.

"Anak.. I'm sorry.." Mom said as she hold my arm. I removed her hands and was about to get up from my seat when I heard Dad speak.

"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you. Have a seat or else-"

"Or else what?" My dad's face were blazing with anger but the hell I care.

Lumabas ako ng bahay at nanigarilyo. Kahit ilang kaha pa siguro ang ubusin ko, hindi magbabago ang takbo ng buhay ko. I let out a deep sigh. I threw the cigarette and stepped on it before fetching my car.