The Chairman's Secret

19 - The Good Daughter

 
 
  
   
  
PAGOD man sa byahe ay nagtungo pa rin sa bahay ng mga magulang si Cielo. Iniwan na muna niya si Francin sa condo unit niya.

Sinalubong agad siya ng ina nang makapasok siya sa loob ng kabahayan.

"Thank goodness you're here now." Naluluha siyang niyakap ng ina.

She can't deny the fact that she missed her too. Gumanti siya ng yakap rito.

Napansin ng ina ng wala siyang dalang gamit.

"Where are your things?"

"Nasa condo ko. Doon ako mag-i-stay kasama ng kaibigan ko. We both know that Dad will be really mad. Where is he, by the way?" Inilibot niya ang mata sa kabahayan.

Napansin niya ang ilang pagbabago sa bahay. Her photos were all gone so was their huge family picture hanging on the wall.

"He's upstairs. He doesn't know your coming—"

"Bakit bumalik ka pa?"

Hindi na natapos ng ina ang sasabihin nang may maotoridad na tinig ang pumutol rito. She looked at the end of the stairs. There he saw his father standing, looking at her furiously. She also noticed the woman standing few steps behind her father. Who's that woman?

"Well, I just thought you missed me. You know, you have no one to scold at yelled at." Sarkastiko niyang sagot na mas ikinagalit ng ama.

"I don't need you here! Get lost!" angil sa kanya ng ama. "Wala ka nang ibang binigay sa akin kundi kahihiyan. Ngayon babalik ka rito, bakit? Dahil sa katangahan mo na pumatol ka sa may asawa! I don't need a fool in my house! Lumayas ka na!"

Hindi na siya bago sa sigaw at galit nito. Kinalakhan na niya ang galit ng ama kaya parang musika na lang ito sa kanyang pandinig.

"Vida is here to replace you." Nilingon ng ama ng babaeng nasa likuran.

Napataas ang kilay niya sa babae nang ngumisi ito sa kanya.

"Is she your new robot? I bet she follows your every command based on how you treat her. I feel sad for her."  Nginisian niya ang ama nang tingnan siya nito ng masama. "You know what I realized when I ran away, Dad?"

She gave her father a disgusted look. "I realized how unlucky I am for having a parents like you two. I have a father who only loves money and fame. Mas uunahing protektahan ang pera kaysa sa sariling anak." She turned to face her mother. "And I have a kind but coward mother who can't even protect me from her husband."

She let out a laugh. "You see how unlucky I am that it affects my life. Naging malas ako sa buhay dahil sa inyo."

This time si Vida ang binalingan niya.

"You." She pointed at her. "Welcome to my world. Are you my father's mistress?"

"Cielo, she's your father daughter from another woman."

It was like a funny bomb exploded in front of her. Hindi niya napigilan na tumawa ng malakas.

"Wow, Dad! Hanga na talaga ako sa kakapalan ng mukha mo. Nagkaanak ka sa ibang babae ibig sabihin ay niloko mo si Mom and now karma is hitting back at me because of you!"

"I am still your father, Cielo Mari! Huwag mo akong pagsasalitaan ng ganyan!" Inilang hakbang ng ama ang pagitan nila para sampalin siya ngunit pumagitna sa kanila ang ina.

"Lay a hand on my daughter and I'll make sure nothing will be name after you, Cesar." Cielo was shocked to see her mother protecting her from her father. That was so unusual.