Conquering the Barriers

Kabanata 3

Buti pa

"Dadating daw si Tita Nadya,"

Naghintay ako ng ilang saglit ngunit walang narinig na tugon mula sa loob.

I landed another three knocks on the door.

Nang wala pa ring marinig ay unti-unti nang kumunot ang noo ko. Pinihit ko ang doorknob para buksan iyon.

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa nadatnan. I knew it.

There he was inside his studio, fully engrossed with what he was doing. His side was facing me. His ears were covered while his eyes were fixed on the monitor. I can see electric and neon colored soundwave patterns on the screen. He might be recording or something. He even has his guitar on his lap.

I may have been staring for too long for him to feel my presence. That made him turn to me. The wheels of what it seems like a gaming chair that he was sitting on subtly turned towards me with his movement. He looks quite taken aback for a second but he was quick to recover as he got rid of the headphone that was covering his ears by letting it hang on his neck.

I sighed.

"Your Mom's coming," I said. "Nasa lobby na raw sa baba," dagdag ko.

He stared at me momentarily before he then nodded. Wala sa sariling pinanood ko pa ang pagtanggal niya sa nakasabit sa leeg niya pati na rin ng gitara mula sa kandungan niya.

My gaze unconsciously roamed around the entirety of the room too. Sa apat na silid ng unit namin, ang isa ay nirenovate para gawing soundproof music studio ni Sky. I can't help but feel fascinated at how well-equipped it turned out to be. He has an absolute love for music and it shows.

Naputol ang mga iniisip ko nang marinig ang tunog ng doorbell. Saglit na bumalik ang tingin ko kay Sky at mukhang napalingon din siya dahil sa narinig. I sighed as I turned on my feet to get the door.

I was immediately welcomed by Tita Nadya's charming smile.

"Isang!" she lengthily exclaimed in an enthusiastic tone before throwing herself to hug me.

Halos mapangiwi ako nang marinig ang nickname na tanging siya lang ang tumatawag sa akin. I breathed out lightly as I returned the hug. If only she isn't my favorite godmother.

She released me from the hug and held me by my arms with the same pleasant smile.

"How's my dearest inaanak?" she sweetly said.

Before I could even answer, I caught a glimpse of Sky finally getting out of the room. He walked towards our direction.

I cleared my throat. "Okay naman po, Tita."

Her face fell.

"Tita?" she muttered in a disappointed tone.

"You should start calling me Mom, Isang. We're practically family now. In no time, you'll get married and you'll be my daughter in law-"

"Ma," I heard Sky's restraining voice from somewhere beside me.

The scenario makes me want to bit my lip.

I grew up always hearing how I would soon get married with Sky. I used to not have any problem with it back then. To be honest, I actually.. like the idea.

I was secretly thanking the heavens that our mothers are best of friends. I was silently feeling lucky that they had this crazy promise with each other that they will make their children get married in the future. I was quietly feeling grateful that my Dad was just supportive of my Mom's every whim. I was lowkey gratified for our families' business partnership that makes up another reason for this to push through.