Life After Lies

TWO: HER BOYFRIEND

I went home at sinalubong sila Mom and Dad na nakaupo sa couch. I kissed their cheeks at naupo sa gitna nila.

"How's your out of the country, hija?" Dad asked habang busy sa binabasa nyang newspaper.

"It's good, Dad. Nothing new," I sighed.

"Are you okay now? Ano bang dahilan at biglaan ka namang umalis?" pang uusisa ni Mommy.

"I told you, Mom gusto ko pong mag tea at mag relax," I said while massaging my temple.

Hindi ko sinabi sa kanila ang ginawa ko. Why would I?

"Nadeliver na rito ang uniform mo. Sukatin mo na lang mamaya," Dad interrupted, I just nodded and stood up.

Hindi ko na pinatagal pa ang usapan. I excused myself at umakyat na ko sa kwarto ko. I want to rest, napagod ako sa byahe.

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Nagising ako sa sunod-sunod na katok na kalaunan ay nawala rin. Dinner na siguro kaya bumaba na ko at naupo sa tapat nila.

"Elianna, your ninang Daphny called," galit na bungad ni Mom pagka-upo ko pa lang. Gosh! Someone save me!

"Hindi ka ba talaga magtatanda? College ka na, you're eighteen and yet ganyan ka pa rin?" she yelled and looked at me.

Napatungo na lang ako habang dinadama ang mga sermon nya. This is all your fault manang!

"T-That was nothing, Mom," I whispered. I was caught off guard.

"Nothing? Tinapunan mo ng kape tapos wala lang yun?"

Napa buntong-hininga na lang ako. Mom doesn't tolerate this behavior of mine. Well, hindi ko naman talaga ginusto yun. I a-accidentally slipped the coffee on her clothes? Nah, I don't know what to say.

"Elis, we're eating," pag sasaway ni Dad.

"Oh please, Alberto. Sumosobra na yang anak mo," napapailing na sagot ni Mommy. Well, at least hindi ako nag kulang.

"Talk to your ninang bukas na bukas pag pasok mo. Mag sorry ka doon sa fourth year na binuhusan mo ng kape" umiling sya at umismid. "I can't believe this. You bullied someone who's older than you?" she asked with a sarcastic tone.

Who says I can't?

"I'll talk to her po, bukas na bukas din," I said quietly and continue eating. May magagawa pa ba ako?

I finished eating at pumasok na ulit sa kwarto. I'm bored so I dialed Deffi's number. Gusto kong makibalita tungkol sa kauna-unahang gulo na ginawa para sa buhay kolehiyo.

Nakailang ring pa ay sinagot na ni Deffi.

"Bored?" she asked playfully. Predicted huh?