Monarch High: War of the Brats

CHAPTER 41

I was waiting for the right time to tell Mom that I’m joining a beauty pageant at school. Hindi ako sigurado kung matutuwa sya sa ibabalita ko... pero dati naaalala ako, sya palagi ang nagtutulak sa akin para sumali sa mga ganitong kompetisyon.

I waited for her arrival in the living room. Medyo late na sya dumating kaya nakakain ako ng dinner kahit kaunti at sinabi ko sa mga katulong na 'wag nilang sasabihin kay mommy.

When I heard the resonance of a car outside, I quickly stood up and peeked on the window. Kaagad kong nakita ang sasakyan ni mommy na pumasok sa garahe at ang pagbaba nya. Sinalubong sya ng ilang mga kasambahay at kinuha ang bag nya at mga pinamili nya sa loob ng kotse.

When she's out of my sight, I immediately came closer to the doorway. Nang buksan nya ang pinto ay sinlubong ko sya.

"Good evening, mommy..."

Her brows furrowed. "Why are you still awake? It's getting late."

Tumango-tango ako. Hinintay kong mawalan sya ng gawain. She took off her coat na kaagad namang kinuha ng kasambahay mula sa kanya. She's now in he bodycon dress that's hugging her curves, giving everyone a sight to see and a figure that's to die for. Mom's body is really not her age.

"Nakapag-dinner na po ba kayo?"

"I’m done, Mae. I had dinner date with my amigas," sagot nya. "Why are you still awake, anyway?"

I cleared my throat. "I have to tell you something..."

"Pwede bang bukas na 'yan? I’m sleepy, and you should sleep, too. Staying awake is unhealthy. Masama sa kalusugan 'yan."

She walked past me like she was walking on the stage, with her hips throwing side-by-side. Humarap ako sa kanya at kumuha ng lakas para magsalita. Kung hindi ko sasabihin ito ngayon, baka bukas ay hindi ko na naman sya maabutan. Isa pa... I’m excited to tell her about this.

"I joined beauty pageant at school, mom..." masaya kong balita.

Napahinto sya sa paglalakad at dahan-dahang umikot para tingnan ako. Her brows shot up as if I was telling her an offensive joke. Nawala ang ngiti ko sa reaksyon nya, but I was still anticipating a comment from her.

"You had the guts, Maerinne?" She asked scornfully. My shoulder fell, and the small fire inside me died as if it was being watered. Napalunok ako sa klase ng titig nya na para bang hindi ko na dapat iyon sinabi sa kanya. "Look at yourself, sa tingin mo ba mananalo ka sa paligsahan na 'yan?"

"Why not, mommy?" I tried to sound fine. "Diba noon naman pinapasali mo ako—

"That was before, Maerinne!" I flinched when she raised her voice. "Bata ka pa noon at wala pang pakialam ang mga tao kung may kurba ka o wala. Ngayon na malaki ka na, tingnan mo ang sarili mo kung pasado nga ba sa mga ganyang contest! You can't even carry yourself properly! And your body! It still looks so considerable to me!"

I gasped at what she said. My confidence suddenly abated. Her words pierced like how a splinter goes through the skin.

"B-But mom.... I can ace that contest!" giit ko at pinakita sa kanya ang ngiti ko na para bang naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ko kahit sa totoo lang ay kakaiba ang sakit dulot ng mga sinabi nya sa 'kin.

"Ikaw ang bahala, Maerinne. That's your decision, anyway. Ikaw naman ang mapapahiya at hindi ako," She shrugged, feigning indifference. "By the way, it's saturday tomorrow, and we're going to attend a social gathering. Prepare yourself tomorrow dahil isasama kita. Sleep now, so you'll have enough energy tomorrow."

Nakatayo lang ako habang nakatingin sa kanya na paakyat ng hagdan hanggang sa makapasok sya sa kanyang kwarto. My fist clenched. I stopped blinking, afraid that the witholden tears would flow like an unbroken stream. Kaagad kong pinahid ang mga luha ko bago pa ito tumulo ng kusa. Nang sa tingin ko ay kalmado na ako ay saka ako umakyat sa kwarto ko.