The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 9

Kabanata 9

Gift

Nagkukumahog akong dumiretso sa parking lot ng LFU dahil alas sais na at ngayon lang kami nag-dismiss ng klase. Atlas' 23rd birthday would start at 8 PM this evening and I hadn't bought him any gift!

I was starting to worry when I realized that my Dad probably bought him one already. Well, it's a given, especially that he treated Atlas like he was his own son. Kahit sa hapag ay nababanggit niya pa rin ito. I used to be envious but now I couldn't care less. The fact that my Dad fancied him meant that he was hardworking, excellent, and smart. He deserved it, anyway.

"Diretso na ba tayo sa bahay, Io?" ani Kiro nang makaalis na ang sasakyan mula sa parking lot.

Tumango ako. "Yes, Kir. Mag-aayos pa kasi at baka matagalan pa tayo."

"I thought you'd buy Atlas a gift, though?"

"Well..." I trailed off.

Totoong gusto ko siyang bilhan ng regalo. I didn't know why. A commemoration for our newfound friendship, I guess?

I looked outside the car window and saw that the skies were dark grey, the kind of color that was a combination of the upcoming dusk and a yet to pour rain. Dahil mukhang masama talaga ang panahon at ayaw na ayaw ni Dad nang nali-late, isinuko ko na lang ang pagbili ng regalo ni Atlas.

"It's not his seventh birthday. He won't need any gifts."

True to what I expected, my Dad was fuming when we arrived a quarter to seven o'clock at our house. Nakaayos na silang dalawa ni Mommy at kahit si Kiro ay magpapalit na lang samantalang marami pa akong gagawin.

"Why are you late? I told you to come home early, Ionna!" Daddy spat at the doorway.

Napakagat-labi ako. "M-may tinapos lang na plates, Dad."

"Aba'y siguraduhin mong mataas ang grado mo diyan at hindi tres na naman!" He gave me a scathing gaze that sent shivers down my spine. He sighed and massaged his temple. "Hija, the Ysaguirres never hold parties like this. Ngayon lang sa kaarawan ni Atlas at imbitado pa tayo! Nakakahiya namang ma-late, hindi ba?"

"I'm sorry... uh, I'll hurry up and get ready. I'll be done in twenty minutes."

Tumango siya at marahang ngumiti, kalamado na ngayon. He went ahead and gave me a hug before letting me go to let me prepare. I'd like to believe that my Dad was kind despite his temper.

May mga bagay lang talagang pinapahalagahan niya at kapag nasisira 'yon ng iba'y nagagalit siya. Punctuality, excellence, reputation. He valued those three more than anything else in the world. Maybe even more than he valued me...

I squashed all my unnecessary thoughts to focus more on my stuff. Naligo ako ulit dahil ang lagkit ng katawan ko. Kasalukuyan kong pinapatuyo ang buhok ko gamit ang blow dryer nang biglang tumunog para sa isang mensahe ang cellphone ko. When Atlas' name popped out, I immediately opened it.

Atlas:
I'm excited about your gift, princess.

Iowa:
wag kang umasa masasaktan ka lang

Atlas:
Oh, so you actually know how to reply?

Atlas:
Kidding. It's almost 8, are you guys on the way already?

Iowa:
no. im still doing my makeup.
stop texting me para maka-focus ako.

Atlas:
Aight. Send me a pic?

Iowa:
gagu

I laughed at our conversation before focusing back on doing my makeup. Kahit nga lang anong pilit kong ituon doon ang buong atensyon ay sumusulpot pa rin si Atlas sa utak ko. Damn. Ang laki niya namang distraction!