Unleashed in February (Behind The Month #1)

31

31, All men

No replies to me. Kahit isa galing kay Hope. I'm sure he have read my text already because it's been three days.

Galit sina mama at papa dahil sa ipinaalam ko sa kanila. Iyon agad ang puntirya ni mama saktong kauwi niya at hanggang kagabi nang naghapunan kami, iyon pa rin ang usapan namin sa mesa.

"I can't understand your actions! You seemed so fine! Tell me, did something happen with the two of you?"

Papa stopped moving his utensils because of that. He eyed mama seriously and lifted it up to me.

"This is not the right time to talk about that matter, Anastasia." aniya, sumulyap ulit kay mama.

"Answer me first, and I'll stop. I'll leave the other questions for later." pasaring ni mama sa'kin.

"No, ma. Wala..."

Nagkatinginan kami. Baka sinusubukang alamin kung nagsisinungaling ba ako.

"I'm just bothered by the possibility that you already have given yourself to him tapos naghiwalay kayo." istrikta niyang turan sabay balik na sa pagkain.

"Anastasia..."

"I'm sorry. I can't help it."

Suminghap si papa at inilingan siya. He looked disappointed and I can't deny it.

Kaninang umaga naman, tungkol naman sa dahilan kung bakit kami nag-break. I already thought of this so I had an idea of what I can tell them.

"Nothing's really changed with our treatment for each other. Before when we were friends, and after we agreed to be in a relationship. Parang... ganoon lang din naman. It was confusing so I told him to end it already."

"How can you explain those kisses then? Gawain niyo na iyon noon pa?" si papa na hindi yata tanggap ang sinabi ko.

"What..." nalilito akong naglipat-lipat ng tingin sa ibaba.

I knew they never saw us kissing on the lips and probably, the only thing they saw was Hope's simple kisses on my forehead. I felt a relief.

"Mga simpleng halik lang po 'yon at sa... noo lang naman."

"He does that even before?"

I nodded. "Minsan lang din naman..."

Inayos ni papa ang kanyang salamin gamit ang isang daliri at pinakatitigan ako. Mama's intense glare kept on coming back to me as she ate.

"As what I've said, our treatment is just the same. You don't have to worry about the other..." bumuntong hininga ako. "Things."

Uminom si mama bago ako tinapunan ng mga tanong. "Kung ganoon, bakit ka umiyak? Bakit ganoon na lang ang pag-amin ni Hope na mahal ka niya?"

"He-"

"He loves you. Hindi pagmamahal sa kaibigan ang tinutukoy niya." she added in a monotone. "You also cried. Why is that then? Are you making fun of the situation? Totoo ba ang mga nangyayari o ginagawa niyo lang itong laro? Hindi ko na talaga alam kung anong nangyayari sa'yo. O baka gan'yan na lang talaga ang mga kabataan ngayon."

Malapit ng magkabuhol-buhol ang mga naiisip kong alibi sa utak ko. Hindi yata matitigil ang pagtatanong. I took a deep breath before answering.

"Ma, you don't have to ask me anything anymore. Hope and I... already settled everything. We're both fine. Magkaibigan na lang kami ngayon. Sana po naiintindihan niyo." maingat kong sabi.

She glared at me still, not buying what I've said.

"Hindi talaga kita naiintindihan, anak."

The last word was supposed to sound so sweet but because of how cold and serious her tone was, it only made me feel more nervous.