Parted Ways

CHAPTER EIGHT

What are your games, Caden? Why do you have to act like this?

Ang gulo ng lalaking ito.

"Amiga! Your son is a very beautiful man." my mother interrupted.

Dra. Mercado giggled. "Yes! Your daughter too."

Nagkatinginan sila at parang kusang nag-uusap ang kanilang mga mata.

"Son we are going now, do you want to come?"

He then glanced at them.

"Hindi na po, I just came to drop this off," he got a medium black box and gave it to his mom. "Get well soon, Solhera."

And just like that, the connection between our families became solid.

Caden and I we're both from the middle class families so our parents eventually got along very well.

Mind you, change is really constant. It can completely revise things that you thought would stay as it is today.

Pero hindi lahat magbabago ng ayon sa kagustuhan mo.

Dumating ang oras na pinakahihintay ng aking mga kaklase, pero hindi ako. Today is the releasing of class standings, I can't bare to face the truth that is about to slap me real hard. Sure, for some this is only the littlest among all the little things, but for me and for my family, it is not. Both of my parents was discriminated by their co-workers. Why? Because they graduated from an obscure universities. They wanted me to pursue what they did not achieved. They wanted me to pave my high school days and get me qualified to the top school here in the Philippines. Nevertheless, they still managed to be one of the best businessman and businesswoman here in our province.
They only want the best for me.

"Class, I have an important and thrilling announcement at the same time," Ma'am Lopez excitedly started. "We're not going to release your standings today, we'll conduct a meeting with your parents regarding the recognition day and doon namin i-aanounce kung ano nga ang standings niyo. Parang International Awarding Ceremony lang ang peg no?"

Nabalot ng tawanan at ng itsura ng mga nag-aalalang katulad ko ang silid namin. Umalis na rin ang aming guro at pwede na raw kaming umuwi pero parang nanghihina pa ako.

I'm a consistent honor student, I'm always on the top. I don't know what will happen after this.

"Aru, I really am worried about you. Hindi ka na tulad ng dati. You know you can share to me whatever it is bothering you, right?" I looked at her, she's really worried about me.

I hugged her, nawawalan na ako ng oras kay Farah. Alam ko naman na makakapag-hintay siya kung kailan okay na ako, kung kailan kaya ko nang tanggapin.

"Farah, paano kung matanggal ako?"

"Face the reality. There's no room for what ifs. Just accept the fact that this is the consequences of your actions. I'm not blaming you, my dear Aru. I just want you to get out of your comfort zone and start to work things out. I love you, I'm always here for you." she then hugged me while my tears are flowing.

Mom kept on knocking at my door. I bet galing na siya sa school and she's about to scold me.

Lumapit ako sa aking pintuan at handa na akong buksan ito nang marinig ko ang mga salita ng aking ama.

"Let her be, hayaan muna natin siya. I'm sure kusa siyang lalapit sa atin kapag okay na siya. Maybe she felt so much pressure from us." the last words were almost whisper.

Today is Friday, 2 days left before our Recognition Day. Do I have to attend? I'm sure my parents are upset with me.

I stayed in my room, good thing I had stocked foods in my mini fridge.

Sumapit ang araw ng linggo at nagpasya na akong lumabas.

I went downstairs and then I saw my parents eating their breakfast.

"Oh my daughter!" my mother immediately hugged me.

I looked at my dad, he smiled a bit before joining us.

"I'm s-sorry, Mom and Dad" my voice broke.

My mother caressed my back. "Hush baby, it's alright. It's our fault. Sorry for causing you so much pressure."

I can feel the sincerity with my mother's voice.

After withdrawing to our group hug, my tears fell down.

"If there's one to blame, ako po iyon," I said while sobbing. "Pinabayaan ko po ang huling mga requirements ko, hindi ko po ginawa ang best ko. Don't worry, babawi po ako. Hindi ko po kayo bibiguin."

After an hour of our heart-to-heart talk, natapos din ang nagpapabigat sa damdamin ko.

Ang bilis talaga ng takbo ng oras, tatlong linggo na ang nakalilipas simula ng matapos ang eskwela.

For the passed few weeks, hindi ko inakala na aasenso ang koneksyon namin ni Caden. Every party here in our municipality, nandoon pareho ang bawat mga pamilya namin.

We became close, so close. Akala ko dati hindi kami aabot ng ganito, pero look at us now.

His mother likes me so much to the point na ako na ang gusto niya para sa kaniyang anak.

Mahirap basahin si Caden. Hindi ko lubos maisip na kung bakit dati ay si Kara tapos ngayon ay naging ako na. After what happened at Samuel's party, biglang nagbago lahat eh. I don't know what happened but one thing I know, darating din ang panahon at maiintindihan ko ang lahat.

"Amiga, uuwi na kami." paalam ng aking ina kay Tita Liza.

Mercado and Abiera Family were both invited here in some politician's party.

Buti nalang napilit ni tita si Caden kaya hindi ako na bored sa pakikinig.

"Caden, hijo. Mauna na kami ha, ipaalam mo nalang kami sa Daddy mo."

I hugged tita Liza and bid my goodbye too.

"Take care! See you on our party naman sa Friday ha?"

But things happened, iyon na pala ang huling party namin kasama siya.