The Perfect Tandem

Kabanata 29

#ThePerfectTandemWP | 29

Dahil sa pagtawag ni Evan, napauwi kami bigla sa Calamba. I wanted to go alone to talk to them first, but he insisted. Tanghali na kami nakarating at nandirito kami ngayon sa isang restaurant kung saan kitang-kita ang ganda ng Makiling.

Magkatabi kami ni Thanatos at si Dad at Evan ang magkatabi. Seryoso ang mukha ng tatay ko, na labis na nagpakaba sa'kin. Si Evan naman ay mukhang chill lang.

"Kaya pala hindi na gaanong umuuwi ang anak ko nitong nakaraan na mga buwan." malalim ang boses na nakatingin ito kay Thanatos.

Tumahip ang dibdib ko. Napayuko ako, nakaka-guilty.

"Hindi porke't mayaman ka ay makakaligtas ka na sa pag-aagrabyado sa anak ko."

Sumulyap ako kay Thanatos. Matigas ang mukha niya ngunit kita ang respeto.

"Sa amin muna siya hangga't di pa kayo kasal."

"A-Ah.. kasal na po kami." Thanatos looked so awfully nervous.

"Kelan pa?"

"N-Nung nalaman po naming buntis siya. Sa huwes."

Sa akin naman tumingin ng masama si Dad. Nanginig ang kalamnan ko.

"Aleera..." suminghap siya sa galit.

"D-Dad..."

Lalong lumakas ang dibdib ko sa hiya at taranta.

"Mukhang kayang-kaya mo na nga magdesisyon para sa sarili mo, hindi na kami  importante." may anghang na dagdag ni Dad.

"I'm really sorry, Sir." Thanatos cleared his throat. "I wanted us to get married immediately the minute I knew because there are dangers once the news is out."

My dad threw him a look.

Hindi halos kami nakakain.

"I have been taking care of your daughter, Sir. Please trust that I'm capable enough to take care of the both of them." mabilis at utal utal na dagdag ni Thanatos.

"D-dad..." I felt helpless.

Hindi halos kami nakakain.

~•~

I sighed. "I'll stay here. Kailangan kong bumawi. Kahit ngayong weekend lang."

He couldn't do anything. He was forced to drive me to our house, but I knew he understands what I want. My father needs time. And I don't blame Thanatos for being conflicted. I waved him goodbye after dropping me off. It was obvious na masama ang loob niya, he gave me a look before leaving, but I needed to face my father's wrath first.

Nang makarating ako sa bahay, my father looked shocked. Nakabawi naman ito agad. Nasilip ko si Evan na umiinom ng malamig na tubig sa dining room.

"Oh, akala ko umalis na kayo?" may halong pantataboy na sabi ni Dad.

Hindi ako makasagot. I feel so sad that he's mad at me. Kasalanan ko naman.

"Dito daw muna siya, Dad," Evan said because I texted him on the way that I'm coming over for the weekend.

Umiling lang si Dad at pumasok sa kwarto niya.

I blinked, trying not to cry. Lumapit ako kay Evan.

"Are you mad at me too?" I asked softly.

He shook his head. "Matanda ka na. I can't dictate you." Binuksan niya ang ref at nagbukas ng canned soda. "But I understand Dad, ate. It's unfair on our part."

He swiftly ran his fingers through his hair. Humilig rin siya nang bahagya sa countertop.

Natamaan naman ako sa sinabi niya. How can I include them if what we had is a sham? Napapikit ako sa frustration. Hindi ko na alam.