Love in Bangketa

15

Ilang linggo pa ang lumipas, mas lalo akong nabigla dahil sa dalas na ng pangangamusta sa'kin ni Daddy ngayon. Before, I was irritated because he didn't even bother to say hi or hello. But, hell, I am more irritated now that for almost every hour, he texts me.

My phone beeped and it was my dad again, of course, based on the notification sa lockscreen ko. I swiped it to have a vivid image of his text. I raised an eyebrow when he suddenly asked me. As in, ngayon na. He would take me somewhere else, pero hindi siya nagre-reply, kaya tinawagan ko naman siya. Gladly, ilang calls pa lang, sinagot niya na.

"Dad, where are you taking me? Bakit hindi mo sinasagot tanong ko?"

"I said somewhere, Giovannah. I'm on my way now. Dress properly," He said in an authoritative voice and hang up the call. What?! Ako dapat ang nangpapatay ng call!

Hinalungkat ko na lang ang cabinet ko at naghukay ng pwedeng suotin. Since I don't have an idea where he will take me, napagdesisyunan ko na lang na magsuot ng oversized shirt at shorts. I think, we will go into somewhere casual? Sasabihin niya naman kung importante ang lugar na pupuntahan namin.

I did a little touch of a make-over on my face, pero nagsuot ako ng falsies to complement my look. I sprayed my oh-so-bango na perfume and viola! I'm done! Sumilip ako sa labas and I immediately saw Dad's car, kaya bumaba na ako.

Habang bumababa ako, nakita kong napatingin sina Tito Gerard, Auntie Roan, at Daddy sa'kin. Their faces were clearly judging my outfit and make-up. I just wonder why. I look like a simple barbie kaya today! Hindi na nga ako nagpaka bonggang make-up.

"Osiya, Gerard, hiramin ko muna itong anak ko. I-uuwi ko rin siya mamaya," Ani Daddy na para bang isa akong laruan na hinihiram niya lang sa kalaro niya.

Tito Gerard looked at me na para bang sinasabi ng mga mata niyang huwag na akong umuwi. "Sure. You can always take her anytime,"

Nauna na akong sumakay sa car namin. Nilapag ko ang bag ko sa backseat and waited for Dad. Nagkwentuhan pa yata sila kaya medyo nainip ako. Mabuti na lang at malamig na rito. Ilang sandali pa, bumukas na rin ang pinto.

"Daddy, can you now tell me where are we going?"

He started the engine. "Nope," I just rolled my eyeballs at him. Why is he keeping this as a secret? Is this something magarbo ba? Kinuha ko na lang ang phone ko at nanood ng movie.

Habang tutok na tutok ang mata ko sa movie na pinapanood ko, tumitingin-tingin din ako kung saan kami pumupunta. But, the route was not familiar to me. Instead of asking him again, I didn't waste my time.

Hanggang sa nakatapos na ako ng dalawang movies, inangat ko lang ang tingin ko at sumalubong sa'kin ang Airport. What are we doing here? May susunduin ba kami? Magt-travel kami ni Daddy? Why man spontaneous, huh? I didn't bring any clothes with me!

"Daddy, what are we doing here?"

He shrugged. "Baba ka na lang," And, so I did. I walked the entrance of the Airport as if I am a model, because duh! Kahit simple pa rin naman ang damit ko, I can still rock it. Naghintay lang kami somewhere sa stalls ng Airport. I ordered an iced coffee and Dad kept on looking at his watch. Parang may hinihintay siya.

After having thousands of sips, tumayo si Daddy. Kaya nang tignan ko siya, parang gusto ko na lang umalis nang lumagpas ang tingin ko sa kaniya, because standing in front of him... was my mother.

If I am not mistaken, it has been five years since we last saw each other. Hinding-hindi mapagkakailang anak niya ako at nanay ko siya, dahil parehas na parehas ang hubog ng mukha namin. Her wrinkles were now evident, but she was still smiling like a young child.

Nilapag ko ang kakaubos ko lang na kape. "How can you be so inconsiderate, Dad?"

My mom was obviously shocked by what I said. Kung kaninang ngiting-ngiti ito, ngayon, nawala na 'yon.

"Giovannah, change the tone of your voice. Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang lumalabas sa bibig mo," Dad strictly said.

"Haven't we talked about this before? Na ayaw ko siyang makita? Why did you bring me here, Daddy? Let's go home!"

"Xynnah," My mom's warm voice enveloped the ambiance. Nagmamakaawa ang tingin nito, but I know how to dodge, kaya hindi ko pinansin ang pagpapaawa niya.

"Dad, let's go home. Now,"

"Xynnah, anak. Kausapin mo naman ako. Mag usap tayo... Kahit saglit lang,"

"Wala na tayong pagu-usapan,"

She let out a heavy sigh. "Gusto ko lang magpaa--"

"Hindi ako interesado sa mga sasabihin mo. Kung gusto mong umalis na ng bansa, can't you do it quietly? Why do you still have to see me? Nasanay ka naman na hindi ako nakikita!"

"Giovannah Xyrish!"

"Naiintindihan ko, Ricardo," Mom gave up and smiled feebly.

Lumapit ito sa akin. "I know that what I did was unforgivable, Giovannah. I hope that someday, you will still forgive me... in your heart,"

"Don't expect for that day to come, because I won't,"

"I'm not losing hope, anak. Kung hindi man ako ang magiging dahilan para patawarin mo ako, naniniwala ako... na siguro... may taong darating sa buhay mo upang maging daan sa kapatawaran mo sa'kin,"

Nararamdaman kong bumabara na ang lalamunan ko, pero tinibayan ko ang sarili ko. "Don't ever try to wish for someone to change me. Ikaw nga mismo, hindi ko mapatawad, why do you still expect for someone who'll teach me forgiveness? Wala na akong gano'n. Dati pa," I emphasized my last word and left her.

Sa bawat paglayo ko ay ang katumbas ng pagpatak ng luha sa mga pisngi ko. I tried to shove them away, but it won't work. I went to the restroom at doon ko binuhos lahat.