To Fall Apart

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

August came so fast. Nakakadalawang buwan na ako sa bago kong school and everything is fine. Mabuti at walang bullies dito. Though I don't belong in a certain group but for me that was fine.

We are having a dinner in our large dining table. Dalawa lang kami ni papa. I want to tell him something but I'm hesitating to tell it.

My teacher wants me to join the theater club. She made me auditon for the lead role and I got in. Nagulat ako kasi napilitan lang naman ako at hindi ko naman ineexpect na papasok ako tapos lead pa. So they want me to join the practice proper. Para yun sa Buwan ng Wika na gaganapin sa end of the month.

But I have no guts to tell it to Papa. Kasi, aabutin ng hapon sa practice. Walang susundo sa akin. I can commute naman but, I'm afraid. Hindi pa ako maalam tumawid.

I heave a deep sigh before uttering a word but before it came out, a sudden ring of a phone interrupted us. Napatingin ako sa cellphone ni Papa sa ibabaw ng table. A name of a girl was flashed in there. Mabilis nawala ang pangalan nung babae ng biglang pinatay ni Papa ang tawag.

"Eat Andy." he commanded. Tumango ako at nagpatuloy sa mabagal na pagnguya.

Bahagyang nanliit ang mata ko. The name says Natasha. Someone I don't know. Maybe a client? But why would she call him during this hour? And it wasn't definitely his secretary because I know Miss Carter. I know her for her age  in late thirties and already has a family now.

Napatingin ako kay Papa. It's been almost a year when Mama died. Still, the pain is fresh and I don't want where my idea is heading.

Tumunog ulit ang telephono at napabuga nga ako ng malalim na hininga. I put my utensils down as I stared at Papa. Natigilan din sya at napatingin sa akin. He smiled at me.

"Just a client. It's not important."

"Sagutin mo na pa. Hindi naman tatawag kung hindi importante hindi ba?"

Papa was taken a back. Nanikip ang dibdib ko sa reaksyon nya. I immediately sipped in my drink then stand up. Nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Papa.

"May assignments po ako na tatapusin." paalam ko. Hindi ko na sya hinintay na sumagot at umalis na. Dumeretso ako sa kwarto at sinimulan na gawin ang assignments.

I sighed heavily as I put my pen down. I know papa is grieving, but I hope, his way of coping up is not by hurting me.

Hinatid ako ni Papa kinabukasan. I tried to open about the play but ended up not saying it. I kissed him a goodbye before going out of the car. Ramdam ko ang tingin sa akin ng ibang schoolmates ko. Pinagtaasan ko naman sila ng kilay.

Do I look prettier today for them to stare at me? Nagtaas ako ng noo bago hinawi ang aking buhok bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Good thing, I don't dwell on people's attention that won't do good on me.

"Good morning panget."

Napaismid ako, ng may biglang sumabay sa akin sa paglalakad. I groaned when I smell his familiar scent.  I instantly rolled my eyes at him.

Hindi ko sya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Nakasakbit ang strap ng bag nya sa isang balikat nya at nakangisi sa akin. I'm sure he's satisfied for ruining my mood.

"Ang aga mo ah. Breakfast?" he asked. Bumuntong hininga ako.

Ignore Andy. Ignore.

"Ang snob naman po." pang-aasar nya.