Hey, Professor (Completed)

HP04

HUNGRY

"Good morning!" sigaw ko ng makababa. I saw my father drinking coffee with my mother sitting beside him.

Saturday morning, I have no plans for today, I just wanna rest the whole day or just do the cooking lesson with Yaya. Every Saturday or Sunday ay nagpapaturo ako kay Yaya on how to cook some dishes, marunong na ako magluto but some Filipino foods lang. And since I have plans for tomorrow, I called Elle last night to ask if she wanted to join me to go shopping tomorrow. But she declined my invitation for her, she said, she had a family bonding meeting by Sunday. I felt sad about it. Matagal-tagal na rin kaming hindi nagd-date na mag best friend.

"Good morning sweety, have a seat. It's the weekend, sweety, any plans for today?" my mother asked.

"No plans for today Mama, I just wanted to rest the whole day." I replied. I pricked the hotdog using my spoon. My father stayed silent, he continued eating while listening.

"Next month will be your 20th Birthday, what do you want, sweety. I will call your Ninang Asth, siya na ang bahala sa gown mo. The usual," si Mama. Kinuha nito ang bread sa plato at dahan-dahang sinubo. "And... " bago pa man niya masabi ang kanyang sasabihin ay inunahan ko na siya.

"Ma, no need for the gown. Simple dress will do. Hindi naman po ako mag de-debut, And a simple party will do too. Dito lang sa bahay, sa may garden. I will invite my friends, classmates... Professors?" hindi siguradong sabi ko. "Will do." Ang 18th at 19th Birthday ko ay masyadong pinaghandaan noon kaya masyadong magastos.

I don't know, ako lang yata ang mayaman pero kuripot. Though, hindi naman kami ganoon kayaman, sadyang may kaya lang. Naka kakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw. Minsan lang din ako kung mag shopping, twice or once a month, I guess. Hindi pa sa pamimili ng gamit nauubos ang pera ko. I spend my money for food and books. Minsan lang ako mamili ng damit kapag kasama si Elle. Mas maganda naman kasi ang fashion sense niya kesa sa akin.

Books are life.. but, food is lifest... you know?!

"But sweety, once a year ka lang mag celebrate ng birthday mo. Bakit hindi pa engrande?  You're our only daughter, our princess. Nagtatrabaho kami ng Papa mo just to give you the best thing that you deserve," si Mama habang nakatingin sa akin. Tumingin ako kay Papa na nakatingin din pala sa'kin, hindi ko mabasa ang mukha. Nag buntong hininga lang ako at uminom ng juice. Hindi na muling nagsalita pa.

"Hon, we've known our daughter very well. Pag ayaw niya, ayaw niya," si Papa na kay Mama na ngayon ang paningin, nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya, ang nakangiting mukha ni Papa ang sumalubong sa'kin. "So the small party will be held in our garden, right sweetheart?" Papa asks. Tumango naman ako at ngumiti na rin. That's my father! "Then, it's settled."

It is really done.

Sa ganoong usapan natapos ang breakfast namin kanina. After that, my mother and father left. May importante daw silang pupuntahan, and I don't know about it. Hindi ako madalas mag tanong kapag ang kompanya na ang pinag-uusapan. Pero kung sakali mang kailanganin ni Mama at Papa ng katuwang sa pagpapalago ng kumpanya ay hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na tumulong. Kahit hindi iyon ang tipo ko.

***

I am now driving, Stitch. My car has a name I forgot. My car color is dark blue. This was the gift Alvin my cousin gave me on my 18th birthday. Ang galante ng pinsan ko na 'yon! I'm on my way to shop at Mall of Asia. It's already 10:00 am, Sunday morning.

Pababa na ako ng car when I saw a familiar Ducati over there. This is my lucky day, huh! I flipped my long straight hair and closed my car. I am wearing a simple yellow colored dress with puffed balloon sleeves, matching my small sling bag from Gucci, it's actually a gift from my mother on my 19th birthday. I paired it with flat simple yet elegant sandals. Matangkad na ako and I don't usually wear heels, masakit sa paa.