When Playboy Meets The Odd

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

SAGE

"Mother, am I still welcome here?" Bumgad kong tanong kay Mother Ana nang magising ako. The car will come here anytime soon. I wanted to know whether I am welcome here, kung hindi ay maghahanap ako ng matutuluyan or maybe I'll apply to Mrs. Salvador's house as a maid. They will accept me right?

"Bakit mo naman yan tinatanong na bata ka?" Mother Ana walk to me and combed my hair. I suddenly felt like a kid. "Oo naman! Welcome ka lagi rito, Sage. Hindi ka na iba sa amin." Aniya.

I took a deep breathe. "Then pwede po ba akong dito ulit tumira?" I asked straightaway. Mother Ana looked at me confused.

"Gusto mong dito tumira? Hindi ba uuwi na kayo?" The Nun asked.

"I don't want to come home po." I said honestly. I just want to stay here in Cagayan. I feel like my life is much better in this place than in Aurora or in Manila.

"Ha? Eh paano ang Mama mo?" She asked with full of worried.

"I don't think she wants me there." I said. Napabuntong hininga si Mother Ana.

"Nagtatampo ka ba sa Mama mo?" She asked. "May ginawa ba siya sayo? O baka naman napagalitan ka lang nung huli kang umalis sa bahay mo?"

I shooked my head. Sana nga po iyon lang ang rason, but no. "Hindi po. I really want to stay here, Mother. Kung gusto niyo po magwowork po ako dito–"

"Eh naku! Huwag!" She stopped me from talking. "Hindi mo naman kailangang magtabaho. Ayaw mo ba talagang umuwi? Pwede ka naman dito papayag naman si Mother Lydia." She said. Bumuntong hininga siya. "Eh kaso, paano ang buhay mo doon? Iiwan mo? Hindi ba nag-aaral ka?"

"Ayos lang po Mother. I don't like my course anyway." I lied. I love my course, but I won't be honest when I said that I am happy kahit pa gusto ko ang kurso ko. Life isn't always about school, career, or your family. It's about yourself.

And I feel like myself isn't belong in Manila, or in my Mom's family. They're kind but I know I don't belong with them.

"Alam ba ng kasama mo yan?" Mother Ana asked. I shooked my head.

"But, I will tell him. Maiintindihan niya po." I lied again. It might take him time to accept my decision. I know he won't let me.

Suddenly, we heard a car parking his way on the near playground. I know who's car is it. It's Mom's.

"Ayan na ba ang sundo niyo? Bakit ang aga ata?" Mother Ana asked.

The car's door opened. Iniluwa nito ang driver ni Mommy. Akala ko may lalabas pa roon pero wala na. It's just the driver.

"Sage?" Someone suddenly knocked at the door. It was Monsy. Mother Ana looked at me worried. I just smiled at her convincing that everything will be alright.

"Pumasok ka hijo." Mother Ana said. Monsy opened the door in my room. Ngumiti siya kay Mother Ana bago iginawad ang tingin sa akin.

"The car's here. Let's go home." He said. Mother looked at me.

"Iwan ko muna kayo." She said and left us in this room.

I looked at Monsy with so much seriousness. "May problema ba?" He asked.

I took a deep breathe. "I won't go." I said.

Monsy looked at me confused. "What do you mean you won't go? Uuwi na tayo Sage. Hinihintay na tayo sa Aurora."

Bumuntong hininga ako at tinignan siya ng diretso. "Hindi ako sasama." Saad ko. "Dito na ako titira kasama sina Mother Ana. I already told them and they're fine with it–"