Hell Section 2.0

2. Trouble is My Second Name

RHYGEL

Yesterday, I was called to the principal's office. Today, I was called to my mom's office.

Himala. Nasa bahay siya ngayon. She rarely works at home. Sa isang buwan, mahirap pa ang dalawang beses na nakaka-uwi siya. Most of the time ay lagi siyang nasa business trip.

Siguro ay halos malibot na niya ang buong mundo pero itong bahay, malamang ay hindi pa. Every time she's around, nasa loob lang siya ng opisina niya.

Claudette Dela Rosa is not a typical mom. She's the founder and CEO of Dela Rosa Group of Companies. This woman was able to create her name in a field dominated by men. Hindi siya basta-basta. She can kick asses.

I knocked before I entered her office. Naabotan ko siyang may kausap sa telepono.

"My secretary will come today to pass the needed documents. Thank you for considering my son's transfer. If ever there is something your school needs, please let me know."

She ended the call with pleasantries and signaled me to sit down. Yah. She's like this all the time. Kapag may pag-uusapan kami para akong nasa isang business meeting. Believe it or not, but before you can reach her, you must first notify her secretary to get an appointment.

"Next week, Monday, ay papasok ka na sa bago mong school."

Thursday na ngayon. May tatlong araw pa ako. I must not waste those remaining days. I'll give the boys a call later. Maybe we can hang out or have a quick trip somewhere. I need time to unwind.

"I know what you're thinking, child. Grounded ka. Have you forgotten that?"

Muntik ko na ngang makalimotan na grounded ako. Teka. Can she read minds now? Pero baka pwede naman akong makahirit kahit this weekend lang.

"Of course, I didn't forget. Pero mom, baka naman pwedeng magrequest na until tomorrow na lang 'yon. I want to go out with my friends this weekend since sa ibang school na ako papasok. I won't be seeing the guys regularly anymore."

I gave her my most charming smile. No one can resist it. Sigurado akong mapapapayag ko siya.

"Nice try, but my answer is no."

Badtrip! Ano naman ang gagawin ko dito sa bahay? Kakasimula pa lang ng araw pero batong-bato na ako. Argh!

"Your new school is in the city."

Sa city? It's two hours away from here. Wala naman siguro siyang balak na ipahatid-sundo ako doon. Hassle kapag ganoon. Unless, she'll let me use the chopper.

"You already mentioned it yesterday pero hindi ko na maalala 'yong pangalan. Saang school na ulit ako lilipat?"

"PHS. Patterson High School."

The name sounds familiar. Parang narinig ko na ito dati. Matanong nga si Nico, ang dakilang tsismoso.

"Since PHS is in the city, you need to move out."

Namutla ako sa sinabi niya. Is she kicking me out of this house? Tinatakwil na ba niya ako bilang anak? But I'm his only child, hindi naman niya siguro gagawin 'yon sa akin.

Last month, I bought another car. I spent half of my money in the bank for it. Bumili kasi 'yong mortal enemy ko na si Travis ng bagong sasakyan. Syempre hindi pupwedeng siya lang, dapat ako din at dapat mas magara 'yong akin!

Magkakasya pa ba ang natitirang pera ko? How will I be able to sustain my lifestyle? If that is the case, I don't think I'll survive.

"Are you done battling with your nonsense thoughts?" I came back to reality when she spoke again.

"You will live with one of your uncles. Don't worry about your allowance. I'll transfer money to your account. However, it will be limited to 50, 000 pesos a month."

Is she not done punishing me? Why does she need to cut down my allowance?

"Mom!" paghihimutok ko.

"What?! That amount is more than enough. Your uncle is not poor. He can provide whatever you'll be needing, so stop acting like a brat."

Speaking of uncle. Kaninong uncle ako titira? I only have two uncles. They are my mom's cousins. Both are good to me pero sana naman ay kay uncle number 1 ako tumira.

"Kay uncle number 1 ba ako titira? If yes, I'll be glad."

Mas magkasundo kasi kami ni uncle number 1. Our interests are common. Si uncle number 2 kasi ay iba ang trip. Well, he's cool, but I like uncle number 1 more.

"You'll live with your uncle number 2 since uncle number 1 is in the U.S."

Tsk. Hindi bale na nga lang. Ayos na din 'yon.

"The maids will pack your things tomorrow. Sa saturday na ang alis mo. Hindi na kita maihahatid doon. I'm flying to Thailand tonight."

As expected, lalayas este aalis na naman pala siya.

Tumayo na ako para umalis. When I'm almost at the door, nagsalita ulit siya.

"Rhygel. The troubles you had made in your old school must not happen in your new school."

Akala ko pa naman ang sasabihin niya ay mamimiss niya ako o mag-iingat ako. Tsk. Kaya hindi siya nagkaka lovelife dahil minsan napaka-cold niya.

"You always say that you're a Dela Rosa, so please act like one."

Expectations. Wala akong paki-alam sa mga expectations nila. I am me. I'll do whatever I want. I have my own rules to follow.

"That's not a request. It's an order. I'll be keeping an eye on you, child."

Humarap ako sa kanya para sumagot.

"Don't worry mom. Magpapakabait ako."

I tried to sound convincing. If you know who Rhygel Dela Rosa is, alam mong wala sa bokabularyo ko ang salitang magpaka-bait.

Did I say that I'm the king? I'm invincible. I'm untouchable. Ako ang hari kahit saan man ako magpunta.

Sorry to disappoint you my dearest mother, but you of all people must know that trouble is my second name.

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