Probably, A Trip

Chapter Five

"Where the hell did you go, Chescka Mae?!"

Biting my lips, I stopped myself from talking back at him. Palagi na lang ganito. I always felt that I'm still the younger me who always experienced being scold. I'm 23! I had my job. I can live by myself. But, all those things vanished when I came home, dad scolding happens everytime.

"Hindi mo ba alam na sobrang kahihiyan ang natamo ko kay Mr. Chan? He was expecting us in Cebu! And then now, naghahanap na siya ng panibagong Engineer at baka umatras na din siya sa deal namin! Saan ka ba galing?!"

"Siargao dad," I simply said.

"Siargao?! Tinakasan mo ang isang napakalaking kliyente para lang sa Siargao?! So, gagayahin mo ang mommy mo, tapos ano? Aalis ka din?!"

I looked at him, wide eyes. Bakit naman nadamay si mommy? I just went for Jyrah's party! Gusto ko lang ding makarating sa Siargao dahil parati niya akong pinagbabawalan!

"Don't involve mom here, dad. Wala na po siya dito, hayaan na natin. And all my negotiations should be told to our company. Hindi dapat ako nagpapadalos-dalos dad. Sagot ko kapag pumalpak 'yon." He laughed and sat at the chair, flounced.

"I can easily drop your company. Pwede akong magtayo ng sarili mo kung gugustuhin ko." Sagot niya. Tumahimik na lang ako. Palagi na lang niyang sinasabi 'yon. Nakakasawa na.

"And you want me to let you do what she did? Ganon ba, Chescka Mae?" I shook my head multiple times.

"It's not like that, dad. I just went for Jyrah's party. 'Yon lang naman po 'yon."

"You surf, aren't you?" I slowly nodded. Tinawanan niya ako bago tumayo at umakyat sa taas. Napabuntong-hininga ako bago umakyat papunta sa kwarto.

Kakarating ko lang at pagod sa byahe, 'yon na agad ang bumungad sa 'kin. Dad scoldings. Dad anger. Palagi na lang. Feeling ko isa pa rin akong bata na kailangang sumunod sa mga gusto niya. I wonder if mom was still here with us. Magiging ganon pa rin kaya siya sa 'kin?

Kinabukasan ay pumunta ako sa opisina to supervise some engineers and to check some datas. Andon din si Xia dahil minessage niya ako kanina. I also want to finish those designs I haven't even finish yet. Dumaan muna ako sa starbucks para bumili ng paborito kong drink. Caramel Macchiato.

"Engineer Rodriguez!" Gia greeted when I entered the office. I smiled and greeted her too before I went at my cubicle. Saktong pasok ni Xia habang may hawak na blueprint.

"Aga mo, saan ka galing?" I asked her, handling a coffee. Agad niyang tinanggap 'yon at umupo sa tapat na upuan.

"Binisita ko yung construction ni Engineer Palino sa QC. May emergency na nangyari kanina sa bahay nila, inutusan ako."

"Where is Engineer Talva? Co-engineer siya diba?" She shrugged.

"Ewan," Sagot niya na lang at ininom yung kape.

I was about to drink my caramel macchiato when my phone beeped. It was unknown number.

From: 09*********

Natatamad ako pumasok, babe.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at agad na nagtipa ng reply.

To: 09*********

Bon?

Few seconds ago, he replied.

From: 09*********

I like it when you don't forget my name, Engineer.
Asan ka? Andito ako sa Makati.

Nanlaki na naman ang mata ko. Magtitipa pa lang ako ng ire-reply ay biglang tumunog ang phone ko. He's calling!