Ears and Rhymes

Kabanata 12

Kabanata 12: Keeper

Lumipas ang ilang minuto pagkaalis ng kanyang ama sa bahay ko. Kunot-noong nakatingin pa rin si Hestia sa akin. Takang-taka sa nagawa kong pagtanggi sa kanyang ama.

"Ba't ba ayaw na ayaw mong inaalok ka ni Papa?" Nagtataka nitong tanong.

"Madami nang kinasangkutang katiwalian 'yang Papa mo. Everybody knew about that. It's everywhere, Hestia."

"But Papa is just diniin by those sakim na guys who surrounds him." Pagpapaliwanag nito.

"Still, he was a part of it. If he won't do anything legal to clean his reputation, not even you can change my mind."

"Look, 'di ba alam mo din namang gano'n din ang ama ni Mema, but what makes him different from Papa?"

"Alexander Cosford is one of the most successful, well-known, inspirational businessmen. He's also one of the most influential in terms of business. Hindi ko kaagad mapagkakatiwalaan 'yang ama mo, Hestia."

"But mahal?" 

"Still no. Tatanggi pa rin ako." Huling sagot ko.

"How ironic that you don't force yourself diving to a mess when in fact, you're the one who's pasimuno sa mga kabaliwan mong mga ginawa before."

"I do make mess, yes. Scandals? No, magkaiba 'yon."

"Well. Okay then, mahal. If you're hard to pilit talaga so it's fine." She finally agreed. "But whenever you changed your mind, tell me okay? I'll tell Papa immediately."

"Of course. Ipapaalam ko sa'yo, if ever it will change." I answered.

Mema called. "I'll just talk with her, lalabas lang ako." Bago lumabas, hinalikan ko muna ito sa noo.

"Hey Mema, napatawag ka? Do you need something?" Bungad kong tanong sa kanya.

"Nothing, Crux. I just wanna confirm if totoo yung kumakalat ngayon?"

"I don't even know what's happening... what is it?" I asked.

"You stepped over your fiancée's dad and rejected his offer. You don't know how much it will help you, 'di ba?" 

"Hey, if you'd just tell me what to do. Just shut up. You don't even know who you're talking about." I replied. "Kung wala ka nang ibang sasabihin, ibababa ko na 'to."

"Akala ko ibababa mo na? I was suggesting lang naman. Kung gusto mo talaga do'n sa papa ko kasi nando'n ako, edi fine." Tumawa ito.

"Wait, what? Papa mo ang nag-alok na maging mentor ko. I owe him so much of all my hardships and if you still think na dahil pa rin 'yun sa'yo. You're wrong..."

"Just kidding..." She chuckled.

"Could you just stop fantasizing about it? If only I could slap your assuming face, ginawa ko na. Buti nalang, napagtitiisan pa kita." Natahimik ito pagkatapos, "Okay, if you have nothing to say. Bye."

Ako lang ba, o nag-iba talaga ang ihip ng hangin? I can still remember before when we were just freshmen, kahit anong approach ko sa kanya nahihirapan ako. She also shines among us her fellow students that time.

"Mahal, do you wanna have some snacks? Umupo ka na dito, I'll make some for us." Nakangiting alok ni Hestia sa akin, tumango lang ako bilang pagsang-ayon.

"Kakain nanaman tayo?" Kunot-noo kong tanong. "'Tong mahal ko talaga, loves eating so much, eh?" 

"I just want us to have a long time with each other as much as possible. Hindi ko naman kasi alam baka anytime, you'll be busy for hours because you're nag-aasikaso about work."