Richard's Standard

Chapter 11 - Last War With Mom

Habang nakahiga pa sa higaan ng kwarto sa office ni Mom, naalala kong e-search ang mga sinabi ni Dona kanina. Ita-type ko na sana kaso biglang pumasok si Gilbert Angeles.

I stood up. "What are you doing here, Mr. Angeles?"

He was shocked as if he saw a monster. "Ah.... No-Nothing. I'm looking for your Mom."

This time, I felt something strange. He seemed to be looking for something in Mom's room.

"Are you sure, Mr. Angeles?" nakakunot-noo kong tanong.

He nodded and went outside but I followed him. "Look, please, just leave my Mom alone."

He smirked. "Tell that to your Mom. Siya lang naman ang kumakapit sa akin. Ayoko nang magpaligoy-ligoy pa dahil tiyak kong hindi mo talaga ako gusto at tanggap."

"Buti alam mo..."

"Dahil may nagsabi sa akin.."

"Who?" gulat kong tanong.

"Wala na 'yon sa'yo. Ang mahalaga'y alam ko ang plano mo."

"Ikaw bang nagpapadala ng mga death threat sa akin?"

"Sa tingin mo?" tila nakakaloko niyang hirit.

Matikas kaming nagkatitigan sa isa't isa when Mom went inside.

"Oh, you're both here. Let's just eat lunch," aya ni Mom sa masayang tinig.

I looked at Mom. "Mom, he's not really sincere to you."

Mom looked at him. "Gibs, can you give us time for a moment? I'll just call you later."

The guy nodded and before going outside, he gave me a hard look.

"Chad, ano bang gusto mo?" Mom asked and sat down.

"Ginagamit ka lang niya. Kanina, I saw him looking for something. You shouldn't trust him." I explained what I just saw.

She sighed. "You're just overreacting, Chad. How's your tutorial with Dona?"

"Don't change the topic. Ali mo ako aloko," I hardly said.

"Why would I do that? Seryoso kami ni Gilbert sa relasyon namin. Lumabas din ang totoo na hindi mo talaga kami tanggap. The reason we didn't accept your invitation for our supposedly family date is because I know you. I know what's in your mind."

"Leave him now, Mom. He won't do you any good. He doesn't even love you."

"Who are you to say that? Anak lang kita!"

I slammed the desk. "And that's it! I'm your son so I should care about you! Ang gusto ko lang ay mapunta ka sa taong mapagkakatiwalaan natin! That Gilbert is up to something na hindi ko alam. But I can feel it, Mom!"

"You don't know Gilbert so stop judging him." Mom went inside the room and I followed her. She saw the frame of Dad. "Ano 'to? Why is it here?!" galit niyang tanong.

"Bawal ba?" I sarcastically responded.

She took it away and threw it on the ground.

"Mom!" I shouted as I tried picking up the picture. "How could you!"

Mom was in total anger now. "Itapon mo 'yan! The moment your Dad died, that's already my last connection with him kahit nandito ka pa!"

Nasugatan pa ako ng mga bubog pero hindi ko iyon pinansin. Mas masakit pa rin ang nararamdaman ko that even Dad was already gone, he's still ignored and hated by Mom. How could she be so heartless? Kahit pa sabihing hindi niya minahal si Dad at pinilit lamang siya ay hindi iyon rason para hanggang ngayon ay kamuhian niya ito. Dad even proved his love and sacrifice for her. She's really the one to blame. If I can't bring her back to Pampanga, then it's better we'll just separate ways.