Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10:

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

"YOUR father loves you, Blair."

Napanguso lang si Blair at patagilid na humiga ng kama. Inilipat niya ang cordless phone sa kabilang tainga. "Papa is confusing, Jack. Para na siyang si Mama. Isang araw, malambing sa'kin. Isang araw, ayaw sa'kin."

"Maybe, we just don't understand our parents most of the times..."

"My parents don't like to be understood. At saka... more than a month na nang nagsumbong ako kay Papa. Bakit ngayon lang siya nagpa-TRO katulad ng ginawa ng Dad mo?"

"I can't speak for your father. But maybe, ahm... bumabawi siya sa'yo? Maybe he felt guilty about the family picture last time..."

Napakurap-kurap si Blair. Oo nga, ano? Ang talino talaga ni Jack! "You mean, this is his way of saying that he's sorry?"

"Maybe. At sabi mo, unang beses na siya mismo ang sumundo sa'yo mula sa bahay ng Mama mo... Maybe, he was also bothered when you don't come to his house anymore."

In-imagine ni Blair ang Papa niya na mukhang bothered at guilty. Kaso ang matigas at emotionless na mukha ng Papa lang niya ang nakikita niya sa imagination. Parang iisa lang ang alam na ekspresyon nito.

"Nah! I think, napilitan lang siya. Sinalubong ako ni Tita Bella kanina. She prepared my favorite food for dinner. Even my favorite dessert. Sabi niya, kinulit niya daw nang kinulit si Papa para umuwi ako dito sa bahay."

Okay na ulit si Blair kay Tita Bella. Malinis na ulit ang image nito sa isip niya. Kaso naman, tumawag kanina ang Mama niya sa kanya at pinaalalahanan siyang huwag masyado magtitiwala kay Tita Bella blah, blah, blah, blah!

"Your stepmother's fond of you, Blair. At siguro ganoon din ang Papa mo talaga. Baka hindi lang siya expressive na tao," sapantaha ni Jack.

"You don't know Santino Pierre Delos Santos. He's not expressive because he cannot feel anything. Nakita mo na ba siya minsan sa business news or newspapers? Even sa tabloids kapag nahuhuli siyang may kasamang ibang babae? He does not smile! You cannot see him smile!!!"

"But you still love him."

Natigilan sandali si Blair. Patihaya siyang humiga at nakipagtitigan sa kisame. "Once I turned eighteen, I'm going to demand for my own place. May right na 'ko to choose where to live by that time." Ngayon, wala lang siyang magawa sa pagpasa-pasa sa kanya ng mga magulang.

"That's a tough choice, Blair. I mean, I plan to do the same. Not because I don't want to live with my parents, but because I want to practice independence."

Napangiti siya. "Kapag eighteen na tayo, let's live in a place na magkatabi lang! Like neighbors! Para lagi pa rin tayong magkikita, Jack," nasasabik niyang suhestisyon. "Tapos sabay din tayong kumain. I'll come over to your place, you come to mine. Oh, wait! Let's live together na lang! Let's be roommates!!!"

"I-I don't think that's p-possible. Puwede tayong maging magkapitbahay. But not roommates. That's too..."

"What?"

"Ahm...advance? I mean, we're friends but it's not exactly appropriate for us to live under one roof together. Na tayong dalawa lang? I don't know. I'm not comfortable with that idea," seryosong sabi nito.

Napalabi siya. "Ano ba 'yan. Sinira mo naman ang imagination ko!"

"Let's be neighbors once we got our own place someday."