Doomed
“Do you like your room, anak?” May kakaibang kinang ang mata ni Mama habang tinatanong niya ako kaya pilit kong itinago ang aking totoong emosyon.
I hid the dismay painted on my face by brightening it up with a smile. Mama took all the burden of processing my documents and even finding me a place to stay in the city so it was the least that I could do to show my gratitude.
But thinking of it, I’m already sixteen but I don’t know why they’re still treating me like a toddler. Sila pa rin ang gumagawa ng mga bagay na dapat ako na ang gumagawa ngayong matanda na ako. Ganito na sila noon pa man.
I had nothing against it, but sometimes, I just wish that they could trust me to do things on my own.
“Yes Ma. Ang lawak nga eh tapos kompleto pa ang mga gamit.” I tried to sound as gleeful as possible. Hindi naman iyon mahirap gawin dahil nagustuhan ko naman talaga ang apartment unit na kinuha sa akin ng mga magulang ko.
The white sheets of the medium-sized bed looked velvety that I almost want to spend the rest of the day lying on there. There was also a wooden study table here and a small empty bookshelf where I was already planning to arrange my books once I get to buy new titles from a famous bookstore. Bumilib nga rin ako sa laki ng tokador na sa tingin ko ay hinding-hindi ko mapupuno ng damit kahit maraming pinadala sa akin si Mama. Maganda na sana ang lahat pero may napagtanto ako.
Those things come in pairs.
“It’s good to hear that, ‘nak! Sayang talaga at hindi mo kasama si Hiro. I actually intended to make you roommates kaya pang-dalawahan ang napili kong unit,” wika ni Mama. Napatango na lang ako bilang tugon. Napahiling na lang ako ng wala sa oras na sana nga ay nandito si Hiro. Makakaya ko pa kung siya ang makakasama ko. Pero napakalabo na no’ng mangyari.
I expelled a deep breath after looking at the bed adjacent to mine. The thought of sharing a room with a complete stranger really doesn’t sit well with me.
Napangiwi ako nang makarinig ako ng malakas na tunog kung saan ngayon si Mama. “Magsisimula na ulit ang seminar namin, ‘nak. Tatawagan ka ulit ni Mama mamaya. Ingat ka parati, Regan!” pagpapaalam ni Mama bago niya tinapos ang video call.
Three consecutive knocks echoed from outside my room. Mabilis akong tumungo sa pintuan para pagbuksan kung sino man ang nasa labas. I was expecting to see Tita Janice, the landlady, but my brows furrowed when I discovered who was outside.
Kumurba naman pababa ang labi ng babaeng nasa harapan ko nang makita niya ang aking reaksiyon. “Grabe namang mukha ‘yan, Reg. Marami ka sigurong nasuka kanina, ‘no?”
I widely opened the door before I matched her frown with my own. “Don’t remind me about it, Shell.” Bumungisngis naman ang kaibigan ko bago siya tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng aking silid.
“How did you find me?” tanong ko sa kanya dahil hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nandito siya ngayon. I was just about to call her in order to inform her about my arrival but she already came before I could do so.
“Connections,” tipid niyang sagot bago humalakhak na parang timang.
Pagkatapos niyang igala ang kanyang mga mata ay napangalumbaba siyang umupo sa parihabang couch. “Bakit ang laki ng room mo? Ang unfair! Only half lang yata ng lawak nito ‘yong akin eh!”
Natawa na lang ako sa mga hinaing niya habang sinusundan siya ng tingin. When she opened the door to the balcony, a strong wind entered the room. “You even have a good view of the city! Bakit ba nasa first floor ako nilagay ni tita!” pagmumukmok niya pa rin. Pumagting naman ang tainga ko dahil sa sinabi niya.
BINABASA MO ANG
Drawn to His Flame
Ficção AdolescenteRegan Cordova yearns to taste true freedom. So when an opportunity to be independent arrives, he takes it without any second thoughts. With a clear goal in mind, he's ready to prove that he's not just a mere shadow following his parents' footsteps. ...