A Far-fetched Love ✓

AFL 09 ✓

The most vivid memory that I had for getting humiliated was when I was in fourth year high school. Graduating na ako. As a typical child, I wanted my parents to be there. Kahit na nandiyan naman si Lola para umakyat sa stage kasama ko. Gusto ko lang maranasan na magulang ko mismo ang makakasama, kahit isang beses lang.

"Hindi niyo naman po kailangang magtagal, 'pag natawag na po ang pangalan ko at nasamahan niyo na po ako sa stage, pwede na po kayong umuwi. Ga-graduate po ako as class Salutatorian."

I remembered telling my parents when Lola begged them to secretly meet up with us at a certain fast food chain, but I didn't expect my father to bring his wife with him. Their spouses prohibit them from seeing me, neither to finance my needs nor to parent me. I was that unwanted and abhorred. 

"Salutatorian? Salutatorian lang? And you is expecting my husband to attending your graduation, especially to marching to you, tapos pangalawa ka lang pala?" my father's wife, Marga, said.

"Coming from the one who didn't finish her studies, I think that's a slap to your own scarred and deflated ego, Marga. Pull some lowliness in you, you are just a piece of trash compared to my Shimon. You can't even fix your grammar, are you that in love with gerunds, that you use too much -ing in your remarks? Such an illiterate woman, do you want my Shimon to spare some time to teach you the basics of English?" my Lola remarked laughingly that it made Marga's jaw drop. 

Lola pulled my arm as she stood which also caused me to push to my feet. 

"Aalis na kami. Nadia, kung hindi kayo pupunta hindi naman kawalan," sabi ni Lola sa mama ko. "And Franco, my son, kindly translate everything that I have said to your wife. I don't think she was able to grasp even a single context from it. How pathetic of her. Let's go apo, baka mahawa ka pa sa kawalan nila ng utak."

That humiliation that I had received became a stepping stone for me to learn how to fend for myself. It was lola who taught me how to release the inner beast in me in times that I have to.

That being said, I stood in front of Kael's bedroom and waited for him to come out. It was way past the time for our breakfast and he never failed to step out of his room at 6:30 am, not until today.

Kanina pa ako nakatayo sa harap ng pinto n'ya, kaya napagdesisyonan kong kumatok na. 

"Kael, breakfast na tayo," sabi ko matapos ang tatlong sunod-sunod na katok.

I waited for a full minute for his response but to no avail. 

Siguro tulog pa, I told myself and went off to my room.

Hindi pa ako nakalalayo mula sa kwarto n'ya nang biglang bumukas ang pinto.

"Morning," I plainly greeted him.

He maintained a blank face and walked his way to the dining area without acknowledging my presence.

Siya pa talaga ang may ganang umasta na para bang pagkatao niya ang naapakan. 

"Here's your coffee." I pushed the cup of coffee near his plate. "Did you sleep well?" I added as soon as I sat back. 

He ignored me and simply took a sip from the coffee that I made for him. He cringed at the taste of it.

I smirked. "Masarap ba?" tanong ko na pigil na pigil sa sarili na matawa.

I leaned closer to him for a better view of his wincing face. Apat na tablespoons ng kape lang naman ang nilagay ko, walang asukal at ilang minuto kong pinakuluan ang tubig. 

Tumayo siya bigla at dinura sa lababo ang kapeng nasa bibig niya.

"How did you prepare my coffee?" madiin na tanong niya.