Chaining the Heartless

20

Chapter Twenty
Secret

Tama si Kenzo. Hindi ko rin naman ito maitatago kay Mommy o kahit na kanino. Now, I made up my mind. Mas mabuting ako ang magsabi.

I was nervous and I can't almost eat my dinner. Alas-onse na pero nagdi-dinner pa lang kami dahil katulad ko, late na rin na umuwi sina Daddy at Mommy.

"You're so sweet, hija. Hinintay mo pa talaga kami," Daddy smile sweetly.

I tried to smile too but it faded immediately because of nervousness. Tatlo lang kami sa dining table ngayon.

"How's exam?" My mom ask and smile a little, expecting a good answer.

Ngayon n'ya lang natanong ang exam dahil busy siya kahapon. She slept in the hospital yesterday because of her duty.

"Bumagsak a-ako sa C-Chemistry, Mommy." Sabi ko, mabigat ang hininga.

My mom's small smile slowly faded. Napayuko ako at kinagat ang labi. Naiiyak na naman ako at hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Ibinagsak ni Mommy ang kaniyang kobyertos dahilan ng paglalampag ng lamesa. Napalunok ako sa kaba. She sighed violently.

"Useless!" Mariing an'ya, punong-puno ng disappointment. Mariin akong napapikit, hindi alam kung ano ang gagawin.

"Honey, don't call our daughter using that word!" Daddy is a bit indignant, hindi nagustuhan ang sinabi ni Mommy.

"Narinig mo ba ang sinabi ng anak mo, Reynaldo? She failed! That means if she fail the next semester, she'll go back from first year! Unang taon pa lang sa koleheyo pero tignan mo!"

"Kahit na, Athena! She's our daughter and she don't deserve to called using that word!"

"What should I call her then? Brilliant? Oh, come on, Reynaldo! Look! She failed her Chemistry! Mabuti pa si ang Ate niya, hindi ako binigyan ng gan'yang grado!"

Nakatakas ang isang patak ng luha. Agad ko iyong pinalis.

"I-I'm sorry, Mommy—"

"Hija, don't apologize!" Banta ni Daddy. "Athena, you're the one who need to apologize!"

Tumaas ang kilay ni Mommy at sarkastikang natawa.

"Don't command me, Reynaldo—"

"You're too much, Athena! You called our daughter with disgusting word in front of our food! Do you think it's appropriate?"

"D-Daddy, o-okay lang po." I tried to calm my Dad. Mukha kasing may tensyon na rin sa pagitan nila.

"Athena, hindi ko pinalaki ang anak ko para tawagin mo ng ganiyan. Kung mababa ang kaniyang grado o bumagsak man siya, sana intindihin mo dahil hindi siya katulad ni Sylvia. Look at Sylvia! You pressured her! Matataas ang grado niya pero napabayaan niya ang kan'yang sarili noon at ilang beses isinugod aa ospital! Hindi mo ba 'yun naalala? She got pregnant because you're chaining her tightly!"

"Daddy, t-tama na po—"

"Sinisisi mo ako kung ganoon?"

Daddy sighed and shook his head.

"That's not what I mean—"

"Stop talking!" Natahimik si Daddy dahil sa sigaw ni Mommy. Tumayo si Mommy at walang pasabing umalis palabas ng dining room.

Napalunok ako at nanginginig na hinawakan ang kobyertos. Naramdaman ko ang pagtabi sa akin ni Daddy. Unti-unti niya akong niyakap ni Daddy patagilid. He caressed my hair. My tears feel down my cheeks as I hug my Dad.