Chapter Four
"I'm not a crybaby." I tried to stop my sobs.
"Uy, Calli. Napano 'yan?" I heard a male classmate.
Pinigilan kong umiyak dahil nakakahiya. I always cry whenever things like this happen. Ayaw ko naman talagang umiyak pero hindi ko talaga mapigilan. I just don't want to disappoint my father.
Stupid tears.
"Wala 'to." Sagot ni Calli at mahinang tumawa.
"Bakit umiyak?" Another male classmate asked, probably River dahil sa boses.
"I'm not crying, Riv!" Kumawala ako sa yakap ni Calli at tumalikod sa mga classmates ko para pahiran ang luha.
May sinabi si Calli sa kanila na hindi ko halos narinig at nang sumulyap ako sa likod ay wala na ang mga classmates kong lumapit. He stared at me and smiled teasingly.
"Tingnan mo, ang pula pula na ng ilong mo. Ang pangit mo pa namang umiyak." He pinched my nose.
Agad tumama ang kamao ko sa dibdib niya at sinamaan siya ng tingin.
"Ang pangit mo kahit hindi ka umiiyak ew."
"Hoy ang pogi ko kayang umiyak."
What?
"How did you know? Umiiyak ka pa pala? Ang laki laki mo na kaya."
"Grabe. Hindi naman ako robot. May feelings rin ako 'no."
"Then when was the last time you cried?"
"Last month." Proud na proud niyang sinabi.
"Why did you cry?"
Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at umupo sa malapit na armchair, mukhang iniiwasan ang tanong ko kaya sinundan ko.
"Bakit ka nga umiyak?"
"It's nothing." Malungkot na sabi niya at hindi makatingin sa akin.
"Huy, why do you sound sad? May problem ka?" I tried to catch his eyes.
"I'm not sad. Naalala ko lang."
What's wrong with him? Did he really cry?
"Ang alin?"
"Lion King. Yung live action. Damn it. Bakit ko pa kasi pinanood 'yon na alam ko namang mamamatay si Mufasa. Edi doble yung sakit dahil mukhang totoo tangina." He sounded so problematic.
Napangiwi ako at napairap. What the hell I thought it's something serious!
I went to the library with Kianna and Bea after having lunch. My feelings were a bit heavy but I need to step aside my emotions first dahil kiailangan pang mag rewiew for the last day ng exams.
Gustong sumama ni Calli pero hindi ako pumayag. Mang-iistorbo lang 'yun. I know he's just worried dahil nag offer din na sumama sa house namin pag-uwi ko mamaya but I declined too. I can just lie to my perfectionist Dad dahil kahit ano pang explain ko na mahirap yung exam, hindi 'yon tumatanggap ng reasons.
"I think I did well, Dad. Nagreview ako for a long time yesterday." I said without letting my voice shake but my fingers at my back were like fighting with each other.
And I did. I lied. It's just a small thing. It's no big deal. Or at least that is what I am telling myself to be comforted.
He nodded. "Don't forget the celebration on Saturday." He said while scanning some papers on his desk.
Right. Celebrations. Reunions.
"Opo."
We're finally done with our finals kaya tapos na sa 11th grade. The release of report cards will be next week as well as the reading of honors. Well, susulitin ko nalang ang isang week. A week before I become a big disappointment in my Dad's eyes.
