Amore #2: Withered Epitome of Beauty

WEOB 21

"Saan ka pupunta?"

My eyes widened after hearing a man's voice. I stopped tiptoeing and squinted my eyes as I search for my dad even if the house is dark. It's already ten in the evening and all the lights are now off.

Patay ako nito. I just wanted to see Vin, hindi na kasi kami masyadong nagkikita. Bumibisita naman dito si Vin pero sobrang pormal ng pakikitungo sa akin dahil nand'yan 'yong parents at kapatid ko.

I couldn't even get out of the house because my family are always here.  Wala nang pasok si Karl kaya dito na lang siya sa bahay. He's not hanging out with Threse anymore. Mom's not busy baking cakes which is one of her hobbies and dad! Dad would always guard me, sobrang tagal pang matulog para i-assure na hindi talaga ako makakalabas! Is he against my relationship with Vin?

I heaved a sigh and shrugged my shoulders. Three more days and the page of the 2014 calendar will be flipped once again. It's turning May. Ilang araw din akong nagkasiya lamang sa pakikipag-text o pakikipagtelebabad sa nobyo ko.

I know that dad is just concerned but I'm already eighteen, kaya ko na ang sarili ko. I'm not saying that I'm already old to know everything about love and the risk of entering relationships because I'm not.

Kung sa mga actor o actress ang pagbabasehan, rookie pa ako. Or a newbie... But everyone will go through that stage. Hindi ko naman minamadali ang sarili ko sa pag-ibig pero hindi ko inakalang dadating siya ng napakaaga.

Love is a battle. Hindi mo malalaman kung panalo ka ba o talo ka na kung hindi mo susubukan. Hindi mo alam kung lalaban ka pa ba o susuko ka na kung hindi ka kikilos. So this is what I'm doing even if I'm afraid to take risks. Even if everything about the word 'love' makes me overwhelm. I wanted to bring my luck. Dahil paano kung ito na 'yon, 'di ba?

"Scyther Azinette, I'm asking you, saan ka pupunta?"

I gulped. My knees wobbled because of dad's cold and serious voice. Sa sobrang lamig, ang ulo ko na lang ang naibabaling ko para hanapin ang kinaroroonan niya. My body is already frozen because of nervousness. Takte!

"D-Dad..." I stuttered, still searching for him in the dark. "Bibili lang sana ng soft drinks at pagkain sa labas? Is it okay with you?"

"Sa ganitong oras?" Balik niyang tanong sa akin kasabay ng pagtikhim.

"Dad, gutom po kasi ako." I reasoned out even if I'm not really hungry. It was just my alibi.

Nakita kong tumango-tango ang ulo ni dad sa kabila ng kadiliman. He's sitting on the sofa, his eyes are not on me. 'Buti na lang hindi siya nakatingin sa akin kasi kung nagkasalubong ang mga mata namin, baka mabasa niyang nagsisinungaling ako.

"Gutom ka kaya gusto mo siyang kainin?" Dad suddenly asked.

Napasinghap ako at agad na humawak sa railings ng hagdan. What the heck would I let myself do that?! I am not a pornstar for goodness' sake! Ano ba'ng iniisip ni dad? Si dad ba talaga 'tong kausap ko ngayon?

"Just kidding, ate, hindi ka naman mabiro!"

Karl emerged in front of me. Nakangisi siya. May hawak siyang flashlight sa isang kamay at ang liwanag nito ay napunta sa kanyang mukha. He looks like a creepy murderer, kulang na lang magdala ng kutsilyo. Lintik na bata!

"Karl..." I seriously stared at his eyes, giving him a warning for what he'd done. "Hindi nakakatuwa ang ginawa mo. Alam kong bata ka pa but seriously, pulling out a prank like this is certainly a bad one. Try harder, Kaden Azrael..."

Naglakad ako palayo sa nakababata kong kapatid. I tried my best to not supress a laugh. Hindi naman talaga ako galit pero totoong hindi ako natuwa sa ginawa niya. How could he even imitate dad's voice?!