DAMA: The Princess Bitch

Chapter 15

Arrogant girl, love yourself so no one has to. They're better off without you.

--

Matamang pinagmamasdan ni Dani ang asawa. Kanina pa ito paikot-ikot sa bedroom nila, walis ng walis ng imaginary na kalat at punas ng punas ng non-existent na alikabok. She kept on arranging and rearranging the things inside the bedroom too.

Kanina pa ito parang balisa at malungkot. Alam naman niya kung bakit but she keeps on denying it whenever he brings it up.

Hindi na nya matagalan ang pagiging miserable ng asawa kaya nilapitan niya ito at niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Mommy what's wrong?" Malambing niyang tanong dito.

He heard her sigh. Ibinaba nito sa lamesa ang hawak na feather duster. "Ano ba dad? Bakit ba tanong ka ng tanong ng what's wrong? Nothing's wrong--I'm just cleaning."

"Wala namang kalat eh." He pointed out.

"I'm just bored dad. Don't mind me."

Iniikot ni Dani ang asawa paharap sa kanya. He cupped her face with his hands saka nya ito hinalikan sa ilong.

"Malungkot ka na naman." He said after.

"I'm not sad." Tanggi naman ni Megan.

"You can't fool me. You're miserable." Sumimangot si Dani. "I hate seeing you sad ma. It makes me sad too."

Megan forced a smile and hugged him back.

"I'm fine daddy. Don't worry."

"No. You're sad." Pagpupumilit ni Dani.

Megan sighed. "I'm fine nga daddy. I'm perfectly happy!" Nakangiti nitong sagot sa kanya.

"If you were happy, you don't have to point it out. I'd feel it."

"Kaya ko nga pinu-point out because you're pointing out that I'm sad eh." She answered, rolling her eyes.

"Well because you are."

"Hindi nga ako malungkot daddy. Ang kulit mo naman."

Hinila ni Dani ang asawa paupo sa lap nya when he sat on the edge of the bed.

"What can I do to make you happy?"

"I AM happy." Meg insisted.

"But you aren't. Come on ma, help me here. Pano ba kita mapapasaya?"

Meg touched his face. "Masaya ako dad... kase kasama kita." Banat niya sa asawa.

"I'm not buying that." Nakasimangot na sagot ni Dani.

Meg sighed. "What do you want me to say?"

"The truth." He said directly.

"I am happy." Sabi nya sa asawa. "But I feel empty dad. There's no one to shout at in this house anymore."

Dani's brows creased. "Will shouting at someone make you happy?"

"Yes." She replied curtly.

"Then shout at me." He said.

"Ayoko sa 'yo. You're docile." She said with a pout. "I want someone who's stupid enough to fight me back."

"Like Dama?"

Meg shrugged. "Well... yeah."

"So are you saying you're missing her?" Panghuhuli niya dito.

"A bit--" Nasagot naman ni Meg. Agad nyang pinanlakihan ng mata ang asawa ng marealize kung ano ang ginawa nito. "Hey--"