Mercedez 2: Blinding Lights

21

Papa

"My son doesn't deserve a cheater!"

A cheater...

Seriously?

Kaagad kong pinahid ang mga luhang kumawala. Gustong-gusto kong matawa! I really wanted to.

Disbelief was very evident in my face as I looked at the two parents of my ex-boyfriend in front of me for sure, dahil mas lalo silang nainsulto habang tinititigan ako.

And speaking of the real cheater...

"Mom! Dad!" Humahangos itong lumapit kung nasaan kami. Mukhang nagmadaling lumapit sa amin.

A sudden mocking smirk crept through my lips. These people embarrassed me in front of everyone who was just having a supposedly peaceful dine.

First was Toni... that day we ate out and Mariz revealed how they were betraying me behind my back a lot of times! I don't even want to think about how those people might have pitied me because of what they've heard... that my boyfriend got my bestfriend pregnant because I could not satisfy him!

And now... his parents? For what? Because I dined out with my husband? And then what? They called me a cheating... a cheating bitch! I want to be cruel and laugh so hard! I want to curse! Because when did I ever cheat on their cheating son? When?!

And why are they saying that?

Humarap ang mommy niya sa kaniya at kaagad siyang niyakap habang humahagulhol. Para bang... pinagluluksa niya ang pagtataksil ko sa pinakamamahal niyang anak.

My sharp eyes went to Anthony. His eyes were on his mother, confused of what was happening. Nakasuot pa ito ng pang opisina at hula ko'y kararating niya lamang.

"Why are you crying mom?"

"Your girlfriend is a cheater, Anthony! Look at her and her bastardo!"

Napasinghap siya sa sinabi ng ama at kaagad itong inawat.

"D-Dad," pigil niya rito na akala mo'y makakapagpahupa ng galit nito.

"What girlfriend are you fucking talking about?" Madilim na ani ni Row.

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi at mas lalong nag igting ang galit sa mga mata ko. Sinalubong iyon ng lalaki at kaagad kong nakita ang halong takot, hiya at sakit na nagkalat roon.

"I'm sorry, Architect Dela Vega-"

"I don't need your goddamn sorry, Montero! Your parents just embarrassed my wife in front of everyone saying she's a cheater!" Sigaw ng asawa ko na halos ikatalon ko. I felt his chest vibrating dahil sa panggigigil niya! Mas humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. "And how dare your mother slap my wife, huh? Eh halos ayaw ko nga 'tong hawakan dahil takot akong mabasag! Tangina ni'yo! Ano 'to, huh?!"

"She did what-" his head snapped towards his mom. "What did you do, mom?!" Taranta at galit na tanong nito.

"Don't raise your voice at your mom, Gerard Anthony! Your girlfriend is cheating on you!" Pagpapaintindi ng ama niya rito.

"One more accusation, Mr. Montero. Kakalimutan ko ang deal natin."

Napasinghap ako sa banta ni Row. Galit na galit talaga siya! Kaagad ko siyang tiningala at sinubukang pakalmahin by caressing his jaw with my shaking hand.

"Row..."

Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong humahaplos sa umiigting niyang panga. He gave it a good squeeze— letting me know that he knows what I am doing and that he appreciates it. Pero nanatili ang matatalim at galit niyang mga mata sa tatlong nasa harapan namin.