Forsaken Wife (Completed)

39: Nest

THUNDER VON SANDOVAL

Pinaalam ko kila mommy ang pagkapasa ko sa entrance exam ng unibersidad na nais pasukan. Kasalukuyan kaming dumudulog sa hapagkainan. Nagluto si mommy ng rib-eye steak.

Nakapwesto ako sa gilid ni Dad at si Lucia naman ay nasa tabi ko. Sampung-taong gulang na ito at mas malapit siya sa akin kaysa kila mommy.

"Nakapasa ka? That's good news!" masayang sambit ni Dad.

Malawak din ang ngiti ng aking ina. "My baby's all grown up. Ready to leave the nest."

"Mommy, it's just senior high." I turned to Lucia and cut the small meat on her plate in more tiny pieces.

"Sweetie, come on. Let him go. I'll finally have all of you."

"Ugh, Dad, ew."

"Mommy is proud of you. So proud." Umayos ako ng upo at nag-umpisa na kumain. "Parang dati lang ay nagtatago ka pa sa likod ng hita ko. Ngayon ay magsasariling dorm ka na."

"I'll still come home every weekend, mommy. To you know, get groceries."

"At ano ang kala mo sa bahay namin, grocery store? Your allowance will be transferred on your card. You have to budget that every month."

I sighed and nodded. Dad has always been strict with me. Mommy wants me to have a black card for my 16th birthday, but Dad gave me a Montero instead. 

Dad is no fun.

"Baby, are you really sure you want to be in this school?"

"State university is fine, mom. They teach better than those expensive universities. And please don't sponsor buildings this time. I'm talking to you, mother."

"But how about your place?"

"Reid and I will share an apartment. Ashton's studying abroad."

"An apartment? For my boy? We have properties in Bulacan that you both could use."

"It's far from BulSu, mom."

"So? You have a car."

I smiled at turned to Dad. "I'm allowed to bring the car. You heard that clearly, right, Dad?"

He sighed. "Fine!"

"Naibili ka na namin ng mga gamit mo. Especially laptop, desktop, and Ipad. Ide-deliver iyon sa mismong apartment niyo."

Naihilamos ni Dad ang palad niya sa kanyang mukha. "Mommy."

"Oh please, let me spoil my baby."

Sumimangot si Dad at halata na wala na siyang laban sa desisyon ng nanay ko. "Iyon na ang una at huli na magiging gadget mo. Kapag nasira mo ang mga iyon, ikaw ang bahala na magpagawa at gumastos."

"I know, dad."

"Bawal kang humingi sa Lola mo. Sinabihan ko na siya," dugtong nito.

"Oh, man! Granana loves me!"

"I know. And she scolded me so bad when I told her that."

Sumamingot ako ngunit wala naman ako magagawa. Hindi ko maaaring suwayin ang mga salita ni Daddy. I know what he is capable of.

"Also, Thunder, I 'll say this," napatingin ako kay mommy nang mag-iba ang tono ng boses nito. She stared at me coldly. Napalunok ako. "Kapag nakabuntis ka, alam mo na ang patutunguhan mo. No more allowances. You have to work. Dahil desisyon mo na makabuntis. Ibig sabihin lang niyon ay handa ka na magpamilya at hindi mo na kami kailangan."

"Yes, mom. Trust me."

"Use protection," bulong ni Dad.

"Zander! In front of our daughter? Really?"