DM #3: Sage Madriaga

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

Busy

I'd like to leave right now, but Mama is not back yet. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang tagal niya makabalik. I wonder who called her. 

Pilit kong hindi pansinin ang presensya nilang dalawa pero hindi ko mapigilan. I can still hear their conversation even when I'm not looking at them.

She kept on forcing Sage to be with her. Ang ibinibigay niyang dahilan ay dahil baka raw may gawin sa kanyang masama ang driver na mayroon kami ngayon. We have a young driver, but he's currently in Manila with Papa. Halos isang linggo na silang nasa syudad at hindi pa rin bumabalik. 

Si Manong ang driver na mayroon kami ngayon, siya ang iniwan dito sa hacienda para na rin kahit papaano ay mauwian niya ang kanyang mga apo na nakatira rin dito. He's on vacant right now, since Mama is in the mansion.

I felt bad hearing those words coming from her. I knew to myself that Manong is not that kind of person. Kinalakihan ko na siya rito sa hacienda kaya imposible na matapos ang ilang taon na pagbibigay ng kanyang serbisyo sa pamilya namin, ngayon pa siya gagawa ng masama. Halos hindi ko iyon maisip.

I know his priorities and even in his age, he's still raising his grandsons. Noong namatay ang anak niya sa aksidente, siya na ang nagpalaki sa kanyang dalawang apo. Kaya ang marinig ang mga sinasabi ni Sophie kay Sage ngayon ay hindi ko nagustuhan.

Before I could talk, she already stopped badmouthing him. Kung hindi siya titigil, baka magsalita na ako. 

I don't want to be rude, but she's already judging the people she didn't even know personally. I will never tolerate that kind of act here, especially she's just a visitor. Maybe I can still endure her treatment towards me, but not with my people. 

Lalo na't alam kong wala namang ginawang masama para pagsalitaan niya ng ganoon. Kahit siguro si Mama ay pupupunain siya kung marinig ang kanyang sinasabi.

She shouldn't say things like that just to pull Sage to be with her. She's older than me, she should know the word respect.

"You're wearing a cheap bracelet, Sage. Saan mo ba ito nakuha?"

Ang nakaiwas na tingin ko ay bumalik sa kanilang pwesto dahil sa narinig.

Sophie is busy searching the bracelet I made on his wrist. Halata ang disgusto sa kanyang mukha habang tinitignan iyon.

Iritadong binawi ni Sage ang kanyang palapulsuhan. She looked shocked with his sudden move. Pati ako ay nagulat.

"Huwag mong hawakan," he said coldly.

Sophie's mouth falls half open. Mabilis din siyang nakabawi at bumakas na sa mukha ang inis.

"Really? For a cheap bracelet, you're acting like that?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi niya.

Sage closed the laptop on his lap, looking done with her. Nagmumukha mang kalmado, bakas pa rin ang pagiging iritado na pilit itinatago.

"Don't worry if I will get that broken. I can buy you an expensive one—"

Sage stood up making her stop with her line.

"I don't need anything from you," he said seriously and looked at me.

Pasimple akong umiwas ng tingin. I tried to act I didn't hear anything.

He left the living room and walked upstairs. Nakasunod sa kanya si Sophie, pilit nagtatanong kung bakit naging ganoon ang kanyang reaksyon.

Bumalik si Mama at ipinagpatuloy namin ang pag-uusap tungkol sa donation. Ang sabi niya'y didiretso ang pera sa orphanage kapag naibenta na lahat ng gamit.