Heartbeat of the Sunrise

22

Enchanted

I'm still swooned over my parents sitting in front of me. Parang kagabi lang, umiiyak pa akong nagdarasal na sana, lumitaw silang bigla sa harap ko kahit sandali man lang. And here I am, having a dinner with them!

Dad was munching some vegetables, while mom does the same, but with more seriousness and sophistication.

"Eomma, I'm really glad you made it here," I broke the silence.

"Yeah, we came here, because you are giving us terrible headaches!"

"Honey, 'wag mo munang pagalitan..." baling ni Dad sa kanya.

This is why I love dad. Mas pasensyoso at mas maintindihin siya kaysa kay mom.

Handa na naman ako sa sermon niya dahil sa nangyari sa hotel. What more can I do?

I sipped a little water. "I'm really sorry for making you upset. Ginagawa ko naman ang best ko to keep things smooth."

"Even the newly ironed clothes can develop wrinkles, if handled carelessly. Gusto mong magmana ng business natin, hindi ba? Then prove that you're worthy of doing that job!" she spat back.

"Yes, mom."

"May gana ka pang mambully at magpaalis ng employees sa resto! Have you gone crazy?"

Ikinulong ko ang sarili sa kwarto matapos ang pagtatalo namin ni mom. I thought they'll going to meet with the people at the hotel but she entered my room instead.

Umupo siya sa kama at tinabihan ako. Alam ko na kung saan papunta ang usapan na 'to.

"I know, mom. Hindi naging maganda ang naging takbo ng business dahil sa'kin. If you'll gonna scold me again because of that–"

"I'm sorry for making you feel bad. Nagtatampo ka pa rin ba kay eomma?"

Dumako ang tingin ko sa kawalan. "It's not that I'm mad. I just felt some sort of..." I sighed. "Pressure."

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at ikinulong sa palad niya. My heart swelled when she did that.

"Nag-uusap pa rin ba kayo ni Jonathan?"

"You don't have to worry about him. Six months na na wala kaming communication at... may iba na yata siyang girlfriend sa Spain."

"I heard the news. Does my princess' heart still feels pain because of him?"

"N-Nope..." I lied. "I'm really, really, doing my best to move on. I should do so. Right, mom?"

"Ximena..." hinaplos niya ang mukha ko. "Moving on... isn't a smooth and easy process. Alam ko, naging masama ako sa paningin mo noong mga panahong pinaghihiwalay ko pa kayo, at gusto kong humingi ng sorry dahil doon."

"I understand, mom. I guess you were right in doing that. Ngayon ko lang na-realize."

Because what can I do? Everyone is my enemy when it comes to our relationship... including my parents and my friends! And that's what made it difficult for me to fight for him!