The Truth About Us (COMPLETED)

02

Natigilan ako habang bitbit ang mga kinuha kong ilang bulaklak papunta sa loob ng bahay. I am planning to replace all the withering one into these freshly picked flowers.

Suprisingly, my parents were already finishing this breakfast earlier than when they usually do. Dati-rati ay alas-ocho pa sila nag-aalmusal ngunit ngayon ay ala-siete y media pa lang. Iyon agad ang napansin ko pagkapasok ko palang galing sa back door.

Dapat sa mga oras na ito ay nasa harap pa sila ng bahay at ninanamnam ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. That is their morning routine and I always smile whenever I witness how sweet they were together on the front porch. Their quality time together was so simple but it mean something big.

I am glad I didn't choose to pick an apartment to reside and decided to be here with them. Mabuti na rin na nandito ako para maalagaan ko silang mabuti dahil matanda na rin sila. I am living in their house and I am enjoying my stay here. They are treating me like how I treat my Hansse. Spoiled. I terribly miss my child and I want her to visit me here. Hindi nga lang puwede dahil medyo malayo ang bahay ng lolo at lola niya. Baka makaabala pa ako sa pag-aaral niya dahil nangungulila ako sa kanya.

Dalawang linggo na rin akong nandito at nasasanay na ulit sa pasikot-sikot ng bahay. Ang tagal ko na rin kasing hindi nakakauwi dito magmula nang ikasal ako at ang tanging lugar na napupuntahan ko lang ay sa bahay namin at mga business meetings.

Tinawag ko si Diego, isa naming manggagawa sa flower farm na nasa mismong likod-bahay namin. I handed him the flowers I picked and told him to place that on the other side of the room. I also commanded him some of the few things to do on the flower farm. Sasaluhan ko muna ang mga magulang ko sa pag-aalmusal bago gawin ang mga dapat kong gawin sa flower shop namin.

The only thing I can be proud of is helping my parents flourish our small business and let it bloom, like our flowers. I managed to give them a good and comfortable life before building my own family. I hope it can equate to all the disappointments I have done that might dismay them. Especially this marriage that fell off.

I went near them and I notice how grim their expression was. I stilled for the second time. Dahan-dahan at maingat akong naupo sa tabi nila. Kinakalkula ko ang sarili kong galaw dahil mukhang masama ang mood nila. Ayaw kong sa akin maibuntong ang galit nila dahil pupunta nga ako sa shop namin. I am currently managing it and I'm afraid to carry the bad omen in our business. We might not have any sales because of this negative vibes, I don't want to let it sink in my body.

Pero dahil kuryuso nga ako at hindi pa rin nagbabago ang itsura nila na para bang ampalaya ang inulam namin imbes na bacon, I decided to inquire what bothers them. I let them finish their meal in case I ruin their appetite by asking their question. But since we are already done, maybe there will be an indigestion waiting to happen as I throw my question.

"May problema ba?" Sumubo ako nang panibago pagkatapos no'n.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang mag-asawa bago siniko ni Mama si Papa. Muntikan pang malaglag ang dyaryo ni Papa dahil sa pagkabigla. I muffled my laugh.

Tumikhim si Papa bago tumingin sa akin. "Iyong dati mong asawa, nasa labas."

What?

I faltered in my movement. Does my father mean that he knows Hagen was here from the start and he's only telling me because I asked?

"Pumunta siya dito habang nasa labas kayo?"

Hindi siya sumagot at inakay patayo si Mama. "Paayos na lang ang mga pinggan. Nirarayuma na naman si Mama mo," utos niya sa akin. Nahuli ko pa ang pasimpleng pagpalo ni Mama bago umalis ang dalawa. Umiiwas kahit halata naman.

I tried to banish my thoughts in Hagen on why he's here now and focus on eating. I may not find time to eat later in the shop when I attend to the request of the customers. Dapat lang ay i-enjoy ko ito habang nandito pa.