Fraudulence of Bliss (STATION Series #5)

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

Distant

"Ma, sa'n ka po papunta?"

It was the early hours of a new day. I awoke in the middle of it, my throat parched, it yearned for water. Bumaba ako para makitang nakabukas ang ilang ilaw sa kusina.

Nakatayo si Mama sa tabi ng lamesa, may isang bag na katabi. Iyon ang palagi niyang ginagamit tuwing papasok sa trabaho.

It was normal for me to see my mother awake at this hour. She was a morning reporter, and she's usually awake by two or three in the morning. But today was unusual.

Panggabi siya ngayon. Madalas ay alas sinko pa ang gising niya.

Maybe there was a last-minute change in their job shifts?

"Pupuntahan ko si Melani, 'nak. Pag-uusapan namin 'yung tungkol sa report."

Kinusot ko ang mata. "Two a.m."

She let out an apologetic smile. "It's urgent."

"Alam po ba 'to ni Papa? Ni Rayleigh?"

Umiling siya at ginulo ang buhok ko. "Pasabi nalang sa Papa mo. Sige, ha, anak? Nagmamadali ako. Alam mo naman kapag reporter—"

"—'Time is essential.'"

"Galing mo talaga!" She exclaimed before she kissed my cheeks. Niyakap niya ako nang matagal bago pinakawalan. "Sige, tulog na. May pasok ka pa mamaya. Babalik ulit ako."

I volunteered to unlock and lock the gates so she could leave easily.

Bitbit ni Mama ang sasakyan niya na madalas niyang nagagamit papasok sa trabaho. Kwento niya, may pagkakataon na magtatagpo lang sila ng cameraman niya sa isang site para isagawa ang interview. Ngunit kalimitan nilang ginagamit ang company van kung saan nakatatak ang pangalan ng broadcasting station.

"Bye, anak!" She waved, a fourth of her face lit by the outdoor lights, which revealed her smile.

"Ingat po."

I watched her leave, the crossover's headlight's broke through the dark, before the red backlight trailed off from my sight. Ang ugong ng sasakyan ay unti-unti nang nawala sa ere hanggang sa balutin ng kuliglig at malakas na simoy ng hangin ang paligid.

I stared at the trail my mother took, a deep feeling at the pit of my heart. Uneasiness was there, it settled its place and took a part in its hollowness.

Napunta ang tingin ko sa ilaw, naaalala ang malawak na ngiti ni Mama.

This should be fine.

I sighed and went inside, but a worrying thought at the back of my mind. Sinubukan kong huwag pansinin ngunit iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi na ako nakatulog pa. Nagsimula nalang akong gumayak nang mag-alas sinko ng umaga para pumasok.

My father and my sister were awake by that time. Si Papa ang tagaluto dahil dito lang naman siya sa bahay. Siya palagi ang naghahanda ng umagahan naming tatlo.

"Pa, umalis nga pala si Mama. Kikitain daw niya 'yung Melani," pag-iimporma ko.

My father sighed as he put the plate of eggs and bacon on the table. Umuusok ang kape niya na kasabay niya ring inilapag sa lamesa.

"Ah, 'yung kaibigan niyang katulong niya sa research?"

Tumango ako. Madalas namang nababanggit ni Mama ang pangalan na Melani, kadalasang tawag niya ay 'Mel'. Nakikita ko rin 'yon sa picture na ipinakikita niya sa 'min.

Proof na nag-re-research kami, 'no!, was what my mother said.

Our dining room was a little dim with the light only coming from the hanging table lights. There was also light from the kitchen, but it was a little distant from our position. But other than that, I could see the disapproval on my father's face.