Never Too Late For Change

KABANATA I

No way

PADABOG akong bumaba sa mataas naming hagdanan. Sobrang lasing ko kagabi at madaling-araw na kaming natapos sa inuman. Hawak-hawak ang sentido sa matinding hang-over, namataan ko si papa na may kausap sa living room. Didiretso na sana ako sa kusina para makainom ng gatas nang narinig kong tinawag niya ako.

“Lena, come here,” he commanded. I let out a sigh and composed myself. I shouldn't let him know na nagpa-party na naman ako last night.

Pinasadahan ko muna ng mga daliri ang buhok kong hindi pa nakatikim ng suklay ngayong araw bago lumapit. Anong meron? Nalipat ang tingin ko sa nakaupong kausap niya kanina. A man probably a little bit older than me wearing a blue polo shirt  and blue jeans darted his eyes on me. Harap-harapan niya akong sinuri mula ulo hanggang paa at sandali pang tumigil ang mapanuring titig sa legs ko na halos ikinabuwal ko sa kinatatayuan. Wtf!

His brows furrowed making me notice how good his eyebrows are. He has deep set eyes, perfectly narrowed nose, and red lips. His hair is in clean cut which made his jaw more defined. He can surpass those models I've seen with his looks!

Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay niya dahil sa titig ko. I immediately removed my gaze from him and cleared my throat as I sat down in front of them. Damn, why did I even looked at him like that?

“Pa, I didn't know may bisita ka pala,” I said nonchalantly. Nakatuon ang mga mata ko sa ama ngunit pansin ko pa rin ang titig ng lalaki sa akin.

“Yes, maaga kitang ipinatawag ni Sandro ngunit tulog ka pa raw. Hinayaan ko na lang at day-off mo naman ngayon. Ba’t ka ba tinanghali ng gising, you won't gym?”

I almost choked after his question ngunit pinigilan ko ang sarili. I hate lying to my own father but I've got no other choice. I'm afraid he'll be yelling at me if ever I'll tell him the truth. Highblood pa naman siya.
Umiling na lamang ako sabay sabing, “I just wanted to have a long rest, pa.”

Kinagawian na naming magkakaibigang magparty every Saturday night if we all had a free time. It's our way of taking a break after loads of work. Nasakto pa na monthsary namin kahapon ni Vin, ang boyfriend ko. He was our family friend back then ngunit dati ko pang crush. I got to admire his handsome face and sweet lines that when he expressed his feelings for me, I quickly said yes. For bull's sake, ang daming naghahabol sa kanya so why miss the chance? Vin is protective and sweet. Naipakilala ko na rin siya sa mga magulang ko and they were both fine with it. Unfortunately these past weeks, there was something I discovered with Vin. Seloso siya. He always made a way for us to fight just because of his jealousy. He's lucky I love him though.

Tumango lang si papa at bumaling sa katabi. Tumikhim siya at tumingin sa'kin. “Lena, alam kong batid mo ang nangyayari sa pamilya natin,” panimula niya. “Sobrang daming death threats ang natatanggap namin ng mama mo kada araw at alam kong delikado 'yun, lalo na sa'yo.”

I know. It's not very surprising to received threats from anyone especially that papa is getting famous and praised by many. He is a congressman in our district and a responsible public servant. Marami sa mga mamamayan ang nawiwili sa kanya sa daming proyekto at tulong na naihatid. Ngunit kasabay din nito ang pag-usbong ng maraming paninira.

“Natatakot ako sa kaligtasan mo anak kaya't nag-hire kami ng taong magbabantay sa'yo.”

My eyes grew big from what I've heard. I shook my head and I can feel myself getting a little bit irrated. How could he bring this up again when I clearly told him months ago that I didn't want to have a personal bodyguard? Gosh, I don't need it.

“Pa, no. There's no need and I can handle myself. Maraming mga tao ang nakapaligid sa'kin at kaya nila akong protektahan—”

“Lena, naninigurado lang kami. Nag-usap kami ng mama mo at napagdesisyunan namin na gawin 'to para sa kaligtasan mo.”