Never Too Late For Change

KABANATA I

I breathe heavily as I try myself not to burst out. “Pa, kaya ko ang sarili ko. At ano, personal bodyguard? Twenty-four hours na nakasunod sa'kin? Pa, ayoko.”

Kumunot ang noo niya na parang namomoblema sa hindi ko pagsang-ayon. “I know hindi mo ito magugustuhan. Masyado kang malihim sa mga lakad mo minsan kaya ang gusto namin, kahit wala kami sa tabi mo ay mapapanatag kaming ayos ka lang.”

“Pa, hindi naman sa nililihim ko ang mga lakad ko.” I shifted in my seat. “Mga kaibigan ko lang naman ang kasama ko at sa tingin ko hindi ko na dapat ipaalam sa inyo lahat ng pupuntahan namin. I mean, we were aware of what we were doing.”

He nodded but still the disapproval was plastered on his face. “I trust them. But again, we cannot assure all things at all times. Maraming tao ang gustong sumira sa akin dahil sa inggit. I can't let you stroll anywhere all by yourself, Lena.”

“I am not alone. All the time andiyan si Vin para samahan ako, so why worry so much? He can protect me from whoever!” giit ko. Napansin ko ang paggalaw ng lalaking katabi ni papa at napabaling ako rito. He is looking at me, brows furrowed. I removed my gaze from him, irrated by the situation.

“Anak, we wouldn't know. I know you trusts Vin so much. But also remember he is part of the family from the opposing party. . .” he trailed off. It looks like he knew I wouldn't like this topic.

“Pa, you are at this again. Why can't you just trust me? I know Vin wouldn't do anything that could harm me. Politics didn't matter to our relationship.” I said it like I went to Vin's side to fight for him but irritation filled my whole system as I remembered our fight last night. It's our monthsary yet he didn't forget his jealousy towards some random people. May sumayaw lang na lalaki sa'kin kagabi which I didn't notice, galit na galit na siya. I slightly clenched my jaw, trying to get back my calm posture.

He sighed and laid his back in the backrest of the sofa. He crossed his arms and turned to the man beside him. After a second or two, his gaze went back to me like he's saying I couldn't do anything but to oblige. “Kinuha ko si Mr. Lazarro para maging bantay mo. Siya ang magiging kasama mo sa lahat ng lakad mo, sa trabaho at iba pa.”

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa sinabi niya at napabaling sa lalaking tinawag niyang Mr. Lazarro. Ano bang. . .shit, so kahit saan ako pupunta may nakasunod na sa'kin? No way.

“I disagree!” mabilis kong sabi sa mataas na boses at tiningnan ang lalaking bahagyang gumalaw ang panga habang nakatingin sa'kin, “Hindi na ako bata, pa! Kaya ko na ang sarili ko and besides, who would try to harm me? Just—just stop being so paranoid!”

Papa just shook his head and stood up, shoving his hands inside his pockets. “Pasensya ka na anak kung nadamay ka pa rito. Nakapagdesisyon na kami ni Mathilde, at hinding-hindi kami papayag na may mangyari sa'yong masama.”

I suck a large breath of air and harshly mess my hair. Tumayo  ako at umalis ng walang paalam. Argh. I hate this. Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag sa akin ni papa ngunit dumiretso na ako sa taas. Now dumoble pa ang sakit sa ulo ko. Pinahatid ko na lang ang pagkain sa silid at hindi na bumaba. I am not disrespectful—well sometimes—pero may mga bagay lang talaga na tutol ako. Damn, naiinis ako sa sitwasyong ito. Paano na lang ang social life ko?!

I took a bath and decided to dial Vin's number.

“Hey. . .” bungad niya.

“Hi. Um, may lakad ka ba ngayon?” tanong ko. I'm actually planning to go out with him, probably shop or watch movies. Gusto kong magliwaliw ngayon.
It took a while before he answered.

“Sorry babe, may pupuntahan kaming site ng team ngayon. Launching ng bago naming project.” He sounds apologetic kaya inintindi ko na lang. He is an engineer kaya natural na may mga mangyayaring ganito. That's his work.