"Saan ka galing?" mariing bungad ni daddy na ikinagulat ko pagpasok ko pa lang sa mansyon.
Hindi ko inaasahan na maabutan ko sya na gising.
Ang alam ko ay isang oras pa lang ang nakakalipas bago sila umuwi at kapag gano'n ay nakakatulog na agad sya dahil sa pagod sa byahe. Ngunit bakit gising pa sya? How unsual of him.
I bit my lips hard.
"May pinuntahan lang po ako.." kabado kong sagot sakanya.
My father chuckled sarcastically, like he was mocking my reason for going home late.
I breathe inwardly.
"Umaga na at ngayon mo lang naisipang umuwi? Where did you go, Ingrid? Is that really important? Is it even related to your studies?" pasaring nyang tanong sa akin.
I gulped nervously.
I couldn't stand his angry eyes, so I shook my head and didn't answer.
"Answer me!" he yelled at me, and his voice was filled with fury.
I flinched in fear. I'm afraid that he might hurt me physically.
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again, dad." I pleaded, and even my voice cracked a bit.
His brow knitted, and I saw hatred when I met his eyes. I got chills, and my legs started trembling.
I lost my consciousness earlier, when I was with Kice. He panicked, brought me to his condo, and called their family doctor to check on my state. It was fatigue. I overworked myself for the past few days, and I barely ate; I always skipped my meals. It was clearly my fault.
Nalaman ko lang lahat nang 'yon ng magising ako, at doon ko lang din napagtanto na nasa condo nya ako. There was a note on his side table kung sakaling magising ako at magtanong kung bakit ako napunta roon. He's so thoughtful. He even prepared a meal for me in case I woke up, and I ate it before I left his condo because Ate Salisha texted me that our parents would arrive soon. So I immediately left and went home using a cab, but I was still late.
He was sleeping when I left him there. He's obviously tired, so I didn't bother waking him up.
Mas maganda na rin na hindi ako nagpaalam para hindi sya umasang ayos na kami dahil sa ginawa nya. I have so many problems right now, and facing his feelings for me is my least priority. I can't accept it for now.
Hindi ko masabi kay daddy ang totoong rason kung bakit ako inumaga ng uwi. He will be mad for sure kapag nalaman nya ang kalagayan ko at sa takot ko na baka sisihin nya pa si Ate Salisha. Isa pa, hindi rin pwedeng malaman nya ang tungkol kay Kice.
"Where did you go!?" Daddy's voice echoed in the living room.
Napatalon akong bahagya sa gulat. He's really mad, and he won't let me go this time.
"Dad, please, I'm tired.." pakiusap ko sakanya.
My body feels weak, and I badly need a good rest.
Ang gusto ko lang naman ay magpahinga. Bakit hindi nya pa 'yon ibigay sa'kin?
My tired eyes landed on him. He restrained a scoff.
"How dare you communicate with your useless mother, Ingrid!" he angrily spat.
My eyes widened in surprise, and I unconsciously stepped back. Fear, alarm, horror, panic, and terror consumed my whole system. I tried concealing my emotions, but he caught me red-handed. I couldn't bring myself to speak. Afraid of what he's going to do now that he's found out about my small interaction earlier with my mother.
"You didn't learn your lesson! She was never here for you! Why don't you use your brain to be useful?! Hijo deputa!" he cursed at me.
I was too flabbergasted, and it took me a few minutes before I managed to speak out.
