Kinaumagahan, bumaba na ako sa kusina at 'di ko makita si mom kaya tinignan ko kwarto n'ya and she's still sleeping, 'di ko na s'ya ginising. Habang pabalik ako sa kusina, I heard my stomach rumbling, 'di nga pala 'ko nakakain kagabi because I was too upset.
After I did my morning routine, pumasok na ko sa school. There, I saw my classmates looking at me while they murmur, only Charlotte ang 'di nakikipag chismisan, naka-upo lang s'ya mag-isa.
Nang umupo ako sa upuan ko sa tabi n'ya, binati n'ya ko, "Good morning Soren~" na may kasamang ngiti.
'Di ko sya pinansin, yumuko na lang ako sa desk ko. Kinukulit n'ya 'ko but 'di ako umiimik. She finally stopped after a minute or two.
Habang recess that day, bumaba ako to buy some food kasi nakalimutan ko iprepare yung bento ko. Doon, I saw a lot of students murmuring. Are they rumoring about me? 'Di ko na pinansin. Are they badmouthing because muntikan ko na mabunggo si Charlotte kahapon?
Uwian na, dali-dali akong umuwi nang bahay. Nagulat ako sa nakita ko nang maka-uwi ako... "Dad?!" Sigaw ko.
"Oh Soren.." sabi nya nang mahina but I heard it.
"Where have you been all this time?!" I asked him, my voice is filled with anger, surprised, and joy at the same time.
"Soren, 'nak.. may aaminin si mom" sabi ni mom sa 'kin.
"Po?" Ika ko.
"Actually, nagpapadala si dad mo before and nagkakausap kami. He never left me." Sabi ni mom.
"What? Then bakit 'di n'yo po sinasabi sa 'kin?" Tanong ko.
Mom sighed, "Let dad explain 'nak."
"I have a two families, Soren. You're my first damily. My other family is back in Norway." Sabi ni dad.
"You cheated on mom, dad?!"
"Yes.." he said with a soft voice, filled with sorrow and regret.
"It's okay, Soren." Sabi ni mom.
"It isn't!" Sigaw ko, tapos tumakbo ako sa room ko, not knowing what to say or do.
My parents are downstairs, talking about their life moving forward, habang ako nasa kwarto ko, not knowing what to feel. I took my melatonin pills and went to bed, trying to sleep.
It's the next morning, I saw dad at the table sipping his coffee and mom across the table. May naka-handa na sa lamesa nang bumaba ako.
"Oh Soren." Sabi ni dad.
'Di ko s'ya pinansin. "Soren, listen to dad. Please." Sabi ni mom.
"Listen? He cheated on you!" Sabi ko.
"Let him explain." Sabi ni mom. "I'm listening." Ika ko.
"I married your mom in secret, Soren. My parents doesn't approve of us because she's of a different nationality. They want a fellow Norwegian for me. When I went back home to meet my parents, they already arranged a marriage for me without my knowledge. I had to stay with that family - if you could call them a family. It's just me and my second wife, we've got no children." Dad explained.
I was speechless. I was shocked. 'Di ko alam na never pala nag-agree ang grandparents ko sa kasal nila dad. "Does your second wife know about us, dad?" Tanong ko.
"Yes. We finally filed a divorce. It's a mutual divorce and no hard feelings were felt."
I was relieved.
After I ate my breakfast with dad, I went to school na. There, tinititigan ako ng mga tao. I wondered why, is it because sa nangyari kay Charlotte? I opened my phone to see what Charlotte has been posting; SHE SAID I HARASSED HER?! I never did such a thing! I have no way to prove this and neither can her so the school can't do anything to me, that's the only positive I can see here.
I went to my classroom na, andaming nakatitig sa 'kin. I'm the center of attention and I don't like it.
Habang nag-caclass kami, nagpapasahan sila ng papel. Habang nagpapasahan sila, some are taking small glimpses at me. They're talking about me. Pero I just ignored them, I accepted that this was the reality I'll be dealing with for the year. No one is on my side and I'll always be the center of attention in a bad way.
As I was about to head home, I saw a poster advertising a tennis tryout. I went to the MAPEH department at nakita ko ron ang mga teachers, I inquired about the tryout and they gave me a permit request. Sabi nila ipapapirma ko raw yon sa parents ko and yung tryout will start next week.
Dali-dali ngayon ako umuwi nang mapapirmahan ko na kay mom and/or dad yung request form.
Nang maka-uwi na 'ko, I saw dad at the sofa cuddling with mom and they were both asleep. I decided to wait for them to wake up as I left the request form sa coffee table in front of them.
I went upstairs and did my homework for the day.
CZYTASZ
Heart VS Mind
RomansThis story follows a boy named Soren, a transfer student from International School Manila. He was bullied in his new school leading to a build-up of his trust issue. Later on, a girl named Novalie fell for him. With his trust issue, a conflict arose...
