Teenager's Quiet War (YOUNG ADULT SERIES #2)

Chapter 6

Everything is perfect tonight if nandito lang sina Mommy but they ended up having errands again so I just continue my event... Alone. The event is almost over and I was talking to my teachers when suddenly the organizer came to me with this elegant old lady.  I smiled at her when they stopped in front of me.

"Is everything alright po ba?" Tanong ko sa organizer.

The organizer was about to response when the old lady speak up. 

"You must be the great painter Marcellina Garche?" The old lady asked. "I'm Mrs. Fresno. I'm a friend of your Dad."

"You know my dad?" I asked. I never invited someone na friend ni Daddy, I'm not even going with them if may mga party sila. At isa pa, wala pa sina Daddy dito. "Actually my Dad isn't here po. If you need anything for him I can message him—"

"No, hija!" She elegantly laugh and shake her head. "I'm here because of you, your painting! I want to buy the three pieces of them! Name the price!"

Napaawang ang mga labi ko mula sa narinig ko. Is this for real?

"I'll think about it po," I said instead.

She laughed again. "Are you hesitating, hija? Don't worry, I'm not cheap at pricing. Unlike your Dad. Right, Marcelito?"

I felt my chest tightened when she uttered the name of my father— my real father. Parang hindi ko alam kung lilingon ba ako o ano. I just don't know what to do, I was just there, frozen like a ice. Hindi ako makagalaw.

I heard footsteps from behind so I took a deep breath. Kinuha ko yung water ko sa table at uminom. Just act cool, Cellin.

"I'm not like that, Mrs. Fresno, you know I'm just being fair. Business is business," I heard my Father's word beside me. Later on he stepped forward and now he's in front of me. His face changed a lot, his hair is black now, he must dyed it to look younger.

"Hello, my daughter. It's been a while."

I pursed my lip and gave him a small smile. It's been a while since you abounded me. I couldn't open my mouth to utter that words even how much I wanted to. Ramdam ko naman ang pagtigas ng puso ko lalo't na nakikita siyang ngumingiti na parang hindi niya sinira yung buhay ni Mama at buhay ko.

Nag-usap pa sila ni Mrs. Fresno pero bago siya umalis, binigay niya ang number niya sa 'kin kasi interesado talaga siyang bilhin ang mga paintings ko.

So, I was left with my father in front of me. He took a glass of champagne. Kinuyom ko ang kamao ko.

"How did you get here? As long as I remember, you're not on my guest list," I said.

My dad chuckled. "Your foster parents contacted me because they're having errands on their work so they gave me their invitation instead. "

Kinuha ko ang tubig ko at ininom yun. Parang nainis ako sa ginawa ni Daddy, I mean oo para may parent na gumabay sa 'kin dito pero since when did my Father act like a parent? When he abounded my mother? When he abounded us because we're just a second family? When he went to bed with other woman and left his responsibility after promising to take care of it? Binigay ko nga ang invitation sa second parents ko because they're special to me but they just threw it away and gave it to someone I don't even want to be with in the first place.

Namumuo na yung mga luha sa mga mata ko kaya umiwas ako ng tingin. Ayaw ko umiyak ngayon, not on my special day. The special day that I worked hard for ever since my mother passed away without help from people that should be helping and guiding me.

"How are you, Cellin? Grabe na pala yung mga na-abot mo. Your mother must be proud of you."

Hindi ko alam pero tuwing nagsasalita siya parang naiinis ako pero pinipilit ko nalang na huwag ipakita.