I overslept again and I wasn't able to answer Rad's calls. I got several calls too which I was surprised dahil galing ito kay daddy. As much as I want to ignore it, I can't. Baka may mahalagang sasabihin si dad. I have to admit that I miss having a dad around lalo na't daddy's girl talaga ako.
I dialled dad's number. I sighed when after several tries hindi ito sumagot. I dialled Troy's number. Matagal bago niya rin ito nasagot. His husky morning voice invaded the phone.
"Maya.."
"Good morning Atkins, I' just want to ask kung okay lang si dad. I got missed class from him. Kagigising ko lang din kasi.I tried calling him back kaao hindi sumasagot. May problema ba?"
"I don't know. Dad is in an important meeting right now. Kaya siguro di sinasagot ang tawag mo."
"Is that so. What do you think does he needs from me?"
"Maya, dad is still your dad. Hindi naman siguro masamang tawagan ka ng daddy mo?"
"Hindi naman sa ganoon. It's just so unlikely that he calls early in the morning."
"I see. Oh! Maybe it has something to do with your birthday? Sa Sunday na right? Carmela's birthday is on Saturday. You're turning 20 and she's turning 22."
Natigil ako sa pagsusuklay ng buhok ko. I never thought Carmela's years older than me. I've been expecting her to be my age. Now that it's getting clearer...kung ano nga ba kami ni mommy kay daddy. We are legals but we can never be the first.
"Maya?"
"H-huh? Sorry I spaced out."
"Dad is planning for a gathering sa bahay. Carmela is already awake but still she needs bed rest. We are planning to take her to US first week of March. Iyon siguro ang gustong sabihin sayo ni dad."
"Re-really..I see.." I was held speechless. Dad remembers my birthday. I am supposed to be glad pero knowing na naalala niya iyon dahil kay Carmela, I can't help but feel disappointed. She's the first girl of dad. I am the legal one but I can never be his priority.
"Troy, if that's the case, kindly tell dad that I am not planning to celebrate my birthday on Sunday. "
"Maya, can't you just give dad the chance now? Give the old man a break from all of these family issues. Wala namang gustong itaboy ka sa pamilya. We are still here for you." Troy said. Napayuko ako.
Troy has a point but I can never forget that Christmas when slapped me infront of his family. Masakit sa akin iyon. Ayoko ng magkaroon pa ng dahilan para magalit sa kanya kaya nga hangga't maaari, I act civilly infromt of them. The lesser interaction with them, the more na maiiwasan ko ang samaan ng loob.
"I-I have a plan with my boyfriend." I said although hindi naman ako sigurado kung papayag si Radicus na mamasyal sa araw na iyon. I am planning to go somewhere with him. Busy iyon sa thesis at finals kaya hindi rin ako sigurado.
"Boyfriend?! You have a boyfriend? Since when? Who is this guy?" I rolled my eyes.
I knew it. Troy will react like this. Sana lang hindi kaagad makarating kay dad. I'm not gonna hide Rad forever, it's just that mahirap magsabi kay dad about this. He might interrogate Radicus big time!
"Maya!"
"Troy, it's normal that I get a boyfriend. Why do you have to react like that?"
"I want to know the guy Armaya Nikolai."
"Now you sound like an elder brother!" I teased him. I heard him muttered curses.
Hindi ako pumasok sa morning classes ko dahil late narin naman ako. I waited for Radicus in the library because he's in class and after magmemeet na naman sila ng nga groupmates niya for thesis. I went out of the library at exactly 4. I am planning to go to Rad's classroom para hindi na ako nito hanapin sa library.
