I look at my dad trying to grasp the right word just by looking at him. Here is the man I once adored so much but now, I feel like Iooking to someone I don't know. Gone is my dad who used to ask me about my homeworks.
I may have an idea kung bakit gusto ako nitong kausapin ngayon at kasama pa si Tita Olivia but still I can't help but hope na sana..sana hindi ito tungkol sa amin ni Radicus. I balled my fist on my skirt.
We are in the nearest coffee shop around my school. May iilang mga estudyante pa ang nandito at masayang nag-uusap. I stared at them sadly. I miss the old times. When everything seems so not this complicated. Noong sarili ko lang ang kailangang intindihin ko. Now, I feel like entering a battlefield fighting for something that's not mine to begin with.
Dad cleared his throat. Napatingin ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Tita Olivia. Magkatabi sila habang ako ay kaharap nila. I didnt bother ordering anything for myself, dahil alam kong hindi ko rin naman magagalaw.
I have a bad feeling about this. I just hope this isnt something that can wreck the madness boundary I kept for so long or something that will really destroy my father's image in my mind. I've been keeping my love for him. I just hope he does the same.
I tried giving them a weak smile. Something that I want my dad to notice but I guess may mga hiling na sadyang hindi napagbibigyan. As he started talking, I know I'm in a deep trouble.
"So anong pinagkakaabalahan mo lately?" Dad asked. Hindi ko mapigilang mapatingin kay Tita Olivia na tahimik lang na nakamasid sa akin. This is very unlikely.
I sighed. I kept my smile.
"Finals? A lot of projects, and may ilang programs po kasi na upcoming before the recognition ceremony. Alam mo ba dad, sumali ako sa intrams as their muse, I did not volunteer though--"
"What your dad mean is what's keeping you busy aside sa pag-iwas mo sa amin? How about telling us about your boyfriend Maya?"
My hands started shaking. I grasp my skirt. For an unknown reason, my eyes started to water. Knowing dad and tita Olivia, alam ko kung anong posibleng ipagawa nila sa akin lalo na't involve dito si Carmela.
"Dad, what really made you visit me?"
"Tell me about Radicus Alcantara. Is he your boyfriend that you're hiding?"
"Hindi ko po siya tinatago. It's just that..hi-hindi ko lang po naipakilala sainyo, but mom knows him--"
"Do you know who is he Maya? At kasabwat mo pa ang mommy mo dito? Mag-ina nga kayo. Pareho kayong--" Tita Olivia asked. Napaiwas ako ng
tingin. She's obviously glaring at me. Kaiba sa ipinapakita niya kanina.
"Olivia." Dad warned her. Kumunot ang noo ko. Dad sighed. Nakapatong ang mga kamay nito sa mesa.
"Armaya, do you know who Radicus is? Do you even have any idea, kung sino si Radicus?" Dad asked clamly.
"Dad..." I was held speechless. I wasnt prepared. Hindi ko naisip na ganito kabilis. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipaliliwanag. Damn! Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan kong magpaliwanag. It's not as if I have done a crime.
"Of course hindi niya alam Rico! This daughter of yours is a disgrace and now gaya ng nanay niya, mang-aagaw. I can't believe you'll stoop down this low Maya para lang makaganti dahil iniisip mong inagawan ka ng ama nila Carmela. Radicus Alcantara, for your information, is my daughter's fiance and how dare you, how dare you para sulutin ang nobyo ng inosente kong anak who's now struggling to live?"
My eyes widen. My mouth parted. My tears started flowing down my eyes. I stared at dad na hindi man lang umiimik. I can't believe he's just letting his wife call me or mom mang-aagaw! I can't believe na kaya niya lang akong tignang nahihirapan ng ganito. This is unfair. This is so unfair.
