Behind Her Bitchy Looks

Epilogue

Tamaki's POV

Maybe life is just really unfair. You don't get to have the things you want nor the things that you want others to have. Life is a take and recieve process. Take what you recieve, don't complain, otherwise you'll get nothing and might regret it for the rest of your life.

Bitbit ang bag sa isang balikat at tubig sa isang kamay, tinahak ko ang mahabang hallway ng Grade 9 building ng aking paaralan. With my favorite hoodie on, never looking at anyone who stares like eagle, I walk in silence. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa water bottle. Katulad ng mga nagdaang araw, nagtalo na naman kami ng magaling kong ama. At katulad rin ng mga nagdaang araw, palagi kong tinatanong ang sarili kung ano ba talaga ang problema niya.

"Taki?"

Hindi ako nag-angat ng tingin at dirediretsong nagtungo saaking upuan. Sinundan ako ni JinJin, nag-aalala. Alam kong alam niya na ang nangyari pero kahit ganun, hindi pa rin itong nangiming magtanong.

"What is it this time?" Nag-angat ako ng tingin sakanya, walang emosyon ang mga mata. Ngumisi ako at umiling bago tinungga ang tubig ng isang lagukan. Ngumiwi pa ako ng matamaan ang munting sugat sa gilid ng aking labi.

"The usual." Nakangiwing sagot ko. Bumuntong hininga ito.

"Well, this is the worst. Sinuntok ka niya?" Anito. Mapait lang akong ngumiti doon.

Wala 'to, JinJin. Walang wala lang 'to.

Dumating na ang teacher namin sa unang klase ng umagang iyon kaya hindi na nagkaroon pang mangusisa ni JinJin. Sa boung duration ng klase, wala akong maintindihan. Sinusubukan ko namang mag-focus pero palagi akong dinadala ng isipan ko sa nangyari kanina, hindi lang kanina kung hindi maging sa mga nagdaang araw.

I was never like this. I started Highschool very well. Palaging nakikinig, hindi man nagtatop pero nag-eexcel. Walang problema sa exams ko. Recitations, performances-- wala. I'm an active student and very much willing to graduate with flying colors. But that changed. My perceptions, since I was a kid, changed when I saw the truth right infront of my naked eye. I always thought why my father behaves like he isn't one to us. But the truth about it was unleash, about 7 months ago.

Smiling while I held my report card with my magnificent grades on it, I entered the house. Sa school pa lang, plano ko na iyong ipakita sa papa ko. I know he'll be proud! Yun lang naman ang palagi kong naririnig sakanya, eh. Make him proud. He hates disappointment. All my life, yun ang ginawa ko. Heck, that was my motto when I was a kid! I was innocent that time, very ignorant to what the world really holds--- to what he really holds. According to my grandfather, dad has been building milestones ever since. He achieved so much, and as his son, I can't help but be proud of him and... well, idolize him.

Pagkapasok ng bahay ay agad ko siyang hinanap. Pawis na pawis pa ako dahil kakagaling ko pa lang sa band rehearsals ko. I love music. I really love it. But... some things will really make the ones you love to the ones you'll hate the most.

"Tumawag ang teacher ni Taki."

Tumigil ako sa hamba ng study ni papa ng marinig iyon. Papasok na sana ako pero natigilan ako ng marinig ang boses ni mama. Bahagya akong sumilip at nakitang naroon nga siya. Nakatayo hindi kalayuan sa lamesang kinaroroonan ni papa. He was busy again, as usual. Punong puno ng mga papeles ang kanyang lamesa. With his reading glass on, he kept his head down as he write something on one paper after reading the other.

"And?"

"Taki made it to the top 5!" Mom said it with excitement. Napangiti ako.

"Top 5." Dad echoed.