Belle Ame: A Beautiful Soul (DS Auxiliary)

Chapter Seven

"Oh! You're such a proud father, Sancho!"

If I could just roll my eyes like what a woman used to do, I would.

"But of course. Isa lang ang anak ko, Philomena. Maiinggit ang ilang ama dahil may anak akong kasing sipag, talino, at galing ni Santino. His charms and looks? Well, he's a Delos Santos. What would you expect?"

They chuckled together. I just smirked.

"I can hear how much you adore your son, Sancho," Mr. Salamanca said. "Hindi ko naisip noong mga binata pa tayo na magiging ganito ka."

"Well, as a father to Santino, I would not ask for more."

A normal child could have been touched by that. But this is all scripted. Imbes na ikatuwa ko, my whole system is cringing from what Papa is saying. Kita mo nga naman, gagawin niya lahat para sa investment na pinakahahangad niya.

"Ganyan ka din naman, Braullo," umirap ang asawa nito. "Isa ka ring amang baliw sa anak mo. Bridgette grew up so spoiled because of you."

"Oh come on! She's our only daughter. I will give her the world! That's what fathers do. Right, Sancho?"

I don't really like hearing this "proud father" talk.

"Anything for our children." Papa even messed my hair playfully.

Pasimple akong lumayo habang nakaplastar pa rin ang praktisadong ngiti sa mga labi ko. Tila babaliktad ang sikmura ko sa pagpapanggap ni Papa. Outside, he "loves" me. Behind closed doors, he beat the hell out of me. What a "proud" father, indeed!

Kailan ba matatapos 'to? Where the hell is that Bridgette Salamanca anyway?

"Ituloy na natin ang kuwentuhan sa hapag. Handa na ang tanghalian," wika ni Mrs. Salamanca maya-maya. "I'll just call Bridgette. She's excited to meet you, Santino."

Sure, whatever.

Nang nasa hapag na ay magkatabi kami ni Papa sa kaliwang bahagi ng kabisera. Mr. Salamanca is already seated at the center. Patuloy pa rin ang kuwentuhan nila ni Papa, ngunit ngayo'y tungkol na sa mga pambansang balita.

I leaned my back on the chair and crossed my arms. I tried hard to look like I'm not bored, but every second beside my father is killing me.

Palihim ko siyang tinignan. Ngumingiti at magiliw siya sa kausap niya. I never saw my father smiled. I do not have any memory he became pleasant towards me while growing up, too.

He's just a man who beats me, who strikes me... who... who hurts me. He'll be calm and say sorry afterwards...

But what's the use of asking for forgiveness if he'll just do it again the next time?

Noong bata ako ay napapatawad ko pa siya. Tinatanggap ko pa kung bigla siyang aamo at bilang kapalit ay ibibili niya pa ako ng pinakamamahaling laruan, damit, at sapatos noon.

Until I just grew tired. Having a luxurious life cannot compensate to the physical and verbal abuse I was getting from him. I've come to realize this when I was nine... when my mother left us.

"Santino, what's your opinion about the matter?"

Napakurap ako at napatingin sa kanila. Parehas na palang nakatingin ang dalawang matandang lalaki sa'kin.

"I beg your pardon, Sir?" magalang kong tanong.

"What's your take about our government? As a young man, do you think our current president should be re-elected this coming elections?"