The Switch: Fara's Turn | On-Going

CHAPTER 2

Nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumungad sa akin nang makarating sa bahay. Medyo natagalan pa ako sa pag-uwi because I take a taxi instead of coming with Naomi and Jessa.

Masyado akong nagmadali without thinking na wala pala akong masyadong masasakyan because it's freaking two in the morning.

Nakarating ako sa sala pero wala sila roon. I decided na pumunta na lang ng kwarto para makapagpalit na rin ng damit.

"Where have you been?"

Halos mapatalon ako nang marinig ang boses ni Dad sa aking likuran. Kailan pa siya nandiyan?

"D-Dad," I stuttered.

I forced myself to face him. I slowly turned around. There he is, standing in front of me. At hindi ko gusto ang pagkakaseryoso ng mukha niya.

"I asked you, Fara. Where. Have. You. Been?!"

Napapikit ako nang mapalakas ang boses niya sa huling salitang kanyang sinabi. How am I supposed to explain this?

"S-Sa C-Club po," pikit mata kong wika.

"Sa club?!"

I cannot get myself to look at my Dad straight in the eyes. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Lara and Mom that silently watching Dad's interrogation with me.

"Ano bang ginagawa mo, Fara?! Bakit kailangan mong pumunta sa club? Dis oras pa ng gabi! And look at your clothes! You're wearing a revealing dress!"

I couldn't uttered a word. Ano namang sasabihin ko? Sorry? Sorry kasi nagpunta ako sa club? Eh, I'm not sorry about it naman after all. Gusto kong pumunta sa club to have fun and why would I say sorry?

"Kailan ka pa natutong pumunta sa club, Fara?"

Jeez. This is what I anticipated. For years of going in the club, I know na one of these days, mahuhuli rin ako. Pero ang hirap din naman pala kapag nandoon ka na sa sitwasyon, kahit pa ina-anticipate mo pa itong mangyari.

"Fara, tinatanong kita. Kailan ka natutong magpunta sa club?" mahinahon niyang wika pero deep down inside, I know it's not good.

That tone, I know that damn well.

"Since senior high school, Dad," mahina kong tugon.

I saw my mom gasped. I can feel Dad is looking at me very disappointingly.

"Go to your room. We'll talk tomorrow. And don't ever ditch me. Understood?"

Napatitig na lang ako sa sahig. I am not really dismissed. May part 2 pa pala bukas.

"Fara, understood?!"

"Y-Yes, Dad."

With that, I immediately went upstairs and went to my room. Napasandal na lang ako sa likod ng pinto ng aking kwarto.

I sighed. What kind of consequence would I get from being busted?

"Fara?" a voice came from behind the door followed by a soft knock. It's Lara.

Binuksan ko ang pinto at agad na umalis doon para umupo sa kama ko. Pumasok naman siya at ini-lock ang pinto.

We stared at each other. She gave me a sad smile. "Sorry."

I shooked my head. Hindi naman siya ang may kasalanan. Both of us never thought na uuwi sila Mom and Dad nang maaga.

"You don't have to, sis," I uttered.

"I'm not so good at lying," wika niya at bahagya pang napatawa. "They detected it that instant."

I sighed. "Ako ang dapat magsorry sa'yo Lara. I keep dragging you into my own mess."

"Wala naman iyon sa akin. Medyo nahihirapan lang ako pagtakpan ka. Nakakatakot kasi si Dad. Parang nakikita niya ang buong kaluluwa ko."

Both us laughed about that. "If I were that convincing, baka they wouldn't check your room. Nagtaka rin kasi sila dahil naabutan nila akong gising pa at nakatambay sa sala. Hinihintay kasi kita."

I couldn't help myself but to smile, but at the same time, I feel bad. Lagi niya na lang akong pinagtatakpan sa tuwing may ginagawa akong kalokohan.

"Let's forget about it, just for tonight. I should get myself ready for the upcoming storm," I said.

Lara chuckled. "Yeah. I will give you heads up also. I might not be able to save you tomorrow."

"I know that, don't worry. It's my mess. I told you, I'll take full responsibility if something happened."

"Let's just wish na hindi malala ang ibigay sa iyo ni Dad na consequence," she sadly uttered.

Napatango ako sa sinabi niya.

Yeah, I wished. I just wish.