Love, The Second Time Around

Chapter 5: Her Future

                She felt herself holding back her breath.

                Wow. For almost a year, neither of you bothered to check how I’ve been doing here, then now you came here just to tell me that? Gusto niya ‘yang isigaw sa mga magulang niya.

                “Monic, you’re a woman, and our only child.” Her dad spoke again. “But you cannot take over our business. You do not have the ability, even the interest. So you already need to get married—to a man who is able to help us in our business—then bear a child—a baby boy that will inherit everything we have in your stead.”

                Natawa siya, bitterly. Gusto niya sanang sabihin na, E di mag-anak na lang kayo ulit, and make sure it’s going to be a baby boy. Pero imposible na iyon dahil sa mga edad nito.

                “C’mon, Monic.” Pamimilit pa ng kanyang ina. “Wala ka namang dapat ipag-alala. We are—”

                “I’m sorry, pero hindi ko po gusto ‘yang ginagawa niyo para sa akin.” Mahina at mariin pa rin ang tono niya.

                “God.” Padabog na pinatong ng ama niya ang isang braso nito sa mesa. “For twenty six years, Monic, wala ka pa ring silbi sa pamilyang ‘to.”

                Natulala siya sa ama niya. His words were like a slap to her face.

                Wala pa rin akong silbi... Right. Wala talaga akong silbi sa pamilyang ‘to. I was born a girl, lived like a girl, and showed no interest to any of their business shits.

                “Honey, calm down. ‘Wag ka namang magsalita nang ganyan sa anak natin.” Salita ng ina niya. Nag-aalala ito, pero talaga nga bang nag-aalala ito sa kanya? O ngayon lang?

                Monic just realized—her parents were almost like strangers to her.

                “Monic will think more about it. Give her time.” Dagdag pa ng kanyang ina.

                “No, I won’t think more about it. Ayoko talagang sumang-ayon sa plano niyo para sa’kin.” Matapang niyang sagot. Then she thought, she had to say something that would make them stop from pushing her to do what they wanted. “Ayoko, dahil may boyfriend po ako ngayon—at mahal na mahal ko po siya.” It was one big lie, but that was the only excuse she could think of.

                Her parents were shocked. Siyempre, hindi nila ‘yun akalain. Malamang in-expect ng mga ito na kung magkaka-boyfriend siya, ipapaalam niya agad sa mga ito ang tungkol dun kagaya na lang nung naging sila ni Marky.

                Exasperated, tumayo na si Monic at nag-walk out papuntang kuwarto niya.

                                                                                ***

THE NEXT DAY started so gloomy for Monic. Naiirita siya, na lumala pa nang makita na naman niya ang mga magulang niya sa kainan. She thought they already left after dinner. Dahil ganun naman lagi ang mga ito. Bibisita to eat one meal with her, then aalis na pagkakain.

                “Tara breakfast tayo.” Yaya ng ina niya. But she raised both of her hands and shook her head to turn her offer down.

                “No thanks.” At tumalikod na siya.

                “Monic, let’s talk.” Mariing sabi ng kanyang ama. Pero hindi niya ‘yun pinansin. Bumalik lang siya sa kuwarto niya.