Min's (pov)
Did i heard it right?
“You're avoiding this conversation because you know damn well, that you were also a gay before.”
After dad said that just then mom turned to him and gave him a slap, I couldn't believe my eyes. This isn't them, ngayon ko lang sila nakita na nagkakasakitan nang ganito. Not infront of me.
Hindi maproseso ng utak ko ang mga nangyayari ngayon sa loob mismo ng office ko, feeling ko hindi pa sapat, i'm lacking of information. I want to know more even if it will hurt me.
I got back on my senses when I heard mom's foot steps leaving us behind, I'm hesitating if i should follow her or ask dad kung totoo ba ang sinabi niya. If it was true, then, may unang minahal si mom before dad? Or is it possible na nainlove din siya sa girl? Arggh! This is so complicated!
Later on, I decided to run after mom but I immediately stopped when dad suddenly speaks..
“I'm firing you, Katrina Avila. From now on hindi kana makakatungtong pa sa kom--” I cutted him off, hinarap ko siya na walang mababakasan na emosyon sa mukha ko
“No dad, I'm the one who gets to decide-”
“I'm the former ceo of this company, so, you have nothing to do with my decision.” he firmly uttered while looking intently at me. I balled my fist in frustration dahil parang hindi ko siya makilala, his behavior right now is somehow unfamiliar to me.
Magsasalita pa sana ako pero hindi ko na nagawa dahil nagulat na naman ako for the third time this day nang magsalita ulit siya, tinabihan niya pa si Stacey na mukhang naguguluhan ngayon.
“Well, in the first place..Stacey was supposed to be your secretary but your mom? She chose that woman so she signed a contract.” I've had enough for this day, parang ayoko nalang makinig o maniwala pa sa mga sasabihin ni dad. What if he's just telling lies? but what if..
“5 months, we gave her 5 months then ipapalit namin ang totoong sekretarya mo. I guess, your mom just pity her that time so-- ”
“Stop this dad! Stop! Please!” I can't contain my emotion anymore so I bursted out angrily, confused and frustrated.
I left his gaze and turned to Katrina who's also looking at me, there I saw her apologetic face. Does it mean totoo ang sinabi ni dad?
She didn't tell me about that stupid contract, she lied to me!
“Is that t-true?” I asked her, still hoping na hindi totoo ang lahat ng mga sinabi ni dad na walang contract or whatever stupidity you may call it!
She nodded slowly, I gave her a disappointed look before turning my back. All i know is, I want to leave immediately so I quickly stormed off of my office.
While walking in the hallway I noticed that there's a few of employees gossiping but wala na 'kong lakas at katarayan na natira sa katawan ko dahil sa mga nangyari ngayon and even these past few days, but may araw din sila.
Mabilis akong nakapasok sa elevator at saktong walang tao na nasa loob kaya doon ko na nilabas ang frustration na nararamdaman ko ngayon, I stomped my feet numerous times at kahit gustuhin kong umiyak wala naman lumalabas na luha sa mata ko. Am I numb? No, i'm not, hindi sana ako nasasaktan ngayon kung manhid na 'ko. However, my eyes were, they're numb.
I just feel that my soul left my body..
Mabilis akong pumasok sa kotse ko nang makarating sa parking lot, I smack the steering wheel looking like a drunk right now 'cause of heavy feeling. As much as I wanted to talk to mom, I can't. Ayoko pang kausapin ang isa sa kanila, baka may hindi pa ako alam at mabibigla na naman ako. Enough na 'yung kanina, maybe some other time when i'm ready. But right now, I'm mad at them, to all of them.
I chuckled sarcastically when I heard my phone's beeping, Katrina kept on calling me but I also keep on declining it. Nang mainis ako ay shinut down ko muna ang phone ko.
Bago ko 'yon mapatay ay nakita ko ring nakailang missed calls sa 'kin si mom.
I decided na umuwi nalang muna ng bahay, I just want to rest. I'll pretend nalang na walang nangyari ngayon then tomorrow i'm okay.
The next day, I thought i'm going to be okay na pero walang nangyari. The conversation last night inside of my office still lingering on my head. It keeps on reciting all over my mind
I just shrugged it off at nag-ayos na para pumasok sa company, I hope this day will get any better kahit papa'no.
“M-Mint..” Pagdating ko sa loob, si Stacey agad ang bumungad sa 'kin. She's biting her lower lip then suddenly that night when she confessed to me popped out in my head.
“What do you want?” I coldly ask but I couldn't look directly into her eyes, ayoko lang maalala pa 'yon. That's awkward for me.
“I just want to discuss to you about last night and also..to apologize to my behavior that night.”
“I don't want to talk to anyone right now. Continue what you're doing.” Mabilis ko siyang iniwan doon at tsaka tumungo sa loob ng elevator. I heaved a sigh nang makapasok na sa loob.
As expected, I didn't see her presence inside of my office. She really wants to leave this company, now i'm wondering if she's just my fake secretary then..her feelings, that was all fake.
And why did i even attached myself to her?
Baka nga parte rin sa kontrata na 'yon ang pagtrato niya sa 'kin..
I just can't believe that was all mom's idea, how could she do that to me?
Now, it all makes sense. Kaya pala dati madalas nandito si mom sa office ko and nauuna pa nga sa 'kin and I oftened saw them together ni Katrina, they were always talking looking so serious which I probably think na may kinalaman sa 'kin.
five days passed and I haven't seen them after that argument na nangyari sa office ko, Katrina didn't bother to come here. Siguro tinanggal na talaga siya ni dad and it saddened me.
Kakapasok ko palang pero parang pagod agad ako, why i'm thinking about them again? If they want to explain their sides then i'm willing to listen.
I eyed my desk nang umilaw ang phone ko, mom texted me.
from: Mom
I know you're mad at me, my baby.. but i'm hoping that i'll make it up to you today. Meet me before lunch at our favorite place. Mommy's very sorry :(
sent. 10:03 am
I felt mom's sincerity while reading her message, parang nabawasan ang bigat sa dibdib ko bigla and i don't know why but all i know is I want to talk to mom. I know that she has a reason, I'll just ready myself sa mga sasabihin niya mamaya.
I stood up from my seat at iniwan na munang nakakalat ang ilang papers sa desk ko, pagkalabas ko palang ay bumungad agad sa harap si Stacey. My new secretary, i guess?
On that past five days, she acted like she is my secretary dahil ang mga ginagawa ni Kat noon ay siya na ngayon ang gumagawa just like informing me if I have a meeting or what. Nasanay nalang ako na she's updating me.
“where are you going?” she asked timidly, isa 'to sa napansin ko na isa sa pinagbago niya. She makes me feel that i'm gonna eat her alive.
“I have a meeting with my mom, bakit?” I uttered plainly.
“oh, wala naman. That's actually nice that you're having a talk to your mom.”
I just nod my head at her bago siya nilampasan, narinig ko pa ang paghugot niya ng malalim na hininga. I know that she's trying, she's trying na makausap ako at maopen up niya ang issue between us. But right now, that's the least on my priorities.
Exact 12pm akong nakarating sa japanese resto na lagi naming kinakainan ni mom everytime na yayayain niya ako sa malls, At first i was struggling to find her seat but she noticed me first kaya nilapitan ko na ang table niya.
There's a plenty of our favorite dish already on the table after i settled down, bigla akong nagutom dahil sa amoy ng mga pagkain na 'yon. It's been a long time since I tasted those..
“I'm glad that you c-came.” Mom finally said after a long silence, she smiled at me genuinely.
“I'll go straight to the point, mom. I want to hear your explanations..about everything.” makahulugan ngunit seryosong sabi ko.
She smiled again..faintly.
“ I want to apologise first, i'm sorry if I lied to you.” I nodded my head as a response, signaling her to continue. “I did that..because of two reasons.”
“What exactly are you talking about mom?” I asked looking serious right now but not sounding rude.
“I chose Katrina to be your secretary, cause I know that she has a good heart and can guide you--”
“I'm not a kid, mom” tumango siya nang tumango as if she's saying na naiintindihan niya ang sinabi ko.
“I know that, I just want you to be safe.”
My forehead creased dahil wala akong mapunto sa mga sinasabi niya ngayon, hindi ko maintindihan e. Parang wala namang connect sa tanong ko. She wants me to be safe from what?
“I don't get it, mom. What's the main reason?”
“Kilala ko siya, as soon as my eyes landed on hers I knew for sure that it was her. Your dad, we..did a horrible thing to her family.” Mas lalo akong naguluhan sa sinasabi ni mom. Okay, this is getting to the point.
“why? what did you do, mom?”
“I background checked her, and i found out that she has a haphephobia and it started after niyang mainvolved sa isang kidnapped. What shocked me the most was I knew her family that's why i claimed that we have a connection.”
I swallowed hard when I hear Katrina's voice that night after ng party with investors a few months ago, that was the day that I got really worried on her situation. Kaya pala gano'n nalang ang reaction niya because she said she's afraid of someone touching her.
“And when your dad said last time that i'm also a gay before..It was true, baby..” I looked up on her and my facial expression suddenly softened when I witness her tears gently streaming down her cheeks. “I fell inlove with a girl..with Katrina's mo--”
Mom haven't had the chance to finish her word when suddenly her phone ring, mabilis niyang pinunasan ang mga luha niya sa pisngi. She excused herself for a while then sinagot ang tawag sa phone niya.
I didn't hear her last word after that when she mentioned Katrina's name, what is it?