Gin's Point of View
Naningkit ng bahagya ang mga mata ko nang makita ang pamilyar na mukha na naghihintay sa akin. Agad na napatuwid ito sa pagkakatayo sa benz nang makita ako. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito.
"Sir Carlos!" tuwang sabi ni Mang Damian. Ang matagal ng family driver ng mga De Villa. Bata pa lamang ako ay ito na ang personal na driver ng lolo.
Ngumiti ako na kinamayan ang matanda. "Kumusta na kayo, Mang Damian? Hindi ko akalain na hanggang ngayon ay kayo pa rin ang personal na driver ng Lolo," I said. "Mukhang hindi kayo tumatanda."
Natatawang napakamot ito sa ulo. "Nauubos na nga ho ang buhok, senyorito. 'Asan ho ang bagahe n'yo?" takang tanong niya nang makita na ang hawak ko lamang ay handcarry.
I grimaced. Binuksan ko ang harapan ng kotse. "Wala ho akong dala, dahil wala rin naman akong dala nang ihatid nyo ako sa airport limang taon na ang nakakaraan. Sakay na kayo Mang Damian, ako ang magda-drive," sabi ko na inilagay sa loob ang dala kong bag.
"Ho? Naku-"
"Sakay na ho," sabi ko na kulang na lamang ay itulak ito sa passenger's seat. Walang nagawa na napasunod ko na rin ito.
Nasa kalagitnaan na kami ng traffic nang magsalita ako uli. "Wala pa ring pagbabago. Saksakan pa rin ng traffic," I said in a bored tone. Binalingan ko uli ang matanda na nasa hulihan ng sasakyan. "Kumusta ang Papa, hindi talaga sila nag-abalang sunduin man lamang ang ipinatapon nila." I smirked. "Sabagay, what do I expect? A welcoming embrace samantalang ipinatapon nga ako ng Papa sa ibang bansa."
Bitterness is searing down my spine, and there is no excuse for that. Natural na maramdaman ko iyon at ngayon na guguluhin nila ang pag-aaral ko para lamang mapagbigyan ang kapritso ng Papa.
"S-Senyorito, mawalang galang na ho. Nagkataon lamang po na panahon ng eleksyon ngayon. At ang Papa nyo ay tumatakbo sa huling termino niya. Masyado lamang din malakas ang kalaban niya ngayon," mababang sabi ni Mang Damian.
Napaismid ako. "Para naman na hindi ko alam iyon, Mang Damian. My father is a good politician but not as a father," may halong sarkasmo na sabi ko. Hindi na kumibo ang matanda. Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Pasensya na ho, Mang Damian. I am not very keen coming back lalo na at pulitika lamang naman ang dahilan ng Papa."
"Wala ho 'yon, senyorito. Pero hindi naman ho sa nakikialam pero matagal na ho kayong gustong makita ng Papa ninyo."
Hindi ko na lamang sinansala ang sinabi ng matanda. Pero hindi ako naniniwala sa sinabi niya. Hindi ang Papa ko ang nanaisin na makita ang anak na ipinatapon niya.
MY mother almost cried a river the moment she saw me entering the mansion. My grandfather was equally delighted but he didn't say a word. My father is in his office.
"Oh, iho! I am so happy to see you back home," my mother said teary-eyed habang kulang na lamang ay paliguan ako ng halik.
I rolled my eyes. "Parang hindi tayo nagkita last month, Mama, nang bumisita ka sa Massachusetts," I said drily. Kahit kailan ang Mama talaga ay drama queen.
She glared at me. I only smiled. She still looks the same. The same elegance of being the First Lady of this province. My mother is the epitome of beauty and brains. Kaya nga siguro sa kanya ko inihuhulma ang mga babaeng nauugnay sa akin.
Like Shan. I am missing her already.
"We should eat now, I know you are hungry. And tell me all about the school," she said happily. "Ang Papa mo ay excited na makita ka rito."
Kulang na lamang ay mapa-ismid ako. Sa sobrang excited mas pinili na makipag-kumperensya sa mga pulitikong tao kaysa sa salubungin ang anak niya.
"Have you decided what school are you going to enroll?" tanong ni Lolo naupo sa kabisera ng hapag-kainan.
Nothing changed for the past five years. Same aura ng mansion and same authority that I always fear of. Naupo ako. My mother sits in front of my table. Napatingin ito sa akin.
"You have decided to continue your studies, don't you, Carlos? After all, we need a lawyer in this family. A politician who is very---"
I coughed. Pakiramdam ko ay nagsikip na lalamunan ko sa sasabihin sana ng Mama. Takang napatingin sila sa akin. I tried to smile. "Look, Ma. Kadarating ko lamang di ba? I really want to enjoy this meal that is my first time sharing with you after five years. Politics can wait, di ba?" I said lightly. Kinindatan ko ang Mama. Umirap ito.
"Hindi sa lahat ng oras ay pwedeng maghintay ang pulitika, Carlos. You must know your place in this family and in politics," seryosong sabi ni Lolo. I shrugged my shoulder.
"Let's eat, shall we?" I said playfully.
I started telling them what I did for the past five years. Nauwi na sa masayang kwentuhan ang kanina lamang ay pressured na pag-uusap at pagpipilit nila tungkol sa pulitika.
"Am I late for lunch?"
I felt my whole body stiffened when I heard a familiar voice. And yet, it feels like a stranger's voice. Tumayo si Mama para salubungin ang dumating.
"Half of Carlos' story you already have missed. But I am sure he will tell all of it over again, don't you. Carlos?" anang Mama.
I did not move. Napatingin ang Lolo sa akin. I sighed. This is what I hate the most. The pretence. Tumayo ako at sa unang pagkakataon ay nakita ko ang mukha ng taong sa loob ng mahabang panahon ay hindi ko man lamang nakita.
He looks the same. He maybe gets older. Older than what he looks like the last time I saw him. And that was five years ago. The same hardness still edges on his face. A typical politician.
"Sir," I greeted. I simply nodded at him.
Ilang saglit na nakatitig lamang ito sa akin. Then he sighed. "Come here and give me at least a hug, son. It's been long since the----"
I walked and give him a hug para matapos na lamang. But there was no warmth on it. At bago pa ako nayakap nito ay kumalas na ako. "I guess, I have to go to my room. I am quite tired already. It's good seeing you, sir."
I politely excused myself. My mother looked at me pleadingly but I just pick my bag and go upstairs. I hope he will do something to make me lose my temper so I could have the reason to leave this house again.
I don't belong here.
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