End Game 32
"The only exception"
Sheliah Santibañez
Natahimik si Dad sa sinabi ko, like... What's poppin'?
"Tell me anything about my stepbrother Dad." in order to win, you must know who's your enemy.
Pinag-krus niya ang kaniyang dalawang braso. "Since he's involved, mukhang kailangan ko na ngang sabihin sa'yo ang lahat tungkol kay Lio."
Sinenyasan niya ako na isara ang pinto para walang makarinig na kung sino man mula sa labas. Ginawa ko naman ang kaniyang sinabi, tumayo ako at sinugarado kong sarado talaga ang pintuan. Naglakad ako pabalik at naupo sa kinauupuan ko kanina.
"H'wag mo munang sabihin ang mga 'to sa mga kapatid mo, kahit na hindi tayo nagkasama simula mga bata pa lamang kayo... I know my children well." seryosong banggit nito at tumango ako.
Huminga nang malalim si Dad bago magpatuloy. "Hindi ko inakala na darating sa buhay ko si Lio, I cheated on your Mom at ayon ang pinaka-tangang ginawa ko sa buhay ko. Lio's mother is kind of in love with me, she's rich and she's gorgeous. Marami siyang hawak na koneksyon, she can easily pin my business down and even you... You, your mother and your brothers. In order to protect all of you from her, I chose to live with Lio and Teresa. Minahal ko si Lio nang totoo, I gave my love and attention to that kid. Minahal ko siya para isipin ni Teresa na mahal ko siya which is... I don't love her. I love your Mom, since the very first day until now. Hindi naman magbabago 'yon."
I heard this story before, pero iba pala talaga kapag narinig mo 'yon sa taong kabilang doon.
"Pinagsisihan ko na masyado kong na-ispoil si Lio. He wanted more from me, lahat ng gusto niya naibibigay ko. From materials to feelings and care. He got bullied for being a Daddy's boy back when he's on Elementary at nung High school naman, he changed. He told me that he don't want other people to call him that again kaya naman lumayo siya sa akin."
"Those days were heartbreaking for me, that I am his father but I am invisible. Simula noon napag-isip-isip ko na panahon na para bumalik ako sa inyo, hindi sa ginawa ko kayong option o kung ano pa man... It's just I feel like my responsibility to my son is over at panahon na para ipagkaloob ko naman 'yon sa inyo."
"I started reconnecting with you, while I was reconciling with him. Laking pasasalamat ko na tinanggap niyo ulit ako, but it turns out na may mas malaking hamon pa pala ang naka-abang sa akin."
"Lio's heart was filled with hatred. Pakiramdam niya inagaw niyo ako mula sa kaniya. And I think until now, hindi pa rin siya nalilinawan sa mga nangyari kaya ginagawa niya ang mga 'to. Ang hindi ko lang maisip, paano sila nagkakilala ni Monica?"
I am drowning with conclusions right now. Lio is indeed me. I was cursing my Dad's name back then thinking that Lio stole him from me pero gano'n din pala ang sitwasyon niya nung bumalik si Dad sa amin.
But it don't freaking make any sense to me na gawin niya ang mga bagay na 'yon sa akin, at sa amin ng mga kaibigan at pamilya ko.
Hindi siya mababaw.
Yumuko ako at pinagmasdan ko ang sarili kong mga kamay na nakapatong sa lamesa. "It doesn't make any sense Dad."
"But did it clarified something?"
"It did."
"Then what is it?"
When I was younger
I saw my daddy cry
And curse at the wind
He broke his own heart
And I watched
As he tried to reassemble it
And my momma swore
That she would never let herself forget
And that was the day that I promised
I'd never sing of love
If it does not exist...
Paano ko nagawang kumanta sa ganitong sitwasyon?
I raised my head at nakita kong nakangiti si Dad sa akin but I can see sadness in his eyes.
"You are the only exception Sheliah. I'll do everything to fix everything."
Nginitian ko ito. Tumayo ako at yinakap ko si Dad. "Thank you po."
He tapped my back. "Your voice is really angelic, no doubt why Art fell in love."
Napatigil ako sa narinig ko. Ramdam ko din na napatigil ang ama ko sa pag tap ng likod ko. I let out a small chuckle to ease the tension. "Mana sa inyo hahaha. Sige Dad, I'm going to head on my room. Mag-aayos lang po ako ng gamit for our next shoot."
Bumitaw kaming pareho sa yakap.
"Sorry for bringing that up." dad says at ngumiti lang ako.
"It's fine, I'm not bothered at all." I'm triggered.
Hindi kinaya ng utak ko ang mga impormasyon na natanggap ko kahapon. That conversation is not what I intended to be in but it's definitely what I needed.
Now that I know quite a lot of things regarding with this... I can slowly make a move and uncover bullshits.
Pero for now, I'm just going to chill in my set today and give my best. 2 months na kaming nag-ffilm dito and we're about to film the climax of the movie.
The irony about this movie... Parang istorya lang ng tragic love story namin ni Mr. Antonio. And the climax is like the recreation of our conversation when he called the wedding off. Pero this time, ako ang magsasabi no'n. My God, I can't wait n ipalasap sa kaniya yung naramdaman ko noon.
Bitter lang sis?
"Ms. Sants, on set na po in 5 minutes." Felicia said at tumango ako. "Kaya mo 'yan." iniwan niya ako sa loob ng trailer.
I looked myself at the mirror, I'm wearing a light make up and a floral above the knee dress and a heels. But he's still taller than me.
I smiled. "Kalimutan mo muna lahat ng negative thoughts, this scene is pretty special Liah. Makakaganti ka na rin, kahit hindi totoo ang lahat."