Setting Into The Horizon (Painted Colors Series 1) ON HOLD

Chapter 18

Chapter 18
Setting Into the Horizon

Sorin Koa

"Yun ba ang inaatupag mo Koa kapag umuwi ka galing paaralan?" malamig na salubong sa akin ni Mommy nang tuluyan na akong nakapasok sa bahay.

She is still in her corporate attire, her luggages were next to her. May lumapit na kasambahay namin para kunin 'yon at iakyat sa kwarto nila ni Daddy.

"Hindi po sa ganon, Mommy. Kaklase at kaibigan ko po si We-"

"May magkaibigan ba na ganun kung umasta sa isa't isa? Konti na lang at maghalikan kayo doon sa daan! Lalaki 'yun, Koa!" Mommy's voice echoed.

Yung mga kasambahay na kasama namin ay palihim na yumuko at iniwan kaming dalawa ni Mommy sa sala. I was trying my best to contain my anger.

My hands clenched into a fist. Bawal na ba ngayon ang makipagkaibigan sa lalaki? What West and I have is pure friendship! Although, I know to myself that I have this feelings for him. Pero kaya ayokong umamin at aminin 'yon sa kanya dahil sa takot na masira ang pagkakaibigan namin! Mommy is a few steps ahead of her own thoughts.

"Magkaibigan lang po talaga kami ni West." kalmado kong sagot.

"Bakit hindi ko siya nakilala noong may retreat kayo? Ano? Ayaw mong makita ko na may relasyon kayo?!" kita ko ang marahas na paghinga ng nanay ko.

Naramdaman kong kumunot ang noo ko sa tanong niya. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ganitong mga salita ang lumalabas sa bibig ng nanay ko. This is unlike her.

"Naririnig mo po ba ang sarili mo, Mommy?" I just can't believe this. "Hindi mo ba ako pinagkakatiwalaan kaya ganyan na lang ang mga salitang binabato mo sa akin?"

Mom's eyes widened for a slight second. She might be surprised to hear me talk back. This was the first time this happened. Noon, nananatili lang akong tahimik kapag sinesermonan niya ako. But tonight is different. Mali kasi eh. Mommy jumped into conclusions without even asking me about it.

Silence. Natahimik kaming dalawa ni Mommy. I know she wasn't expecting my rebuttal. My chest rose and fell rapidly, my fists loosened.

"If you don't want to believe me, Mom, then I have nothing else to explain. Talagang magkaibigan lang po kami ni West." Humakbang ako paharap, handa na sanang umalis at ikulong ang sarili sa kwarto.

"I want to meet him." Mommy's stern voice made me halt my tracks. I looked back and saw her gracefully sitting on the couch, now with a teacup in her hand. Her eyes were serious and intimidating.

"Sasabihan ko po siya." sagot ko. Humakbang ako paakyat at tumigil din kaagad nang may nakalimutan. "Pasensya na po at walang naihanda. Hindi ko kasi alam na dadating kayo. Welcome back home," dagdag ko at aksidenteng na bigyan diin ang huling salita.

With heavy steps I walked inside my room and locked myself in there. Mom went home and instead of a hug, I was welcomed with harsh words and it left my heart in exaggerating pain. How is it easy for her to throw those words at me? Kinapa ko ang mga mata ko kung may luha ba ang mga ito. But to my surprise, my eyes weren't wet. All that I felt right now was tiredness. That whole ten minutes drained all my energy.

Hanggang kinaumagahan habang papasok sa paaralan ay hindi ko pa rin matanto kung bakit ganun na lang ang naging reaksyon ni Mommy. I tried to recall what West and I did yesterday but I don't see anything wrong with our actions. Takot ba siya na baka mahulog ako dahil nakasampa ako sa likod ni West? If that was she was afraid of, I was still standing on my feet and West was supporting my back as well. Or is she worried of our closeness? I'm almost eighteen! Alam ko kung hanggang saan lang kami dapat bilang magkaibigan, kaya ko ring mapagtanto ang tama sa mali. If she's that worried, well maybe she doesn't know her daughter fully.