Exemplum (UNDER REVISION)

Guidance

a very very short update again. happy sunday!

ib: 4reuminct

***

"What's our problem, love? You okay?"

I asked Bea. Her expression changed after receiving a phone call. We were eating outside near Ateneo so we can pick our son up after school.

"I received a call from the guidance. Fourth's in the guidance raw. Pinapatawag tayo," nanglaki ang mata ko. Dali-dali kaming nagtungo ng Ateneo. Nang makarating ro'n ay agad kaming nagpunta sa guidance. Nadatnan namin si Fourth at isang batang lalaki na nakaupo sa isang tabi.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ravena, it's good to see you again. Take a seat," inalalayan ko muna si Bea umupo bago ako. Hinintay pa namin saglit ang magulang nung isang bata.

"So what seems to be the problem here, ma'am?" Mataray na saad ng isang magulang.

"Misis, your son punched Fourth kasi ayaw magpakopya ng assignment. Fourth punched him too," napaawang ako.

"Ah? E, sino po nanalo?" I asked out loud.. which I shouldn't have.

"Ferdinand," pinanglakihan ako ng mata ni Bea. Napakamot nalang ako sa ulo ko at nanahimik nalang.

"Your son punched my son first kasi ayaw n'ya magpakopya ng assignment. Shouldn't you be teaching your son how to be responsible in his academics?" The boy's mom is getting in to Bea's nerves already.

"Don't question my wife's parenting," the husband butted in. Napataas ang kilay ni Bea.

"Away misis, sumasapaw?" I butted in as well, inaasar ko lamang s'ya. Wala talaga ako sa lagay para makipagtalo ngayon.

"It's your kid's fault. If only he did his assignment hindi hahantong sa ganito," saad ni Bea.

"It's your son's fault. Kung nagpakopya lang s'ya edi sana hindi mauuwi 'to sa sapakan," the husband butted in again.

"And your point is?" I asked. Siraulo pala 'to, e. Kasalanan pa ng anak namin, e, hindi nga gumagawa ng assignment 'yong anak nila.

"My point is, kung madali lang kausap 'yang anak n'yo, hindi mauuwi sa ganito. Napakadali lang magpakopya," he answered. I scoffed. 

"Where'd you get that nonsense from? You are so dumb," Matigas kong sagot.

"Thirdy," pagpapakalma sa'kin ni Bea.

"I don't think my kid has to apologize to your son. Look," hinila n'ya pa ang anak n'ya. "May pasa't dugo ang mukha ng anak ko. Anak ko ang dehado rito,"

"You know what? You don't deserve a word from us." Bumaling ako sa guidance councilor. "I'm so sorry, ma'am. I don't think we can solve the problem here if they're being uncooperative," saad ko.

"The decision is final. Your son will be suspended for a week. Do'n muna s'ya sa library," saad ng councilor sa magulang ng bata. The husband let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Excuse me?" The wife was trying to protest.

"Accept the suspension or recommended for transfer. Either or, ma'am." I sticked my tounge in the insides of my cheeks. Ano ba ang pinaglalaban nila? Clearly, their son didn't do his assignment and punched my son in the face.

"Punishment?" Tanong ng mister n'ya, nakaturo sa anak ko.

"Ravena is the victim here." The councilor answered. Humaba pa lalo ang diskusyon dahil sakanila ngunit dinismiss na kami ni Bea agad.

Habang nasa kotse ay nagkukwento si Fourth tungkol sa nangyari.

"E, nangongopya, daddy. Sabi ko, wala akong assignment. 'Yon, sinapak ako." Maiimpress na sana si Bea ngunit nadinig n'ya na walang assignment si Fourth.

"Wow, you punched somebody? At least you defended yourself, 'di ba? I'm so proud... wait, wala kang assignment?" Nasapo ko ang noo ko habang nagda-drive.

"Mommy, ang mahalaga, I defended myself." He answered back, mocking his mom.

"Mana ka talaga sa tatay mo," napailing nalang si Bea.

I chuckled. What can I say? Ravena things.