New
The subsequent weeks after that day passed by like a whirlwind. I got busy with my academic stuff, which made me distressed, but I'm somewhat glad. Without it, my mind would continue burdening about my feelings for Jamal. It's the perfect distraction for me to shut the things that I kept on overthinking.
Subalit minsan, kapag nagkakaroon ng himala at natatapos ko agad ang mga gawain, hindi maiwasang sumagi sa isip ko ang mga bagay-bagay. Maybe, it's because of my schedule too. The first three days of the weekdays are the busiest for me, pero tuwing Huwebes ay one class lang. Friday is my free slot. Nakadepende sa akin kung sasayangin ko ba ang araw na 'to o gugugulin ko sa pag-aaral. Of course, ang unang opsyon ang laging nananaig.
Actually, medyo pare-parehas ang iskedyul naming magkakaibigan. Magkatapat ang amin ni Kaylinn, Sab, Asher and Dangelo. On the other hand, Echo, Kuya Benj and Jamal which are blockmates are free every Thursday, then may evening class yata sila kapag Biyernes. I guess, ganoon din ang sched ni Ciel dahil same sila ng course. So trips like the one in Isla Roja are really possible.
Kaya naman hindi na ako nagulat nang nag-aya na naman sila muli na gumala. This time, it's a two days trip. It was Kuya Benj's idea to visit Villa Soleada, sikat na resort dito lang sa Sumido, but it's still somewhat far. Deserve niya raw 'to dahil sobrang stressed siya for the past days. Siyempre, in kaming lahat. At dahil, kami-kami lang, for sure may alak. No one's gonna monitor what we intake unlike sa Isla Roja kung saan may nagbabantay na nakakatanda.
"Gala na naman?" my father's obvious disapproval.
We're currently eating breakfast when I decided to tell them the group's plan. Halatang tutol si Papa na sumama ako, but my mother tried her best to soothe him for me. I'm confident it'll work because that's how I always get my way.
"Pagbigyan mo na ang anak natin, Leonardo."
"They already had an outing last month."
Mother sighed. "It's Belarmino's birthday celebration…"
"Kahit na. Dapat ay pag-aaral ang bigyan niyang pokus. Hindi 'yong puro lakwatsa."
My chest tightened after hearing what he said. Hindi ko tinapos ang pagkain. I excused myself from the table which made them quiet.
Ramdam ko ang kanilang mga mata na sumusunod sa akin habang umaakyat ako ng hagdan. They're already used to this tantrum of mine. Ako lang ang hindi pa nasasanay sa mga masasakit na salita ni Papa.
"Kaya laging nagtatampo sa'yo, eh…" Huli kong narinig galing kay mama bago makapasok ng kuwarto.
It's Thursday, may klase ako ngayong umaga. After making sure that I'm tidy enough, isinukbit ko agad ang aking bag. I decided to bring my phone with me, boring kasi ang aralin namin ngayong araw. Pagkatapos kong bunutin ang charger nito sa saksakan ay agad ko itong ibinulsa, sabay labas.
My mother embraced me as I descended. She smilingly guided me towards my father, who's sitting on the couch with his arms crossed. I know this scene. Lihim akong napangiti.
He sucked a breath before standing up to properly face me.
"Palalagpasin ko ang pagtakas mo noong nakaraan," panimula niya. "Just make sure you're still prioritizing your study. I'm not giving you an ultimatum of high grades, a decent one can do. Maaasahan ko ba 'to?"
"Yes pa," nangingiti kong pangako.
"Hmm…" His gaze lingered to observe me. "Oh, ito." Sabay abot niya sa akin ng cash.
That's what I like!
"Thank you po."
"Aww, Ebbie. Love na love ka talaga ng Papa mo." My mother back-hugged me. Saglit lang, then she checked her wrist for the time. "Oh no, mahuhuli na kami ng Papa mo sa appointment namin. Mauuna na kami."
