Paper Memories

Chapter 17-I

Chapter 17-I

"Why don't you invite Ralph as your date?"

My Mom initiated that idea at first, and now Dad follow her lead. Bakit sa pakikialam lang sa akin sila nagkakasundo? Gusto kong magfocus lang sa lunch namin Pero heto nagtatalo lang sila mula kanina at ng papaubos na ang away nila, ako na ang nakikita nila.

Even if they keep insisting, it's not like I can mention Percival instead.

I forcefully smiled as I wait for Percival's reply on my phone and took a screenshot of his new number that he just gave me this morning. Baka ngayon ko lang matuloy yung plano kong pag-hire ng private investigator para sa kanya.

"Ralph might be busy that day." I respond turning off my phone. Gusto nila imbitahin ko si Ralph bilang partner ko para sa business party ng kumpanya ni Dad." At hindi rin siya mahilig sa business parties.""

My mother wipe her lips in her sudden interes of prolonging the conversation." Is he about to become an engineer, Dear?"

"Ralph is now senior in polsci, he shifted out of engineering."

"His parents have strong political influence after all; maybe he was pressured," Dad said in a disappointed tone. Men might really yearn for more superiority. Mas gusto pa nila kanila ikot ng mundo. "The father is a judge; the eldest daughter is a PMA graduate; Ralph might feel the need to prove himself by following their path."

Maling-mali siya. I corrected him." Matagal na pong nakapag-shift si Ralph."

Dad just shrug." He used to resist being in the same career path."

I spoke cleared this time." Ralph used to."

"It might be his own dreams; he doesn't need to do it for his father." Pagkampi sa akin ni Mom. Ralph conceded in winning against his family the very moment he shifted course: wala siyang balak na malamangan ang family niya. Tinaggap niya na hindi siya magiging singgaling nila para lang matupad niya ang pangarap niya na makatulong sa iba. Engineering was his scapegoat. "May sariling gusto din yung bata, hindi pati yun dapat kabit sa pamilya niya."

"Then he's a real man for doing things his way." My father scoffs. There he goes again for his definition of a "man"." That one is good for you, sweetie."

I bit my lip." He can't go as my da------"

"Ralph is a sweet guy, isn't he always been by your side?" Naputol ang sasabihin ko dahil kay Mom at ang mga sunod na sinabi niya ay hindi ko ikinatuwa. Ralph didn't do that! " When that school expulsion incident happened, remember?"

"How many months have that been?" Parang halos di na masikmura ni Dad ang kinakain niya."The innocent dragged on that mess?"

"...Are you blaming me?"

Dad eyes widen, he started stammering." Even if its not you, you should have have sympathy. Kahit nadamay ka lang din...Nawasak ang mga pangarap nila, Sheena. Hindi lang mapupulot yung pinagtustos sa pag-aaral nila at yung taon na ginugol nila. Those kids were talented but they have nothing left now."

Mom reach for my hand." Sinabi mo lang ang totoo, Sheena."

My parents told me to have a heart but they're the one giving me fake sympathy now."Parang ikaw Dad ang hindi may alam ng nangyari noon. Mga mandadaya na nga sila, pero sa iba nila ibinabato nila ang kasalanan nila? Even if those students have potential what's the use of fake talent? Diba cheaters sila, Dad? Nasabi ko lang sa prof yung isa mga nalaman ko. But who knows there's still worse?"

My father look at me coldly." You didn't need to that."

My mother snarled at him." Bakit pati ikaw sinisi ang anak natin?"

It's not like regretting it would change anything. Expelled na ang estudyante yun at outcast na ako." I shouldn't have told the truth? Is that what you----Nevermind. Let's drop this, I still want to enjoy dessert as a family..."

They haven't change, I'm still a bad daughter in their eyes.

Pero pinagbigyan nila ako sa gusto ko peaceful na lunch sa huli. Kaya halos tunog na lang ng utensils saka conversation na lang ng iba ang namayani ng patuloy kami sa pagkain. Paminsan-minsan na lang may tinatanong si Mom, habang si Dad naman ay parang bumalik sa ikalaliman ng isip niya.

I'm still waiting for Percival's reply, pero pangalan ni Gregory ang lumabas.

"Pasalubong, Madam."