Her Perfect Imperfection

Chapter Twenty-One

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: YOU AND I

Thirdy

"ARE GONE MAD, Thirdy? Why did you bring that kind woman here in our island?"

Nangunot ang noo ko matapos marinig ang sinabi na iyon ni Mama. Hindi ko nga alam bakit siya narito sa isla ngayon gayong ang huling balita ko'y nasa Cebu sila ni Dad. They're should be attending Tito Javi's needs since my uncle is currently recovering from the therapies he went through to cure his throat cancer.

Kailangan ni Tita Cali ng suporta ngayon na dumadaan ang pamilya nila sa pagsubok. Which is just payback support only because they're there when our family went through some dilemmas.

"Which kind Mama? Why can't you tell it to me straight?" Hindi kumibo ang kanyang ina. "Next time, try to know a person first before you jump inside the judging train, Mama. Jeni is a nice woman and is different."

"How do you say so? Where did you met her?"

"You know?"

"Clarence and I know about her identity. Hindi ko pa sinasabi sa Dad mo -"

"Back off, Mama. I cannot let you meddle with my life." It is a good thing that they remain quiet despite knowing how Jeni live her life. "I'm not the same guy in the past, Mama. I know how to control myself and. . . she introduced me into a different world where I have to accept my flaws and live with it. Hindi ko na kailangan magtago sa magandang reputasyon na meron ang apelyido natin."

"As your mom, I know what's best for you, Thirdy. She doesn't belong to our world and even if that woman tried, it won't fit."

"Ako ang gagawa ng paraan para tumugma ang lahat sa amin."

"Thirdy."

"I'm done here. Aalis na kaming dalawa."

Iyon ang paalam ko kay Mama bago siya tinalikuran. Alam ko na nais lamang niya ang makakabuti sa amin lalo sa akin na maraming pinagdaanan. From the cruel experienced I had with Dani down to what I've done with Mona. It is a cycle. A never-ending one which I have to embrace all my life.

Paglabas ko, agad ko inaya ko Jeni na umalis at sinuhestyon niya na umuwi kami sa kanila sa Isabela. Tinawagan ko iyong kakilala ko na may helicopter na naisipan ko gamitin kaysa mag-book ng flight na may possible delay pa. It may impossible to do for normal person but my surname made everything possible.

"Bakit dito tayo pumunta imbis na sa airport?" tanong ni Jeni nang makababa kami sa pribadong airport ng kakilala ko.

"We're riding a helicopter, Jeni," I say.

"Hindi nga? Oh my God!" Ngumiti ako ng marinig siyang tumili matapos makita iyong helicopter na gagamitin namin. "Mula dito hanggang Cauayan ito talaga gagamitin natin?"

"Yes," tugon ko saka lumapit na kay Andrew at binati ito. "Thank you for accommodating my request, Andrew."

"Suwerte ka at may bakante pa." Nakita ko na tumingin siya kay Jeni na manghang-mangha pa rin sa helicopter na nasa harapan namin. "She must be special, Thirdy. You won't pull a card like this if not." Tumango ako na dahilan ng pagtapik niya sa aking balikat. "Get ready. We will leave after I confirm the tower about our flight."

Doon ko nilapitan si Jeni saka niyakap siya mula sa kanyang likuran.

"Grabe ang koneksyon mo talaga. Siguro kahit magtago ako sa 'yo, mahahanap mo pa rin ako."

"Only of I will allow you to run away."

"Ang possessive!" Tumingala siya sa akin kaya nagawa ko patakan ng halik ang noo niya. "How about your mother? Ayos lang ba na iwan mo siya?"