BHO CAMP Reverse

Reverse 6: Frozen Heart

REVERSE 6

A Christmas Special

Frozen Heart

FREEZALE'S POV

I put my phone down when I thought the pictures I took would satisfy King. Baka kasi magreklamo na naman 'yon kapag nakita niyang isang picture lang ang meron ako. Magtatampo na naman 'yon at isusumbong ako sa nanay ko.

Pigil ang ngiti na napailing na lang ako habang tinatanaw ko ang mag-ama ko. My husband and my nine-year-old son are competing in a three-legged race, which is part of the Christmas program at the school. Irish looks like he rather let the others win so that he could sit and read somewhere, while King looks like he's determined to give it all for them to win.

Mula nang mag-aral ang mga anak namin ay hindi siya nawala sa mga event sa school. Mas may chance pa ako ang hindi makapunta kesa siya ang hindi makadalo. Sa enrollment pa lang kinukulit niya na ang school para alam niya ang schedule sa buong taon. Sinisiguro niya kasi na wala siyang concert o project na magiging dahilan para hindi niya masamahan ang mga bata sa mga school event.

He's a dedicated father. Maybe too dedicated. Mandatory participation man kasi o iyong mga napipiling salihan ng mga anak namin ay hindi pwedeng wala siyang ambag. Kapag naman kasali ang parents sa mga competition ay talagang sinisiguro niya na mananalo sila ng mga bata. Now they've been the defending champion for years.

Mula nang mag-aral ang mga anak namin ay halos hindi na nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang ibang mga estudyante na manalo sa mga event ng school. Tia lost once in a costume competition, and she cried buckets to her father. Kahit naka-move on na si Tia at naipaintindi ko sa kaniya na hindi importante na laging manalo ay si King ang hindi kayang mag-let go. The following year, with the help of the whole Royalty band, they spent days creating a Little Mermaid costume.

They didn't hire anyone. They made everything from scratch. Gumawa pa sila ng shell na uupuan ni Tia at itutulak nila. But King didn't stop there. He even went with our daughter dressed as King Triton, and I don't know how, but he managed to convince my brother and Archer to go with them wearing Sebastian and Flounder's costumes. And yes, they won.

"I think it's all for show."

My gaze shifted to the side, my attention going to the group of women occupying the far end of where I was sitting and the row behind. Tatlong upuan ang pagitan namin pero dahil umalis ang dalawa ro'n at si King para sumali sa three-legged race ng mga bata.

Normally I wouldn't eavesdrop, but I've been noticing how they've been throwing glances in my direction. Noong una nga ay akala ko si King ang tinitignan nila. Maybe they're staring at the both of us.

Hindi ako pamilyar sa mga babae. Siguro ay may bagong kaklase ang mga anak namin ni King o baka nasa ibang grade level sila.

"Nakita niyo kanina hawak niya ang cellphone niya."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Madaming mga tao ang hawak ang cellphone nila para kumuha ng video at picture. Something that is normal for people who want to document the event where their children are participating.

"Para mapakita na okay sila no? Nabalitaan ko ang tungkol sa kanila. Cheater ang asawa niyan. Alam niyo naman ang kasabihan, di ba?"

"Once a cheater always a cheater."

My back straightened. If I wasn't sure if they were talking about me and my family, now there's no doubt who is the topic of their conversation.

"Hindi pa sila mag-asawa no'ng nag-cheat si guy. Ex-girlfriend iyong babae."