The Past, We Await

Kabanata 11

Kabanata 11

“Angkong...” tawag ni Mommy nang salubungin si Angkong at Auntie sa pintuan ng bahay.

Hinanap agad ng mga mata ko si Shion pero hindi ko siya nakita, tanging si Daddy lang na bumababa ng hagdan at iilang mga katulong na nakaalalay sa mga gamit na dala.

Mommy helps Angkong to sit on the couch. Tulad ng ginawa ni Auntie Mil sa akin, hindi rin siya nagpa-hawak kay Mommy at taas lang ang kilay na tiningnan ito. Hindi na lang siya pinansin ni Mommy.

Sandaling nag-usap si Angkong at Daddy sa wikang Mandarin na tanging si Auntie lang rin ang nakakaintindi. May iilan naman akong naiintindihan pero iyon ay ang mga basic lang.

I messaged Shion that Angkong is looking for him, whether he wants it or not, he really needs to eat lunch here at home imbes na sa bahay nila Blanche, madalas niyang ginagawa kapag galit siya sa mga tao dito sa bahay. He didn’t reply but I know he got what I wanted to convey to him.

Angkong’s vibe is not the same as the vibe of this house, so from the moment he stepped in the door of the house, his aura seems to have spread throughout the room.

Kahit ako’y ayoko talaga na makasama si Angkong. He is bossy, authoritative, and always in a bad mood. Sa tuwing nakakasalamuha ko siya, hindi na talaga naalis sa kanya ang magkasalubong na kilay at kunot na noo kaya siguro’y ganoon na lang kabilis nangulubot ang noo niya.

“I will not stay here. I’m going to Manila tomorrow where my friends are. I just came so that Angkong wouldn’t be alone, and I’ll come back when he decides to go back to Hangzhou.” iyon ang sinabi ni Auntie Mil nang magsimulang kumain ng tanghalian.

Tumango lang si Daddy.

“Take care of yourself, Mil.” si Mommy ang may lakas ng loob na magsalita.

Auntie Mil just rolled her eyes. “Even if you don’t say it.”

Tahimik lang kaming kumakain ni Shion. Halos hindi ko rin marinig ang pag-hinga ni Shion sa tabi ko. I can say he’s nervous.

I really don’t like Angkong’s impact on Shion and me. It’s like he traumatized us without doing anything. Hindi ko kailanman na-imagine na kakabahan kami nang ganito sa sariling bahay mismo namin.

“Donovan, I want to see and meet Saide’s fiancé. When can he come here?”

Sandali akong natigil sa pag-nguya nang marinig na naman ang tungkol kay Rohan. Tiningnan ko si Daddy, tiningnan niya lang ako nang walang ekspresyon at tumikhim bago sumagot.

Even if my parents don’t tell me, I know the real reason why Angkong is here and why he chose to stay here in the Philippines even though his favorite people are in China. Kung papaanong alam ko ang nangyayari nu’ng anibersaryo nila Mom at Dad, alam ko rin ang nangyayari ngayon.

“Rohan Cui is a busy man. He is currently studying Political Science at Ateneo De Manila and does not come here to Cavite very often.” sagot ni Daddy.

Angkong slightly raised his brow. “It’s Christmas vacation, isn’t it? He may be here in Cavite. Tell his parents that I want to meet them.”

“That’s not easy, Angkong. It’s not easy to fit into the Cuis’ schedule.” si Mommy.

Halos mapatalon kami nang marinig ang malakas na pag-bitaw ni Angkong sa kubyertos na hawak. Kinuha niya ang tsaa at sumimsim roon. Wala siyang ekspresyon pero nakakatakot pa rin ang hitsura niya.

“Then, replace him. The children should make their marriage a priority. And I’m important, I’m not always here in the Philippines. They should give me a proper welcome.”