False Chase

Chapter XXX

XXX

Bagong Buhay

PAGKAALIS NG DOKTOR, nagsimula na ang pagpupulong namin bilang pamilya tungkol sa sitwasyon ko. Kahit natanggap ko na ang pagbubuntis ko, alam ko na maaari itong makaaepkto sa pangalan ng pamilya ko.

Tinignan ko si Dad. Tahimik lang siya, at mukhang hinihintay ang sasabihin ko. "I know that this will probably disappointed you and ruin our family name, Dad," pagsisimula ko. "But I'm not going to say sorry, because I will love this child regardless of everything."

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Dad. "I'm not disappointed with what's happening now, Ellise Karmine," aniya na ikinagulat ko. "But I'm worried about what this could do to you. I'm sure that this will come out in public, and rumors will start. I'm more concerned about you and your child's welfare than the name of this family. I don't want you to stress over this . . . bullshit." Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na narinig kong magmura ang ama ko. He sounds worried, and somehow, I feel so relieved to have my father by my side.

"Why don't you marry Sage? I think it's the easiest solution. I'm sure he's ready to take responsibility. After all, it's his child you're carrying," suhestiyon ni Kuya Elliot.

Umiling ako. "No, I don't want to marry him," malamig kong sagot. Nagulat si Kuya Elliot sa sinabi ko. "And no, this is not his child. It's my child. Only mine. Hindi naman niya kailangan ng ama para mapalaki ko siya ng mabuti, di ba? I can take care of him or her myself."

Nag-aalala akong tinignan ni Mommy. "But honey, don't you love Sage? I think you could make it work. It's not complicated as it seems."

Hindi niya pala alam ang tunay na nangyari. Wala rin akong balak na sabihin 'yon sa kanila, kasi paniguradong magagalit sila kay Sage. Ayoko nang idamay pa ang pamilya ko sa galit ko sa kanya. Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I don't love him anymore, Mom," pagsisinungaling ko. "I guess it was just an infatuation, and it faded suddenly. Just because something happened to us, that doesn't mean he has a hold on my neck." I'm lying. Nothing I'm saying sounds convincing in my ears. I've become a liar like Sage.

Kuya Elliot looks at me incredulously. Dad has an unreadable expression on his face. Mommy Tony's lips pursed in concern.

"But you have a child with him . . . ," Kuya Elliot points out.

Mapakla akong tumawa. "Well, aminado naman akong katangahan ko 'yon kasi pumalya ang contraceptives na ginamit ko. Kaya ko naman panindigan tong bata mag-isa, eh. Hindi niya kailangan ng ama."

"I could let your child have my name," ani Kuya Elliot. "Ipalabas nalang natin na anak namin siya ni Ria, pero ikaw parin ang mag-aalaga sa kanya. Nasa'yo parin ang karapatan bilang ina."

I shake my head. "That'll only complicate things, Kuya."

"Or you can go to the US and live there," biglang sinabi ni Dad, at napatingin kaming lahat sa kanya. "After that, you'll come back here in the Philippines. I will lend my grandchild my name. If he or she doesn't have a father listed in the birth certificate, it might be hard to get him or her a passport."

"I think that's the best solution," I say.

"Yeah," says Kuya Elliot in agreement.

Kinuha ni Mommy ang kamay ko at mahigpit na hinawakan 'yon. She squeezes my hand tightly, as if telling me that they'll always be there for me no matter what happens.