Stuck With You

Simula

Simula

"Hillary, I know masyadong personal itong hinihingi kong pabor sa'yo, but trust me, hija, that young man is different. He is good for you."

I sighed heavily. Yes, I do understand why he's pursuing this, and I get his point. Well, wala namang problema sa akin kung e-date ko yung guy na gusto niya para sa akin, as long as he won't force us to marry each other right away, I'm okay with it. Ang ayaw ko lang ay yung pauwiin niya pa ako ng Pilipinas dahil lang dito.

I mean, for what?

"If you really want me to date that guy, then fine, Dad. I will date him on one condition."

"And what is it?" he asked, brows raised while looking at me suspiciously.

"Let me stay here, Dad," I told him.

"No. You can't do that."

"And why not? Uso naman ang LDR, ah? 'Tsaka pwede naman kaming magvideocall or whatever," pagpipilit ko.

"Long-distance relationship? And you think it will work?"

"If we click and like each other, we can always find ways to make it work, Dad," I reason out.

"For long distance to work, there has to be a strong sense of commitment and faith, Hillary. And both of you are not at that stage yet. You need to know each other first, not in social media but in person."

"Don't you trust me?" May hinanakit na tanong ko rito.

Napabuntong-hininga naman ito marahil nagiguilty din sa panggigipit na ginagawa niya sa akin ngayon. Hindi siya sanay sa ganito. Lumambot ng bahagya ang ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha bago naging blangko ulit.

"Yes, I do. But not on this matter, Hillary. I'm sorry."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"And why not, Dad?"

"It's because you're just making excuses again. Gusto mo lang ulit bilugin ang ulo ko. Just like what you always do to win an argument and to rebel against me."

Now, he's accusing me!

"Look, I'm not making excuses here, Dad. I just want you to hear my side. We are talking about my life here, so I have all the right to question every decision you make. You engaged me without even asking if I'm okay with it. What do you expect? That I'll just accept him with open arms? Bakit ako ang kailangang mag-adjust para sa kanya, Dad? Bakit hindi siya? You know what? This is so unfair on my part!" I said in a very frustrated yet controlled voice.

He glared at me. He looks so offended for some unknown reason.

"Unfair? Oh, come on! Matagal na kitang pinagbibigyan sa lahat ng mga gusto mo, Hillary. Kahit puro kalukuhan lang naman ang ginagawa mo. Ngayon, ako naman ang pagbigyan mo. You are no longer a kid, so you should act accordingly. This is the right time to think more about your future. It's time to be serious, to minimize partying, and to stop playing around, especially with boys!".

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"For Pete's sake, Dad, I'm not playing around with those jerks! It was just a baseless accusation! How many times do I have to tell you that, Dad?" I defended myself.

"Oh, really? Are you even sure about that, Hillary Louisse?! Kasi hindi iyan ang naririnig at nakikita ko! And I'm not accusing you! I'm just stating some facts here!" He yelled back at me.

He's angry now. Ganyan siya kapag buong pangalan ko na ang tinatawag niya.

Damn it. Napapikit ako sa pinaghalong inis, galit, frustration, disappointment, at iba pa. Hindi lang para kay Dad, maging sa sarili ko na rin.