Umuwi galing US si Lisa para ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa Pilipinas. Nalaman kasi ng parents nya na tatlong taon na sya nagloloko sa pag-aaral, hindi pumapasok at puro barkada lang inaatupag. Sa sobrang busy ng magulang nya, hindi na nila nagagawang icheck kung ano na ang ginagawa ni Lisa sa America.
Sa airport
"Why the hell are they taking so long?" Naiinip na sabi ni Lisa. Mga ilang oras pa, dumating na rin ang isa sa mga pinagkakatiwalaan ng daddy nya para sunduin sya.
"Ikaw ba yung susundo sakin?" Tanong nito.
"Yes ma'am. This way po."
"Bakit ang tagal mo? 2 hours na ko naghihintay dito."
"Ma'am traffic po kasi sorry po."
"Whatever. Tara na."
Matapos ang isa't kalahating oras, nakarating na sila sa bahay nito.
"Lisa. We need to talk."
"Dad, about what? Can I just rest for a while? I'm tired." Sagot nito.
"Go to my office now. I don't have much time for this."
"Yeah ikaw naman lagi nasusunod. Eto na po pupunta na po."
"Could you please stop acting like a brat?" Tanong ng mama nya.
"Mom, I didn't know you were there. Could you please ask me how I've been naman? My god. You guys don't really care about me."
"It's not like that, Lalisa. We care about you that's why you're here. We may be busy, but at least we're making time to fix your issues. Now, if you don't want me to give you the worst punishment, zip your mouth."
"Yah, what punishment are you talking about dad?"
"Let me talk first. Close the door."
"Done. So now what?"
"You know I own 5 schools right? You'll study there in Bruschweiler University. That's final. If you fail your subjects, we have no choice but to cut your credit cards, we'll take all your money, you'll leave this house with nothing."
"WHAT?! DAD YOU CAN'T MAKE ME—"
"That's final, Lalisa."
"MOM??? DID YOU HEAR WHAT HE JUST SAID!? ARE YOU JUST GONNA STAND THERE!? I DON'T WANNA SUFFER."
"Lalisa, wala na ko magagawa. This is for your own good. Mag-aral ka ng maayos."
"I DON'T WANNA!—"
"LALISA! If you will keep acting like a brat like your friends in states, I'll put you in public scho—"
"UGH FINE! I CAN'T EVEN CHOOSE. KAYO LANG LAGI NASUSUNOD SAKIN. I WAS NEVER HAPPY HERE JUST SO YOU KNOW. I'LL GO TO MY ROOM NOW."
"Look at your daughter, Chit. Paano natin aayusin yang batang yan?" Frustrated na tanong ng daddy ni Lisa.
"She's just shocked. Everything will be okay. Don't worry. I'll talk to her. May meeting ka pa na pupuntahan you better prepare for it. I'll go now."
••••
LISA'S POV
I fucking hate my life. Sa lahat ng school? Dun pa talaga? I can't. That's probably the worst school na nakita ko. A bunch of idiots, social climber, maniacs are there. I miss my friends. Shit paano ko to lulusutan? Ayoko sa school na yun. Wala nga man lang sigurong matinong babae dun or should I say, cute pero matino. I know they hate my dad so much sa sobrang mahal ng tuition fee dun. What should I do? Hmmm I need Mina's advice.
*phone's ringing*
"Hello, Manoban? What's good?"
"Yo, Mina. What should I do? I dont know what to do anymore. My dad wants me to study in his school where bunch of idiots are in."
"Whoa! You mean the Bruschweiler University? How epic!"
"What do you mean epic? You don't know how much they hate my dad for yearly increasing tuition fees."
"Oh yeah I remember. Just pretend you're not his daughter. They don't even know that your dad has a kid right?"
"That's a very brilliant idea. Thank you!"
"Always. I'll visit you there on spring break so don't worry."
"Whoa whoa whoa! Thank you! I miss you guys so much."
"We miss you too Lali! I'm hanging up now. Have to go to class. Bye take care there, okay?"
"Okay take care. Love you!"
*phone call ended*
Buti na lang matalino tong si Mina. Tama sya. Pretend. Pretend pretend pretend. That's what I'm gonna do. Hindi naman nila siguro mahahalata yun cause gamit ko ang last name ni mommy. 2 years lang to, Lisa. Kaya mo to.
••••
Kumakatok ang mommy ni Lisa sa kwarto nya para kausapin sya.
"Who's that?"
"Your mom."
"Your mom who?"
"Punyeta ka Lisa buksan mo tong pinto!"
"Joke lang eh. Eto na ma eto na please don't shout."
*opens the door*
"Papagalitan nyo nanaman ba ako? Please ma, I'm tired."
"No, baby hindi. I just want you to know na we care about you and we love you. Lisa, sa 3 years mong nag-aaral sa US, puro ka pagbubulakbol. Anak, what do you want? Ano ba talaga ang gusto mo?"
"I want you to stop controlling me. I want you to stop butting in on my life. Ma, is that too hard to do?"
"We can't just stop butting in on your life. We're your parents. We know what's good for you. We sent you to US para makapag-aral ka sa magandang school and para malayo ka kay—"
"Irene. Tama ba? Ma naman!! Just because she's not rich like us, doesn't mean na hindi ko na sya mamahalin. She's a very good person ma pero you didn't give her a single chance to even prove that you're wrong."
"I'm sorry Lisa. But hindi mo na pwede kitain pa ang babaeng yun. Look at this." Pinakita ng mommy nya ang mga picture ni Irene kasama isang lalake habang sila pa 4 years ago.
"What the hell is this? Oh so sila pala ni Sehun habang kami pa?"
"Yes. That's why nilayo ka namin. See, Lisa? You don't listen to us. Please anak. Magfocus ka muna sa pag-aaral mo."
"It doesn't hurt me anymore ma. Wala na ko nararamdaman for her. But yeah, maybe you're right. I'll just focus on my studies."
"That's my girl. I'll leave now anak. What do you wanna eat?"
"Adobo please."
"I'll cook before leaving the house. I can't trust the maids sa panglasa mo."
"You really know me ma. Close the door please"
Her mom left the door opened.
"Aish. I said close the door kainis."
••••
Nakatulog si Lisa sa sobrang pagod. Dalawang araw na lang ay magsisimula na ang school. Hindi nya alam kung excited sya or kinakabahan dahil alam nyang talagang mga siraulo ang mga nag-aaral dun. Well, mga mayayaman pero siraulo.
