Not Now But Forever

Chapter 28

Dale's

Two words to describe my life,  'fucked up.'

"We enrolled you at La Salle to study and aim high! Hindi yung puro ka na lang bar! Puro ka na lang barkada!" I clenched my jaw after hearing the rant of my 'ever-supportive' mother.

"I am doing well in class, in case you didn't seem to notice that one because you're too busy with your illegitimate child." Naramdaman ko na lang ang masakit na pagtama ng kamay ni Mommy sa pisngi ko.

Kinuyom ko ang mga kamay ko. I saw her breathing hitched. I scoffed and touched my face.

"Ganito ka ba pinalaki ng magaling mong ama?" She mocked me.

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko. I towered over her.

"Don't you dare questioned how my Dad raised me. At least I wasn't raised by a whore!" I angrily told her.

Naramdaman ko ang presensya ni Daddy. My Dad raised me with his full best. My life is good. My parents are happy together, or that's what I thought.

Hanggang sa pag-uwi ko galing sa isang basketball tournament noong grade 11 ako, nakita ko si Daddy na umiiyak. I muttered all the curses I know because my father is crying! Something is really wrong!

Then I saw my mom insider her room, a boy like my age is comforting her.

"What's going on?" I calmly asked her. My Dad taught me to respect my mom so I could be able to respect all the woman around me.

"I'm sorry." That was all that she could said and let her sorry be drown in her sobs.

Mataman kong tiningnan ang lalaki na yumayakap sa ina ko.

"Who are you?" I asked the guy.

"Liam...Liam Lopez...Imperial." I nodded.

Lopez? What the fuck?

Dahan dahan akong lumapit kay Mommy. Patuloy pa rin ang iyak niya. Kunot-noo ko siyang tiningnan.

She cried more, "A...anong -"

"Sorry for keeping him. Sorry for lying." It was almost a whisper.

A whisper that crashed my whole world. I thought I had the best family. But then, nothing's perfect.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Mommy. I keep on shaking my head, disapproving about her words.

"This guy is the fruit of your fucking itchiness?" My breathing hitched.

Matalim akong tiningnan ni Mommy. I knew I used such foul words but I don't care anymore.

"He is your brother!" She reasoned back.

I scoffed. "As far as I can remember, I'm an only child. Not unless, you'll stand with him and forget about me."

I told her before leaving her room. As much as I want to confirm Dad, I know I'm a mess too. I locked myself inside my room.

I didn't bother eating for days. It felt like everything in me suddenly stops functioning.

My Dad was wasted. My Mom had an affair. My family is fucking broken.

"Dale." Napapikit ako ng marinig ang boses ni Daddy. "Anak, it's been five days. You're not eating anything. Lumabas ka na diyan, please." Sumikip ang dibdib ko ng marinig ang sakit sa boses ni Daddy.