Exception [ Quintero Series #2 ]

Wakas

This is the epilogue. Thank you for reading this.

Wakas

I was nine years old when I became obsessed with politics.

I know it's odd. I, myself find it rare that a nine-year-old boy would be so interested in knowing things about the government when even my older brother is more interested in watching Slam Dunk.

But what would you expect to a child, right? Of course, I was innocent, naïve, ignorant of the things that spark my interest.

I didn't even know that it will crush me this much. I didn't even know that public service will come with thorns that are necessary to dismantle me.

If only I knew that my slight interest will take away my childhood and even my freedom to choose as an adult, ginawa ko sana ang lahat para lang hindi iyon malaman ng mga magulang ko.

Damairish Lane Alcantara was my exception.

She was the tipping point of my life.

Sa unang beses ko palang siya nakita, natuto ako agad na kwestuyunin lahat sa buhay ko. Pakiramdam ko agad akong nakawala sa rehas na simula siyam na taong gulang ako'y nakapulupot na sa akin.

One look at her and I knew she will be my own form of self-destruct.

"Ma, what's happening? Bakit ka sumisigaw?" bungad ko nang marinig silang nagtatalo.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansin na may ibang tao. Hindi sila nag - aaway kapag may ibang tao.

The thing about them is, they care more about their reputation than their children, kaya bakit?

"Nathan, this is Irish. Your fiancée," Dad said with authority in his voice.

To say that I was stunned was an understatement.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Anong fiancée? I have a girlfriend for fuck's sake!

I clenched my jaw as I look at my father. Kailan ba siya mauubusan ng paraan para sirain ang buhay ko?

I love my parents, I really do, but most of the time I hate them too. Hindi ibig sabihin na mahal at respetado ko sila ay hindi na ako nagagalit.

"Dad, hindi natin napag - usapan 'to!" seryoso at mariing sabi ko.

There's just no way that I'll marry this girl. There's no way kahit gaano siya kaganda sa mata ko. No fucking way.

She may look like a fragile flower to some but in my eyes, she look as fragile as a bomb. I have a feeling she will destroy me soon.

I saw fear in her eyes. Hindi ba dapat ako ang matakot sa'yo? Nakakatakot 'yang ganda mo. Baka nga kapag nakita ka ni Kuya ay agawin k-- fuck. What am I thinking!

"Bakit? Sinusuway mo ba ang utos ko?" Dad said.

I inhaled sharply and my jaw clenched.

Alright, but I'll make sure to fuck this up. I grew up pleasing you both kaya lahat ng utos ay sinusunod ko, but not this one.

Muli ko nilingon ang babae. Malay ko ba kung saan siya galing. There's no way I'll marry someone like her.

"Alright," I declared.

Lumapit ako sa kanya.

I noticed that my heart is beating fast, must be because I'm so angry right now.

She's beautiful, too beautiful, honestly. Kung nakakamatay lang ang kagandahan ay kanina pa ako pinaglalamayan. And this kind of beauty are usually the ones who bring chaos too.