RIVAS 6

HALOS liparin ko na ang aming dining area nang sabihin sa akin ng aming katulong na umuwi raw ang aking ama.

I might be hurt knowing that my father really has a mitress at ang malala pa roon ay halos kaedaran ko lang but I can not denied the fact that I can not hate him. I am still longing for my father’s love and attention.

“Good morning mom, good morning dad!” Masaya kong bati sa mga magulang ko habang galak na galak na umupo sa tabi ng aking ina.

My father just nod his head as an answer but his attention is still on the food in his mouth. Nakaramdam ako ng kaunting kirot sa dibdib ngunit hindi ko nalang pinansin iyon.

Seeing and having a peaceful breakfast together with my parents is already too much to ask for. Bakit pa ba ako mag iinarte?

“Eat, son. You have to go with your father to meet our new investors-“

“I have so many things to do, Elena. Bakit hindi ikaw ang sumama sa anak mo?”

“Fuck that bullshit Ricardo! Anong sinasabi mong you have so many things to do?! Ang sabihin mo busy ka lang makipagkita sa babae mo! Tell me, hindi ba’t siya ang dahilan kung bakit halos hindi kana umuuwi dito sa bahay?” Galit na galit na tanong ni mommy habang dinuduro si dad ng hawak nitong tinidor.

“Isipin mo kung anong gusto mong isipin. I have to go now. Red, finish your food. You already on your own now. Do your thing and don’t mind your mother.” Iyon lang ang sinabi ni dad bago ito tumayo mula sa kanyang kinauupuan at kinuha ang kanyang suitcase na ngayon ko lang napansin na halos katabi niya lang pala.

I stare at my father as he walks by. As he got out of our house without kissing nor bid his goodbye to my mom. Sa mga eksenang ganoon ko napapatunayan na marahil ay hindi na nga talaga mahal ng ama ko ang ina ko. Maybe he really lost all his feeling for her because of his mistress.

“Nakita mo na? Nakita mo na kung gaano kahayop ang ama mo? And that is all because of his mistress!”

“Mom, calm down. Nasa harap tayo ng pagkain-“

“Kahit nasa harap pa tayo ng husgado I will never calm down, anak! Papaanong natitiis mo akong makitang binabastos ng ama mo?” Galit man ay hindi nakatakas sa pandinig ko ang pangangarag sa boses ng ina ko.

I let out a heavy sighed first before putting down my utensils. Hindi pa man ako kumakain ay parang bigla na lamang akong nabusog.

I was about to stand up when my mother faced me. Nasa mata pa rin nito ang matinding galit.

“How about your father’s mistress? Hindi ba’t pinahahanap ko iyon sayo? Nasaan na? Oh my God Red! Don’t tell hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring usad ang pag aasikaso mo roon?!”

“Mom I am really trying my best-“

“Then you are not trying your best enough, son! Dahil kung totoong ginagawa mo nga lahat ng makakaya mo, you should at least know where the address of that leech! Kung saan sila nagkikita ng ama mo!”

Marahas akong napapikit at napakuyom ng kamao. I really don’t understand where should I stand. I am already at my right age yet para akong batang sunud sunuran sa ina ko.

“Mom please, it’s only eight in the morning. Can’t we have a proper and silent breakfast? I’m really hungry…”

Animo’y may kung anong sumaping espiritu sa katawan ng ina ko at bigla bigla na lamang nagbago ang timpla nito.

She just shook her head while smiling. Agad na rin itong bumalik sa kanyang pagkakaupo. Naguguluhan man ay hindi nalang ako umimik. I’d rather pretend that I didn’t see her being hysterical a while ago than opening or asking again why she’s furious as early as this morning.

“Okay, so tell me son. How was your business? Are you still one of the most sought hot young bachelor CEO in our country? Balita ko ay marami ring nagbubukas na mga cars company ngayon ah.”

Isa pa nga pala ‘yon. Being one of the young CEO of my generation in the field of cars, masasabi kong hindi naman nangungulelat ang kompanya ko. My company still one of the best company when it comes to producing cars.

“Well, it’s great, mom. May mga paparating akong car parts from the states at balak kong ilagay sa ilalabas naming bagong model ng sasakyan ngayon. And also for the sales, well, kailangan pa bang itanong ‘yan? I’m still one of the best-“

“You should be the best, anak. Huwag kang makuntento na isa ka lang sa mga magagaling. Lagi mong tatandaan na dapat ikaw ang pinakamagaling.”

Here comes my competitive mother again. Marahan nalang akong tumango at tahimik na sumubo ng pagkain. Wala naman akong dahilan para tumutol sa sinabi ng aking ina, after all she is right. Coming from Elena Rivas, she’s always correct and never ask twice.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay mabilis na ring nagpaalam si mommy na aalis. Maigi na nga lamang at hindi na muling nabuksan o napag usapan ang tungkol sa kabit ni daddy.

I was humming a song when I felt my phone suddenly vibrate on my pants. Dali dali ko naman itong kinuha. My eyebrows arched when I saw the name of the caller.

“What now, fucker? Huwag mo nang dagdagan ang pagkapangit ng araw ko at baka hindi kita matantya.” Panimula ko at saglit na tumigil sa isang banda habang nakapamulsa.

“Hey chill man. I have a great news for you!”

Animo’y may kung anong kagalakan akong agad na naramdaman pagkasabi na pagkasabi pa lamang niya n’on.

“Oh you shit man! Tell me what is it! At siguraduhin mo lang na matutuwa ako ha. Baka bigla ko nalang makalimutan na kaibigan kita-“

“I already have Tito Ricardo’s mistress address-“

“You don’t have to always address her like that, Cole-“

“What?!”

Hindi ko man nakikita ang pagmumukha ngayon ni Cole ay alam kong naguguluhan ito sa sinabi ko.

“I said…” pambibitin ko. “…you don’t have to address that woman as my father’s mistress anymore, also don’t you ever mention my father’s name again.”

“So what do you want me to say then…”

Isang mapaglarong ngiti ang agad na sumilay sa labi ko.

“Just give me the address of that Queenie Rose Sandoval, and let me do alone how to take care of her.”