"Ava, gising!"I heard a loud knock on my door. Rinig na rinig ko 'yung boses ni Peter. It's always like this every morning. Simula nung dinala ako ni Mommy dito, Peter had been my human alarm clock. He is always this annoying."Peter naman 'e," naiinis kong bulong sa sarili. Tinakpan ko 'yung tenga ko gamit ang unan para bumalik sa pagtulog."Ava gising na! Nandito na Daddy mo!" Sigaw niya.Napabalikwas ako. Ha? Nandito na si Daddy? I looked at the calendar on the side. My eyes landed on the date on the calender which was encircled. Ngayon pala ako kukunin ni Daddy! Bakit ko nakalimutan?"I'll be out in five!" Sigaw ko.Dali-dali akong bumangon at agad nanghilamos. After I got rid of my eye boogers, I immediately went downstairs and saw my Dad talking with Tito Diego. "Dad!" I exclaimed."Ava," ngiti niya at niyakap ako."Ang aga mo naman," nguso ko. "Do you really want me to go home soon?""No. I'm here to visit for awhile. Uuwi tayo mamayang gabi after we enjoy the sand," he said
I blinked twice. "What?""I'm sorry, anak. It's the best thing that I could do. I realized how this family tradition could ruin someone's life. Hindi na ako natuto noon with Mom that I did the same thing to you. You are suffering because of my decision. I'm sorry," yuko niya."Dad, it was my decision to pretend. Hind iyon saiyo," iling ko."I know but I pushed you to do it," he sighed. "Alam kong may gusto ka kay Timothee. I was thinking hard if I should continue the marriage or not. But I did, I know that you will suffer again. Both of you lost contact at kapag nagkita ulit kayo, I'm not certain of what may happen."I don't know kung ano ang mararamdaman. A part of me is happy because I'm no longer tied to someome. Pero may parte din sa akin na nasasaktan kasi ito na 'yung sign na wala na akong Timothee na mababalikan. This means that we would completely cut ties with each other."Kapag kayo nga, magkakatuluyan kayo, anak," Dad said. "Love finds its way. Just wait anak. Let's let des
"Good morning, Ma'am!" Bati sa akin ng katulong namin."Good morning din, Manang," I smiled back."Ang aga niyo naman pong gumising," sabi ni Manang."Nasanay lang po.""Anong gusto niyo? Coffee? Chocolate?" She asked."Kahit coffee lang po and toasted bread.""Sige. Ipaghahanda muna kita," she said before turning her back.It's five in the morning at nasanay na akong ganito kaagang gumising. Maaga kasing papasok sa trabaho si Tito Diego, pati si Peter kaya maaga din akong gigising para tulungan si Mommy sa kusina. Pagkatapos naman ng pagluluto ay saka ako maliligo para ihatid si Sofia sa school niya. Noong hindi pa ako kina Mommy nanirahan, Mommy would send Sofia to school and go home to clean the house. That's why Mom was thankful to me when I could be a big help. Hindi naman ako pinalaking spoiled brat kaya maaasahan ako sa gawaing-bahay.I sat on the dining table and roam my eyes around the dining room. From the luxurious ceiling to the shiny floor, talagang mas komportable ang bu
He held her hand and they walked away, laughing at something. My eyes followed them as they are finally out of my sight. I bit my lower lip, trying not to let a single tear drop. I can't leave like this. Uuwi lang ako tapos magmumokmok sa sa aking silid. I don't want another phase of me balling in tears. I have to do something!Kinuha ko 'yung phone ko at tiningnan 'yung oras. I don't have any appointments today kaya pwede akong manatili. I dialed Dad's number. I should ask permission na mananatili ako. He will understand and probably mas ikakagusto pa niya. He always wanted me to introduce to his friends. Ngayong wala na akong pinagtataguan, maybe it's time for them to know me.Nakailang rings na ako pero hindi pa rin sinagot ni Daddy. Hindi ba niya dala 'yung phone niya? I dialed again but to no avail. I frowned and stared at my phone. Bahala na. Saka ko nalang sasabihin kapag nakita ko siya.I pulled the key out of its keyhole and stepped out of the car. Tiningnan ko muna 'yung ref
"Anak, are you okay?" Tanong ni Dad pagkapasok namin sa suite room.I walked back and forth trying to put some senses into myself. Bakit ko iyon ginawa? Why do I have to embarass Scarlet in front of everyone? Para iangat ang sarili ko? No! Hindi ako ganung klaseng tao but I did it anyways.After the conversation that we had, Dad's friends invited me to join their dinner tonight. Since magstay kami ng isang gabi dito, they encouraged me to join them para mas makilala daw nila ako. They found me interesting.Pero hindi mawala sa isip ko 'yung nangyari. My God, Ava! "Dad, I'm really sorry!" Agad kong tawad ni Dad. "Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari sa akin para masabi 'yun!""What are you talking about?""Yung kanina. I didn't mean to eavesdrop pero narinig ko kasi na hino-hot seat ka na nila. They are so close of humiliating you that's why I stepped up," sagot ko."Anak, don't worry about it. Okay lang 'yun.""Hindi, Dad. I did something horrible!" I bit my lower lip. "I humiliated S
I stared back at him as he slightly grip my thigh tightly. What's his problem? Buti nalang busy sa pag-uusap sina Dad. Hindi nila napansin 'yung mainit naming titigan ni Timothee. I don't know about Pierre and Scarlet. They didn't bother us naman siguro hindi din nila napansin.Halos marinig ko 'yung tibok ng puso ko. It seems like it wants to break free from its cage. Nakahawak si Timothee sa aking hita while locking his eyes unto mine. I would surely melt for I miss him. Kay tagal ko na siyang gustong makita, mayakap, at mahalikan. Ngayong nasa harap ko na siya ay pinipigilan ko lang ang sarili kong gawin ang mga 'yun."What?" I asked after swallowing hard."Let's talk," he firmly whispered.I sighed. Tama siya. Nasa tamang oras na siguro kaming mag-uusap. It would be my perfect time to ask forgiveness in person which I haven't done in so long. "Okay," I nodded.Una akong umiwas ng tingin, inabot 'yung tubig at uminom. Nagulat nalang ako nang biglang kunin ni Timothee 'yung atensyo
"You're wearing that?" Turo ni Pierre sa akin.Sumimangot ako. Anong masama sa short shorts at T-shirt? Wala akong dalang two piece kaya ito lang ang suot ko. Isa pa, sabi naman niya kami lang 'yung tao so I assume na walang magju-judge sa akin dito."Wala akong dala," iling ko."I wore my favorite swimming trunks tapos 'yung swimming buddy ko ay nakapambahay lang," iling niya. "Picture-perfect pa naman din.""We could get a photo next time. Pagpasensyahan mo na. Wala talaga sa plano ang pagpunta sa akin dito kaya hindi ako prepared," sabi ko."Sige na. Okay lang," he said. "Marunong ka naman sigurong lumangoy no?""Ako pa!""Buti naman. Akala ko display ka lang sa gilid ng pool," pang-aasar niya. "Uy! Hindi kaya!" He laughed. "Akala lang naman no!""Ewan ko sa'yo!" Iling ko.He dived into the pool at ganun na din ako. Halos magkasabay kaming umahon at nang magtagpo ang aming mga mata ay sabay kaming napatawa. "Racing tayo!" Suhestyon niya."Sige ba!""Weh? Kaya mo?" Taas-kilay niy
Hinayaan ko si Timothee na dalhin ako kahit saan. The cramp already subsided but I didn't bother telling him. Tutal hindi naman siya makikinig sa akin. I told him already to put me down but he will always say no firmly.Buti nalang gabi na. Wala nang masyadong tao. I saw a closed door from afar and it seems to me that that is where we are going. Hindi ako nagkamali, he approached the door and opened it without even putting me down. He carried me until we reached a wooden chair at saka niya ako pinaupo dun. He didn't say a word. Tinalikuran niya ako and reached for the cabinet. Kumuha siya ng boxers and a t-shirt before handing them to me."Get dressed," utos niya.Kumunot 'yung noo ko. "I can use my clothes. Pwede akong magbihis sa suite--""Ava, please?" He sighed. "Magbihis ka na bago ka pa magkasakit."He's looking at me as if telling me to do it. He's trying to convince me. Left with no other options, tumayo na ako at tinungo 'yung comfort room. It didn't took long for me to chan