Damgeen High School Musical (Tagalog)

Chapter 5

Rave Jackson

I don't have any ideas on how to spend my summer vacation. I'd probably lock myself inside my room during those months. Or maybe, on the other hand, I could familiarize myself with the city.

It's been a week after that party. Medyo namamahay pa ako sa bagong mansiyon. Hindi pa nakakatulong ang paninira sa akin ng mga lumang kasambahay sa mga bagong hinire nila Mommy.

One day, I decided to roam around the city. Hindi tulad ng mga syudad na katabi nito, katamtaman lang ang lawak nito ngunit kompleto naman sa mga commercial and establishments. Our family driver drove me around. Buti na lang pala ay kabisado niya rin ang lugar dito. Nang nakadaan pa nga sa isang mall, napagpasyahan kong magpababa roon.

"Dito lang kayo, Manong?" tanong ko sa driver.

"Oo, miss. Text na lang po kung babalik na kayo."

"Sige."

At dahil bakasyon, inaasahan ko na kung gaano karami ang mga tao na namamasyal sa tulad nitong lugar. Napapangiti nang mapait tuwing may natatanaw na grupo rin ng mga kabataan, gumagala kasama ang mga kaibigan. At that moment, I suddenly wondered. Makakakilala rin kaya ako ng mga bagong kaibigan dito?

How funny my situation was right now. Minsan lang ako magkaroon ng ganitong lamyerda. Walang kasama na kahit sino at mag-isa. Parang ang lungkot bigla. Mas naramdaman ko ang pagiging dayo sa lugar na ito. It felt lonely. Like a fish out of the water.

Inayos ko ang crossbody bag sa likuran ko at pinamulsa ang mga kamay habang binabaybay ang harapan ng mall.

I must admit, the place was nice. Malawak ang mall at maraming amenities na bukas para sa publiko. I even spotted a band performing at the stage outside the mall, mukhang may Battle of the Bands For a Cause. Maingay ang mga tao at hindi magkamayaw sa panunuod. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako, mas lalong nagmadali papasok sa establisyimento.

"That will be for 149 pesos, Ma'am."

I gave the exact bill before reaching for my drink. Napagpasyahan kong bumili ng mga ilalagay sa bagong kuwarto. Palibhasa, ngayon lang nakalabas at nakagala sa labas ng Tres kaya ngayon lang din makakapamili.

Kung noon, agad siguro akong kakaripas sa retail music stores dito. Mamimili rin ng vinyls at discs na pagkatapos gamitin ay gagawing dekorasyon sa dingding. Posters ng mga iniidolong classical musicians, pop, especially jazz. But now, it's different.

Last time at the party, I messed up. Emman's vagueness made dumbfounded.

Heck. When did that first time happened? I couldn't remember him confessing his true feelings for me! But... that's exactly what he meant, right? I failed to remember it... the first time.

Kaya naman, dahil doon, sinubukan kong alalahanin. My heart was then in my throat. My mind did a quick flashback ever since we met for the first time. It was when we're on our third grade, doon ko siya unang nakilala. Naging kaklase.

He's a transferee. His treatment for me was a bit noticeable if you'd observe it. Ngayon ko lang natanto na simula pa man noon, iba na ang tungo nito sa akin. But never did I recall him telling something about his feelings for me! Then what does he mean by-

My forehead creased as soon as I felt my head throbbed in a fraction. It was bearable at first. The pain was probably manifested in my face and Emman noticed my situation. He hurried to support me but when I glanced at him, tuluyan na akong napapikit nang mariin dahil mas lumala lang ang nararamdaman!

Malabo na ang alaala ko tungkol sa mga sumunod na nangyari. But I was positive I was screaming to death. I don't know why. And the next thing I knew, everything went black.

Kahit hindi sabihin nila Mommy, alam kong natapos nang maaga at taliwas sa plano ang party dahil sa nangyari. I messed it up. I apologized but it wasn't their concern. They were utterly worried about what happened. Mommy wanted me to see a doctor. But for some reasons, Dad disagreed to the idea.

Pansamantala nila akong pinagpahinga nang ilang araw. No phones or any gadgets allowed. I was in the very best diet I could ever recall having in my life at tingin ko pa'y may nutritionist ako noong mga araw na iyon.

I sighed reminiscing about that. Kailanman ay hindi naman naging sakitin. I was merely in contact by illness and diseases and it was the very first time I suffered like that. Para bang iyon na ang pinakamalalang sakit na naramdaman ko. I was in tears as I screamed in agony.

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa inumin ko. Hindi ko na masyadong napansin na wala ako sa sariling naglalakad sa gitna ng mall. Kaya naman sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, nabunggo ako sa isang matigas na bagay.

I groaned in pain. Nasapo ko ang aking noo nang tinanaw ang bagay na nabunggo. Only to see a group of four guys in front of me. What the heck?

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko nang natantong ang nasa harapan kong lalaki ang nakabungguan. But if you think I'd beg for their forgiveness, I won't give them that so easily.

"The lights are on, but nobody's home," the arrogant guy I bumped into sneered.

The other three snickered, very good at suppressing their f*****g laughs.

I gritted my teeth. They thought I put on a great show to entertain them? And what did he just say? Did he just insult me and call me stupid?!

"You're so wet, man! I envy you," tapik sa kanya ng isa pang lalaki.

Moreno, ngunit nakakaloko ang hugis ng labi. Na para bang kahit hindi ngumisi, natural na ang korte noon na mapang-asar. Unlike the jerk I bumped, he looked very arrogant and smug in my eyes. Especially with that diamond piercing. Para akong nasisilaw tuwing tumatama iyon sa liwanag!

"Done checking me out?" he scoffed.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at laglag ang pangang tinignan siya. Ngunit kalaunan ay napasinghap din nang naalala ang sitwasyon.

"Bulag ba kayo? Ang dami niyo, pero ni isa walang nakakitang may dadaan?"

"So that's a license for you to say you have a clear eyesight for seeing us? Nice. You still... bumped," sarkastiko nitong sabat, tila nang-iinsulto sa huling kataga.

Napakurap-kurap ako, bahagyang na-corner sa sinabi. He c****d his head and a cunning grin was plastered on his lips.

"If that's the case, then you intend to bumped into me? What? To notice you?"

"What the hell? What's to be grateful about your fucking... attention?" I grimaced disgustingly, mimicking his offending pause.

He looked insulted. Rumiin ang tingin niya sa akin. Nagtawanan ang mga kasama na agad niya namang binalingan, mukhang tinitigan nang masama dahil agad ding tumigil doon.

"Another cursing machine. Nakahanap ka na ng katapat mo!" singit ulit ng lalaking katabi niya.

Pairap ang lalaking tumingin ulit sa akin. "Bago ka rito, 'no?"

I crossed my arms and shifted from my weight. Bumaba ang tingin niya sa paa ko dahil doon bago muling ibalik nang arogante ang mata sa akin.

"How long did it take you to come up with that one?"

Now, it's confirmed. He's so damn pissed. Hindi pa nakatulong ang halatang pagpipigil ng mga tawa ng mga kasama.

He licked his lips, mukhang bumebwelo dahil tumuwid na rin sa pagkakatayo. I don't care if we're in the middle of the mall. But I'd bargain a fortune just to be in this conversation again. It's been long since I last exercised my tongue for this kind of banters.

His lips parted. Akmang magsasalita na sana ulit nang biglang may sumigaw kung saan, na mukhang nakadirekta para sa kanila.

"Kanina pa kayo hinahanap ng organizers! Kayo na sunod!"

Nakataas ang kilay nitong tinanaw ang lalaking sumigaw sa hindi kalayuan. My face furrowed. Saka ko lang napansin ang hitsura ng mga ito at mga dalang case, gig bags, at dalawang hand-carry equipment box!

Namilog ang mga mata ko. Mukha namang napansin ng lalaki ang pagkagulat sa mukha ko. Nagawa pang ngumisi kahit halata namang talo sa sumbatan namin!

"You know what? Change of heart," aniya sabay ambang maglalakad na.

Tinapik pa ang balikat ko. I shrugged it off and glared at him. He smirked amusedly and chuckled mischievously.

"Don't touch me," mariin kong sambit.

"Okay, okay!" he said before raising his both hands. "But a piece of advice, miss. Ipagdasal mo na sana, hindi na tayo magkita pang muli."

"Tss," I scoffed. "I'm not the religious type but hell I'd probably take your advice. Dahil karumal-dumal na makita ka pa ulit."

He looked a tad offended but managed to simpered still.

"Galingan mo kung ganoon."

He beckoned the other to follow him when he already walked passed by me. But the last remark he made didn't escape my attention.

"Dahil makikita mo ang tunay na karumal-dumal kapag nangyari 'yon..."

His devilish voice remained on my ears. Nagsitaasan ang mga balahibo ko nang nakaramdam ng munting pangingilabot.

There's something in his voice that told me he's someone who I might want to hide from. Na hindi ito ang taong gusto kong makasalamuha at kalabanin dahil... magiging karumal-dumal nga iyon.

My eyes narrowed as I followed them with my vision. But its narrowness turned into wideness in an instant when I saw a Taylor and Gibson on their backs!

Both are nice guitars. But personally, I use Martin since being a solo performer requires instruments that are good with my voice. Martin may be vintage and old but it's really applicable for my voice and acoustics. But whenever I go jazz, I'd always love to play Gibson. There's no doubt.

"Mich," I laughed at myself before walking again. "Hold your houses for Pete's sake."

Napailing ako sa sarili, bahagyang dismayado sa mga iniisip at pagpapantasiya. I fought every once of my desire to go outside the mall and watch those douchebags perform on stage.

Mukhang contestant pa ata sa battle of the bands na nakita kanina. I suddenly want to watch and judge their playability in my head. But in the end, I chose not to. Why? Because it's what I should do. To separate myself from my past. And when I say past, it means all of it outright. Including... music.

I sticked on my plan of shopping for my room decors. I bought some dividers for my vanity table. Bumili rin ng wall pocket para sa bathroom.

I took out my phone. Nasa section kasi ako ng wallpapers. Good thing I took a picture of my room so I could envision the designs if I put them on my walls. Maganda sana kung iyong...

Napailing ako sa naiisip at nag-concentrate na lang sa whitish wallpapers. Pinakita ko ang picture sa sales lady at ni-refer ako sa isang white wallpaper na may modern golden emboss. Sa huli, iyon na nga ang pinili at bumili ng ilang metro noon.

Kahit may cart naman, nagpasundo na ako sa driver at hindi nagtagal ay umuwi na rin agad. I suddenly felt so tired hindi pa man nakakalahati ang araw.

My foster parents were busy with their work. Kahit naman kasi lumipat na ng bahay, syempre hindi dapat kaligtaan ang trabaho. Baka pa mamaya ay may loan pala ang loteng ito o ang mismong bahay. Mas kailangan ngang magbanat ng buto kung ganoon.

I already convinced myself that it's because of my stubbornness that's why we had to move from city to city. But was it enough reason for them to acquire such land like this? I don't think so.

Nasa hapagkainan na kami nang nagpasyang pag-usapan nila Mom at Dad ang tungkol sa new environment namin.

"How's the neighborhood?" tanong ni Dad habang nakatingin pa sa plato at abala sa paghihiwa ng kanyang pagkain.

"I have friends, Dad! They're so friendly! Sabi nila you probably have deep pockets to have a big mansion like this!" Lary stated.

Napatikhim doon si Dad at mukhang dismayado sa binalita nito.

"I'm starting to not like your new found friends, honey."

"What? At least I have new acquaintances. Do you want me to be like Ate Mich? Locking herself inside her room? No, thanks!"

"Hilary, that's rude," marahan ngunit may babalang suway ni Mommy.

Napailing na lang ako. Buti pa nga si Hilary, agad nakahanap at nakakilala ng mga bagong kaibigan sa neighborhood. Ako? Mahihirapan naman ata dahil madalang na lang magpagala-gala ang mga kasing edaran ko sa labas ng mga mansiyon dito. Kung meron man, siguro para mag-exercise o mag-sport.

Because of that thought, I mentally jotted down that task. To visit the multi-purpose hall of the subdivision.

Siguro mayroon ding playground kaya hindi malabong mayroong ding mga court, community pool and gym. May mga ganoon kaya sa isang exclusive subdivision? I'm not sure. Well, time to push my luck.

"Have you searched for some nearby schools around the city?" muling tanong ni Dad para sa amin. "We need to take care of it as soon as possible since you'll transfer."

Ngunit syempre, agad namang sasapawan ng bida-bidang kapatid.

"I have, Dad! May gusto na nga po ako, e. I have my top 3 schools. Will send it on your email later so you'll check."

"That's good. Ikaw, Mich?"

Napailing ako at buga ng hangin. "Wala pa, Dad."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Mommy. The latter sighed. "We'll look for your school then."

"Ako na po ang bahala."

"You can do your research, too. Better if you ask some of the kids around the subdivision, too. So you can know based on their personal insights and preferences."

"Alright," walang gana kong sagot dahil wala pa naman talaga sa isip ang tungkol sa bagay na iyon.

For that week, I busied myself decorating my room. Nang natantong kulang iyon para ikonsumo ang dalawang buwan, gumawa ako ng listahan ng mga maaaring gawin ngayong bakasyon. At una na roon ang paglilibot sa lugar.

May kalawakan ang Tres. It is an upscale community composed of divisions called districts. Lahat ay may nakatirik na nagsisitayugang mga kabahayan at mansiyon. Iba-iba ang disenyo at tema kaya naman naaaliw rin ako sa paglilibot-libot sakay ng bisikleta ko. Bahagya pa nga akong napahinto sa pagpapadyak nang nadaanan ang isang sobrang modernong bahay.

It's a freestanding house with wall glasses in it and a large tree beside. Kita na halos ang loob ng minimalistic na bahay kaya isang hiwaga sa akin kung paano nila nasu-sustain ang seguridad doon. Probably by the aids of high-tech securities, too, huh?

Aside from that, I also spotted Mediterranean mansion with large driveways and gate, candy houses, contemporary, victorian style, and even houses inspired by Disney movies! Mangha kong tinatalunton ang natitira pang block. Marahil ay inabot na rin siguro ako ng mahigit isang oras sa pamamasyal nang sa wakas, natanaw ko na ang malaking court.

Kung susumamuhin, Tres is approximately hundreds of hectares. Probably three hundred or four? Kaya naman paniguradong wala pa ako sa kalahati noon. And seeing the court, may malaking karatula doon ng mapa ng buong subdivision. Bukod sa pool, gym, at parks, mayroon pang mga tennis court at football field!

Laglag pa ang panga ko nang tanawin ang parke sa hindi kalayuan. May mga tao naman, karamihan ay mga bata na kasa-kasama ang mga yaya. Hmmm. Must be nice to live in fortune, huh?

But I beg to disagree. I experienced living in fortune. And I think it's nicer to live with your true family. Nevertheless, either way, I realized it depends upon the situation and the needs you want to fill in yourself. In my case, it's family.

Pinarada ko ang bisikleta sa bicycle rack, unti-unti nang inaamin ang tunay na nararamdam.

I sighed. Ngunit tuwing inaamin na nangungilila nga, agad iyong nasasapawan tuwing naaalala ang paninibughong nakatanim sa sistema.

I was busy appreciating the view when I heard a loud bark of dogs. Napabaling ako roon at mabilis na kumabog ang dibdib nang nasilayan ang dalawang aso.

Labrador and golden retriever. Both harnessed, and running with their leashes held by a very familiar guy who's probably in a jog based on his sportswear.

My eyes widened when I confirmed it. It was the same guy I encountered at the mall last time! Damn it! He's residing here, too?!

Kumaripas ako sa pinakamalapit na puno. Napakamalas! Payat pa ang napagtaguan ko dahil iyon lang ang pinakamalapit!

At mas lalong malas dahil sa tapat pa mismo ng punong iyon naisipang tumigil noong lalaki. Para mag-water break at bigyan ng treat ang mga aso niya!

"Puta, puta, puta, puta..." wala sa sarili ko nang bulong sa sarili habang napapakagat pa ng daliri.

As if I wasn't in an unfortunate situation enough, a ball rolled down until it crashed on my feet. I was already shitting bricks when I turned my head to see the kid who owned the ball.

Damn.

Tahimik at payapa ko na sanang dadamputin ang bola, dahan-dahan sa pagyuko, nang muntik na akong sumubsob dahil sumigaw pa 'yung bata!

"Can you pass the ball, old lady?!"

Lintik na bata! Sarap ibitin patiwarik!

Sandali akong napapikit at mabilis na ring binato sa kanya ang bola. Hindi ko na pinansin pa dahil natamaan ko pa sa ulo pero kasi! Kabado kong tinanaw ang lalaking tinataguan at para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig.

The guy wasn't there anymore. Because he's... sitting on the bench beside me now. And petting his large fur friends... with a furtive smirk on his lips for unknown reasons.

Gusto kong maiyak sa sobrang iritasyong nararamdaman para sa sitwasyon. Hindi ko na pinatagal pa at binalikan na ang bisikleta.

I don't know if he saw me. Or if he saw me, I'm not sure if he recognized me as the girl whom he exchanged banters with and ridiculed him. Pero pake ko ba! It shouldn't be of my concern right now!

Pagod akong umuwi, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa kamalasang natamo ko ngayong araw.

What are the damn odds he's in the same neighborhood? Kaonti na lang talaga at makukumbinsi na akong isang drama nga ang buhay ko! Then what's next? He's in the same school I'd be enrolling next school year? Ewan ko na lang talaga!

"What's with the long face, Mich?" si Mommy nang nag-dinner na.

Umiling ako at pabagsak na nilapag ang baso. "Pagod lang po."

Napatikhim ito. "I heard from the househelps you went out to roam around?"

Tumango ako.

"That's good! So... how was it? Did you have fun? Meet new people perhaps?" Mom said in a wishful manner.

Halos matawa ako. But I contained it. It'll look absurd and they'll think I'm weird.

"Ayos lang, Mommy. May... nakilala nga."

Napangiwi ako sa sariling sagot.

She beamed and looked at Daddy. They both smiled at me, knowing I'm getting along with the new environment. I rolled my eyes inwardly. If only you knew.

Ilang sandali pa, sumabat nga lang ang kapatid at siya naman ang nagbida sa mga activities daw nila ng mga bagong kaibigan.

"Anyway, if you have any schedule for tomorrow, better cancel it. May mga bisita tayo bukas," biglang anunsiyo ni Daddy.

Hilary clapped.

"Who's our visitors, Dad?" said the social butterfly.

"It's been their long practice and tradition that became mandatory. Tuwing may bagong lilipat sa Tres, sinisiguro ng presidente rito na makakabisita sila para i-welcome ang mga bagong residente. And we agreed to have it tomorrow since saka lang kami nakapag-file ng leave ng Mommy niyo. So probably, it'll be some of the homeowners' association's members."

"Yes! A banquet!" Lary cheered.

The rest of the dinner was spent with their reminders and warnings for us.

According to them, we need to wear our semi-formal clothes since the members are totally in the upperclass way above us. I could just imagine those vainglories flaunting about the abundance tomorrow.

Pero kung sabagay, hindi naman kahiya-hiya ang mansiyong ito. Kumpara sa ibang kahilera pa namin, isa na ata ito sa pinakamalaki.

Though, I remembered a particular district full of larger of the largest mansions, definitely a sumptuous part of the subdivision! And if I could remember it clearly, malapit iyon sa parkeng dinalaw ko kanina. Heck, that guy's possibly a filthy rich kid!

Kaya naman kinabukasan, napatunayan ko kung gaano ako pinaulanan ng kamalasan ng mundo.

"What are you doing, honey? Let's go," si Mommy nang naabutan akong nagtatago sa landing.

"I-I guess it's better for me to stay inside my room, Mom. Biglang... sumama ang pakiramdam ko," I lied.

But do you know... I was pretty awful at lying?

My lips twitched at the sight of Mom's disapproval. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa hamba ng mansiyon.

Lalo pang umatras ang sikmura ko nang tuluyan na silang pumasok ng bahay. Sa foyer pa lang, kompirmado ko na ang nakikita ko. There's no way I'd display my face in front of that guy!

"Michaela! You're in your best condition just a while ago!" Mom hissed, very positive that I was just bluffing.

"My..."

"Tara na!"

Mangiyak-ngiyak akong nagpatianod sa kanya habang si Daddy at Hilary naman ay sinasalubong na ang mga bisita.

Halos dumikit na ang baba ko sa kuwintas na suot sa sobrang pagsusumikap na itago ang mukha nang nakatabi na sa kanila Daddy.

Lahat ay nakatayo pa rin sa lounge. Nakahilera kaming apat habang ang mga bisita ay pinapasadahan pa ng tingin ang paligid.

"I like how your family represent the modernness of the interior, Mr. Maddison," puri ng isang kalbong pormal na pormal sa kanyang suit.

Daddy thanked him. Their exchanges of pleasantries with the Homeowners' association's members just began. Samantalang ako, nanatili pa ring nakayuko at nagtatago sa mga anino ng magulang, takot na makapukaw ng atensiyon.

Ngunit minamalas ka nga naman, nagkataon pa na kung kailan ko akmang iaangat ang ulo, saka pa nahagip ng paningin ko ang paglapit ng pamilyar na aroganteng lalaki!

"Good afternoon, Sir and Madame."

"Oh! Good afternoon, young man," Dad replied.

He's wearing a maroon dress shirt and a pair of black slim fit trousers. He's wearing a black necktie, too, while his black coat was only hanging on his left forearm.

Agad kong niliko ang tingin bago pa man ako matanaw.

"On behalf of my father, Julio Jackson, I sincerely apologize for his absence. He has a business trip to attend to. And thus I'll be his proxy for today's rendezvous," I heard him stated apologetically and formally at the same time.

Napataas ang kilay ko habang nakayuko pa rin. Gusto kong masuka. What's with the golden boy facade? Nakakasuka! Hindi bagay!

"Naku, hijo! Walang problema," halakhak ni Mommy.

Sumilip ako nang kaonti at naabutan silang nagkakamayan. Hilary looked so enticed about the guy. Napairap pa ako nang namataan ang malawak nitong ngiti. Kulang na lang, kuminang na ang mga mata sa obra maestrang nasa harapan niya.

"Oh! By the way, you seem like my daughter's age, Mr. Jackson."

Wait... what?

Pansamantalang tumigil ang mundo ko sa biglang sinabi ni Daddy.

"Here she is... Michaela," he called out, moving a bit to give way for me.

My heart was definitely in my mouth and my mind was in a complete chaos, malfunctioning to my hopeless situation right now. Especially when Mom already exerted a fraction of force to settle me in front of the guy.

"Mich..." Mom whispered with a warn.

I stiffened, furtively shaking my head.

Rinig ko ang pagak na pagtawa ni Dad nang nakitaan ako ng pagprotesta, kasabay ang palihim na pagkurot nito sa aking tagiliran. I almost shrieked! Napatuwid ako ng tayo dahil doon at nilunok ang nabiting sigaw nang nagtama na sa wakas ang tingin namin noong lalaki.

"H-Hi!" is how a loser greet... that I never imagined would happen to me.

"Hey," he smirked meaningfully.

My palms were sweating. That's why when the guy held out his hand, I was in utter hesitation to take it!

"Rave Jackson," tipid niyang sabi.

Tinitigan ko ito nang masama. Palihim kong pinunas ang kanang kamay ko sa aking saya ngunit nang napansin ata, bumaba roon ang tingin niya.

I groaned in irritation. And f**k he heard it, too! He freed his stealthy grin, especially now that I accepted his hand!

"Michaela Singh," mariin kong tugon.

Determination and pride were the ones left to me. Hindi ko hahayaang lisanin ako ng dalawang bagay na iyon lalo na ngayon sa harapan ng aroganteng ito.

"Michaela Singh..." he echoed maliciously.

Mabilis ko nang binawi ang kamay ko. Napatikhim siya at ngisi. Tumuwid na sa pagkakatayo kalaunan nang muli siyang balingan ni Daddy.

"Anyway, may I know what level you are this upcoming semester, Rave?" mas kaswal nang untag ng ama.

"Grade 12, Mr. Maddison."

Bahagya akong nasamid sa sariling laway. Ramdam ko ang pagtitig nito sa akin.

"Same with my daughter!" tuwang-tuwa nang bulalas ni Daddy.

Tss. May paglingon pa kay Mommy at turo sa binatang kausap, animo'y kasukdulan na ang paghanga roon.

Dad! You are pleased by the wrong guy! I rolled my eyes and just pressed my lips in annoyance. What a pretentious jerk!

Gusto ko sanang sabihin na may iba pang gustong kumausap at natatagalan na ang seryeng ito. Ngunit nang lingunin ang likuran ng lalaki, abala na ang iba pang bisita sa pag-uusap at pagsuyod sa bahagi ng mansiyon.

"Saan po ba papasok ang... anak niyo?" makahulugan niyang tanong na ikinabilog ng mga mata ko.

Aba't! Tignan mo ito at may gana pang pahabain ang usapan!

Dad glanced at Mommy, as if weighing her reaction. For some reasons, he looked doubtful. Ngunit sa huli, humarap na lang ulit sa kausap.

"Sa... Damgeen. May alam ka ba sa ekuwelahang iyon, hijo?"

Sa mga oras na iyon, parang gusto ko na lang na gumuho ang mundo.

"Actually, sir..." Bahagya siyang sumulyap sa akin at natawa nang saglit. "I'm studying at Damgeen."

"Really?!" Muling nabuhayan ng loob ang Dad.

Marahang tumango ang lalaking nagngangalang Rave Jackson, bago ngumisi nang pagilid sa akin.

"It sure is a good choice for your daughter, Mr. Maddison," he said, stressing every word of his statement.

And meanwhile, my heart temporarily skipped a beat as I felt my body numb.

"Tingin mo?"

"Yes, sir. And sometimes, I could even... accommodate her. You know? Like a tour guide?" he chuckled.

Dad chuckled, too, really impressed with the guy before him. But for me, it all sounded lethal.

Now, tell me. How could I ever convince myself that my life's not a drama? When all of these shits insist otherwise?

April 13, 2020