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.
Akalain mo 'yon. Five days! Bakit hindi pa ako namatay?
Pilit akong lumabas sa aking kwarto. I know my Dad needs me the most. He's the most fragile person I know.
I was stunned the moment I heard laughters from the dining area. Napalunok ako ng makita si Daddy na nakangiti habang kausap ang anak ni Mommy sa labas.
What is this guy doing here? Don't tell me, dito na yan mag-aaral?
"Dale!" My Dad looked at me and smiled. Agad siyang tumayo sa kanyang kinauupuan at saka naglakad palapit sa akin.
"Are you kidding me, Dad?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.
He patted my shoulder. "Liam is a nice boy."
I clenched my jaw. "Anak yan ni Momny sa labas! I locked myself inside my room for five fucking days not to witness this kind of scenario! Wow! Mukha kayong happy family!" I bitterly said and stormed out of our house.
Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. I am still a minor though I don't look like one. Hanggang sa natagpuan ko ang sarili ko sa loob ng isang bar.
"Stop drinking, Dale!" My eyes are blurry as I faced someone who's snatching my drink from my hand.
"Who...do...you...think -"
"Arrgh! Kung hindi pa ako tinawagan ng mga friends ko, hindi ko malalaman how drunk you are!"
Naramdaman ko na pilit niya akong itinatayo but I guess I am too drank.
"Fuck you! Pano ka ba nakapasok dito na bata ka!" I heard her groaned in frustration.
Hanggang sa hindi ko na alam ang sunod na mga nangyari. Nagising na lang ako sa isang di-pamilyar na silid.
I know this isn't my room because of bookshelves full of medical books.
"Good morning naman!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makita si Jane sa harapan ko.
Jane is one of my friends when she was still in highschool. First year college na siya ngayon sa kursong nursing.
"What happened last night?" I tried to get up from her bed but the headache is too much.
I fucking hate hangover!
"Your step bro called me." She casually said and shrugged her shoulders.
"He's not my brother." I bitterly said.
"He's nice." Tinapunan ko ito ng masamang tingin. "Alam mo, Dale, you should try to get to know him first and... at least hear your mother's explanation." She added.
"You don't know how it feels like to be-" She cut me off.
"I know it's hard but remember that you got me...always."
"While figuring out everything, can I stay here at your place for a while?" I shyly asked her.
She went near me and smiled. "You're always welcome here."
I followed what Jane told me. Hindi ko pwedeng takasan na lang ang mga problema ko. If Dad learned to accept it, then why can't I?
I let out a deep breath and started walking inside our dinning area. Naabutan ko na tahimik na kumakain sina Mommy kasama si Liam.
"Dale!" Mom rushed infront of me and hugged me.
I was too stunned to even move a little.
"I'm not here for any drama. I just want you to explain everything to me." Walang gana kong saad sa kanya kahit sa loob ko ay halos himatayin na ako sa kaba.
Naupo ako sa dulong kabisera para makita ko sila. My Dad became thinner. Maybe because he's too stressed! Fuck!
"I didn't know where to start." Nanginginig na umpisa ni Mommy.
I mocked her. "Try starting from the end, Mom. Maybe I'll get to understand you."
"Dale!" Napalunok ako ng marinig ang galit na boses ni Daddy. I shrugged my shoulders.
"It was few months after our marriage when your Dad had to leave the country because of work and I decided to went back to Naga to continue my work." She started. Napaayos ako sa aking kinauupuan.
"I met my first boyfriend, Liam's father. I didn't know what happened then. Nagising na lang ako buntis na pala ako. I cried that day. Naisip ko ang Daddy mo. Baka iwan niya ako kaya nagdesisyon akong itatago ko ang bata." She cried but I can't feel any pity for her.
"Your Dad was set to stay for two years in London. I took the chance to hid your brother. And when he got home, soon, we had you. I always find for ways to see Liam. Sakitin ang kuya mo. Kaya minsan lagi akong wala kasi-"
"Kaya ba wala ka nung graduation ko?" I bitterly asked her.
She nodded. "Liam was sick. We need to rushed him to the hospital."
"Okay. I had too much." I said and walked out again.