Kabanata 1
Elevator
"Kera, bakit hindi kapa nakapag ayos? Darating na mayamaya ang mapapangasawa mo."
I smile at my mom as she get the cloth I was holding, ito na rin mismo ang nag ayos ng damit na bitbit ko.
"Sige po, Mommy, maliligo lang po ako," I smile again as I continue walking.
Pagpasok ko sa sala, nakita ko agad si Daddy na naka upo sa mahabang sofa, nakaharap ito sa laptop at may tinitipa. Dumiritso nalang ako sa kwarto at nakita ko pa ang kapatid na masayang nakangiti sa akin. I know why she is very happy.
Aila is two years younger than me. She is 25 years old and a little bit chubby. But even if she's chubby, still, she is beautiful.
Nakatira kami sa isang apartment sa El Rio. Hindi kami mayaman at di rin naman ganon ka hirap sa buhay. Our father is a secretary of a well-known company in our town, while our mother is a plain housewife.
Aila graduated in her course Business Administration, pero di pa ito nagtatrabaho. While I was graduated as a book keeper. I am currently working in a famous bookstore also in El Rio.
"Tanggalin mo kaya ang eyeglasses mo ate," salubong ni Aila paglabas ko galing sa sariling kwarto.
"Wag na, di ako sanay," agad na awat ko. I know she'll insist it na naman kasi. I was staring at my reflection in the mirror when my mom appeared behind me.
"You look so beautiful, anak," maluhaluhang ngiti ni mommy sakin.
"Thank you, my," I whisper as I hug her tightly. Naiiyak akong humiwalay at bahagyang ngumiti.
"Let's go downstairs, baka naghihintay na ang daddy mo," I nod at her and slowly stand.
This is the day Aila have been waiting for. I will meet my so-called-fiance. Her father has a strong belief about the older child must get married first before the younger one's. Yes, my sister wants to marry her long time boyfriend, but they can't do it unless I get married first.
Pagbaba palang namin ni mommy, nakita na agad namin si dad na may kausap sa telepono. He look so bother, his creased forehead is evident. When I am at the edge of the stair, he look at me problematically before he turn the phone off.
"The supposedly visit was canceled. Leonard don't show his self on the airport to his parents," halata ang pagkadismaya sa mukha ni dad habang sinasabi iyon.
Nanghihinayang akong umupo sa sofa at pinagsiklop nalang ang sariling kamay. Tho, a part of me felt relieved about it.
I look at my mom who's now smiling at me, sadly. Napabaling rin ako kay Daddy nang dinampot nito ang bag at laptop.
"Saan ka pupunta, Klaus?" agad na tanong ni mommy rito. I also look at their direction.
"There is no reason for the leave. So we're going back to work," saad nito tsaka bumaling sa akin. "Get ready, I'll drop you to the bookstore."
Wala akong nagawa sa utos ni Dad, kaya imbes na mag mukmok ako sa bahay, papasok nalang ako sa trabaho. I don't have a time to mourn for my heart, again.
Wala kaming imikan ni Dad habang naghihintay sa labas ng elevator. Tahimik lang akong nakatayo sa tabi. Ilang saglit pa ay tumunog na ang elevator, hudyat na nasa tamang palapag na ito. I ready myself to enter when it opened, pero napaatras ako dahil sa nakita ko!
A guy with a tattoo on his neck and right arm, kissing with the girl, who's only wearing a piece of cloth. A skimpy red dress in mid thigh high.
"What the hell is this! How vulgar the people now!" galit na saad ni Dad na nagpabaling sa dalawa. I swallow the lump in my throat and look away.
Feeling ko sobrang pula ng mukha ko. Sh*t nakakahiya yun! At ako pa talaga ang nahiya para sa mga to!
The man's chest shows his tattoo too. Napayuko nalang ako nang wala itong ganang nakatitig sa kanya. D*mn!
"Let's take the stairs, Kera!" mautoridad na saad ni Dad, kaya dali dali akong sumunod dito.
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