JIEGO
The first shower in the manor felt like I was doused with cold water. It was true indeed. I have a new life which I cannot run away from. The luxury that I am now having my first taste of all seemed to be a new life. A new beginning that I have to embrace.
When I walked out of the door, Alfred was waiting outside. He bowed.
“I hope you’re feeling comfortable now, Mr. Sy.” – he said
I cleared my throat and said thanks. I stepped out and closed the door behind me. As I did, I looked around the place like a bewildered child. From this huge discovery, I haven’t had the chance to talk to my parents. I don’t even know where to begin if I do. I guess there’s only one way to find out.
“Alfred, I don’t mean to sound rude or anything but can you leave me for a moment? I just need to make a call. in private.”
“sure, Mr. Sy.”
He walked away immediately and I got my old phone from my pocket. I dialed Mom’s phone. She immediately picked up.
“Hello, Jiego!” – she was too enthusiastic
“mom. Are you busy?”
I asked that after hearing background noises. I guess she’s in the market as we speak. I imagined her sitting on a little chair on our 2x2 meters designated area in the public market. It’s where she sells our homegrown vegetables.
“not really. I’m in the market. Something wrong? is there an emergency?”
I paused. Hell, how do I ask this? I bit my tongue and let my thoughts ponder first.
“none. I… I just called to ask you something.”
She said something after that, but the noise on the background drowned her voice. From what I can hear someone asked about the price per kilo of squash. Maybe what she said wasn’t directed to me. maybe it was her response to that question while mine hangs in the air.
“I’m sorry, what was that question, son?”
“is Dad there?”
“yes. He only went to the gasoline station for a while to get some loose change… wait., he’s here. “
I heard Dad’s “is that Jiego?” on the other line and mom said yes. A sound of a phone being passed from one person to another followed and a coarse and tired voice of my father boomed on the phone.
“hello, son. When are you visiting home again? The avocado trees are ripe for harvest. You can bring some to the city. I remember you like them very well.”
I cleared my throat again. It’s like the words were stuck on my throat that I cannot take them out. What am I hesitating anyway? I already knew the truth. it was right there on the piece of paper I handed Atty. Sumayo.
“Dad, can I talk to you? this is serious.”
“oh… okay. I’ll tell your mom.”
“no, just let her do her work. you’re enough.”
“okay…”
His voice didn’t sound okay, though. I doubt if he already had an idea on what I was about to say or ask. While there were no words between us, I heard his soft footsteps leaving the noisy area of the market. After a minute of listening to indistinct chatters on the other end of the call, it quieted.
“where are you, dad?”
“I’m at the public bathroom. go on, you can talk. I’m listening.”
I sniffed. In front of me on that specific moment was the sight of the long hallway of the manor. Even the paintings on the wall looked expensive and unaffordable. The ornamental plants on shiny vases. The people in uniform passing here and there greeting me with a bow. This somehow made me think of the life I didn’t know.
“do you and mom love me?”
If this was said in person, I know Dad would be shocked. Or maybe he still is, despite this was asked on call. I’m just thankful I don’t get to see it. I understand this was the first time I asked him about that. I always felt awkward then. Now I know why.
“of course, Jieg.”
“thank you, then.”
“is that all?”
“nope… I… whatever it is you were hiding from me, I already know… and I’m not mad at all. I just want to say thank you. Please extend my message to mom.”
“wait, let me-“
“it’s okay, Dad. I got a lot of questions but they don’t matter now anyway. My real dad’s dead before I can even know him. I think the best thing to do now is to accept it and have the life i have now. I’ll visit soon. Please tell mom.”
I waited for five seconds for something from him but there was none. Perhaps he was still thinking of the right words to say. By then, I saw Atty. Sumayo walking towards my direction so I dropped the call. I said I’ll visit them anyway. The rest would be asked by then.
“you were talking to someone?” Atty. Sumayo said
“dad… I mean my adoptive dad.”
“did you tell them already?”
“I think so.”
He nodded and patted me on the shoulder with his right hand. The other hand was clutching a thick brown folder.
“please follow me, Mr. Sy. It’s time for the real thing.”
What real thing?
I didn’t voice it out loud and quietly followed. By the looks of the folder, I guess this would be about business and properties and all the serious matters. By the time we reached his home office, I confirmed what I was thinking.
“please come in, Mr. Sy. Take a seat too.”
“I guess this is about the company, right?”
He occupied the high chair and opened the folder I cannot take my eyes from.
“yes, it is. So… do you have your school records with you?”
“what do you mean?”
“your university grades. We will enroll you to an exclusive business school for the next 3 years. Home schooling. That way you can learn the basics of running the company.”
I gulped. I would be running a company, for crying out loud.
Well, I can only hope for the best. As what I said, there’s no turning back now. This life is mine for the taking.