Strings Of Perfection

"I'm going to Spain for three months on business, Leo."

I sighed, my shoulders loosening at Dad's announcement. Napa-nguso ako. "Three months? Seriously, Dad? So I'll be alone in this house for three months?"

Alam ko naman, he doesn't have a choice. I understand how important his work is. Kahit na sobrang busy niya, he always makes an effort to make up for lost time. Pero three months? That's just depressing as hell.

He let out a deep sigh. "Anak, I know it's not ideal, pero kailangan ako doon. Nandito naman si Manang, so you won't be completely alone."

Napangiwi ako. Si Manang? Really? For some reason, I always feel like she has this unspoken grudge against me. Lagi ko na lang iniisip, ano bang nagawa ko sa kanya? Dahil ba mas pogi ako sa anak niya? Eh hindi ko naman kasalanan yun?!

"Pa, alam mo namang may galit 'yun sa akin!" I protested.

Dad rolled his eyes at me, which made me laugh. "Baka naman kasi may ginawa kang masama?" he teased.

"Seryoso? Ako? May ginawang masama? Baka nakalimotan mong good boy tong anak mo?" I said smugly, flashing him a proud smile.

"Utot mo!"

"Ayaw maniwala! May award pa nga ako noong kinder-Most Obedient Student!" I said, still grinning.

He raised a brow at me. "Paano ba naman, anak? Absent 'yung totoong tatanggap kaya sa'yo na lang binigay."

Napa-nguso ako. "Grabe?! binigay pa rin sakin 'di ba?"

"Leo, kayong dalawa lang ang estudyante niya. Kung hindi sayo, kanino ibibigay?"

Napangiwi ako. "Pinaalala mo pa nga."

We both burst out laughing.

Then an idea popped into my head, making my face light up. "'Di bale, Dad, since mag-isa lang ako dito, I'll have plenty of time to reminisce. Pero, ehem... baka naman pwede mo na akong payagan mag-apartment?"

His expression immediately darkened. "Leo, hindi ka nga marunong magluto, tapos mag-a-apartment ka pa talaga?"

I scratched the back of my neck. "Kaya nga gusto kong tumira mag-isa, para matuto! Hanggang pagbalik mo lang naman, Dad. Promise!"

He squinted at me, obviously unconvinced. "Anak, tingin mo ba sa pa-cute mong 'yan makakakuha ka ng 'oo'? Para kang timang."

"Dad naman, seryoso na 'to!"

He sighed deeply, and I knew right then I had won.

"Fine. Pero hanggang pagbalik ko lang, ha?"

"Yes!" I shouted, jumping up in victory, my grin stretching ear to ear.

×××

Nakakabanas, nakakainis, nakakamatay ang amoy na kanina pa umaatake sa ilong ko at ang pagod na lumulutang sa utak ko ngayong oras ng orientation.

With a roll of my eyes, I shot a knowing glance toward the person eating Mang Juan, despite knowing the air conditioning unit was already on. In a dry, sarcastic tone, I quipped, "Nakaandar na nga ang aircon, pinagpipilitan pa ring kumain ng Mang Juan."

Hindi ko alam kung narinig niya ba ang sinabi ko, pero nakita ko ang bahagya niyang pag lingon sa direksyon ko. Sa puntong to, hindi ko na nga ma distinguish kung mula pa ba sa Mang Juan ang asim na na lalanghap ko o sa putok niya na.

Mag papasalamat ba ako dahil kahit papaano, may advantage sa'kin ang asim niya? Putangina, it's keeping me awake. Mahirap pa naman matulog ngayon dahil si Miss principal ang speaker. May galit na nga 'yon sakin, dadagdagan ko pa? Baka pag lingon ko, naka tanggap na ako ng forced eviction.