Beneath the Edge

Kabanata 6:

"Where have you been, Portia?!" salubong sa akin ni Mommy nang makarating ako sa sala nang nakauwi ako.

My mom looked furious right now. Dad was calmly sitting on the sofa who had just stopped scrolling on his phone when he noticed I arrived.

Halatang kanina pa nila ako hinihintay dahil palakad-lakad si Mommy nang makita ako nito.
Nakayuko lamang ako at hindi ko matitigan ang sarili kong ina dahil hindi ko alam kung ano gagawin nito pagkatapos akong mabisto.

Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng aking dibdib dahil sa kaba at takot na kanina ko pa nararamdaman habang pauwi ako.

I'm afraid of what my punishment will be after this. I know the punishment will be way worse than the original one. Hindi ko mapigilang manginig ang aking tuhod dahil sa takot, because I know my mom.

"Answer my question, Portia Cynel! You didn't go to the mall, dahil kanina kapa sana nakauwi kung mall lang ang pinuntahan mo!" sermon sa akin ni Mommy habang nilalapitan ako nito.

"I'm sorry, Mom. My friends invited me and we had a quick visit sa Valley Spring in Laguna. " paliwanag ko habang hinigpitan ang hawak sa handle ng aking tote bag.

"They invited you, at sumama ka naman?! You know that I told you to study all weekend!" sigaw nito sa akin habang nakapatong ang kamay niya sa kaniyang bewang.

"Sorry po. It will never happen again." paumanhin ko sa galit na ina.

"Yes, I'll make sure it won't. Let's see if you can still do it next time after tasting the repercussions of what you did!" sagot niya kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya, hinihintay ang sunod niyang sasabihin.

"You are grounded for the whole month! School at bahay kalang. Give me your phone! You don't deserve to enjoy these things if you can't respect my decision." dagdag nito sabay lahad ng kaniyang kamay para kunin sa akin ang hinihingi niya.

Kinuha ko ang aking phone mula sa tote bag at binigay ito kay Mommy. Kinuha niya ito agad at ibinulsa sa kaniyang trouser pants. Ngayon ko lang rin napansin na hindi pa pala sila nakapagpalit ng kanilang damit. Nagulat nga rin ako kung bakit ang aga nila nakauwi, alas tres palang ng hapon.

"I'm really sorry, Mom." nakayukong paumanhin ko ulit sa ina.

"Your apology is not accepted, Portia. You have to learn your lesson. I will fire your Nana." banta sa akin ni Mommy na nagpalaki ng aking mga mata, hindi inaasahan ang sinabi niya.

"What?! Mom, no! It's my fault, I also lied to Nana. Please huwag niyo po siyang idamay. It's my fault." mabilis kong pagtatanggol kay Nana.

Nana has been our housemaid since I was a child. She was the one who was always there for me when my parents were busy. I couldn't risk my Nana leaving our house knowing that it's my fault.

"Please, Mom. You can punish with anything else, just... just don't include Nana. Mommy... please." pagsusumamo sa aking ina nang hindi siya sumagot sa akin. Tila ba wala siyang naririnig.

Hindi pinansin ni Mommy ang aking sinabi at dumiretso lamang itong naglakad sa hagdan para pumunta sa kanilang kuwarto.

I was left dumbfounded here in the living room by what my Mom said. I looked at my dad, who was already looking at me with disappointment and pity. I walked toward him and sat beside him as I placed my bag on the floor.

"Dad, help me. Nana has nothing to do with what I did. Please, not my Nana, Dad," I pleaded desperately even if I knew that my mom's decision wouldn't change. But I was willing to beg if it meant saving Nana from this mess I created.