Scripted Relationship

ERIK

Rose and I wanted to leave earlier when she learned about the arrival of her parents. Of course, who wouldn't be so damn worried and afraid about learning that your parents suddenly arrived and were not happy about something? So, after another presentation in honor of Mom's birthday, I asked permission from her to leave the celebration so that I can bring Rose home. It felt the longest four-hour drive of my life. Traffic jams that confronted us on our way back to Manila didn't helped. The uneasiness of Rose slowly transferred to me, which made me so anxious to reach their home pronto.

"Just be cool, Gorgie," I said to her once we exited NLEX. "Maybe Tita Gina was just exaggerating things so that you'll go home immediately."

"Hindi ganoon si Tita Gina," she replied nervously. "Kapag sinabi niyang galit sila, galit talaga sila. Mas exaggerated nga dapat ang isipin ko kapag idi-describe niya ang parents ko."

And then, she turned her face look at the busy road of EDSA. Her eyes wore the mask of worriness I never seen before. I wondered then why was Rose acting this way. Geez! I was becoming more concerned for her.

When we were one block away from their house, she suddenly tapped me.

"Diyan mo na lang ako ibaba sa kanto. Maglalakad na ako papunta sa amin." Rose requested.

"But why?" I asked.

"Basta. Let's not discuss this muna, Sammy," she pleaded.

I agreed to her and halted the car by the sidewalk.

"Text text na lang," she said as she arranged her bag. "I'll call you if ever."

I grabbed her hand in the middle of her troubling actions.

"Rose, everything will be okay." I looked at her with concern. But she simply looked at me. "Okay?" I repeated to her.

Rose simply nodded and went out of the car. I went out of the car to help her get her things from the compartment and briskly walked down the pavement without a hug or a kiss for me. I didn't ask for them anymore not with her edgy aura. I looked at her and wondered. Maybe her parents were not that all nice to her. Or maybe, she was just afraid of something.

----- O -----

ROSE

Bakit sila nandito? Anong ginagawa nila dito? Bakit biglaan ang pag-uwi nila? Hindi ko man lang alam. May nagawa ba ako kaya sila nandito? For sure, mayroon, isip-isip ko. Hindi naman sila uuwi dito nang walang dahilan. Binuksan ko ang gate ng bahay namin gamit ang sariling susi ko. Pagkasara ko nito, narinig ko kaagad ang masayang kuwentuhan nina Romeo, Racky at ng parents namin. Unti-unti akong naglakad papunta sa pintuan at narinig ko ng malinaw ang pinag-uusapan nila.

"Bakit hindi niyo naman sinabi sa amin?" Tanong ng mommy namin.

"Ewan ko kay Ate," sagot ni Romeo. "Akala nga naming alam niyo."

"Wala kaming kaalam-alam," sagot ni Daddy. "Sa mga ganyang bagay kasi, dapat—"

Naputol ang pagsasalita ni Daddy dahil kumatok na ako sa pinto.

"Siya na siguro iyan," Sabi ni Tita Gina. "Ako na ang magbubukas."

Pagkabukas ng pinto, nagpakita si Tita Gina. Dahan-dahan akong pumasok sa loob ng aming bahay nang matindi ang pagkakahawak sa aking bag. Medyo nanginginig ang aking mga kamay kaya mas lalo ko pang hinigpitan ang aking pagkakahawak sa aking bag. Nakaupo sina Mommy at Daddy sa sofa kasama sina Romeo at Racky. Tumingin ako sa kanila at napalunok sa kaba. Si Mommy, nakatitig lang sa akin. Walang expression. Nakasimangot naman si Daddy. Ito ang tinatawag naming battle mode niya.