Illusory of Playtime

"Sir Jas, pinapababa na po kayo nina Ma'am at Sir," I tried to ignore the maid's call and pretended that I was still sleeping. Hindi ako gumalaw sa aking pagkakahiga at pilit na gawing banayad ang paghinga para hindi malaman ni Manang na gising na ako. Naramdaman kong lumapit ito sa kama at niyugyog ang mga balikat ko. I was so engrossed with what I watched last night that I ended up staying late. "Hmmm! M-manang, I'm still sleepy," I groaned without bothering to look her way, "Tell Mom and Dad, please..." "Sir Jas, ako po ang mapapagalitan nina Sir at Ma'am kung hindi po kayo babangon. Mahigpit na bilin po sa'kin na sa pagbaba ko dapat nakababa narin po kayo. Sir..." she addressed me helplessly, which made my eyes go half-open. A bad decision, since upon contact with the light my eyes stung that made me groan and buried my face in the sheets. "Manang... okay lang po iyon. You're the one who'll be scolded naman po at hindi ako," I half-opened my eyes while saying it to her with a force smile on my lips. Ibinalik ko iyon sa pagkaka-pikit at itinaas ang kumot hanggang sa aking mukha at ipinihit ang katawan patalikod kay Manang Dahlia. I heard her helplessly sigh and went to the other side to face me again. She's as persistent as ever! "Sir... sige na po. Bumangon na po kayo." "What's the reason naman why they want me this kaaga, Manang? I'm still sleepy pa kaya..." irritation can be tasted in my tone while I say those, my eyes still closed. I slept late last night and it's no longer my fault. Kasalanan iyon ng pinanood kong K-drama at ni Gen. If only Gen spoiled me with what it's all about in every episode hindi na sana ako nagpapaka-puyat panoorin iyon. It was a good series that I ended up binge-watching. "Sir... may sasabihin daw po kasi sa'nyo sina Ma'am at Sir. Kailangan daw po ng maaga niyong presensiya sa baba dahil may meeting pa silang dadaluhan. Kaya Sir Jas... paki-usap naman po... Bumangon na po kayo. Matatanggalan ako ng trabaho." What she said caught my attention. It's very rare for my parents to call for my immediate attention. Lalo na't ganito pa kaaga. Alam naman nilang hindi ako morning person. "May sasabihin? Sa akin?" Damn! What is it again? Did they know that I was having a fight with one of my classmates last week? I was putting an effort to not let the words get to them. Was it my cousin who told them? I was just confronting them because of the made-up story they spread though. I sighed. Whatever the reason that they called me, I have no choice but to face it. I was not yet scolded to the extreme, but I just cannot hear more of their scolding. I looked at Manang Dahlia, "Do you... know kung ano ang sasabihin nila sa'kin?" Maybe Manang got a glimpse of my bothered expression. She knew me so well, sa tagal ba naman na nagtrabaho siya dito sa bahay. "May ginawa ka na naman siguro sa school niyo?" she asked. Maybe it was that?! I looked crazy, wildly rolling on top of my bed. I could feel like my sleeping soul was awakened right in an instant. Sure thing, my Dad will take my side, but my Mom is a disciplinarian. If, let's say that it's all about what I did to my classmate, who spread rumors about me, then I am doomed. Still in bed, I went to grab Manang's arms. "Manang..." I begged her. I pouted and made a puppy eye. Tumawa si Manang sa pinaggagawa ko. "Hindi ko alam. Kung gusto mong malaman, bumaba kana, Sir." She gently removed my hands from her arms. I withdrew and pouted as I heavily dropped my back on my bed. Hindi na ako nagtagal pa sa kaartehan ko at pinalabas na si Manang. Pinapasabi ko nalang din na susunod ako. I stretched my arms and greeted the bright sky peeking through my window. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. Before heading downstairs, I grabbed my hairband to keep away the stray hair from my face. Manang Dahlia's face greeted me as I opened the door. "Sir Jas, galit na ang mommy mo. Ang tagal mo daw bumaba." That made me zoom my way to the dining area. I immediately flashed my smile, revealing my bunny teeth to tame Mom's glare, sending warnings my way. "Good morning, Mom, Dad..." I went to them and gave them a kiss. "Bakit ang tragal mong bumaba?" mommy immediately asked. I pouted. "Naku, huwag mo akong daanin sa pagpapa-cute mo, Jas. What made you wake up so late?" she asks seriously while watching me get food from the table. Nabitin ang hotdog na kinuha ko sa ere dahil sa paniniyig ni mommy. I took a deep breathe and look at her way. "I have to make the most of my sleep while I still have the luxury to do so. It's weekend today, Mom." I mentally rolled my eyes at myself for what I just said. The hypocrisy! Mas kumpleto pa ata ang tulog ko tuwing weekdays eh. If not with my nagging cousin, I won't be studying my notes and spend all of my time watching movies or series. I saw Mom looked at Dad, asking for help. Dad cleared his throat that made me look his way. "Jas..." "Dad naman..." I protested with a pout on my lips even though he haven't said anything yet. "You have to keep your routine in check, Jas. It's not good that you keep on spending it on things when your education needs more attention." Ayaw ko pa nga sanang isipin iyon, pinapa-remind pa ni Dad. I just pouted and peeled away my attention from Dad. I eat the food on my plate while I listen to Dad and Mom reminding me of what I should do to make myself productive at home. Gladly, they did not open the topic about my fight at school. "So... Mom, Dad. Manang Dahlia told me that you have something to say to me. Is it very important?" I asked, trying to drag the topic away from what we talked about earlier. However, I think it's a bad move since I could feel the weight of what's about to be announced. Mom looked at Dad, which me look at him, too. Dad wiped his lips with a napkin. Mom did the same. Now, their full attention was on me. "You know how we value your perspective and views, Jas. We always consider and hear you out at all times..." I am tensed of what Dad said. This is making me nervous. Base on Dad's statement, I could really smell that this is probably all about the fight with my classmate. With numerous records I have incurred in the guidance office, I bet I will be expelled soon, that's why my parents are talking to me about it now. Mom interjected, "Now, kami naman ang pakinggan mo. You have to promise that you will listen to us first and understand what we're going to tell you." I felt guilty all of a sudden. I took a deep breathe and placed the spoon and fork I was holding on the plate. "I know I've been very stubborn. I am sorry for that, Mom, Dad. I'm sorry... Napaaway na naman po ako," I looked at them apologetically then replaced with a defensive expression when shock was all over their faces, "However, it was not my fault. I didn't start the fight. They spread rumors about me. I just confronted them. Sila ang nanguna kaya nanlaban lang ako. I know it was bad, but they deserve... it... though-" My words stopped midway when Mom's face turned very serious. "What did you do again?!" said not too loud, but spoke each with emphasis. I am doomed. This princess is doomed. Help!