Tempted [Tagalog]

Chapter 3: The Unwanted Princess

"WHAT the hell is wrong with you?" kalmado ang boses ni Daddy pero alam kong sobra na naman siyang disappointed sa akin.

We're inside the visitor's lounge of our school matapos niya akong kaladkarin kanina paalis ng classroom — kung saan naganap ang away namin ng bruhang babaeng 'yon.

I'm holding my left arm, while neglecting the physical pain I'm feeling because of that b*tch's nails which scratched my precious skin. Besides, this is nothing compared to the amount of misery I am experiencing now.

"She attacked me first, Dad," sabi ko. "I just defended myself—"

"Defending yourself won't erase the fact that you've disappointed me again, Alison!" Halos maglabasan na ang litid sa leeg ni Daddy matapos niyang sabihin ang mga bagay na iyon sa akin.

I looked away to avoid his furious eyes. Here we go again.

Witness ang kwartong ito sa bawat masasakit na salitang binibitiwan ni Dad sa akin. And I think if this room has a life of its own? Magrereklamo ito.

Umalis siya mula sa pagkakasandal niya sa mahabang mesa na nasa kanyang likuran at saka lumakad nang pabalik-balik sa harapan ko. I am sitting quietly on the couch habang pilit na pinipigilan ang mga pasaway kong luha na magbagsakan.

Kung alam lang niya kung bakit ako napaaway kanina. Gumanti lang naman ako sa bruhang 'yon dahil sa mga below the belt na paratang niya kay mommy.

As I said, I can live with them calling me names but if they dared to drag my parents into their stupid rants then I won't let it slide. They've messed with the wrong person.

"When will you grow up and start acting your age?!" Those words quivered some strings all over my system and I can't help but to smirk.

"Act my age? Wow," I said nonchalantly. "Atleast, I know how to protect the people I love even behind their backs. Unlike you, Dad."

Nakita ko kung paano natigilan si Daddy sa kanyang usual mannerism at tiim-bagang akong tinitigan. He walked towards me, giving my face an unwelcome slap.

"Bastos kang bata ka!" galit niyang saad. "Wala ka nang binigay sa akin kundi sakit ng ulo at kahihiyan!"

I was holding my face, dumbfounded. Hindi naman ito ang unang pagkakataon na pinagalitan ako ni Daddy but I might say that this is the first time he impaired me with physical strength.

"Wow. That stings." Bahagya akong natawa saka siya binalingan ng tingin. "Sanay na ako sa cold treatment mo, Dad. But this new stunt felt like a refreshing cup of tea for me. Don't you think so?"

I saw how his anger turned into a startled expression. But if he will reason out that he did it out of his sudden outburst then he better stop.

I'm not buying it.

Sa totoo lang, dapat sanay na ako. Dahil simula nang magkaroon ako ng muwang sa mundong ito, never ko naman nakita o naramdaman ang affection ng isang ama mula sa kanya.

But you know what's the sh*tty part? It's the fact that every time I would convince myself to just live with his cold treatment towards me, that's when he will act as a loving father. He will spoil me with material things then go back to being cold again.

How ironic, right? But today, I have decided… I really should just get used to this setup.

"A-Alison, I…"

Ang tensyon na namumuo sa pagitan namin ni Daddy ay biglang nawala nang isang katok mula sa pintuan ang bumasag sa katahimikan ng buong paligid. Mula roo'y iniluwa ng mismong pinto si Mr. Caluza, ang Head Administrator ng aming eskwelahan, which made us turn our heads at him.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Mr. Garcia but the board members and the rest of the faculty are ready in the conference room," aniya.

"I will be right there," sagot ni daddy bago muling tumingin sa akin. "We'll continue this discussion at home—"

"Can we discuss this some other time?" pagputol ko sa sinasabi niya. "Mommy is expecting that you'll celebrate your 25th anniversary tonight."

Kung paano nag-iba ang reaction ni daddy ay sapat na dahilan para maintindihan ko ang mga nangyayari na naman. Of course, I was right. Nakalimutan na naman niya ang ipinangako niya kay mommy at ako lang itong nagpaalala ulit sa kanya.

I'm tired of this.

"I'll see you at home," nag-aalangang sabi niya bago umalis kasama si Mr. Caluza. Naiwan akong mag-isa sa visitor's lounge and the moment that happened felt like a huge relief on my side.

Tulala pa rin sa nangyari, I reached out for my shoulder bag to get my phone. Mabilis akong nagtipa ng text para sa dalawa kong kaibigan na sina Anabelle at Clarkson.

I know that Belle is still in class pero ang maharot na si Clarkson, nowhere to be found na naman. If I know, busy na naman makipag-make out session ang isang 'yon.

"This day sucks, meet me at our hideout and let's grab something to drink." I hit the send icon on my cellphone's screen then stood up, ready to leave.

The deafening sound of the hallway is oddly quiet today. It's so weird that it's making my inner self somewhat heavy.

Simula pa lang ng araw pero ganito na agad ang nangyari. It's funny to think that I've always admired my dad for being professional and persistent when it comes to work... something that I lack. Kaya siguro gano'n na lang kalamig ang treatment niya sa akin.

How unfortunate it may seem.

According to our relatives, my parents wanted a son to become the sole heir of all our family's riches, but they were given a daughter instead. Kaya siguro kahit anong gawin ko para makuha ang loob niya, never naging sapat. If only they could see how I'm trying my best to be the ideal daughter; that I deserve that position.

I let out a deep sigh.

But then again, like what he said... defending myself won't erase the fact that I am a huge disappointment to him. Oh well, enough of this drama. Hindi bagay sa magandang katulad ko.