Teardrops on a Sketch Pad [COMPLETED]

Company and Settlement

[Xylandria's POV]

"... at exactly midnight, the frog turns into a handsome prince after just one kiss." Napasimangot ako matapos basahin ang isinulat ni Walter sa kanyang sketch pad. Katabi ng sulat ay isang drawing ng isang palaka na nakatingin sa prinsipeng repleksyon niya sa ilog.

"You're 35, don't tell me you still believe in fairytales?"

"I drew that for my niece. Well, I don't believe in fairytales, but I believe in love." Ilang araw ko na rin siyang kinukulit hanggang sa nagpapasalamat ako nung nagiging komportable na siya sa akin. He talks fine, but I still rarely see him smile.

"Love is also a fairytale, it's only a work of fiction." Seryosong sabi ko na ikinatawa niya. Iniiling-iling pa niya ang kanyang ulo na parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa mga sinasabi ko.

"Like I said, you're still a kid."

"We're like 11 years apart. How can your perspective be so different with mine?" He chuckled. Is he really chuckling because of me? I felt my heart melted after hearing his laugh, but is he laughing cause he think that i'm stupid?

"Think of it, I was 15 and i'm already part of one of the largest fashion house globally while that time, you're still 4 and begging your Mom to buy you a lollipop. See the difference now?" Sinimangutan ko siya at binigyan niya naman ako ng mapanghamong ngisi. I really can't believe this guy.

"But i'm talking about love, it only exist in fairytales. You should know that, you're older than me."

"I'm afraid you're wrong. My parents love each other, i've witnessed the ups and down in their relationship. What about your parents?"

"They stick together, they always stay as one."

"Isn't that enough reason for you to believe in love?" I love this conversation. I want to keep this going, I like now that he's talking to me.

"That's not love. I think they're just settling together for the best. Like they just enjoy each other's company."

"You've never had a boyfriend?" Tanong niya at umiling ako na ikinaseryoso ng kanyang mukha.

"Don't lie," matigas na sabi niya at napatuwid ako ng upo.

"I'm not, you can ask all my relatives. Natakot kasi akong magka-boyfriend noon at hindi ako malapit sa mga boys. I was harassed by boys way back in high school kaya na-trauma ako."

"I'm also a boy, why did you approach me?" Tumingin ako sa kanya at nakita ko sa mga mata niya kung gaano niya kagustong marinig ang sagot ko.

"You're a man, not a boy, and I think it make sense why I always sit with you." He lick his lip and I know he's flattered for what I said pero ako ang umiwas ng tingin at nakaramdam ng ilang. Geez, what is happening to me?

"Xylandria," bigla akong kinabahan nung tinawag niya ako sa pangalan ko. It's the first time he called me by my name. Most of the time, I would hear him say, 'hey'.

"B-bakit?"

"Why do you keep talking to me? Naaawa ka ba sa kondisyon ko?"

"No, of course not!" Mabilis kong sagot. I don't want him to think that way, that's unacceptable.

"Then why?"

"I just want to get close with the man who gave me confidence, who made me brave. Not just that, I also enjoy your company." Nakita ko siyang natigilan sa huli kong sinabi. Nanlalaki ang kanyang mga mata and I repeat those words at the back of my mind... and I think, I just made a really big mistake.

"M-may family dinner pa pala kami. Mauuna na ako sayo."

"I-ingat ka," nauutal niyang tugon. Nagmamadali na akong lumabas ng Sky Autumn at pagpasok ko ng sasakyan ay agad akong napahampas sa noo.

"I hate myself! Oh gosh, he might think that I want to settle with him. Nakakahiya, that was so awkward." Napahilamos ako sa mukha at mariing napapikit nung hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nasabi ko kay Walter. That was so embarassing.

.

Habang kumakain ng dinner ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nandito ulit sina Mom and Dad. They want me to live independently pero panay punta rin nila sa bahay ko.

"Ma," tawag ko sa attention ni Mom.

"Yes, darling?"

"Do you love Dad?" I asked her when I remembered my conversation with Walter. He said that I should ask my parents to find out the truth and here I am, asking them.

"Of course. Me and your Father love each other, that's why we got married. I think you're already old enough to understand that, or you're just confuse and thinking of... going out on a date maybe?" Naiiritang nilapag ko ang kubyertos sa mesa. Here we go again.

"Sweetie, I think it is time for you to experience a new genre of your life," nag-aalalang sabi ni Mom.

"I'm still 24, i'm still young, Mom. Dad, tell her." Paghingi ko ng back-up kay Dad, incase na magbago ang isip ni Mom kung siya ang kakausap sa kanya.

"I guess your Mom has a point. Tumatanda na kami ng Mom mo. Ayaw naming mamatay nang hindi nagkakaapo." Napanganga ako. Are they even for real?

"Mom, Dad, I have work, I have dreams. Even way back in highschool ay napag-usapan na natin na i-enjoy ko muna ang single life ko bago humanap ng boyfriend."

Magkahawak-kamay na nagkatinginan sina Mom at Dad dahil sa paliwanag ko. Oh, please understand!

"Andria..." Tumingin ako kay Dad nung tawagin niya ako.

"What?" Supladang tugon ko.

"Are you lesbian?"

"Geez, Dad! Come on!" Agad akong napatayo at matalim na tiningnan si Dad. Is he really accusing me as a lesbian?

"Come on, honey. We're just confused. You're beautiful at yung ibang pangit nga ay may boyfriend na sa edad na 14." Pagbibigay ng punto ni Mom na ikinailing ko.

"I just have a different mindset. Hindi ako basta maganda lang, matalino ako. My dreams are more important than romance."

I stormed out of the dining hall. I could hear my Mom's pathetic voice calling me. I'm 24 and I feel like a teenager because of my parents treating me like this. I am a grown-up and they know of all people that I will be responsible for any of my decisions. I am the master of my fate, not my parents.