Nights Like This

CHAPTER 32

"Camila! Camila!" na alimpungatan ako from my deep sleep nang bigla akong makarinig ng loud bang from my door. Naka pikit pa ang dalawang mata ko at lumulutang pa talaga ang ulo ko. I checked my phone that's on my bed and it's just six in the morning.

There's just one person in this whole world that has the guts to bother me na nd it's one and only Calista Serranno. She also bombarded me with her texts so I confirmed that it's really her.

Kahit labag sa loob ko na bumangon pa dahil I just went to bed at two in the midnight because I was watching a new series on the TV at hindi ko namalayan naman na anong oras na rin pala.

Kinusot ko ang mata ko saka pinag buksan ang Mommy ko na naka full make up and she's already starting her day by visiting me unannounced. Coco's already

"Mom," I reached for her cheek and hugged her instead of kissing her dahil ultimo paghihilamos, hindi ko pa nagagawa.

"Camila, tanghali na. Why are you still sleeping? Dapat maaga pa lang bumabangon ka na," aniya. Inikot ni Mommy ang mata nya and I thank heavens na nakapag linis ako ng bahay ko kagabi because I know that Mom would nag me kapag naabutan nyang kahit may isang naka kalat o may hindi sya nagustuhan.

"Mom it's still six po," sabi ko sa kanya. "Why are you here po?"

"I am here because you are not responding to any of my texts since yesterday, Camila." Umupo sya sa couch and then she played with Coco na tuwang tuwa na makita sya.

"I was busy with work, Mom. Hindi ko na po masydong nahahawakan yung phone ko," palusot ko.

Nakikita ko naman talaga yung texts nya but I just didn't want to reply which I wish I did para hindi na nya ako pinuntahan pa rito.

"Are you hiding from us? Hindi kita mahagilap these past few days. And what are you even wearing? That's how you dress?" aniya. I just noticed her scrutinizing look on me kaya napa tingin agad ako sa suot ko. I am wearing a silk thin strapped sando and shorts.

Wala namang mali sa suot ko. It's just my mom and her strictness sa suot ko.

Mabilis kong tinakbo yung kwarto ko and I grabbed yung partner na robe at binalot yung katawan ko so Mom would see no skin from me. Nasa bahay ko lang naman ako and it's just me and Coco. I don't see the need para tapalan ng maraming tela yung katawan ko when I'm just sleeping.

"Nag breakfast na po ba kayo? It's still six," tanong ko sa kanya.

"No but don't cook na because I just came here to tell you that your Dad wants you to resign," she said.

All the antok that I have in me, biglang nawala. I feel like I am in the top of the rollercoaster when it suddenly drops down at naiwan yung puso ko sa taas. That's exactly what I am feeling right now.

"Mom, you know po that I cannot do that," seryoso kong sabi sa kanya.

"I am not the one who's asking for that. It's your Dad, Camila."

Mommy looked at me like she's not really realizing the weight of the thing that she's asking me because she's just smiling and playing with Coco like she's just asking me to cook for her breakfast.

Humiga ako ng malalim saka ihinilamos ang palad ko sa mukha ko out of all the frustration that I am feeling right now.

"Why? Why does he wants me to resign?" tanong ko.

I just don't understand that I am doing great and contented with my job tapos he'll tell me to resign like I am a twelve year old telling me to quit ballet because he decided that ballet isn't for. I just want to know for what?

"Your Daddy wants you to quit and manage his campaign for this coming elections because it's fast aproaching," ani Mommy and it made me so speechless.

For... what?

"He is supoosed to tell you that on dinner this weekend but nag magandang loob na ako to tell you in advance so you wouldn't be too shocked."

I want to laugh in frustration. Kahit na ngayon o sa weekend pa yan sabihin, hinding hindi magbabago yung reaction ko because I wasn't expecting this. Or maybe I am, knowing my father. But certainly not about that reason.

"Please tell Daddy that I won't resign Mom," sabi ko sa kanya with finality.

Nag salubong ang kilay ni Mommy and she finally stopped entertataining Coco and faced me with her ususal face when she's being a boss.

"Don't decline agad Camila because that's what I am here for. I told you because I want you to think about it," aniya. Pinag sakop ni Mommy yung mga daliri nya na naka patong sa crossed na nyang binti.

No. I don't believe it. She's here and she told me in advance because gusto nyang i- convince ako. That's what she's here for.

"Just think about it. Your Dad wants you to be the head of the campaign. If you are worried about money, dear, we have many of that. I'll ask your Dad to pay you twice your salary right now. Just say 'Yes'. There's a lot of opportunity for you out here than inyour office. You're not even in the highest position."

No. Still a no. I wouldn't bend my morals and my choices over that. I would never. I promised myself to count myself out whenever the topic of politics would come up.

"There is no way that I will quit my job amd work on that Mom. Paki sabi kay Daddy and please don't ever bring up that to me because my answer would be a solid no," sabi ko.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakalayo at lumakad ng ilang hakbang.

"Camila-" Mom's tone became more stricter and harsher sa pangdinig ko.

I turned to her, cutting her off. "Please lock the door when you go out, Mom. I have to prepare myself for the work that I am passionate about. Excuse me po," matapang na sabi ko.

Madali akong lumakad papuntang kwarto ko at sinandal ang sarili ko sa pinto that I closed para suportahan ang tuhod ko sa na halos bibigay na.