Above Heavens

Eight Glitch

V A U G H N

"Zamora, Villamor G.”

“Ma’am! Present and pretty!” Vil waved his right hand like a beauty queen. It’s Monday and boring. And our first subject is P.E. Katatapos lang mag-check ng attendance namin. Vil’s lucky, nakaabot pa. Katabi ko siya ngayon dito sa court.

“Vaughn-Vaughn, oks lang ba blush on ko?” He whispered while our professor is discussing something about basketball.

“It looks like someone slapped you.” I said bluntly. Umirap naman siya at hinampas ang hita ko.

“Ano ka ba? It’s better to arrive late than to arrive ugly.” Nag-not-so-beautiful-eyes pa siya.

The heck is that mantra?

I tried convincing myself to be engaged in the discussion. But, I already lost my appetite. Dad’s going to meet me later after this class. Bakit ko ba kasi binigay ang schedule ko sa kanya. Alam niya tuloy lahat ng vacant hours ko.

“Another outdoor game is soccer.” The lady professor on her early 40’s continue her job. I’m not interested though.

“Vaughn dear, okay na pala 'yong activity natin?” Vil asked casually while putting some red tint on his thick lips looking on the round mirror—ignoring the presence of our teacher.

“Yeah. Isa-submit na lang.”

“Vaughn-Vaughn ako na magpapasa. Kaka-lurky! Ganda na nga lang ambag ko! Sorry ulit hehe. Sumumpong migraine ni dade kaya dinala ko 'yong gamot niya sa police station. Yah know naman, perfect daughter.” He moved his hand in the thin air acting like he’s flipping a long hair. Kahit gupit lalaki naman siya.

“Okay.” Tsaka ko kinuha sa bag ko ‘yong tatlong activity sheets at iniabot sa kanya.

The day Candary and I, saw the old version of Vil, Candary ran swiftly. As if she saw a ghost.

Sumabay na lang din ako sa pagtakbo niya. Dali-dali siyang pumara sa jeep na nadaan kaya't sumakay naman kami.

Parehas naming hinahabol ang paghinga namin nang makaupo. Mabuti at wala namang pakialam ang mga pasahero. Nang makababa kami ay tsaka palang siya naka-received ng text mula kay Vil. Ang sabi, wala siya sa bahay. Emergency na pinapunta siya sa police station ng katrabaho ng papa niya para dalhin ang gamot nito.

That’s really, really, of-the-wall. The whole picture painted itself, saying this is an another glitch.

I don’t know if I’ll be mesmerized or what.

Candary handed me the materials for the activity and bid goodbye. Sumakay siya ng trike at nawala na sa paningin ko. Her face screams strange encounter.

I didn’t bother her the next day, to talk virtually about what happened. Hindi nga siya nagparamdam sa group chat namin. Kami lang tuloy ni Vil ang nag-uusap. Good thing there’s a nearby computer shop from our dormitory. Ako na nagpa-print at nagsagot.

“Vaughn-Vaughn sabi ninyo ni Ary pumunta kayo ro'n sa subdivision namin. Kaloka kayo! Chineck ko 'yong log book kay kuyang guard wala naman names ni'yo! Hmmp!” Umismid siya at humalukipkip.

Even I tell him, he won’t believe it. I need to cover it with lies. Tsk.

“'Di pa kami naglo-log. We just stayed outside the gate waiting for your text.” Tsk. I hate liars but I needed to do it. Vil might think, Candary and I lost our sanity.

Natapos ang dalawang oras kong pagpapanggap na nakikinig. It’s 10:37 AM. Ang usapan namin ni daddy, magkikita kami sa mall sa kalapit bayan.

I didn’t bother to change my clothes. This P.E. uniform will do. May klase pa naman ako mamayang ala una.

The last time I saw my dad? Summer pa. Pinapadala niya lang naman ang allowance ko. Busy din naman siya sa trabaho sa Maynila.

Or he’s busy with his new girlfriend?

“Kumusta school anak?”

I put my bag on the chair beside me. We’re here in the most expensive coffee shop inside the mall. The ambiance is vintage. Maraming gamit ang naka-display. Muwebles, fairy lights, calligraphy, at paintings. Yari sa makakapal na kahoy ang mga  upuan at mesa. No wonder kung bakit mahal dito. There's also a jazz music playing.

“Ako 'di mo man lang muna kukumustahin?” I asked nonchalantly. Dad is getting old. He’s really that busy huh? Didn’t paying attention on his beard. He’s wearing his usual office attire matched with his thick black eyeglasses.

“Sige anak, kumusta ka?" He chuckled.

“Not so happy, and not so sad.” I responded though I found it boring talking to my dad.

The garcon approached us and gave us the menu.

“Oh? Eh bakit parang ang lungkot mo? Ngayon na nga lang tayo magba-bonding.” He smiled as if it is genuine. You call this bonding huh?

“I want a carrot cake and this frappé.” Tinuro ko ang larawan sa menu.

“Sige pili ka lang ng gusto mo diyan nak.” Bahagya niyang niluwagan ang suot niyang asul na necktie.

“That’s all I want.”

Dad nodded. He called the garcon and informed him about our orders.

“May girlfriend ka na?” He’s asking that now huh? He beamed like he wants an anwer from me.

“I don’t have one.” Pag-amin ko. I'm not entertaining any admirer though.

He laughed in amusement.

“Englishero ko talaga ano? Iba talaga ang epekto ng pagpapanood sa 'yo ng mommy mo ng maraming cartoons nang bata ka-“ He snapped himself from talking. Like he mentioned someone who betrayed him.

Yes, we’re no longer a complete family. My beautiful mom committed infidelity, five years ago.

“How’s mom?”

Pumait ang mukha ni daddy sa tanong ko.

“Ewan. Masaya? Ang laki na ng anak nila balita ko.” He sighed. I can feel his mourning heart.

But I’m mad at him. He never did anything to win back my mom’s heart. He’s the man, he should do something. I was 14 back then. All I can do is to beg my mom and cry out loud. Besides, it is her decision.

My mom is good, caring. She deserves all the adjectives that is synonymous to being 'mabait'. Hindi ko alam bakit. Hindi niya gagawin 'yon kung walang malalim na dahilan.

Maybe dad cheated first?

O kaya, marami nang pagkukulang si dad.

All I can blame is my dad, and the man who stole her from us.

“Gusto kong makita si mommy." I can't help but ti blurt out these words. I miss how caring she was.

“Hindi ka naman niya gustong makita.” Dad said in a serious tone. Kumirot ang puso ko. Sisisihin ko na naman ang sarili ko. Hindi ba talaga ako sapat na dahilan para maisalba ang relasyon na mayroon sila noon? Come on. I'm their son. I’m the product of their libidos. Their flesh and blood. "Kung gusto ka niyang makita, matagal na siyang gumawa ng paraan."

“Do you have her contact number?”

Iling lang ang sinagot ni daddy.

Dumating na rin ang mga orders namin.

I tried searching her name in social medias. Pero wala. Maging ang mga kamag-anak ko sa side ni mommy, wala ring balita. Ang lagi lang nilang sinasabi, sumama ito sa panadero. They didn’t even know his name. Nahihiya ba siya sa ginawa niya?

“Wala kang work ngayon?” Kailangan kong piliting magsalita.

“Meron mamaya. Nagpasama lang 'yong boss ko. Ang aga nga masyado eh. Pero ayos lang nakita ko naman 'yong gwapo kong anak. Manang-mana sa akin.” He smiled and sipped his coffee.

“Saan mo pala nabalitaan na malaki na 'yong anak nila?”

Nung kabit niya...

“Nasalubong ko 'yong dati niyang katrabaho sa grocery. Kinuha raw siyang ninang sa anak nito. Noong umattend ng binyag, may bitbit daw na bata.” The bitterness was still written on his face.

I see. Probably three? Or four years old?

That child is a product of sin.

“You will not going to find her?”

The carrot cake tastes good, to minimize some melancholy in the current situation.

Dumiretso siya sa pagkakaupo at tumingin sa akin ng taimtim.

“Kung gusto mo siyang hanapin anak, 'di kita pipigilan.”

His phone suddenly vibrated. Tinignan niya 'yong message at bahagyang nataranta.

Whatever, I’m going to find mom and ask her personally, why did she do such thing that will ruin our family.

“Nak, sorry nag-text na boss ko. Tapos na raw meeting nila. Gamit ko 'yong kotse niya papunta rito eh.”

Aalis na siya? Akala ko ba bonding? Joke time pala.

“Sige ingat. " Maybe it doesn't sound sincere but I am.

“Call ka lang 'pag may kailangan ka ah? 'Pag kulang padala kong allowance. Ingat! Lalo sa mga girls!” He gave me a wink. Nag-iwan siya ng isang libo sa mesa pambayad sa bill. At saka niya isinukbit ang body bag niyang itim.

Tumango-tango lang ako. He tapped my left shoulder and bid farewell.

A farewell again...

He then vanished from my sight.

I really hate being left behind. Sakto pa ang sumunod na kantang nag-play ay malungkot.

Cosmos is evil sometimes right?