Unexpected Escape

Chapter 2 - Disgrace

Marahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata nang maramdaman kong may humihila sa suot kong pajama.

“K-Kylo?” kunot noong tanong ko habang pilit na tinitingnan siyang hinihinila ang suot kong pajama gamit ang kaniyang maliliit na ngipin.

Kinusot ko ang aking mga mata bago siya buhatin upang ilagay sa aking kandungan saka hinagod ang kaniyang balahibo.

I checked the time on my phone. It was already eight in the morning. I am very pleased today because my schedule is not that early like yesterday’s. Since the start of my class will be at eleven in the morning, I took the chance to prepare for my breakfast.

Well, mom and dad maybe at their respective works, taking care of their own businesses but I am already adjusted to their routines since then.

“What are you doing, Kylo?” I asked him while he dug his head underneath my bed right after we go back to my room from the kitchen. “There’s nothing you can see underneath my bed, Kylo,” I added but I am surprised as he pulls a thing came from there.

As he completely pulled it using his little teeth, I approached him, surprised. “Arf! Arf!” he lightly barked, pushing the thick book towards me using the top of his nose.

“How come that it was there, Kylo?” I asked, pointing my index finger towards the dark shadows underneath my bed. “I already put that thing–” Bahagya akong sumilip sa aking maliit na shelf sa aking kaliwa and it is indeed, gone. There’s a space in between my favorite duology book and I don’t know what is going on right now. Sigurado akong inilagay ko iyon kahapon sa pagitan ng paborito kong libro pero paanong napadpad ang librong iyon sa ilalim ng aking kama?

“Come on, Kylo. Did you happen to take the book and hid that book there?” I asked him but he just wagged his tail, continuously barking and pushing the book with all of his might towards me.

Seems like he’s very excited but I don’t know what was his reason to be like that. Was it because of the book? I don’t know what’s really going on.

I lean forward to get the book from the floor which makes Kylo began to stop wagging his tail, instead, he sat down. “No more doing like this, Kylo, okay?” I said at him and started to approach the shelf to put again the thick book to the little space between my favorite duology book.

Bago pa man ako makarating upang ilagay ang aking hawak na lumang libro, hinila na naman niya ang dulo ng pajama ko gamit ang kaniyang ngipin.

“What’s the problem, Kylo? Do you want this book?” I asked him but he just replied with a slight bark then sit. “After I finish my homeworks, I will read it for you, Kylo, okay?” I told him but he just tilts his head like he is confused to what am I saying. “Just that… I have many things to do, and I badly want to finish those before its deadline.”

Marahang isinubsob niya ang kaniyang maliit na ilong sa pagitan ng kaniyang maliit na paa. Tila nagmumukmok siya gayong wala na akong maibigay na oras para sa kaniya. Just that all of the activities are all piled up and I want them to finish before the deadline.

After I successfully put the book in the shelf, Kylo didn’t talk to me. Was he sulking because of what I have said to him? Was he jealous because I chose my activities over him? “Please Kylo, just understand me this time. I just don’t want my parents to scold me if my grades get down the hill,” I said but he is still digging his nose in between his little legs.

As I sat to my study table, I haven’t heard anything from Kylo. I don’t know what I am really going to do right now because I am not used to Kylo being silent just now.

I stealthily glimpse at him. His eyes slowly shutting, maybe he was just tired–tired of pleasing me to have that book in his hands or having the book read by me for him, but I just can’t.

I checked the time on my phone. It is already ten in the morning. I didn’t realize that two hours passed already. What did I do? I thought it was just an hour.

My shoulders fell as I began to think of what did I do from the past two hours. I heaved a heavy sigh after recalling those but it just gave me pain in my head because the only thing I remember is having a talk with Kylo about the book.

“Nix, we’re home!” I heard my Mom’s sluggish voice, enough to open my laptop and write down the notes our teachers gave us onto my notebook as a reference for our subject. I didn’t call her back. I know, it is rude of me but I just can’t utter a word when they are at home. Hindi lang talaga ako nasanay na narito sila sa loob ng bahay.

Someone opened the door but I didn’t give time to take a glimpse to who it was. It was just obvious that they were just here to check about the status of my grade.

“Did you perfect the quiz you took a day before yesterday?” Dad monotonously asked. Nakasampay sa kaniyang kaliwang braso ang kaniyang puting uniporme samantalang si Mom ay inaayos ang kaniyang salamin na tinanggal niya kanina upang masahihin ang kaniyang mata.

I heaved a sigh before standing from the seat just to answer Dad. “I-I have o-one mistake,” I told him which makes their eyes narrowed.

As usual, maybe they will scold me again given that I have one mistake from the quiz.

Dad slapped the door near him which made my heart race out of surprise. “Are you rebelling, Phoenix?” Yumuko ako nang sabihin niya iyon. I just don’t have a feeling to meet their eyes. “It is just one item but you didn’t answer it correctly?! You are a disgrace to our family!” he said, upset. After Dad said that, I heard a loud noise as the door closed violently.

Marahan kong itinunghay ang aking ulo saka napabuga nang hangin nang makitang wala na sila sa loob ng kwarto. Having that talk with them makes me pained in some ways.

“You are a disgrace to our family!” It began to ring inside my head and I can’t help it but to hear it all along.

A slight cry started to run over my cheeks and I don’t know if it is still normal. It is my entire fault that I didn’t answer that one question correctly.

But I also question myself, “When will they check about my health asking me if I already took a breakfast? When will they ask me if I rest? Kailan kaya mangyayari iyon? Sana kasi hindi na lang nila ako naging anak at sana, mawala na lang ako rito sa bahay at mapunta sa kung anong dimensyon ng mundo. Para sa ganoon, hindi ako kahihiyan sa pamilyang ito.