Masyadong mabilis yung pangyayare. Parang kanina lang asa bahay lang ako nung kaibigan ko then tumawag sakin si Mom then the next thing I knew is I’m here with them in our house with me still processing what just happened. Ano daw ulit? Gusto kong tumawa pero di ko magawa. I took a deep breath and tries to smile at them.

“Tell me you’re kidding mom.” Kako nalang habang nakangiti parin sakanila hoping na sana nagjojoke lang nga talaga sila.

“I’m not Seulgi.”

Crash. Boom. Bang. Insert nyo na lahat ng psabog na background music.

So it’s true they are not kidding. But..but..but why?!

“We’re pretty serious dear.” Dagdag pa ni Dad. Bakit biglaan naman kasi ata?

“Pero, mom dad you both know that--”

“Yes, we know baby we know, but that was a long time ago. Both of you are now beautiful lady that is grown up”

“But--” I tried to reason out pero inunahan nanaman nila ako. Yung inis ko unti unti ko ng nararamdaman.

“It’s already settled. No buts and that’s final.”

“Arrgh damnit!”

“Mouth!” I sighs and ducked my head low.

“I’m sorry, can I leave now?” Walang laban kong sagot sa parents ko.

“Just be sure na pupunta ka sa meeting tomorrow night and don’t you ever think of not going Seulgi.” Sabi ni dad with his stern and full of authority voice. Napalunok nalang ako, everytime na gagamitin nya kasi yung ganyang boses nya I know I can’t do anything na. So kahit sobrang bigat sa loob ko tumango naalng ako.

“Opo dad I won’t”

“Okay, be careful on your way.” Ngumiti sakin si Mom tapos si Dad nag nod lang. Wala nakong nagawa kundi mapabuntong hininga nalang.

“I will mom.” Kako nalang, bago nako tuluyang umalis sa bahay namin and walks towards my car with a heavy heart.

‘Damnit! Damn you! Why it has to be you! Of all people living to this goddamn world, why it has to be you! Goddamnit kill me now!

Andito kami ngayon sa mall ni Byul. Kanina pa kami paikot ikot lang dito sa mall, pero yung isip ko nandun parin sa napag usapan namin kanina nila dad and mom. Aish, bakit kasi kailangan pa ng ganon e.

“Hoy, Seul. Okay ka lang? Kanina ka pa tulala dya--”

“Kainis naman kasi Byul diba? Sa dinami daming taong pwedeng aiiiish lang talaga bakit sya pa?!!” Ah oo nga pala nakwento ko na kay Byul yung napag usapan namin nila Mom and Dad kanina and guess what? Tuwang tuwa ang gago, walang hiyang to. Salamat sa suporta ha.

“E kung sumunod kana kasi sa gusto nila dati, hindi na sana dumating sa point na ganyan ngayon.” Sabi nya pa habang tatawa tawa. Napakunot nalang ako ng nuo, wala na kong magagawa e, sabi nga nila final na yung decision so ano pang laban ko? Wala na diba. Tsk kainis lang.

“E malay ko ba.”

“E yun na nga e, malay mo ba.”

“Putspa talaga oh.”

“Chill. Malay mo naman diba? Hindi na sya tulad nung kinaiinisan mo dati?” Sabi nya pa habang nakatingin sakin ng nakakaloko with matching wiggling her eye brows playfully pa.

“Tsk.” Binilisan ko nalang ang lakad at iniwan natong sobrang supportive kong kaibigan.

~~

I stared at them with my bored looking eyes. I sigh, knowing that the situation can’t be helped anymore.

“I can’t do anything about it right?” Tumingin sila sakin ng para bang guilty na naaawa. I really wanted to roll my eyes but I chose not to, they are still my parents though, I respected them of course. Pero minsan hindi ko narin kasi mapigilan yung sarili ko lalo na sa gantong circumstances. Umiling sila and I already know the answer.

“I’m sorry honey, but it’s already settled.”

Tumikhim ako bago umiwas ng tingin sakanila.

“Settled naman na pala e. So bakit nyo pa ako kailangan tanungin if this whole thing is okay to me when at the first place wala naman na pala akong magagawa.”

Hindi ko mapigilang sumagot. Because seriously? It’s getting on my nerve na.

“Joohyun!” Pag saway sakin ni Papa. I looked down and avoided their eyes.

“Sorry. Can I go to my room now, Ma? Pa?”

“I’m sorry baby.” Sabi ni Mama and I just nod my head. Knowing that I can’t do anything about it naman na talaga but to just accept the fact.

“I understand. I’m sorry too. So can I now go to my room and have my rest?”

“Yes, just please don’t ditch the meeting tomorrow night. Hmm?”

“That’s not my doing dad, and you knew that. I won’t ditch that dinner even though labag sa loob ko ang pumunta.”

“Just do it Hyun it’s for your own sake anyways.”

“Yes, I don’t have a choice afterall. Goodnight Ma, Pa.” And with that umalis na ako at nag tungo sa kwarto ko para dun ilabas lahat ng inis ko.

‘The heck! Is this a kind of some joke? Well this isn’t funny. Of all people! Of all people sya pa talaga ha! My good gracious! Please spare my life I want to live more. this life, lang talaga. Arrgh! Patience Joohyun, Patience.’

~~

“Seulgi! Faster, I think they are already there.” Wala akong ganang bumaba sa hagdan giving my parents a pitiful look. Malay nyo diba gumana.

“Mom, di ba pwedeng wala ng dinner or whatsoever. Pwede namang kayo nalang ang mag usap at--”

“No honey, they want to see you too also.” Sabi ko nga, pero let’s try parin baka gumana yung pa epek ko e.

“But why?” tanong ko pa na in gloomy tone pa kunwari.

“They missed you, that’s what they said anak.”

“Dad, how about--”

“Come on, dress up now kid or else you won’t be able to see her.”

“Well, that’s the plan dad.”

“Oh come on, mag bihis kana, we’re giving you 10 minutes to change and we’re ready to go na.”

Sabi ko nga wala na kong magagawa.

Sabi ko nga mag bibihis nako.

Hay buhay talaga.