(FHS #3) Most people say she's a rebel, others call her a badass, but Reika De Juan is just a girl who follows her heart. So much that she ends up following the gay of her dreams, even if it means returning to Filimon Heights.
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The tension was high as the four of us sat on the dinner table.
Dad had a hard expression on his face as he looked at Slade with piercing eyes. On his side was Mom who looked so uncomfortable that she couldn't even look at me.
From my periphery, Slade remained still as he sat next to me. His head was bowed down a little, probably trying hard not to antagonize Dad. But I couldn't, for the love of God, remain calm after what I just found out. Kung si Slade parang isang maamong tupa, pwes ako naman ay taas-noo habang nakahalukipkip ang mga braso. My eyes were burning with anger as I stared at my parents.
"Kailan pa?" Dad spat out in a strict and bitter tone, breaking the silence between us. Huling beses ko siyang nakitang ganito noong bata pa ako, noong nalaman niyang sinaksak ko si Haji ng lapis.
I raised an eyebrow as I grimaced. "I should ask you that, Dad. My God! Akala ko ba hindi kayo nagkikita?!" I paused just to glare at Dad. "Don't tell me lagi mo pala siyang pinupuntahan sa tuwing nasa school ako?!"
Mom and Dad both looked at different directions in discomfort. I couldn't help but yell in frustration.
"Reika..." Slade spoke in a calming tone as he touched my hand to calm me down.
"Don't touch my daughter!" Dad yelled as he stood up. He almost launched at Slade but Mom was quick to grab him back to his seat. Napabitaw naman agad si Slade sa akin, umayos ng upo at nag-peace sign kay Dad.
"Ang tatanda n'yo na! How are you even capable of bearing a child?!" I couldn't help but yell again. My insides burning from anger while my heart beating senseless. "Ano ba! Sa sobrang tanda ko na, pwede ko nang maging anak ang kapatid ko!"
"R-reika your Mom was just 19 when we had you." Dad spoke up again. He sounded like he was desperate to console me by reasoning out with me.
I took a deep breath as I scratched my head furiously. "How selfish can you guys be?! Slade and I aren't even an issue here kasi wala kaming ibang madadamay! Kayo, meron! That's my sibling right there! A soon to be living and breathing person! Hindi man lang ba kayo natuto sa pagkakamali ninyo noon?! Look at me! I should be enough to remind you of your biggest life mistake!"
"Reika!" Mom yelled, eyes open wide in shock. "You were never a mistake! Don't you ever say that again!"
Napasinghal ako at napailing-iling. "Come on Mom, I know the truth! I was conceived from a one night stand! You don't have to--"
"No! Hindi 'yan totoo! 'Yan ba ang sinabi sa'yo ng Lolo mo?!" Dad cut me off. He looked devastated.
"That's not the point here!" I slammed my hands on the table from so much anger. Slade called me out, trying to keep me calm but my nerves were at all time high to even pay attention at him. "You abandoned me! You didn't fucking raise me, my Grandparents did! Tapos ngayon susundan n'yo pa ng isa?! Hell, ni hindi nga kayo! Ano?! Uulitin n'yo na naman ang ginawa ninyo sa akin noon?!" I felt my tears stream down my eyes but that didn't stop me from pouring my heart out. "I was just a little kid back then! Inggit na inggit ako sa mga pinsan at kaibigan kong buo ang pamilya! Gabi-gabi akong nagdasal na sana balikan n'yo ako at maging buo ulit tayo pero hindi ninyo ginawa! Hinayaan n'yong lumipas ang napakaraming taon para lang bumalik at bumawi! For awhile there I thought I could actually forgive and let you guys back into my life but this just goes to show how heartless the two of you are! I was just a kid but I was in so much pain! Tapos ngayon, gagawin n'yo ulit ito sa magiging kapatid ko?!"
