Rude Ruby

03: New face

CARGAEL'S POV

I felt agitated even before I arrived, and it grew worse when his palms brushed Mom's face, again. Even though mom attempted to hide it from my sight, her cheeks swiftly turned red.

"Could you just stop crying now! And you really thought you could ask me for money when everything isn't in order? Go away!" dad screamed angrily, intending to smack her again, but mom swiftly diverted her gaze aside, allowing her to notice my presence from the door.

"Son," she said quietly, still stunned.

Looking at me, as if wondering if I noticed what happened. She quickly wiped away her tears before attempting to mend herself, despite the fact that she still looked a rag because of what she was wearing.

"Oh, Gael is here," dad said, while I am trying to focus my attention on him.

"Why did you summon me here?"

"You must return home before your abuelo arrives. Whether you like it or not, if you do not want me to take away all of your rights to the last name, I gave you. Are we clear? "

"Yes, dad." I bowed in response.

Fuck that.

When the weight of his presence envelops me, I'm left with no choice but to yield, to bow in acknowledgment of his overwhelming influence or power. It's a moment where his impact becomes so profound that it commands my utmost respect or submission.

At ayaw ko 'yon.

I hate him.

Everything about him is irksome.

The way he speaks.

The way he looks.

I had no idea he was a father based on the manner he addressed me as son. Everyone becomes a father but it only takes a courageous man to be a dad. Why does he have to be such a coward?

Dammit.

Everything is annoying.

Anyone is annoying!

"Morning's barely broken, pero magkasalubong na ang mga kilay mo. Trouble brewing?" Chad's voice echoed as he approached, offering a comforting pat on my shoulder.

I merely nodded to him, signifying what was going on below while taking a cigarette from the case he gave. I leaned both arms on the rooftop ledge, watching the tiny embers of fire from Chad's cigarette burn into mine.

Kanina pa kasi ako tumatambay sa rooftop, gusto ko lang sanang umidlip bago mag simula ang klase. Kaso hindi ko man lang magawang ipikit ang aking mga mata dahil sa nabubuong komosyon at ingay sa ibaba.

Parang mga langgam ang mga tao sa school mula dito sa rooftop. Ano naman kaya ang dahilan ng kaguluhan?

"Nakalimutan mo na? Ano kaba, Gael? Paano mo makakalimutan ang pinaka-aabang natin pagkatapos ng semestral break?!"

Nilingon ko si Chad. Mukha atang mas sisira ang umaga ko dahil sa tono ng pananalita niya.

"Your unbelievable man, palibhasa sa bar ka tumatambay... Gabi-gabi may dinidiligan."

"Anong sabi mo?"

"Wala bro, ang sabi ko ngayon ang araw."

"Tch, araw ng alin?"

"Araw ng mga magagandang babae! Araw ng mga foren—"

"Gael!"

Chad and I both turned around, only to see Tiffany yelling my name. A random brat in our class. She appears to have run a mile simply to tell me something trivial.