24-hour Talk

6:00 am.

Mother: (on the phone with father) She’s awake. Your daughter is awake.

Dolen hurry up! Your father wants to talk to you.

Dolen: (what could be so important at this early hour that it could not wait?) Yup. Let me just finish here. (in the bathroom)

Father: Hi, Good morning my dear.

Dolen: Good morning dad. (still confused whats happening)

Father: I wanted to talk to you about your options. You are already a grown woman right?

Dolen: Yes. ( Confused###)

Father: I have been thinking about this. And i just want to give it away. I am giving you my blessing if you want to get married with John.

Dolen: (WTF? Is this for real?) Really?

Father: Yes, I think that you are old enough. Besides, you have been together for many years. I just want to silence every man that judges my child for her actions. Since you’ve been going home with him, i believe it is time for you to tie the knot.

Dolen: (stunned) Okay dad. Thank You.

Father: I have to make sure that you know what you want. Do you know what you want?

Dolen: Yes dad.

Father: Do you want to get married?

Dolen: Yes dad. It’s either him or no man.

Father: That’s good then. People have been wondering how all of the years you never conceived a child. You know its’s not healthy to take meds for that.

Dolen: No! I never touched that stuff. I dont use contraceptives. It is not healthy.

Father: Are you sure? Because it can cause to infertility you know.

Dolen: Dad, i never use or even touched that stuff.

Father.: Okay then. I just need to talk to you and John. Maybe after work?

Dolen: Yes dad.

Father: Speaking, tell John to stop hating on his parents. Tell him to remove all the hate and forgive. It is not good for him. it is not good for anyone to hold a grudge especially against parents. His mother can get over it because she did not rear John, so all that’s left to hurt is him alone, John. Tell him to stop the hate.

Dolen: Yes dad. I will.

Father: I think you should also talk with John’s grandmother Ina. She will have her answer and guide you in your steps. Talk to her.

Dolen: Yes dad.

Father: So i’ll see you later, anak.

Dolen: Yes dad. Thank you. Ingat.

—–Beep Beep Beep

John:Good morning.

Dolen: Good morning too.

John: Coffee?

Dolen: Enjoy.

John: Are you going out today?

Dolen: Maybe later. Y?

John: Just asking.

Dolen: Aren’t you going to open your shop today? I want to come visit.

John: Yes, Im waiting for my aunt to pay.

Dolen: Okay.

John: Turns out she’s not coming. I cant open the shop today. Im heading home.

Dolen: Thats just pffft.

—-Ring ring ring

Imee: Hello

Mother: Hello, are you done with your work out?

Imee: Yes I am.

Mother: I tried reaching you from your previous account but it didnt work.

Imee: Yes i changed my account.

Mother: Ah, Okay. I called regarding the two. Your son and my daugther.

Imee: What about them, manang?

Mother: I think we should let them be married. I think it is time. My husband thinks its also time.

Imee: Ah, really?

Mother: Yes, people seem to be bothered by their actions. Let’s put it at rest. They are old enough anyway. My daughter just finished school which is the only reason I had and now its gone.

Imee: its good then.

Mother: My husband was going to come and see you on Sunday to talk about this matter but it seems that you already have an appointment by then. So I just called.

Imee: Yes, manang. Anyway, we’ll meet here any other time.

Mother and Imee (Chismis)

—–Ring Ring Ring

Abi: Hello?

Dolen: Hi!

Abi: Wow. So you’re getting married huh?

Dolen: hahahaha. yup, i am, manang.

Abi: Eishhhh. Its still too early. I was planning for you to come here in Davao.

Dolen: Hahaha.

Abi: Seriously, you are getting married? Are you ready? Do you think you can do it?

Dolen: Yes, manang. You think I cant?

Abi: I dont know, but i think its still early. Are you not going to pursue your profession?

Dolen: Ofcourse I am.

Abi: Wasnt John trying to apply to go back to Korea?

Dolen: He is. But we still can do those things. It is stilk part of the plan.

Abi: Okay then. I just want to warn you. Just look at me and your manong Den. A silent guy like that turned to a demon.

Dolen: Manong Den just lost his way. I hope John already lost all his urges to look the other way or do foolish things.

Abi: Ah. Lets hope then.

Dolen: How is Chuwa? What’s she doing?

Abi: She’s here. She’s watching telly.

Dolen: Can i talk to her?

Abi: (trying to call Chu) she’s preoccupied. she doesnt want to be disturbed.

Dolen: Really. How come you already knew about the marriage when I didnt even know about it til I woke up at an early hour?

Abi: Mom’s word travels fast. Xen and I were shocked.

Dolen: Hahaha. We all knew where it would be heading right?

Abi: We didnt expect it to be this early. How did dad take it?

Dolen: It was actually his idea. I just woke up this morning with the news of him giving his blessing.

Abi: Ah. Thats what i was worried about the first time you said you wanted to get married. Daddy. I worried what he would do. But since he was the one who said that. Then its good.

Dolen: Yes

Abi: Your butt might by flying with joy now huh.

Dolen: I was actually speechless at the time. I dont know if Id laugh, doubt the idea or cry. I dont know.

Abi: Mixed emotions. Its normal. Well, all i can say is that you have to to be ready. you have to learn how to be a wife and stand up for your family. be strong and be ready. are you ready?

Dolen: Yes, i think so. We’ll see and hope for the best.

Abi: indeed.

—–Beep Beep Beep

John: What are you doing?

Dolen: On my way out.

—-Beep Beep Beep

Mother: It late. Come home and bring John.

Dolen: Coming.

—-Beep Beep Beep

Father: Hello

Dolen: Hi dad! Let’s eat!

Father: Yes, enjoy your dinner.

Dolen: Here’s John. (moving the phone towards John)

Father: John arent you going to eat?

John: No uncle. (have no idea of whats happening form the start)

Dolen: He’s on a diet.

Father: Ah, okay. I called you here John so we could talk.

John: (nganga *confused)

Father: I just want to give you my blessing if you ever plan to get married.

John: (?nganga *confused + something)

Father and John Convo. . .

He still doesn’t get it. Other people talking about me.

Ever heard other people talk about you behind your back? Who hasn’t. How about peolple judging you without even knowing you? Again, who hasn’t, right? What about other people indirectly talking hurtful things in front of you? 

Some people do not give a shit I guess. But for me, It bothers me. Especially when I know I’ve done nothing wrong against them. 

Last month I had another episode of drama with my boyfriend. HE STILL DOESN’T GET IT. I was cleaning the house (his house) when he came home. It was scheduled we would clean together, but he came home a little bit tired. I know, cause he just walked 500m upward to reach the house. He arrived, I was getting the spider webs on the ceiling. He came in, sat down and took my phone to play. After a minute, I started talking on the things he would do to help. Instead of letting me finish my sentences, he said “Awni man, ker tako nabla-nablay yah. ” , which means “Just wait, I am so tired.” I was just actually just instructing, I didn’t tell him to start right away. But he got really moody. 

He stood up and asked me what I want him to do. I told him I want some stuff out of the living room so I could clean. I asked him to get his blankets and pillows upstairs, under the sun but instead he just folded them and shove it in another room. I told hime it is better if he would just take those blankets and hang it but he said, “Uwes ko ngalod ya.” Meaning “It’s my blanket.” I just wanted for those blankets to get an air and a little sun since he don’t want to wash them yet. What he did got me on.my nerves. I lost the interest to clean. I stopped and cried while he ran upnthe roof to play on the phone. I cried my eyes out, I made noises so he could hear I am pissed. I knew he heard them, he just ignored. I fucking hate that. I hate it. 

For almost an hour, I decided to get all my things, (I have some things in his place, clothes, utensils, etc.) I started to pack. He came down, turned onn the TV pretending he didn’t hear anything. I was in his room picking my clothes from the shelves. I came out, made some noises, then he saw me and asked “yake ka kag nen akha akha?” Meaning “Why? You look like you cried.?” I was like wow, so much pride he don’t even realize what he did wrong. I said to him,”I think its better we broke up.” Then things came out, stuff never been told and stuff i dont even remenber. But as I insisted on packing, he took out all of other things he thought it was mine, like clothes given as a gift to him by me and my family, some shoes I gave him, pictures I laid on the shelves and walls and other more. He put them all in a pile. What i thought of just one bag for my clothez became a big pile of stuff. I was angry, but I felt i was going to laugh when he was doing that, childish and such pride. He still doesn’t get it. WHY????!!!  Head as hard as gold. Nothing can get through. 

Then I began asking him, “Am I not Enough??? ” he didn’t answer right away. I guess he still doesnt get it. I hate that about him. When i ask a question, i expect answers right away. He leaves me hanging, that’s his thing.

Repeatedly, i asked him that question. He still doent answer. I told him “Do yiu know the reason why I wanted us to clean? Because your sister will come home. And whether it is true or not, she will tell other peolple especially your aunts what she will be seeing when she arrives home to a dirty place. And when that happens, i dont like to be talked about as a girl who doesnt clean or is not neat. Because no matter how i clean the place, there is always a way for us ti make it so dirty i cant even breathe looking at it.” “And so what? Never mind what those people say. Blah blah blah.” He still doesnt get it. I asked him again, “I asked you if I was enough, because when I do something, you always criticize, you never appreciate. When I clean and ask you some things, you get angry. When I stop cleaning and never mind the dirt, you say i am lazy. WHAT IS IT??? ”