Mystery Santa

XIV. Standing Up

Lavelle's view

My mom forces everyone to sit down in the table in assigned seats. She made me sit next to Kevin. If it weren't for Max sitting across from me and Raquel sitting on my other side,  I probably would have a yelling match with my mom.

"Paki abot kay Kevin ang mashed potato please, Lavelle, he likes them a lot," my mom says handing me the bowl.

"Kailangan mong matuto gumawa nito dear para sa future," my mom adds abruptly.

Before I can reply in that sarcastic comment, my brother speaks up. "Ma, di nga yan mahilig sa vegies, kaya walang silbi yun."

"The point was gagawin nya para kay Kevin, duh," my mom replies.

"Bat ako gagawa ng mashed potato para kay  Kevin para sa future?" I ask trough gritted teeth.

"Para din sa inyong dalawa yun malay nyo maisipan nyong mag dinner date lang sa bahay  diba?" my mom suggests. 

My anger is rising like crazy and I can't help it but say, "What makes you think na gusto ko makipag-date kay Kevin?"

I turn to Kevin and add, "no offense"

Raquel tries to put a hand on my thigh to calm me down, but there's nothing can reduce my anger right now. I'm furious.

"Bakit ayaw mo makipag-date kay Kevin. He is so nice and successful man. He's an engineer and me and her mother are good friends. Pwede ka nyang matulungan para may trabaho sa kanya bilang secretary." my mom tries to explain.

"Bakit naman ako magtatrabaho sa kanya? I'm happy where I am working  and I learn more than a secretary," I hiss back

"Pero and marketing company nyo is not a place for women. Bakit gustong gusto mong magtrabaho as advertising agent? That's not lady like," my mom counters

"Actually, there are an equal amount of women working alongside with men in the company. And also, Lavelle is really good at her job. She's one of the best at work," Raquel interupts.

"Kaibigan ka ni Lavelle, syempre sasabihin mo yan para maging mabuti sa kanya." my mom says.

"No, I'm actually her manager at the firm. I see all the reports at the end of the month. Lavelle always finishes on time with excellent work ethic. She has a real future in the company if she stays. She's the hardest working person I've ever met. I admire her for that. " Raquel adds making my anger subside.

Damn, how could I not love this woman. She's amazing. No one ever stood up to my mom before. No one has really defended me against my mom

"Well, alam kong magaling ang anak ko, at sinasayang nya lang ang oras nya sa company nyo at baka mapabayaan nya sarili nya at maging single habangbuhay. She's almost thirty and kung di pa siya makahanap ng mapapangasawa baka di na talaga. Kaya stop putting ridiculous ideas in her head," my mom argues.

I immediately stand up to defend Raquel, " Tama na ma, I had enough sa pag-uusap about sa trabaho at love life ko. Tama si Raquel, magaling ako sa trabaho ko and masaya ako dun. Ayokong magising one day na magsisisi ako dahil iniwan ko ang trabaho ko."

"And also, don't you dare ever talk to my girlfriend like that again" I add making my mom look at me in shock.

"Narinig mo diba? Girlfriend ko sya and I absolutely love her. She's everything I could ask for and more. And napaka swerte ko if I will spend the rest of my life with her," I continue.

I glance over at Raquel and she has the biggest smile on her face. She reaches over to grab my hand and intertwine our fingers.

"Alrigthyy, masyado nang magulo para sa'kin ang mga nangyayari," Kevin says getting up and walk fast through the door.

My mom regains her composure and looks at me in disappointment. " Gusto ko lang naman makasigurado that you have the world, and ganito moko sagutin sa harap ng bisita? How disrespectful."

" Alam mo, sawa na rin ako palagi nalang ganito," my dad says getting up and turning to my mom.

"Hayaan mo na sya sa buhay nya. Ano ngayon kung sa advertising company sya nagtatrabaho. Ano ngayon kung sa babae sya nagkakagusto. At least our Lavelle is happy, ayun ang importante" my dad says.

" Paano kung maling desisyon nya lang to? Paano kung masaktan lang sya at hindi maging masaya? Syempre trabaho ko yun bilang ina nya na protektahan sya." my mom replies.

"Ma, yung plano mo na hanapan ako ng asawa and bagong trabaho are making me unhappy, di mo ba nakikita?" I ask her.

"I...I need... I need to think about this," my mom shutters and gets up from the table and go to her room.

I try to follow her, but my dad stops me, " Baka need mo muna syang bigyan ng oras Lavelle, baka sa ngayon maintindihan ka na nya."

"Well, mabuti na to kesa sa iniexpect natin" Max says.

"Paano pag lumala pa ito?" I ask him.

"Edi sunugin natin yung bahay pag nangyari yun," Max suggests.

I smile and playfully punch his shoulder.

I turn to Raquel to see how she feels about me yelling that I love her.

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A/N:  I am sorry if it took me so long to update. I had very bad writer's block.

I will try to update the next chapter next wednesday.