What If's

CHAPTER 17

It's the weekend. And it's been a week since my family decided to file my resignation letter without my consent. 

Paano ko nalaman? Well, I was supposed to go back to work days ago pero my boss called me to inform me na approved na ang resignation ko and that she was just sad about the urgency.

Syempre nagulat ako, who wouldn't right? 

Turns out my father did it and apparently alam nila kuya at 'di man lang nila ako sinabihan. Gusto ko sanang magalit pero I realized na kahit pa isumpa ko sila hindi pa rin ako makakabalik sa trabaho. Sabi nga, 'if you can't beat them, join them' kaya ito ako palamunin at the age of 26.

"Saan ba talaga tayo pupunta kuya? Kanina pa tayo drive ng drive, nangangawit na yung pwet ko." The sun is already shinning though it's only 6:30 in the morning. Andrea is sleeping at the backseat, her hair messy and clothes wrinkly because of the fetus position she's doing. 

My dear brother Gino woke us up at 5 and ordered us to get dressed kasi raw may pupuntahan na nakalimutan niyang e-share kung saan. 

"So kailan ka babalik sa Manila?" I secretly rolled my eyeballs. Hindi pa alam nila kuya na alam ko na ang scheme nila. I could lie and go through the whole conversation but I'm too sleepy.

"My resignation is approved." I said. I turned to my brother to check any reaction and guess what, wala! He's really expecting it. I sighed deeply, "Pwede niyo naman akong kausapin ng maayos eh. I could file it myself."

"As if you will." 

The heck! 

"Hindi man lang nag-deny. Ang tindi mo po." My brother let out a laugh and said, "Why should I? We supported dad with his decision not only because it's for the best but also because we want you here."

I was speechless. My brother's are sweet and caring pero hindi sila masyadong nag vo-voice out. 

"Right, Joshua." Napatingin ako sa backseat only to see my second brother lowkey eavesdropping. 

"Ano ba bro, 'wag mo nga akong dinadamay, nananahimik ako dito eh." Natawa nalang ako sa kakulitan niya. At muli kaming binalot ng katahimikan. Ilang minuto pa ay nagsalita si Kuya Gino, "Baker's Hill."

Huh? Ano daw?

"I said we're going to baker's hill. I figured it's been so long since we went there that's why I'm taking you there now."

Baker's Hill is actually a pasalubong center na at the same time ay park. Most tourist go there to have a taste of Palawan's delicacies. 

"You know that we could've just ordered, right?" Sabi ko pa. Ginising niya kami nang maaga just to eat treats? My brother replied with a soft hum kay pinabayaan ko nalang. 

Not long after I can finally see the baker statue near the main entrance. "Andrea gumising ka na, nandito na tayo."

The woman stirred but didn't wake up kaya sinapak ko sa ulo, medyo mahina lang naman. 

"Aray naman! Tangina mo talaga Alexandra." Bungad niya sa akin habang mahinang hinihimas ang parte ng ulo na sinapak ko. She uttered curses using every language and dialect she knows when I gave her a teasing smirk instead of an apology. 

"Bilisan mo naghihintay na sila kuya."

She let out an annoyed growl, "Pakyu ka, humanda ka sa 'kin mamaya."

I stick my tongue out to anger her even more. Nang-akmang babatuhin niya ako ng sandals niya ay agad akong tumakbo palabas ng sasakyan. "Kuya oh si Andrea nagmumura." Pagsusumbong ko habang pabirong  nagtatago sa likod ng kapatid ko.