TRY . jinlia

043

This chapter's unedited.

[ CHOI LIA'S ]

Napuno ng tawanan ang lamesa nang muling mag-joke ang Papa ni Aecha. We were all here in an Italian Restaurant, celebrating.

Pagkatapos ng graduation ceremony ay nagkakayayaan ang mga matatanda para kumain sa labas. Me and Papa, Sojin and her whole family, and Aecha's whole family, too. Kumpleto kaming lahat.

Magkakatabi kaming magkakaibigan habang nakikinig rin sa usapan ng matatanda. Sumasali kung may gustong sabihin.

"Ano nga pala ang kukunin mong course, Lia?" tanong maya-maya ng Mama ni Sojin.

I swallowed the food that was in my throat before answering. "Veterinary po."

Tumango-tango ito. "Are you planning to build your own clinic or?" she asked, naghihintay ang lahat sa sagot ko.

I cleared my throat. Ito kasing nanay ni Sojin ay kilalang matalinong business woman kaya hindi ko maiwasang kabahan dahil hindi ordinaryong tao itong kausap ko. She's known to be ambitious, cunning, and smart. I don't want to embarrass myself in front of her.

"Uh, yes po once I have the budget to do it, of course," I answered, trying so hard to sound calm.

Ngumisi ito. "That's good. But veterinary takes a lot of years. Kaya mo ba 'yon?"

I bit my lower-lip. Bakit ba ako nanaman ang nakita nito? I honestly sympathize with Sojin. But this is good, too. Pressure and guidance from someone who has a lot more experience. Yeah, this is good.

"Of course, Tita. Naisip ko rin ang mga taon na gugugulin ko rito and do you think I'd apply for it if I wasn't certain?"

She laughed before grabbing her utensils again. "That's good, that's good. Then, I'll let you be the doctor of our dogs."

Nangiti naman ako roon, ang kaba sa dibdib ko ay nawala dahil sa narinig. That means she believes in me. God, it's so nice having people believe in you!

Ang natahimik na mesa namin ay muling nag-ingay pagkatapos noon. Sojin even teased me because of her Mom.

After a long night, me and Papa were finally on the way home.

"Are you really sure you want to leave?" Papa asked in the middle of silence.

Ngumiti ako kahit pagod. "Aalis na tayo bukas, Pa. tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Sure na 'ko. E, ikaw ba?" tanong ko pabalik.

I heard him sigh. "Oo naman. Kahit saan ka magpunta, sasama ako."

I hummed with a smile on my face and didn't bother to answer. Gusto ko sanang asarin si Papa but I was too tired to open my mouth again and talk.

"Lia."

"Yes?" mahina kong sagot, medyo pumipikit na ang mga mata bago lumingon sakaniya.

"Okay na kayo ni Ryujin?" he asked.

That made me feel a bit awake. My heart started to beat faster. For the past months, Papa never brought Ryujin up. Kahit alam kong kating-kati na siyang magtanong, pansin ko ring nagpipigil siya.