My Professor's Secret

Kabanata 31

I am undecided. Here I am again, thinking of ending my relationship with L for a shallow reason. I know this is childish or whatsoever but... no one can understand how I feel.

Alam ko na darating din ang araw na malalaman ng lahat ang totoong siya. In the first place, I don't know the reason why he's hiding his real identity from the public when in fact, he should stand proud being the CEO of the successful and well-known company in the country.

It would be a shame if everyone finds out that he's dating a simple girl like me. I'd probably just dissapoint their expectations, and all the people around us. A man like him is bound to be with a woman who stands on the same level as him.

Ayaw kong mangyari na balang araw baka ako ang makasira sa kanya. How I wish that he's only an ordinary guy. To tell the truth, I never wanted a man with good wealth and name. Hindi ko inasahan na mahuhulog ako sa isang lalaking katulad niya. A man full of surprises.

Lumipas ang dalawang araw at sumapit ang pasko. Tumulong ako sa mga preparasyon sa bahay. I helped with the designs and table settings para sa ihahandang dinner.

When night comes, as expected, marami ang dumalong bisita. Our relatives, family friends, and some of my father's business associates.

I approached to greet my relatives. My cousins were present too, though I'm not really close with them.

"Merry Christmas din sa'yo Becky. Aba, mas lalo kang gumaganda ah!?" one of my aunt exclaimed.

Nakita kong umirap ang mga pinsan ko. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ako close sa kanila. I really don't like them. It's difficult to handle their bitchy attitudes. Sa totoo lang, hindi sila lumaki sa karangyaan di tulad ko na spoiled brat. Their parents run a small business just enough for the needs of their family. I don't understand why it gave me the first impression that they hated me. Well anyway, the feeling is mutual.

Huling dumating ang pamilya ni Patrick. Nang makita niya ako ay agad siyang lumapit sa'kin.

"Hi, Merry Christmas." bati niya

I smiled and greeted him back.

"Here, Christmas gift ko sa'yo."

His gift to me was finely wrapped in a red paper bag. Agad ko itong tinanggap mula sa kanya.

"Thank you, Pat. I have something for you too. It's upstairs, mamaya ko na ibibigay." I responded

Lumaki ang kanyang ngiti. "Really?"
Bakas ang saya at kasiglahan sa kanyang boses.

Inilagay ko muna sa tabi ang paper bag at habang abala ang lahat sa pakikipag-usap at pakikipagsalamuha ay sandali kong nilabas ang aking phone para tingnan kung may natanggap akong message galing sa kanya.

This is weird. I didn't recieved anything from him today. Simula noong malaman ko ang sikreto niya ay minsan ko nalang nasasagot ang mga tawag niya. I've been confused thinking if I should just end our relationship, again, for real. Naging maingat din ako sa mga binibitiwan kong salita sa tuwing nagkakausap kami through phone. After all, he's my father's boss. I should quit the informalities and act more polite. I wonder if he noticed the sudden change?

"I haven't seen your boyfriend."

Napatingin ako kay Patrick nang magsalita siya sa aking tabi. Ngayon ay may hawak na siyang dalawang glass ng beverage sa kanyang kamay. He gave me the other one.

Tinanggap ko ito. "Thanks. Uhm... he won't be here."

Ibinaba ko ang hawak na phone at nakita kong napatingin siya rito. He pressed his lips together and nodded his head. Mukhang may sasabihin pa yata ngunit mas pinili na lamang na manahimik. It's good actually because everytime he tries to insist and speak out his mind, there's always an argument.