When The Flower Withers (Fleur Series #1)

Chapter 27

(Listen to the song while reading)

tw: abusive words

Gano'n kabilis nagbago ang lahat sa amin.

I knew we would reach this point but it's still so painful. Being aware did not really lessen the pain. May mga bagay talaga na kahit alam mong mangyayari, hindi mo pa rin maiiwasang hindi masaktan.

Napa-angat ako ng tingin nang may umupo na sa kaharap kong upuan. She gracefully placed her bag on the table before taking a seat. I didn't know what to say. Her reaction was blank and I could feel something bad was about to happen before this days ends.

She fixed the scarf around her neck as she looked at me. "Did I make you wait?" Mrs. Arellano asked.

I shook my head. "No, Ma'am."

"Good." Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang loob restaurant bago ako deretsong tiningnan sa mga mata. "I won't make this any longer as I have something really important to do after this... I do not want to waste my time for someone who makes my son's life miserable."

"I'm sorry?" tanong ko, hindi nakuha ang punto ng sinabi niya.

"The moment I saw you, I already knew you're no good for my son. He doesn't show it but you cause trouble into his life. Into our lives." She emphasized the last three words.

I was taken aback because of how straightforward she was. Umiling-iling ako habang nagsasalita. "Hindi ko po maintindihan ang sinasabi ninyo."

Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay niya. "Parehas kayong matalino ng anak ko. Imposibleng hindi mo naiintindihan ang ibig kong sabihin, Salazar."

Does intelligence really make someone know everything about life? About the meaning behind the words someone refused to give?

"Ano ho ba talaga ang gusto niyong sabihin, Ma'am?" I couldn't believe I was calling my boyfriend's mother 'Ma'am'. I couldn't blame myself though, this was just the third time I saw her.

Hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan ang sinabi niya sa akin na hindi niya ako gusto para sa anak niya no'ng pangalawang beses na pumunta ako sa bahay nila. Ash's father was there but I really haven't had a time to talk to him. He was busy in front of his laptop—busy with his work in front of his family.

"Layuan mo na ang anak ko. Iwan mo na si Dashiall." She leaned against the chair as she crossed her arms. "Break up with him," she said as if what she was telling me to do was as simple as saying 'I love you' to his son.

Hindi ako tanga para hindi maramdaman na 'yon talaga ang gusto niyang mangyari noon pa man. "We haven't had a proper conversation, Ma'am, and I just want you to know that I don't take any authorative command from someone. Kahit nanay pa ho kayo ni Ash, hinding-hindi ho ako makikipaghiwalay sa kaniya dahil lang sinabi n'yo."

She nodded her head as if she realized something. "So... That's the reason why my son became hard-headed... Tinuturuan mo ang anak kong maging suwail sa sarili niyang mga magulang."

I furrowed my eyebrow, slightly annoyed. "With all due respect, Ma'am, I've never... Not even once, said anything that would make him appear like an obstinate son to you."

"Of course you'd say that." May kinuha siya sa kaniyang designer bag na tingin ko'y mas mahal pa sa buhay ko. Gusto kong kurutin ang sarili sa naisip na kalokohan. "I've heard that your Aunt's business is on the verge of its downfall... Do you really think she can still finance you and your sister?" Inalis niya ang takip ng ballpen na hawak niya. "Name your price, just break up with my son."

I smirked and shook my head incredulously. "Hindi n'yo ho mabibili ang pagmamahal ko para sa anak ninyo..."

Siya naman ngayon ang ngumisi at nagsimulang magsulat sa cheque na nasa ibabaw ng table. "Here..." Inabot niya sa akin 'yon matapos magsulat.