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Kabanata 7

Warm

"Anak, hindi ba mas maganda if you study abroad. I though you want to become a journalist. It will lead you to more opportunities."
Papa said habang kumakain kami ng almusal sa dining. I ask him about my decision of staying and studying here instead of going back to Spain. Ok naman yun tutal ay natapos ko na ang secondary ko. Yun nga lang, Papa keeps on insisiting na mas maganda daw talaga sa ibang bansa. Knowing the fact that it expose a lot of opportunities.

"Papa, kaya ko namang mag-aral dito. And that opportunity? Maraming opportunity'ng darating sa akin. If It's for me, then that's great! But if It's not for me, then be it!," napabuntong hininga si Papa pagkatapos ng sinabi ko. 

"Stacia, anak, don't get me wrong huh. I guess you're thinking right now that It was really easy for me to send you away. That's not it! I was just thinking of your future anak." Papa said in a gentle voice and I gave him a genuine smile. 

"Papa I know. Don't worry, I know what Im doing. I'll do my best to reach that best you're asking for." I came to him and hug him in the back. "Papa, I know youre worried about me. But I really want to stay here. Ayaw niyo ba non? Lagi ko kayong kasama." nakapaout pa ako habang nagpapaawa kay Papa.

"Papa, just let her do what she want. Im even glad to know she want's to stay here" nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Steve na papasok ng dining. Ngayon lang ata kami nagkasagupaan nito eh. Napangiti naman ako dahil sa pagsuporta nito at maya-maya lang ay napabuntong-hininga si Papa

"O sige. Payag na ako." Papa finally said and I almost shout  because of it.

"OMG! For real!? Papa I love you!" I tightened my hug behind him as I heared my brother chuckled.

"Well, you need to enroll early lil'sis. The enrollment will be close real time soon." saad ng kapatid ko. 

"Okay then. I'll go today. Open naman siguro for today di'ba?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

"What? May lakad ako I can't accompany you. Bukas na lang." napangiwi ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Anong akala mo sa akin? Elementary? I can go alone Steve. I didn't even ask for your accompaniment." I said with confident and he just mocked at my face.

"Tsk. Fine. Well anyway, I have to go Papa. I have some important things to do." yun lang at umalis na siya. Hinarap ko si Papa na ngayon ay nakangisi sa hindi ko alam na dahilan. 

"Papa, what is Steves doing ba? I thought he's currently handling the coconut plantation? " I approched him with confusion. But then Dad just shrugged his shoulders at me and smiled. What the hell? What is going on?

Nung medyu natauhan siya ay hinarap niya ako. " Magpahatid ka na lang kay Manong Ruben. I'll just go in my office. If you need something just go there." pinal na sinabi nito bago rin ako tinalikuran. Natulala pa rin ako dito habang iniisip kung ano bang alam ni Papa about sa mga pinagagawa ni Steve. Pero kalaunan ay binalewala ko na lamang dahil mag-aayos pa ako para makapunta ng school.

Naligo ako pagkatapos pinili ko yung white spaghetti strap and a skirt para suotin. I take everything that is needed for requirements. 

"Manong pahatid po ako dun sa dating school ni Steve." tawag ko sa driver namin.

"Dito ka na po ba mag-aaral maam?" 

"Opo." 

Tumango na lamang siya at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Hindi naman ganun kalayo ang school namin sa mansyon kaya nakarating din agad. 

"Manong, tatawag na lang po ako mamaya kapag magpapasundo na. Huwag na po kayong maghintay kasi baka matagalan ako." 

"Sige Maam"