"So you're really going to have a business with him? Why don't you just focus on our business? Pwede ka rin pumasok sa kumpanya-
"I don't need anything from the company." Putol ko sa sasabihin ni Dad. "I will still take good care of Mom's business. At the same time, I want to do something that I want." And that's to be with Miggy. To help him whatever he wants to do. As long as it's will lead him in to a good path.
"So you really don't like what you are doing right now."
Hindi ako nakakibo sa sinabi ni Mom pero pinilit ko na ngumiti. Para hindi siya madismaya.
"No. I really love what I'm doing right now." Napahaplos ako sa aking batok at mas nilawakan ang aking ngiti. "I just want to do the things that will make me happier. Doing what you want that makes you happy will free you from those things that burdens you. Just because of love."
"Are you in love?"
Napapitlag ako nang itanong iyon ni Kuya Nathan sa akin.
Nag-init ang mukha ko sa kaniyang tanong.
"Ni-reject kaba pagkatapos mong mag-confess?"
"You're crazy!" Nag-iinit ang mukha ko na singhal sa kaniya.
"Ow. You're blushing hard." Dagdag pa ni Natasha.
"You, two!"
Hahablutin ko sana ang buhok ni Natasha nang magsalita si Dad.
"Just let go of your mom's business and do what makes you happy. Hindi namin kailangan ng tulong mo kung napipilitan ka lamang. End of conversation."
Doon kami lahat natahimik.
"I'm done eating." Pagtatapos niya at tumingin kay Kuya Nathan. "Kung hindi ka rin masaya sa ginagawa mo ngayon Nathan, just let go of the company and leave the rest to me." Nang tumayo siya ay nagkatitigan lang kami ni Kuya at si Natasha ay nagkibit balikat lamang.
"We have to go. I hope you're happy now, Natalie." Dismayado na paalam ni Mom.
Ilang minuto kaming nagtititigan lamang nina Kuya at Natasha.
Hindi ko magawang bawiin ang mga sinabi ko kay Dad kasi alam ko na hindi na magbabago ang isip niya. At isa pa, hindi dapat malaman ni Miggy ang nangyaring ito. He might get guilty.
"End of the story. Tss, bakit mo ba naisipan na sumali sa ibang business pa kung sapat na ang business na mayroon kayo ni Mom. Is it because of Miggy?"
"I just want to do the things that I want to do. You know." Tugon ko kay Kuya.
Ge sighed and shrugged. "Well, that's your decision. Wala naman kaming magagawa. I hope you'll really find the thing that you called HAPPINESS." Tumayo na siya at kinuha ang kaniyang phone bago kami iniwan ni Natasha.
"Is it because of Kuya Miggy? You like him right? That's why you can't say no to him."
Napatitig ako kay Natasha na nakatitig din sa akin.
"Tss. Ano ba ang pinagsasasabi mo." Seryoso ko na sabi. Uminom ako ng tubig dahil pakiramdam ko ay sinusuri ako ni Natasha.
"Pero kaya mong tanggihan sina Mom at Dad." She added that made me feel a little irritated. Of all people, siya pa talaga? Sino kaya ang mas pasaway sa amin.
"How dare you-
"Yeah. Ginagawa ko ang lahat ng gusto ko. I know that you'll say that. Like, who am I to say that to you right? Ang pagkakamali mo lang ate, una pa lang sumunod kana. Una pa lang ipinakita mo na okay lang. Kaya umaasa sila na hindi ka katulad ko. Malaki ang naging expectations nila sa iyo. To the point that they don't care about me. As long as they have you. Na sumusunod sa kanila. Na isang mabuting anak." Tumawa siya ng mahina sabay iling. "Tinanggap ko na ang ganoong katotohanan. Dahil alam ko na kahit wala man ako, nandiyan ka naman. This is frustrating. Damn. I though you will never let them down. Look what you're doing right now. I'm so disappointed."
