A Diamond Between Us

CHAPTER 45

"I wouldn't be against your plans in the future, sons, but like I said, you should both graduate first. Don't forget why we agreed to study you all here."

Tinanguan ko si Dad.

Alam ko naman 'yon at I'm sure ganoon din si Mark. I know I don't have any connection with my course right now, but seeing my future with Mark, I'm sure we will be successful if we become partners not only in life but for our family companies.

That's the goal in the first place. Our parents want us to lead the project they partnered on. It's a big project that they trusted us with.

The future of it is in our hands.

"Congrats." He's smiling, saying that.

"Thank you, Blare." Nginitian ko siya.

"Ada, si Jino ata unang ikakasal sa'tin." Natawang sabi niya.

"Ano ba 'yang kasal-kasal na 'yan. Mga bata pa kayo, uunahan n'yo pa ako!"

"Oo nga... okay lang 'yan, Ate." Tinapik ni Ada 'yong balikat ni Ate.

"You'll not be invited to my wedding."

"Hanap ka muna ng kasama mong ikakasal."

"Hindi na kita kakausapin!" Biglang niyakap ni Ada si Ate.

"Joke lang, 'te! Alam ko naman mauuna ka kaysa sa'kin, ako maid of honor mo, ah!"

"Kala mo talaga, gusto niya magpakasal." Kumalas na si Ada sa pagkakayakap niya kay Ate sabay simangot.

"Shut up ka na, 'te. Ba't ba natin pinaguusapan 'to! Ang cringe kaya ng concept ng kasal."

"You can't really tell Andrea. Life can't give you an unexpected plot twist that you could never want before, but in the end, you'll undoubtedly want it now because you chose your life to be settled and not only for the fun of the ride."

"Tito..." napahawak siya sa dalawang braso niya na tila kinilabutan. "Wala pong gan'yanan." Natawa naman si Dad sa kaniya.

"You're all still young, to understand what real life is... Just go with the flow and let yourself be strong enough for you to not easily be destroyed on your own. After all, life constantly teaches us something that will help us prepare for whatever it consecrates."

Nagkatinginan kaming apat sa sinabi ni Mommy.

Why did it seem so serious? I mean, what is the point of life then? Why do we need to prepare? Isn't life supposed to be the one to prepare us?

"I agree, mom. They are all too young to understand your thoughts."

Napatingin bigla ako kay Kuya, nabasa ba ni kuya 'yong nasa isip ko?

"I just really know you, bunso." Napakurap ako ng dalawang beses, manghuhula ba 'to si kuya? Nakakabasa ata 'to ng iniisip.

"Ang dami niyo pang kakaining bigas,"

"Too cliché, Ate." Sabi ko.

Natawa ako nang tapulan niya ako ng masamang tingin.

"Kumain na tayo!"

Sinunod namin si Mommy.

But while we are eating, I am reflecting on what they said.

I was just joking about what I said to Ate earlier, but I actually hit on those words.

Be ready... The weight falls on me. Will I be ready for what life has to offer?

I looked at all of them while eating, especially Ada, Blare, and Mark. Looking at them, maybe I am, right? I can be ready for whatever that life is as long as I'm with them. I would be ready because they were here, beside me.