In the Midst of the Crowd (Loser #1)

Chapter 27

It was difficult to please everyone in Kobe's circle... and I learned that the hardest way.

Gaya ng napag-usapan, isang linggo pa kaming nanatili ni Kobe sa pad niya. I was cherishing each second because I felt like something would change the moment we stayed at his parents' house. Ayokong mag-isip nang hindi maganda, but my instincts were telling me that I should prepare for something.

"Wala ka nang naiwan?" tanong ni Kobe habang bitbit ang mga bag ko.

Umiling ako. "Maunti lang naman ang gamit ko."

Ngumiti siya at tumango. His eyes were fixed on my hair. Suot ko kasi ang iniregalo niyang pink pearl hair clip and its clip was made of gold... like our promise rings.

"Let's go."

Magkahawak-kamay kaming lumabas ng pad niya. Kuya Enzo helped us carry our things. Ihahatid lang ako ni Kobe sa mansyon nila at tutulak din agad siya sa trabaho para i-check ang progress ng ipapatayo niyang building.

"I'll be home before dinner," he said.

"Four?"

He chuckled. "Five."

Ngumuso ako. Maghapon talaga siyang wala.

"I'll call you."

Sumandal lang ako sa balikat niya. My heart was racing for some reason. Sana talaga ay maging komportable ako roon. Tatlong linggo na lang ay graduation na nina Mill at Mari at kung puwede lang ay sa apartment na ako titira. I miss them so much. Sa oras na makatapos sila ay ibabalik na ni Mari ang apartment sa tatay niya.

We reached the mansion in no time. Lalong lumakas and tibok ng puso ko nang matanaw ang malawak na garden at sa dulo noon ay ang napakalaking bahay. I don't know for how long, but that will be my new home.

Bawat hakbang papunta roon ay pabigat nang pabigat ang kalooban ko. Kobe was still holding my hand and telling me things I failed to understand. Hindi pumapasok sa utak ko ang mga sinasabi niya.

"Good morning, Ma," bati niya sa ina nang tuluyang kaming makapasok sa loob.

I slightly bowed my head. "Good morning po."

She was smiling at her son, but her eyes were void of any emotion. Kobe informed her about my stay, but I have no idea how their talk went. Hindi na rin ako nagtanong. Kung hindi pumayag ang babae ay hindi naman ako para dalhin dito ni Kobe.

"Good morning," bati niya pabalik matapos halikan ang pisngi ng anak. Tumango lang siya sa akin pero pansin ko ang pagtaas ng isang kilay niya.

It scared me a bit. Hindi ko sigurado kung dahil iyon sa masyado kong pag-iisip o talagang masama ang timpla niya sa akin. Dahil doon ay hindi na ako nag-abala pang magsalita habang nag-uumagahan kami. I just let the two of them talk. Wala si Don Lucho at ang dalawang kapatid ng lalaki kaya kapag umalis siya ay kaming dalawa na lang ni Tita Penelope ang matitira dito.

"Come on, Ma. Just have a little faith in me," anas ni Kobe. "I'll do everything to stay in the industry."

"Or you can finish your program and follow your sister's steps. Hindi ba't ikaw ang may gustong mag-abogado?" she interrogated. "I don't want to pressure you or what, but fame isn't forever, honey. You need a stable profession."

"That's why I'm planning to build my own company, Ma." He sighed. "I'm maybe done producing music, but there are a lot of talented local artists who need attention and opportunity."

Kumunot ang noo ko. He's done producing... music? Parang hindi niya nasabi iyon sa akin.

"Kobe, I let you pursue music because you loved it... but seeing you being hated by the people who once supported you just because of a..." she trailed off. Tumingin ako sa ginang at nakita ko ang inis sa mukha niya. "Ah, basta. It's painful for me to see you in that miserable state."