Carrying the Real Trophy ✓

Chapter VII

VII: Assurance

"He wasn't serious, alright?"

I kept repeating those words to myself as we ate breakfast in the dining room. I will never forget what he said to me before returning to their backyard! Siya? May crush saakin? It broke the news, huh? So near to being impossible!

"Who exactly wasn't serious, Riki?"

I leaped out of my chair when I heard my mom's voice resounding around the room. Inayos ko ang aking pag-upo.

"Wala po, mom. . ." I smiled.

"Are you sure? You kept whispering something to us about "him". Who is "him"? Your boyfriend, sweetheart?" si dad na ang sumunod na nagtanong.

Ninenerbyos na pagtawa lang na nasagot ko. Naririnig pala nila ako kanina pa!

"Do the two of you have a problem?" Mom furrowed her brows.

"W-Wala! We are absolutely strong! Our relationship is going well." I tried my best to avoid flashing my teeth when I smiled again. Dad has this power to trace if my smile is fake or not.

"That's good to hear. Hindi na kami busy ng mommy mo ngayong week. Baka naman p'wede mo na siyang ma-invite rito for dinner?" ani dad at may multo pa ng ngisi sa labi.

"We should hold the meet and greet this week. Why not bring his parents here as well—"

"Marami akong projects na kailangang tapusin ngayon with my group mate, mom! Baka. . . next week? This week is not free for me," I cut her off so fast.

"Really? That's sad. . ." Dad pouted slightly with my answer.

Pew! That was a close one. I'm pretty skilled at coming up with excuses.

"Alright, it's the following week. Wala nang excuses o ano pa, Riki. I'd like to meet to him soon. No excuses will be tolerated next week, or else. . ." Naningkit ang mga mata ni mom. "You are grounded for one month."

"Mom. . ." Bumagsak ang mga braso ko. "That punishment is a bit—"

"Riki, I don't care," she interrupted me.  "You must bring him here, along with his parents, or you will be punished. Dalawa lang ulit ang pagpipilian mo."

Ngumuso ako at tumango na lamang. Sinubukan kong ubusin ang natitirang pagkain sa aking pinggan at hindi na nagsalita pa.

This is way too stressful. Paano na lang kapag nalaman nilang ang fake boyfriend ko ay kapit bahay lang pala namin? What should I do? And what if they decide I'm not a good match for someone like him? My mom would do anything for us to break apart!

I need a lot of excuses in the future. Nauubusan na ako!

It is true that I was really busy at the university due of the coming preliminaries. We have a deadline and must bake a simple cupcake for our one subject examinations. Madali lang ang gagawin. Kayang kaya ko naman iyon ngunit puspusan pa rin ang pagre-review ko sa iba pa at sa pag-practice sa bahay.

Ruth and I have decided to practice on Sunday by baking a cupcake for twenty minutes at their house; to better organize our time and practice more in order to succeed in the preliminary exams.

"Nakakapagod!" Ruth stretched his neck in front of me.

"Kaya mo pang bumili ng pagkain sa cafeteria?" I asked because I'm really hungry.

Umiling ito. "I'm not hungry. Ikaw? Kung gutom ka, pumunta ka na. I'll just rest here for a bit."

"You want water?"

"Yes, please. Tubig na lang saakin."

"Okay, I'll buy."

Bumili lang ako ng tubig at chips sa cafeteria. I was planning to return to our building, but when I reached the library, I decided against it. I walked inside because I was really interested in learning more about culinary expertise. Sana ay may makita akong libro rito na magustuhan ko. I really like reading books a lot. Ang kaso ay naubusan na ako nang mababasa sa Kindle.