Under the Pressure (De Silvianne Series #01)

01

"What would you like to take as your course, dear?"

Napatigil ako sa pagsubo ng steak ng marinig ko iyon. Pakiramdam ko ay nawalan na ako ng gana.

"Oh! That! Kienne's taking political science for college!" Sa halip ay si mommy ang sumagot and she sounded like it was a wonderful thing.

I noticed how lolos brow arced and instead he looked at me "Is that what you want, Yen?"

I instantly wiped my lips with a napkin before looking at lolo. I nodded my head slowly.

Is that what I really want?  Well, it's not that I have a choice.

"You need help?"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggagalingan ng boses na iyon. "Kaya ko po, lo."

Mahina syang natawa at napailing na akala mo ay may nakakatawa sa aking sinabi "You're really independent."

"Well, I have to so I can grow."

Sa halip na sumakay na sa kabayo ay hindi ko mawari kung bakit mas pinili ko munang hindi tumuloy.

"But you still haven't grown up yet.."

Napalingon ako ng may pagtataka kay lolo nang sabihin nya iyon. Marahil ay nabasa nya kung anong iniisip ko.

"You may look like you are already independent but you're not," dugtong nya. "Now, tell me dear, what is really your goal?"

"I wanna be successful, just like you and my parents."

Lumamlam ang kanyang mga mata sa aking sagot.

"I want to be someone they want me to be so I can reach the success in their eyes."

He gently took my hand, "Success, is not about being professional, getting a degree, building your own empire, or even having a lot of money and gaining fame"

"Kung ganon paano nasasabi ng mga tao na naging matagumpay sila? Aren't we study and anticipated to graduate to became successful?" My brows furrowed and I can't help but to look at him curiously.

Mahina syang natawa at marahang hinaplos ang aking ulo "A lot of people don't know but, success doesn't work that way," he said, "Because success is about achieving your goals that makes you happy and contented."

"And if you want to succeed, you have to sacrifice," I tried to justify. "And that's what I'm trying to do, lo."

"If that's what you want, then I'll support you" aniya "but if you wanna shift I got your back"

I can't help but to laugh with that. He sounded like he's a king ready to obey his queen's command.

"We're you also like that when lola's still alive, lo?"

"Like what?"

"That you are like a king that's devoted to his queen" I honestly told him.

Awtomatikong gumuhit ang isang ngiti sa kanyang labi na parang may naaalala "Ganon naman talaga yon, eh."

I looked at my lolo in disgust. I can't imagine myself falling in love with someone! Never! Not now that I have my priorities!

Lolo chuckled when he saw the look at my face "What's with the face?"

Umiling na lang ako. I just can't understand why everyone wants to fall in love. Marami kayang nababaliw at nagpapakamatay para sa love na yan! Nakakatakot magmahal!

One day, nakita ko si lolong nasa garden at dinidiligan ang mga sunflower roon. Alam ko kung bakit. It's my Lola's favorite flower at alagang-alaga nya iyon ng nabubuhay pa sya. It's been five years but she still hasn't faded at my lolo's heart. There's still a place for her there that no one could ever replace her.