THE PROFESSOR'S MANIPULATION

CHAPTER 23

"I saw you on tv ija. You've become great. A great young entrepreneur." tito said. Nagbow ako at ngumiti sa kaniya.

"Not that great tito. Na sa gitna pa lang."

"Pero maiba tayo ija. It's been years since my son courted you--I mean, dati pa man ay nanliligaw na siya sayo hindi ba. I'm just curious. When are you planning to answer him?"

Napatitig ako kay tito sa mahaba nitong sintemento. I inhale a large amount of air before exhaling it and look at everyone who's waiting for my answer.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila.

"I'm..."

"Jonathan, h'wag mong pangunahan ang mga bata. Women likes surprise. Maybe Mandy is just waiting for the right timing to answer our son." tita Hanna interrupted.

Tito sigh at sinampa ang mga kamay sa mesa.

"Well, you're right. Hindi lang siguro ako makapaghintay. I've been praying for the two of you to end up together. I like you very much for my son, ija. Ayoko lang na mabaliwala ang anak ko."

Napatikhim ako. I gulp and tried to enlighten the mood by assuring them.

"No worry tito. Hindi po masasayang ang effort ng anak niyo. Tita's right. May hinihintay lang po ako." I said.

"Perhaps his birthday?"

Napalabi ako. Yes. In his birthday. Isang buwan na lang 'yon mula ngayon. By the third week of September.

I heard tito's relief sigh.

"I guess you've crack the riddle Jonathan." tita Hanna said while looking at me smiling so widely.

Napabaling ako kay Johann nang hawakan nito ang kamay ko sa ilalim ng mesa.

"I love you..." it's a non-verbal word. But I can clearly read it from his lips.

"I know." I whispered to him.

I already sort out my feelings for him. For the entire years that we've been together, I can clearly state that yes! I already had a feelings for him. Not that strong but enough for me to take the risk.

The moment I promised myself I'll forever move-on and that one day, when destiny let our paths cross again. I can face him without any feelings involve.

Cline is just a part of my bad memories that I need to buried in order for me to move forward. A nightmare I don't want to experience again.

And this part of my life is one of the way so I can build a new memories together with another people around me.

Together with Johann... And I'm sure of my decision.

Kumaway ako habang nakatanaw sa kanila na masayang nagpapaligsaan sa ibabaw ng dagat habang nakasakay sa kaniya-kaniyang jetskie.

Lumapit ako sa dalampasigan kung nasaan sila tita Hanna at ang mga tita ni Johann na nakatunghay rin sa kanila.

"Ija! Gusto mo bang sumali? They're going to play by partners." si tita Hanna.

Tumingin ako kina Johann na papalapit sa amin. Dumaong sila hindi kalayuan sa dalampasigan.

"Hey girls! Wanna join us!" The older mens shouted while they are walking towards us.

Lumingon ako kay tita.

"Sure tita. I'd love too." I said and bore my eye's to Johann. Papalapit na siya sa amin.

"Hey... Gusto mong sumakay? We need partners. I'll invite you to be my partner." he said looking at me up and down.

"Sure. Sandali lang."