KUMPAS

Chapter 29

ELLA

On the way back home, I'm already uncomfortable and can't sit still.

Ang daming scenarios ang pumapasok sa isip ko. Jema must be mad at me and she has the right to do so. Ang laki ng atraso ko sa kanya.

Biruin mo, first time niyang mag prepare to celebrate our second week as a couple tapos hindi ako nakasipot.

What kind of a girlfriend am I? Haist.

Hindi kami nakapag celebrate nung first week namin kasi may event akong pinuntahan kaya itong second week ang pinaghandaan namin.

I just hope the flowers that I ordered for her arrived. Pero hindi ko pa nga pala na-confirm ang time of delivery sa flower shop since I don't have my phone. Napa facepalm ako ng wala sa oras. They won't deliver it without my go signal.

Epic fail na naman ako.

Hay nakupo. Hindi bale, I will explain it to her na lang what happened. I know that my reason for not contacting her is a bit unbelievable pero nandyan na, nangyari na.

One big bawi na lang kay Love.

We arrived in Manila around 10 pm. At this time, I'm already feeling the heat. Kahit gusto kong bumaba na at kumuha ng taxi papunta kay Jema, I can't.

I need to get my phone first para matawagan ko siya. Also, Dad will ask me kung saan ako pupunta. Di ko pwdeng sabihin na "I'll visit your secretary Dad, who is my girlfriend" baka batukan ako.

Ngayon ko na-realized na ang hirap pala ng sitwayon namin ni Jema.

"How's your bonding time with Mae?" Dad asked out of nowhere.

"Ah okay naman Dad." I replied.

"Okay? What about business? Did you ask if they have plans of expanding or getting into joint ventures?" tanong niya.

"No, Dad. Medyo nag concentrate po kami pareho sa paglalaro ng golf kaya di namin napag usapan yan." sagot ko.

Parang hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi ko.

"Ella, I didn't take you with me just to play golf. Ang sabi ko, make a connection and explore from there. You must always grab the opportunity to make a business deal and seal it quick." parang may pagkayamot na sabi niya.

"I know but I just didn't have the energy today Dad. I was not prepared. Don't worry, I'll make it up next time." I replied.

"Why? Are you sick? Naninibago ako sayo, Ella. Hindi na ikaw yata ang anak ko na sobrang seryoso pagdating sa trabaho. Magaling ka, we both know it.  Pero sobrang laki ng ipinagbago mo. To tell you the truth, even when you were in the US, alam ko kung ano ang naging performances mo doon." he said na kumuha ng atensyon ko.

It is so surprising to hear Dad, talking about me, with me. He's usually a man with few words when it comes to us, his family.

"Yes, I'll admit it now. I followed your career even if you're miles away. Gusto ko nung una, mag fail ka para bumalik ka na dito pero kabaliktaran ang nangyari, you did great and your career flourished. I was so proud of you but my pride get in the way. Hindi ko ipinakita sayo kung gaano ako kasaya sa mga achievements mo. Alam ko na nagkulang ako bilang ama mo." he added.

Ohh, nakakataba naman ng puso ang mga sinasabi niya. What a revelation by Dad.

"Why are you telling me this now Dad?" I curiously asked.

"Because, you deserve to know. Among the three of you, Joyce and Renz, you have a knack of being the best. You're very smart and confident, who simply knows that you can do anything you sets your mind to. You have a quiet, unshakable sense of self. Ikaw ang version ko. Kaya walang pagsidlan ang tuwa ko when you decided to accept my offer." sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin na may paghanga bilang isang ama.