What is Love? (Sinta Series #2)

4

"Anak, wake up..."

I was woken up by a gentle nudge on my shoulder. When I opened my eyes, I saw my Mom smiling down at me.

"Good morning, Ma." I greeted her, smiling, with my eyes half-closed. 

"Tayo ka na, nagluto ako ng favorite mo, Arroz Caldo with boiled eggs. Your Dad and Kuya are there na rin."

I immediately sat up pagkarinig ko ng magic word — Arroz Caldo.

"OMG, really Ma?!" sigaw ko pa.

She laughed and shook her head, "Yes, so come na after you wash up."

She went down to the dining room and I hurriedly ran to my bathroom to wash up and brush my teeth. I also wore my Colegio de Maris Stella hoodie that flowed down to the middle of my thigh, over my pink, silk tank top and shorts. I also put my hair up in a messy bun.

Patakbo pa akong pumunta ng dining area at naabutan nga silang nandoon na, nagku-kwentuhan.

"Good morning, everyone!" bati ko.

Dad gestured me to go to him, "My princess, buti umuwi ka? Ben just told us kanina na dito ka nga raw dumerecho after niyo gumala with your friends." he said while hugging me.

Medyo nagtaka pa ako na hindi sinabi ni Kuya Ben na galing kaming bar, at hindi sa galaan. Well, thank God.

"Nako, pumarty 'yan for sure!"

I whipped my head to Kuya's direction, shocked.

Ba't niya alam?! 

Tawang-tawa siya sa reaction ko. Ang sarap niya batuhin ng sandok.

"Nako, Cali Isobelle! 'Pag malaman laman kong pumaparty ka, you're going back to live here, sinasabi ko sa'yo." pagbabanta naman ni Mommy.

What the heck, no! My freedom!

Aangal pa lang sana ako nang dumating si Manang Linda to prepare my food. I just silently walked beside Kuya and sat, waiting for Manang Linda to finish.

Ang bango ng Arroz Caldo, oh my god...

"How's school, anak? Do you find Educ fun?" tanong ni Daddy.

"For sure, Love, 'di ba, anak? I can't wait to see you teaching in RIS or CMS. I'm so excited!" singit naman ni Mommy, at tuwang-tuwa pa.

I pursed my lips. Here it goes...

"School's fine, I met new friends. I'm only having a hard time sa Filipino subjects so far..." sagot ko at sumubo na ng Arroz Caldo.

Sarap!

My parents heartily laughed.

"That's our fault. Paano, your first language was English, kayong magkakapatid." sabi ni Daddy.

"Pero, exert effort, Cali, okay? That's your mother tongue, learn it." medyo stern naman na sabi ng Mommy.

I smiled and nodded obediently. 

"Look at your Kuya, Assistant Professor na sa Ateneo, while he's taking his Master's there at the same time." pagpapatuloy naman ni Mommy.

"Yes, and your Ate is now the Head of Liberal Arts in our school." dagdag pa ni Daddy.

Ah, fuck... Here it goes...

Just because we own an elite, group of schools, gusto na rin nila ako maging teacher. This is what I meant when I told Anne before that my future was set, and because of the good — amazing — life  that my parents provided for me, I can't help but feel obligated to follow what they want for me.