Giovanni Clark: Gone Crazy (Golden Child Series #1)

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Prototype

If you are to choose between dream and dignity, what would it be? Iyon ang madalas kong tanong sa sarili noon.

Akala ko ay wala nang mas hihirap pa sa tanong na iyon. Ngunit ngayong aminado na akong hindi akin ang pangarap na tinatahak ko, panibagong tanong ang nangangailangan ng sagot.

What do I really dream about? What do I want in the future?

"Rik will be running late tonight. I hope you don't mind, everyone," si Tita Jean habang inaalalayang umupo ni Tito Vince.

"Ayos lang po, Tita," si Kuya.

Tumango at ngumiti lamang ako bilang pagsang-ayon, paupo na rin pagkatapos salubungin ang mag-asawa.

It was the time of the year again. Before, this kind of meetups made me feel off-kilter. But as time went by, I got to know these people more. They were a great family, very notable and thoughtful.

The weekend after our graduation ceremony, they immediately invited us for a fancy dinner. Although, hindi nakadalo si Mama this time... which was odd. Magiging abala raw ito para bukas pero ayos na rin ito. I noticed how less pressured and tensed I was without her around.

"Congratulations again, hija. We are so proud of you. Being a Valedictorian is a dream come true for sure!"

Napangiti ako. "Yes, Tita. Pero kung hindi po dahil sa opportunity na binigay niyo sa amin, mas mahihirapan akong abutin 'to."

"Mas mahihirapan, pero magagawan ng paraan," Tito Vince smirked. "We didn't regret supporting you both. You are deserving of every assistance we could offer for your education. That's because you always exceed our expectations, Ophelia and Orpheus. Not that we require you to do so."

Nagpasalamat kami ni Kuya. Hinding-hindi kami magsasawang magpasalamat sa kanila.

Para sa akin, ang pagbutihin ang pag-aaral at ibuhos ang lahat ng makakaya ko rito ay tama lang para suklian ang kabutihan nila sa pamilya namin, lalo na sa aming magkapatid.

The least I could do in return for their generosity was to excel in my studies. I didn't have time to squander or take this opportunity for granted.

Dumating na ang mga order. Mukhang hindi na talaga makakahabol si Ulrik pero hindi na namin iyon pinuna. We all knew his situation. It seemed that Tita and Tito were supportive of him with whatever he was dealing with, too.

Abala sa pag-uusap si Tito Vince at Kuya. Sa kalagitnaan ng pagkain, napansin ko ang sulyap ni Tita Jean kaya lumingon ako rito.

"So what are your plans during your academic break?" she asked both of us.

Oh, right. This summer...

Napatigil ako sa pagkain. Hindi ko pa nababanggit sa kanila ang tungkol sa internship ko. Inaasahan ko kasi, awtomatiko nang aabot sa kanila ang balita, tutal naman, sa Smitten iyon. The two families were closed, so...

"I'm planning to take a part-time job that pays well, Tita. Pwede rin siguro ang project-based kung makahanap." Si Kuya ang unang sumagot.

Tahimik na tumango ang mag-asawa. Sa pag-aakalang may ikokomento pa sila sa sagot ng kapatid, napakislot ako nang sabay silang bumaling sa akin.

"Uh... may papasukan po akong internship, Tita. Sa Smitten. Isa po ako sa mga nakakuha ng slot... no'ng nakipag-collaborate sila sa Mackenzie."

"She obtained the slot by winning a business presentation for Smitten, Tito and Tita," Kuya Orpheus seconded the motion, sounding a bit proud of his remark.