"After your exam, pack your things."
I was confused by what my mother just said, so instead of drinking from the glass I was holding, I put it on the table and look at her with no emotion.
"Why?" i questioned.
"You're father has a business abroad, right? So grab the opportunity to study there." aniya na parang wala lang 'to sa kanya.
"No." ani ko sa malamig na tono.
"What? No? Tama ba ang narinig ko?" hindi makapaniwalang reaksyon nya at pinakatitigan ako.
Hindi kasi sya/sila sanay kapag gan'yan ako umakto. But why does it seem like I don't have freedom to act? Freedom to do what I want? Palagi na lang nila ako kino-kontrol.
"Ayoko po mag study abroad, mahirap po ang makipag socialize.." sambit ko na mas lalong ikinainis nya.
"Amorjah. This is for you." aniya sa matigas na tono ng kanyang boses at binitawan ang kubyertos na hawak nya.
Nanatili ang katahimikan at hindi ako nag tangkang mag salita. Kaming dalawa lang ang nasa hapag kainan ngayong gabi.
She cough but it seems it's fake.
"Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo mag aaral ka abroad." aniya.
"Ma? Ayoko."
"Amorjah. What's wrong with you? Is that what you learn in school? Ang mag matigas sa harap ng magulang? Alam mo yung opportunity na mag aral abroad ay pangarap ng marami, pero ikaw ayaw mo? Anong bang utak mayroon ka?" batid ang galit at diin sa tono ng kanyang pananalita.
Gusto kong mag salita. Gusto kong sabihin ang nararamdaman ko, but she's right. Maraming tao ang nag hahangad na makapag aral abroad at isa 'tong malaking opportunity.
But in the end, I'm such a coward.
"Next year." I said with a cold tone of my voice. Para matapos narin ang usapan dahil alam ko kung saan tutungo ang usapan kung mag mamatigas ako.
"Brat.." she whispered.
"Fine. Next year." dugtong nya at tumayo sa pagkakaupo.
Naiwan akong mag-isa at saglit akong natulala sa kawalan, pino-proseso sa aking isipan kung panaginip lamang ba 'to.
Why can't I say no to them?
Because you are a coward, Amorjah.
Coward.
Paano na lang s'ya? I didn't even tell my feelings towards her. It feels like I ghosted her.
BINABASA MO ANG
Ciao Adios, Amorjah
Novela JuvenilCOMPLETED an epistolary| amorjah & cassandria virago series #2