Chasing the Wild Waves (Student Series #1)

Kabanata 32

I went home early. Ryder isn't home yet. Baka gagabihin iyon ng uwi, iyon ang sinabi niya sa akin kaninang umaga. Until now, the words from Seth have been echoing inside my mind. I cannot get over it. I wanted to talk to Ryder. I wanted to know why he failed all of his quizzes! Did he do it on purpose? I need to talk to him.
 
Oo, noon, gustong-gusto ko iyong bumagsak siya para lamang malampasan ko siya, pero ngayon.. hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang nagbago. I don't want him to fail! Paano na lang kaya ang pag-aaral niya? Bakit ba hinahayaan niya ang sarili niyang bumagsak? He not only failed once, but for how many times? Alam kaya ni daddy ito? It was impossible that dad didn't know about this! I know someone already reported it to him!
 
"Ma'am.. ayos lang po ba kayo, ma'am?" one of the helpers went near me to ask that question.
 
I glanced at her. "Get me something to drink."
 
"Okay, po, ma'am."
 
I settled down on the couch and rested my back on the backrest. I closed my eyes and gently massaged the bridge of my nose, thinking that I could ease my stress by doing that. Umayos ako ng upo nang dumating ang inumin ko. I immediately drank the fresh milk that was handed to me by the helper.

Huminga ako nang malalim nang marinig ang baritonong boses ni daddy. Awtomatikong napalingon ako sa front door at nakitang kapapasok lang nina daddy at mommy. Mommy is hooking her arm around daddy's arm while her other hand is holding her bag. She smiled when she saw me.
 
"Carolina! You're here, hija," she said, stating the obvious and letting go of daddy's arm.
 
Sabay silang lumapit ni daddy sa akin. Dad looked stressed and was thinking about something. Nang lumingon siya sa akin at natagpuan na nakatitig ako sa kanya ay sapilitan siyang ngumiti sa akin at inayos ang kanyang necktie. I sighed and placed my glass on the table. I wanted to ask daddy about Ryder, but I'm scared. Paano pala kapag walang alam si Daddy? Gosh, I don't know what to do! I'm so fucking fuck up right now!
 
"Minda," dad called our maid. "Can you please get us something to eat? And drinks also, thank you."
 
She nodded. "Okay, sir."
 
Nang makaalis ang maid ay bumaling si daddy kay mommy. Mom is sitting beside me, and daddy is sitting across from us. I wonder if mommy also knows about Ryder. I am really curious! Gusto kong tanungin sila, pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko dahil ang una kong dapat kausapin ay si Ryder!
 
"Ryder is not home yet?" dad asked.
 
Tumikhim ako. "Wala pa po, daddy, nauna po kasi akong umuwi sa kanya dahil sabi niya kanina sa akin na baka gagabihin daw siya ng uwi."
 
Dad was about to ask me again, but the maid earlier came back, bringing the foods and drinks with her. She's holding the tray where the foods and drinks were placed; she silently put them all on the table. Pinagmasdan siya namin hanggang sa matapos siya. Nang matapos ay binalik ko ang atensyon ko kay daddy. He took a sandwich and took a bite of it before taking a sip of his wine. He stood up after that, looking at me.
 
"Kapag makauwi na si Ryder, papuntahin mo siya sa opisina ko, Carolina, may pag-uusapan lang kami," he said in a warm voice.
 
Kinabahan ako. Kahit marahan lang ang pagkakasabi ni daddy niyon ay kinakabahan pa rin ako. What if dad sues Ryder? What if he makes him leave? Habang naiisip ko iyon ay parang naiiyak ako. I hope daddy won't do that to him!
 
Napalunok ako. "Y-Yes, daddy, I'll tell him to come to your office once he gets home from school."
 
Dad nodded and faced mommy. "We need to talk to my office, Beth."
 
Mom tailed my dad to his office. Malapit lang iyon mula rito sa sala. Ilang metro lamang ang layo niyon. I only followed them with my gaze. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again when mom and dad were out of my sight. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong nakapikit at nakasandal sa couch nang biglang bumukas ang front door. This time, even if my eyes are close, I know who entered the house. Binuksan ko ang mga mata ko at nakita ko si Ryder na naglalakad palapit sa gawi ko.
 
"Scarlet," he uttered my name when he's finally in front of me.
 
I stood up from my seat to level him, but it wasn't enough because he's so tall. I needed to lift my head to look at him well. He smiled, and he lifted his hand to caress my cheek, but I avoided his hold. He sighed because of my sudden movement. I glared at him. Hindi siya nagpatinag at hinaplos lang ang aking buhok.
 
"Are you not in the mood right now?" he gently asked.
 
"Dad is in the office with mom. Dad wanted to talk to you there." Hindi ko sinagot iyong tanong niya at sa halip ay iyon ang sinabi ko.
 
Napalunok siya at ngumiti pa rin. "Okay.. after it.. we need to talk, hm? I can feel that you have a problem. After I talk to your dad, you tell me what's the matter, okay? You tell me what's bothering you because.. you really look bothered."
 
I looked away. "Puntahan mo na nga si daddy sa opisina niya. Gusto ka raw niyang kausapin."
 
He nodded slowly and planted kisses on the top of my head. Nagpaalam siya at tumalikod na para tumungong opisina ni daddy. Sinundan ko rin siya ng tingin hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin ko at tuluyan nang nakapasok sa opisina ni daddy.