Chasing the Wild Waves (Student Series #1)

Kabanata 58

I was guarded every time I went to school and every time I went out of the house. Pinagbigyan ko naman sina mommy at daddy dahil iyon ang gusto nila, wala akong magawa. It's been a week since the last time I saw him. I was always in my room. Kung wala naman ako sa bahay ay nasa condo ako ni Eyo, kasama ang iba pa naming pinsan.

I don't know why these past few days, even though I didn't do much, I feel so drained and exhausted. Even my cousins noticed that. I cannot even focus on our practices; I cannot create good lyrics with good grammar in them. I cannot concentrate well on the band because my mind.. is still preoccupied with something else.

My bruises are healed, although they left some scars. Mommy is just putting something on it so that it will be covered up or hidden. Hindi ko na rin naman nakikita sina Miley, Rachel, Redeama, at si Tita Ritch. Wala rin akong balita sa kanila dahil iniiwasan naman silang pag-usapan nina mommy at daddy. They stopped asking me about them anymore.

I was so tired from school when I got home. The guards are with me all the time. Three men from my dad are watching me all the time. No one is allowed, aside from my cousins, to come near me. Minsan nahihiya nga rin ako dahil pati iyong mga kaklase ko ay hindi na makakapagtanong sa akin kapag nariyan ang mga body guards ko nagbabantay o nanonood sa bawat galaw ko. Wala rin naman akong magawa dahil utos naman iyon nina mommy at daddy para raw hindi makalapit sa akin si Ryder o ang pamilya niya man.

"I'm here," I announced when I entered the house.

Gabi na ng makauwi ako. I have a class from five thirty to eight thirty. Now I got home at nine in the evening. Sinalubong ako ng katulong. She led the way to me and told me that mom and dad were in the living area. I immediately went there. Mom and dad were not alone; they were with someone. Namilog ang mga mata ko nang makita kung sinong lalaki ang kasama nila.

"S-Seth?" I uttered his name.

Ngumiti siya. "Yuna, your parents invited me."

Umawang ang bibig ko nang marinig ang sinabi niya. Mom and dad knew him for sure. I heard dad mention his name, and I am pretty sure that he knows that there's something between me and Seth. Sapilitang ngumiti lamang ako nang tawagin ako ni mommy para umupo na raw. I sat on the vacant seat beside Seth.

"It was an honor to be invited by the great business couple," ani Seth nang nakangiti. "Akala ko nga po ay hindi ninyo ako makilala."

"Of course, hijo, kilala ka namin. You were the son of a politician!" Humalakhak si daddy. "Nakausap ko 'yong dad mo noong nakaraang taon. He told me that he's always busy with politics, kaya wala na siyang oras sa inyo. How about your mother? Ayos lang ba sa kanya iyon?"

Tumango si Seth. "Mom is fine with it, Mr. Zeigler."

The topic was all about politics. Nakinig lamang ako sa kanila para kahit papaano ay may malalaman ako tungkol sa politika. It seems like Seth is into politics. Related din kaya riyan ang kursong kinuha niya? Matalino siya, siguradong makukuha niya kaagad iyon. He's also a wise person and a good type of guy. He can pass as a good politician.

"What course did you take?"

That was the question inside my head, but mom asked him that! Tahimik na kumain lamang ako at nakikinig lamang sa kanila. Seth's life is quite interesting. How is he anyway? Doon niya nga siguro tinuloy ang pag-aaral niya sa ibang bansa.

"Political Science po, Mr. Zeigler," tipid na sagot ni Seth.

"So.. you're really into the institute of public policy and governance?" dad said. "I can see your potential in that. Matalino ka rin naman, hijo. You were the top two on the dean's list back when you were in senior high."