Together but Separate

Chapter 7: Her Decision

Kate Rojas

I could not sleep well last night. I had been tossing and turning all night on the bed, thinking if I should just go to the dinner or should I go to the Gala event.

In the morning, I made up my mind. I planned to attend the Chef Gala. Minsan lang kasi ito mangyari. The dinner could always be done anytime.

I texted Tita Jasmine to send her my apologies. I told her that I would make it up to her next time. I did not get a reply.

Sa bahay ako namin nag-ayos. Kaila knew how to style my hair, so I let her prep me for the event. Habang inaayusan niya ako, nakaupo si nanay sa kama at nakatingin sa amin. We were inside my room.

"Ayan. Natakpan na rin ang eyebags mo, ate. Bakit kasi hindi ka nakatulog?"

I sighed and told them the truth. Nagalit sa akin si nanay dahil pinaasa ko ang mother-in-law ko. Mahabang sermon ang natanggap ko mula kay nanay. She even told me na huwag nang dumalo sa event at pumunta nalang doon sa dinner.

"It's too late now, nay. Nakaayos na ako. Isa pa, baka nandoon na si Nicko. I already told them that I am not coming."

Napailing si nanay ng ilang beses. "Nakakahiya sa kanila, anak. Grabeng preparation ang ginawa nila dahil ang akala nila ay darating ka. Mas mahalaga ba talaga iyang event na 'yan kaysa sa pamilya ng asawa mo?"

"Oo nga, ate. Ang babait naman ng mga in-laws mo para gawing bongga ang dinner na para sa 'yo. But because you are Kate, as usual mas mahalaga ang career sa 'yo. Kung ako ang may ganyang in-laws, I would do everything para makapunta sa kanila."

I sighed dahil pinalala pa nila ang guilt na nararamdaman ko. "Nagi-guilty din naman ako. But this is a once in a lifetime chance. Sana maintindihan niyo ako."

"Hindi ko maiintindihan, Kate. Ang lumalabas kasi sa akin ay inuuna mo ang career mo kaysa sa pamilya. Kaya mong hindi tuparin ang pangako mo para unahin ang ibang tao. Hindi kita pinalaki na ganyan, Kate. Sa nakikita ko ngayon, nag-iiba ka na. Nasisilaw ka na ba ng career at pera, anak?"

"Hindi naman sa ganun, nay. Importante pa rin naman sa akin ang pamilya. Nagkataon lang talaga na nagkasabay sila, and I had to make a choice."

"At mas pinili mo ang trabaho," matigas na sabi ni nanay.

I felt like I was the only one who understood my side. For them, nakikita lang nila that I disappointed my husband and his family. I could make it up to them anytime but the Chef Gala, this could be my only chance to attend. Could they not understand that point?

"I'm sorry, nay, but I made up my mind. And I promise na babawi ako sa kanila lalo na kay Tita Jasmine."

"Bumawi ka rin kay Kuya Nicko. He canceled a million dollar deal para mapasaya ang mommy niya, ate. Imagine how much he loves his mom? Grabe pala magmahal si kuya. Ang swerte ng babaeng mamahalin nun dahil siguradong uunahin niya ito kaysa sa pera at trabaho."

Napaisip ako and I realized na tama si Kaila. Nicko would seem to drop anything for his mom. He did not mind losing a lot of money. That showed how much he loved his family and how he puts them first.

It gave me more reason not to fall in love with the guy because I would just hurt him. I would be very unfair to him because I could not put him first. He deserved to love someone who could give back the love that he deserved. I was too far to be that someone. What happened today was the proof of that.

After I finished dressing up, pumunta na ako sa event. I showed them my invitation bago nila ako pinapasok. Strict kasi talaga ang event na ito. Strictly for invited guests lang ang pwedeng pumasok lalo na at mga sakit at mayayaman ang mga nandito. It's for their safety and privacy.