Change of Heart

Chapter 31

Tristan

“You’re up early.” My mother looked up from her budget report or whatever when I stepped into the dining room fully dressed in my uniform and ready for school. To see me up this early was such rarity. Occasions like this interrupted mother from her usual businesses whether it be about consulting her PA, secretary, economist or her hair stylist.

I took a seat beside Michael. My brother nodded at me while chugging down his glass of milk.

“Great, it’s been awhile since all of us had a meal together.” My mother said with a forceful enthusiasm. I almost smirked. Even if physically everyone of us was present, I could never really say we were complete. Kuya Simon on the opposite table is reading the newspapers while Khalil is listening to music with one of his ears.

“So, tomorrow, we have some investors coming. I hope everyone of us will be there for the welcome lunch.” My mother said.

“I’m sorry, mother. I can’t attend.” I said.

My mother’s brows furrowed but her lips were glued to a wide smile. She had been used to flashing people fake smiles now, but she hasn’t quite mastered the art o controlling her brows. “Tristan, there you go again. This is a family thing. I expect everyone to be there. Our investors come from Netherlands and the Dutch ambassador will be there as well. We should show them an image of a happy Filipino family.”

“I’m sorry, mother. I really can’t be there.”

“Whatever things you have tomorrow, can’t it be moved?”

“It can’t.”

“Tristan, the family needs you tomorrow. Don’t you understand how important the investors are to our company? We are talking about a hundred-million-investment in our company. And all I ask from you is to make an appearance to the welcome party tomorrow. Is that too much to ask?” My mother had raised her voice.

I didn’t feel like offering any explanation to my mother but I figured out she should know, just for the record. “I can’t join you for tomorrow because I have a basketball match tomorrow.”

“There are probably ten more other players to play for you, Tristan.” My mother said coldly. “They only ask five players in the team. I’m sure there will be someone who can play for you.”

I looked at mother with indignation. She’s my mother but she doesn’t have any idea. She doesn’t know that this black sheep of the family is the ace of the team. She doesn’t know that this defiant son of hers is one of the pillars of the team, one of the weapons to victory. She doesn’t know anything because she thinks that basketball is just some stupid sport. It might be stupid for her, but it’s all that mattered to me at this moment.

“Mother, tomorrow is our championship game. My team needs me. I’m one of the best players in the team. I can’t just leave them.”

My mother didn’t say anything, but from her eyes, I could tell that she was underestimating my value to my team. Heck, she was underestimating basketball.