Invisible

Episode 4

"What do you want?" I directly asked my father as I walk to the table where he is. We're having a "DINNER MEETING" as what he would like to name it but the truth is, he'll just criticize me.

"You are early by 60 seconds." he said. Nagsisimula na siya. I really hate to hear his australian accent. No, he is not pure australian; only half. The other half is pinoy.

"The early bird catches the worm." I replied as I take my seat.

"I gave you a quest. A quest wherein you were molded to be the best of the very best." he sternly said.

"Yes, I can consider that. But that quest was not filled with golden seeds." I replied.

"Nemsis!" he raised his voice.

"Yes father?" casual kong sagot.

"I did not raise you to be a disrespectful man!" he angrily said.

"Pardon sire, but let me correct that. You did not raise me. No one did except me, myself. Respect is earned not given. It is not something that will be truly taught in school." I calmly said.

"I gave you all you need!" he said.

" There's a difference between wants and needs." I said.

"Money is all you need!" he shouted.

"Don't think that everyone badly needs money like you do." I said.

"Nemesis! Enough!" his face is now red.

"Waiter..." I said as I try to change the topic. Lumapit yung waiter kaso I changed my mind.

"Oh, no. Sa bahay nalang pala ako kakain. Sorry." sabi ko dun sa waiter and gave him 1,000 pesos as a tip. 

"Where do you think you're going?" sabi ni Papa.

"Uhhhh... going home?" sabi ko.

"Nemesis!" sigaw niya. Natakot naman yung waiter at umatras ng bahagya.

"Okay fine." sabi ko sabay balik sa upuan.

"Uhhhmmm... D.. do yoou still need me sir?" tanong niya. Halata natatakot siya.

"We'll call you later." sagot ko sabay ngiti para maibsan naman yung kaba niya.

"Okay sir." sagot niya sabay alis.

"Anyway, what do you want to talk about?" tanong ko.

"You are already 21. You are going to take my place." sagot niya.

"Okay." sagot ko agad. 

"You are not going to refuse?" he asked.

"Is there something I can do other than accepting it?" I asked.

"Brilliant." he gave me a satisfied smile.

"Learning that there are opponents you can't beat is a part of growing up." he added.

/Flashback/

Ang daming tao. Yung mga kaklase ko was with their parents. Yung iba halos kasama yung buong barangay sa dami nila. Maingay, ngunit makikita mong masaya sila. 

And as usual, I am alone but I don't care. 

It was our graduation day. 

As I was receiving my diploma, the principal also gave me a brown envelope.  I then, read it after the ceremony.

Nemesis,

    I am very disappointed knowing that you graduated and banged only Salutatorian. I know you can do better than that but I guess you did not study well. Anyway, after your graduation I want you to return to your house. There's a chopper waiting for you at the backyard. Hooroo.