Graded Hearts

Chapter 13 : Bind

Leighlagh's PoV

When faced with two or more possibilities we have to make a choice. Choosing and deciding over something are the hardest thing to make especially when it is a choice between where you should be and where you want to be. And sometimes we hate our choices and love the consequences of them. One of life's greatest irony.

"Congrats Leigh! You're the number one! At last yieeee" Alice hugged me dearly. My eyes heated and I can't define how great I am feeling. Even if I so this coming, I have never prepared or imagined the feeling. I never expected this could be so fulfilling.

I had a lot of praise and compliments from people. But of course, there are those screws who can't accept the fact and raise their brows. Well, I can't please them and I don't have the plans of doing so. Gaining the approval of my dad is the most important thing here.

Jefferson, as expected applaud on my achievement. He seem to be very proud and happy, which I think gave more feeling, I mean he's a friend now and a having friend who adores you is special kind of feeling. Alice and Jefferson just gave me a good feeling.

As a payback, I congratulated them, Alice being in the top twenty six and Jefferson in top sixteen. It's a great achievement though, not everyone can go on that spot. Thankfully, not even me.

My phone beeped only to find out that dad texted me.

I am in the parking lot. Come and go home with me. Don't take too long.

I took a deep sighed and watched everyone. I excused myself from Alice and Jefferson, then I took my books in the locker, having only my bag to carry on. My legs were shaking while walking continously at the parking lot. I bit my nails in total nervousness. What could dad's reaction be? Will he congratulate me? Tap my back? Kiss my forehead? Take me somewhere? Give me gifts? Love me? What? What?

"Magandang hapon ma'am, nasa loob na po si 'ser." tumango ako sa driver at inayos ang aking sarili bago harapin si daddy. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto sa backseat at agad akong pumasok ng walang pag-aalinlangan roon. Seryuso ang mukha ni daddy habang nagbabasa ng files, kunot ang kanyang noo na para bang may hindi siya nagustuhan sa kanyang binabasa.

"Let's go, Mang Ding." saad niya sa driver at agad binuhay ang makina ng kotse. Tahimik lang ako buong biyahe habang sumusulyap ako kay daddy na abala sa kanyang kausap sa telepono. Hinintay ko siyang matapos roon upang masabi ko sa kanya ang magandang balita, ngunit mukhang walang katapusan ang ginagawa niya dahil panay ang tawag niya sa iba't ibang tao na pamilyar ang ibang pangalan sa akin. Ipinilig ko na lamang ang aking ulo sa bintana ng kotse at pinagmasdan ang tanawin sa labas. Pansin kong ibang daan ang tinatahak namin, hindi ito ang ruta papuntang bahay kundi sa kompanya ni daddy. Pinagmasdan kong muli si daddy na may kausap pa rin sa telepono. Hanggang sa huminto na ang kotse sa harap ng main entrance ay yun pa rin ang ginagawa niya. Pinagbuksan siya ng pinto at lumabas agad ng walang pag-aalinlangan at agad pumasok sa pinto. Nakita kong binati siya ng lahat ng makakasalubong niya.

"Ma'am? Lalabas po ba kayo o mananatili kayo sa kotse?" tanong sa akin ni mang Ding. Lubha akong natauhan sa sinabi niya at sumagot na lalabas ako. Hindi ko na hinintay na pagbuksan niya ako ng pinto dahil kusa ko itong ginawa. Inayos ko ang aking uniporme at pinasadahan ang kabuuan ng kompanya ni dad. 26 storey building ito, at approximately one hectar ang lapad. Base sa impormasyon na naaalala ko ay humigit kumulang anim na libo ang nagtatrabaho rito kaya naman malakas ang kapit nito sa pamahalaan. Kung tutuusin ay isa lamang ito sa negosyo ni daddy, mayroon pang chains of hotels na nasa iba't ibang lugar sa asya. Matalino at masipag si dad, hindi maipagkakaila na mararating niya ang tagumpay na ito, sana lang ay bigyan niya pa rin ang oras ang sarili dahil subsob siya sa trabaho na nakakalimutan na niya ang halaga ng kalusogan.