My Boardmate's Sister (Dongyan)

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

LARA

"Dad....." It was almost a whisper.

"Lara, this is Kyuri Hwang. Your future husband. I want you two to get to know each other while we're preparing your wedding." Dad said, smiling as if he was so happy.

I turned to face Kyuri and my face immediately scrunch at the sight of him.

Jusko! Nagmamantika na ang bunganga nya dahil sa kinakain nya.

"Dad, this is not a nice joke." I said to him a bit laughing.

"I'm not joking Lara. You're going to marry this..... This.... This fine young man." Medyo naka ngiwi nya ring sabi.

See! Kahit sya di nya mapigil ang mapangiwi, tapos ipapakasal nya ako dito? Ghad! It won't happen.!

"No dad, I won't marry him." Matigas kong tutol.

"Lara!" Bahagyang tumaas ang boses nito."you are going to marry Kyuri."

I can't take this anymore, I have to leave.

I stood up from my seat.

"Lara sit down!" Dad ordered.

"Excuse me. I-I have to go." Dali Dali akong umalis at lumabas sa restaurant.

Narinig ko pa ang pag sigaw ni dad sa pangalan ko, na umagaw pa sa atensyon Ng iba. Pero dirediretso lamang ako sa paglabas. Mabuti nalang at May taxi na naka tambay sa may di kalayuan.

Agad ko ito kinawayan. Nakita ko naman ang agarang pag andar nito. Pumasok ako sa loob at sinabihan ang driver na ihatid ako na sa bahay.

I was trying to hold back my tears. It hurt so much. I thought dad was reaching out to me. Yun pala, yung reason nya na sinama nya ako ay para ipagkasundo sa business associate nya. I can't believe na abot sa ganito si dad. Sa punto na halos ibenta na nya ako para lang sa pera.

I hate him! I hate him so damn much!

Ang luha na kanina ko pa pinipigil ang biglang nag unahan nang naalala ko si kuya Larry. Kaya pala nya ako pinipigilan kanina.

"You Don't have to go with him."

"Dad, ako nalang sasama sayo."

"Call me if something went wrong."

Kaya pala ayaw nya na sumama ako Kay dad.

Nang maabot namin ang bahay ay nag bayad lang ako at agad na tumakbo papasok Ng bahay.

"Oh, ija, kadarating mo la-" hindi ko na nagawang nation si nanay Bebeth. Tuloy -tuloy lang akong umakyat papuntang kwarto ko.

I pulled my luggage bag and put all my clothes in it. I can't stop my tears from falling.

Babalik nalang ako Ng maynila. Hindi ko na kayang tagal si dad, lalo lang akong masasaktan Kung ipipilit ko ang sarili ko sa kanya.

Later, I heard dad's car entering the gate.

"LARA!!!!" I heard him shouting my name. "Where are you? Why did you do that? Bumaba ka dito! Don't make me go there!"

Agad naman akong bumaba bitbit ang mga bagahe ko.

"And where do you think you're going? "

"I'm leaving dad. Sa Manila na ako titira."

"At sino ang nag sabi na Pwede kang umalis? You humiliate me in front of my associate! You don't have the right to do that to me young lady! You're suppose to follow my order! Wala kang utang na loob!" After hearing all the word he said agad na nag pantig ang taenga ko.

"Bakit dad? Yun lang ba ang halaga ko sayo? Pambayad mo sa mga associates mo? Na mas iniisip mo pa sila kesa sa akin? Mas iniisip mo pa ang kahihiyan mo, kesa sa kahihiyan ko? If only mom's he-" I wasn't able to finish what I was saying when my father slapped me in the face.

"ERIK!" Sigaw ni nanay Bebeth at agad akong dinaluhan. "Hindi mo kailangan saktan ang bata!" Umiiyak naring Sabi ni nanay Bebeth.

"Wag kang makialam dito Bebeth. Anak ko yan!" Taas boses rin Sabi ni dad.

"Anak mo nga sila Erik, pero simula nang mawala si Sandra, binaliwala mo na sila. Kami Berting ang halos nag palagi sa kanila, kaya Kung sasaktan mo sila, saktan mo narin ako!"

"What's happening here?" Narinig kong boses ni kuya Larry. "Lara, what's wrong?"

Agad akong yumakap Kay kuya Larry at napahagulgul, ganun rin si nanay Bebeth.

"Kuya, ihatid mo naman ako sa terminal Ng bus. Please." I begged kuya Larry.

Nakita nya naman ang pamumula Ng aking pisngi, agad na lumipad and matatalim nyang tingin Kay dad. "What did you do to her?"

"Do not raise your voice on me Larry!" Agad nya rin sigaw Kay kuya.

"I hate you...."Kuya Larry mumble. He carried my laugage and held my hand. We went to his car and he drove away from our mansyon.

"What are you planing?" Kuya asked me after a while.

"Sa Manila nalang muna ako mag stay kuya. Away from dad." I answered still looking on the road. I just finish crying. Finally my tears stopped flowing.

"San ka titira dun?"

"Maghohotel nalang muna ako, I'll find my self a job and a place to stay after I rest."

"Yung condo ko nalang muna gamitin mo. It's safe there. Atleast alam ko Kung nasaan ka." He suggested.

"At alam rin ni dad Kung saan ako. Kuya, as much as possible I don't want to be connected with dad for now."

"Do you have money with you? I have some cash in my wallet. I know you don't want my credit card, si take this. It's only ten thousand. Yan lang kasi ang withdraw ko kanina. I'll send you money, just text me your address." I can sense worry in his voice.

"I'll be fine kuya, stop worrying." I chuckled a little. "Have you forgotten? I stayed in Manila for almost a year without a help from everyone. I'll be okey."

"I just want you to be safe." He said in a bit low.

"You worry too much! Nagmumukha ka nang lolo! Find a girl kuya, hindi puro kami at trabaho lang inaatupag mo."

"Haaayyyy, Eto nanaman tayo....." Saad nya.

I just laugh and took my seatbelt off. I move closer to him and kissed him in the cheek and hug him. "I love you kuya, thank you for everything."

"You and Bryan are my everything. I will protect and take care of you two no matter what. Always remember that okey?" I nodded and he kissed my forehead. "I love you too."