The Most Beautiful Thing

Chapter 21

Chapter 21
when all else fails

"Lies!" Angkong said, nagulat ako sa pag-lakas niya ng boses but I bowed down. Tumutulo na ang luha ko pero wala na akong paki kung makita man nila. I'm sure they don't care about my feelings anyway.

"If you really love Maxon, you should've not put his life in danger!" Ama said. Tumingin ako sakanila at parehas na galit na galit ang mata nila. "We were supposed to have a family celebration, but what did you do? He can't come to the party looking like that! What do you know about family honor?!"

"I'm sorry po, hindi ko po--"

"Bata ka pa! What can you prove to Maxon? Prove to us? You're not even finished with your college and yet you're already causing too much trouble!" Ama said.

"You're not yet finished with college?" His Angkong verified, as if nagpintig ang tenga niya ng marinig iyon.

I nodded. I was about to say something but nag-salita ulit si Ama.

"Yes! Imagine?" she said. "Now she's saying she loves Maxon! Iha, if that's puppy love, better stop it! Wala magagawa yan sa apo ko! Besides have you seen him now? Puro sugat ang katawan niya! Good thing Chantelle is taking care of him!"

They are comparing me to Chantelle again. But I went here to do the same.. to take care of him and to apologize.

Those guys fooled me. So why does it feel like they're blaming me for what happened to Max? I know partly it's my fault for believing pero I didn't want this to happen.

"I didn't mean for this to happen po. Please hear me out po. I know hindi po ako chinese pero--"

Hinilot ni Angkong ang sentido niya. "There's nothing wrong with you not being chinese! What do you think of this? Some cliché drama? The problem here is you!"

Hindi ako nag-salita at patuloy na umiiyak. I just want Maxon.. I want him to take me away from here. Yung kaming dalawa lang.

"The problem here is that you are too young! You cause trouble that my grandson always fix! Do you think we are not aware of that? He started picking fights with the likes of you even in the club! When he should be a CEO of the biggest company!" Angkong said sa malakas na boses.

"You're his biggest downfall, Euphoria! He should be succeeding but you keep on dragging him down," Ama said habang tinuturo ako. "And that's the problem!"

Patuloy lang ako umiyak. Violent sobs escaped my mouth, unti unting napapalakas ang iyak ko.

"I-I love Max po. And it's just not any puppy love. I love him.. and he l-loves me too. Alam ko pong I'm too young and I made mistakes but--"

"Ah! I should have known by the time pinakilala ka niya sakin!" His Ama cried in exhaustion, as if pagod na siya makipag-usap sakin.

"Do you think love is enough? Enough for a multi-billionaire like Max who has bigger responsibilities? He's 24 years old and you're just 20! Malayo kapa sakanya.. he's way out of your league!" Angkong said. "Is the argument that he loves you enough for you to keep on dragging him down?"

Hindi ako sumagot.

".. because if you think it is, then you don't love my grandson enough." He finished.

Yumuko ako at hindi na nagsalita. Patuloy lang ako umiyak because sobra na akong nasasaktan. They can't understand and I can't explain. Wala ng point pa ipaglaban because wala.. wala rin.