What If

Fourteen

Being a lovable daughter to my  father is one of the best things I've ever done. Making him proud of me is the best feeling that I've ever feel. It's like reaching the top of the highest mountain. It's like climbing the strongest tree.

"Lorraine, fierce!" Sigaw ng photographer.

Ginawa ko ito at tuwang tuwang pumalakpak ang baklang photographer. Umapir siya sa kasama siya habang sinusuri ang litrato. Ngumiti ako. Even other people are amazed. This is not my legacy. This is not what I want, actually.

"Lorraine, anak. We will go to your Tita Guianna's house. Do you want to come with us?" Daddy smiled at me.

Umiling ako. "No,"

I don't want to go outside. That's the truth. I don't want to entertain people. I don't want to see them adoring me cause they're not. They are all fake!

"We will buy a new cellphone if you will come..." Aniya.

"Dad... I don't want to come. Just leave and go to Tita Guia's house. I'm fine here." Maarte kong sinabi.

"But why? There's a lot of new people there. You will have your new friends. So...it's better for you to come. Come on, anak."

"No," matigas kong sinabi.

"Hmmmm? How old are you again?" Dad's smile again. Playfully.

"I'm just 11." Umirap ako.

"Then come with us, Lorrie. Stop being a bratty girl. I know you're better than others."

Alam kong wala akong magagawa ng mga oras na 'yun. I have to come with them. I never dissapoint them. Kahit ni minsan sa buhay ko, wala akong naalalang sumuway ako sa gusto nila. I'm always behind them. In every way they move. In every way they speak.

I wear my blue dress. My hair is on braid. My earrings and necklaces are all silvers. I put a little lipgloss on my lips. I'm not wearing make up yet. I'm only grade 6 for pete's sake.

Nakita kong nag aabang sila dad sa labas na nakasakay na sa kotse. Kunot noo akong sumakay na inalalayan pa ako ng isa sa mga maid. Tumango ang driver kay daddy.

Puro eleganteng tao agad ang nakita ko nang makapunta kami. I think this is Daddy and Mommy's business partners. I feel out of place. Ano namang gagawin ko dito? Wala naman akong alam sa negosyo nila. Dapat 'talaga ay nag-stay nalang ako sa bahay.

"Kuya Emmanuel!" A girl shouted from a far.

Nilingon namin iyon at nakita kong si Tita Guia iyon with her long tube gown. Ngumiti ako. I got some of her feautures, too. Pero hindi maipagkakaila na anak ako ni Mommy. Most of my features came from my mom.

"How's the party going, Guia? I heard you have lots of investors." Dad laugh.

Tita Guia laughed. "Yes, Kuya. I know Ronz' Magazines will be big in the feature. And yeah, Lorraine will be the one to manage it."

Napatingin ako sa kanila. Both Mom and Dad laughed. Nanatiling malamig ang ekspresyon. Really? Ako 'talaga? Ni hindi ko nga alam ang tungkol sa mga bagay na 'yan. Bakit ako pa ang napili nilang maghawak niyan. Tita is a good handler.

"Ate Evelyn, pag-aralin mo ng kursong business 'yang si Lorraine. She will be the one and only heir of our company." Aniya.

Tumango naman si Mommy habang natatawa. "Yes. Yes. I'm excited, too. Lorraine is a smart girl she will learn to manage it in the future."

Boring kong pinakinggan ang usapan nila tungkol sa negosyo. I don't want to hold their company. Kung gusto kong magpatakbo ng negosyo, gusto ko 'yung sarili ko. I want to be succsesful by myself. Not because I'm a Ronzeval and my family succsesful. I want to reach the succses because I am Lorraine Ronzeval.