The Fifth Son

San

~3~

“The Mikado clan is a distinguished clan, Sand. You must strive hard to be worthy of the surname you have,” sabi ni Oto-sama habang nasa harap kami ng hapag-kainan. Although Japanese-inspired ang bahay namin, western pa rin naman ito sa loob. “I didn’t send you to a popular, exclusive and expensive school just for you to go slacking on your studies. Do you understand what I mean?”

Strict si Oto-sama. He placed a tremendous pressure on each of us, especially on me and on Kuya Kei. Kailangang mag-excel para hind maging kahihiyan sa pamilya. I don’t know what’s with the Mikado clan na ipinagmamalaki n’ya.

Sinearch ko na sa internet ang mga tungkol sa clan kaya lang hindi ako makapaniwalang yung Mikado clan na sinasabi ni Oto-sama ay yung same na Mikado clan na na-search ko sa internet. It’s just so impossible.

“Yes, Oto-sama. I understand,” buong ingat kong sagot. Lahat kami takot kay Oto-sama. Oka-sama was the only one in this house who can and was allowed to talk back to him.

Tiningnan ako ni Kuya Kei na may pag-aalala. Si Kuya Jei naman ay may ganun ding expression sa mukha n’ya while si Kuya Jyu naman ay magana lang na kumakain. Kuya Kyu was just eating silently beside me.

Palaging ganito ang scene kapag kasama naming kumain si Oto-sama. Ako palagi ang nagigisa. Eh pano, ako lang naman ang may hindi masyadong kagandahan ang grades sa report card.

Last school year kasi mas mababa ang nakuha kong general average kesa sa second year high school grades ng mga kuya ko. Yes, ako ang nasa top ng class but still mas mababa ang general average ko compared sa grades ng mga kuya ko nung second year high school din sila. Sinundan ng grade ko ang grade ni Kuya Jyu na 98.9. 98.5 lang kasi ang grade ko. Imaginin mo yun! Four points. Four points lang ang kulang para pumantay ako pero they took it as if 75 lang ang grade ko. Ganyan ka-istrikto si Oto-sama lalo na sa akin. Sa amin, hindi uso yang paborito ang bunso.

“By the way, Kei,” baling ni Oto-sama kay Kuya Kei. Kapansin-pansin na mas light ang tone ng pananalita ni Oto-sama kapag nakikipag-usap sa mga kuya ko.

Favoritism ba ito? Hahaha.

If so, then I have to live with it and strive hard to pass their standards.

“I would like you to meet up with the daughter of a business partner of mine this weekend. I was planning to have you married to her after you graduate.”

Oh, come on. Arranged marriage? Seriously? Uso pa pala yan? I wonder how will Kuya Kei deal with this. I’m quite curious. Pero I feel sorry for him. Balita ko pa naman na may nililigawan daw s’ya.

“Ha? Umm. But, Oto-sama, me-” hindi na s’ya pinatapos ni Oto-sama sa pagsasalita.

He usually doesn’t accept any reasons or contradictions regarding his decisions. More like he wanted to monopolize all decision-making things in the house. Once he made up his mind, its likely final.

“No buts, Kei. You’ll like her. I promise that.”

Siguradung-sigurado talaga si Oto-sama ha. Well, that’s how I interpret the way he said his words.

Napatango lang si Kuya Kei. Alam kong hindi n’ya gusto ang idea nitong arrange marriage. I mean, who wanted to be married to someone you don’t even love? Suicide yun.

Knowing my Kuya Kei, alam kong hindi okay sa kanya ito but alam ko na itatago lang n’ya ang totoo n’yang saloobin to show respect and obedience.