The Ruthless Game

Chapter 18

Chapter 18: A love worth fighting for

I took a deep breath before I got out of his car. Kaagad naman ginagap ni Dylan ang kamay ko at bahagya pa niyang pinisil. Tumingala ako sa kanya. Sometimes I still asked God what I have done to deserve this man standing in front of me. He had been nothing but a loving and caring boyfriend.

"Relax, love. We'll just have dinner with my parents," he said with a comforting smile.

Pinilit kong ngumiti. "Do I look okay?"

Yumuko siya at dinampian ako ng halik sa labi. "Perfect," he muttered, close to my lips.

Napangiti ako at hinuli ang labi niya para dampian ng halik. Pagkaayos niya ng tayo ay lihim akong napa-buntong hininga. Muli kong pinasadahan ng tingin ang suot kong dress. I bought it a week ago when Dylan told me that his parents had arrived from the US.

"Mom!" Niyakap at hinalikan niya sa pisngi ang ina. Yumakap din siya sa kanyang ama na nakangiti sa amin.

"Good evening po," bati ko ng hinapit ako ni Dylan palapit.

"Good evening, hija. It's nice to see you again," said Mr. San Diego.

Ngumiti ako. On the other hand, his mother just gave me a small smile which I knew was forced. I just chose to ignore it again. This wasn't the first time I met them. Nung una akong ipakilala ni Dylan sa mommy niya ay ramdam ko na ang disgusto niya sa akin. She never voiced it out but she never failed to make me feel it either.

Tahimik lang ako habang nagdi-dinner kami. Sumasali lang ako sa usapan kapag kinakausap ako. Lalo na at ramdam ko naman na ayaw akong isali sa usapan ng ina niya.

"Where do you work, hija," baling sa akin ni Mr. San Diego.

"I work in Imperial advertising company po."

"Imperial Ad is the top advertising company not only in the Phil. At hindi madaling makapasok sa kumpanyang iyon," he said quite impressed.

Dylan pulled me in his arms. "Isn't she impressive, dad? My girl is very smart."

Mr. San Diego nodded in agreement. "Indeed."

"Ano na ba ang posisyon mo?" tanong naman ng ina niya. "Manager?"

"Hindi po."

"I see," she said patronizingly. "Remember Ada? Your kinakapatid, Dylan? Mataas na ang posisyon niya sa pinagtatrabahuhan niyang malaking kumpanya sa states sa loob lang ng dalawang taon. She's a very smart young lady."

That simple statement from her was enough to make me feel small and insignificant. Halos hindi ko na malunok ang pagkain.

Paalis na kami ng tawagin si Dylan ng daddy niya sa library. Naiwan ako sa mommy niya na nawala ang ngiti ng maiwan kaming dalawa.

"Sandy, why don't we have a little chitchat while waiting for my son."

Tahimik akong sumunod sa kanya sa may lanai. Pinaupo niya ako. Halos hindi ako makahinga sa tensiyon.

"I heard that you're supporting your family in the province?"

I nodded. "Opo," mahinang sagot ko. "Pero parehong nagtatrabaho po ang mga magulang ko. Tumutulong lang po ako."

She just nodded. "I admire people like yourself," she remarked which made me look at her in surprise. She smiled. "I know it sounded surprising, but I do admire people who work hard for their family."