Against the Waves (Acosta Sisters Series #1)

Kabanata 4

Kabanata 4

Friends?

It's been a month at sobrang dami nang nangyari sa akin sa loob ng unibersidad. Ang daming pinapagawa ng mga propesor. We also have subjects na kailangang pagtuonan ng pansin kahit minors, and it's so damn frustrating! Ganito pala talaga kapag sa school nag-aaral. There are group activities and such. Very tiring, at the same time, I could say it was exciting.

"How was school, iha? Did you get along well?" si mama habang kumakain kami ng dinner.

"Nakakapagod po." Panimula ko.

Everyone looks at me worriedly. I chuckled.

"Don't worry about me, I'm totally fine. Everything I did is for the best. I enjoyed a lot. Marami po akong natututunan." I explained.

"I see. That's good to hear." Nakangiting sabi ni Mama, mukhang nakahinga na rin nang maayos.

Nang tumikhim si Papa, nabaling ang atensyon ng lahat sa kanya pero agad ko ring ibinalik ang tingin sa kinakain at inihihiwalay ang kamatis na nakasama sa pagkuha ng chicken dahil hindi ako kumakain no'n.

"Ellaine, iha..." si Papa iyon.

"Yes po?" Tugon ko kaagad.

"After your first semester, I've decided to send you abroad for training. That's the best opportunity I can give you. You'll gain more knowledge there because of their advancements compared to here." Panimula ni Papa habang ang lahat ay tahimik na nakikinig.

"I want you to intern at one of the biggest five-star hotel and restaurant I know there. Don't worry, you're going to be in good hands." Nakangiting hayag ni Papa.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko sa lahat ng narinig mula sa kanya, muntik mabitawan ang kubyertos na hawak.

Nagpunas ako ng labi. Pinanatili ko ang ngiti sa akin na may kagalakan kahit na nagdadalawang isip pa ako para roon.

"Hindi po ba pwedeng dito muna ako?" tugon ko.

"Oo nga naman, Francisco. Bago pa lang niya napapag-aralan ang lahat, hayaan muna natin siyang mag-enjoy sa buhay niya. Marami pa namang panahon para gawin niya ang mga bagay na iyan." sabi ni Mama, malamlam ang tingin sa akin.

"I have already talked this with Mr. Yang and we should not let this opportunity go. This is the best I could give to her, to you, iha."

Tumango ako, pilit inintindi na para iyon sa akin.

I continued eating even though I had lost my appetite. I didn't have a choice. I felt like I had no control over my life. First and foremost, I owe my life to them, no matter how the world turns upside down. I know they have the right to save me because they are my parents; it's their responsibility. However, I feel like I should return the favor for everything they've done for me.

Somehow, I already expected that there would be times when I would disagree with the decisions they make for me, but who am I to object? I'm just their child, and disappointing them is a big mistake. I don't want to do that. I don't know what might happen if I refuse to comply and disobey. They might not allow me to study or go out anymore.

"Hindi po ba pwedeng sa resort na lang mag-training si ate? Mas matututukan niya po at maaaral kaagad ang resort kung sakaling doon po siya mag-training." Suhestiyon ni Lia na ikinagulat ko.

Nakita ko ang pagsang-ayon ni Kali sa sinabi nito habang tumatango kaya hindi ko maiwasang mabuhayan na sana, maisip iyon ni Papa dahil tama ang sinabi ni Lia.

"It's better if she tries going abroad, iha. It's for her own good, and there are bigger and better opportunities for her to properly manage the resort someday, especially since I'm planning to elevate our resort to a five-star status."