Beyond the Horizon of Love (Ryker Series #1)

BTHOL [23]

"Your first semester grades are nothing compared to what I am expecting!"

Napapikit ako sa lakas ng sigaw ni Mommy. During prelims, midterms, and semi-finals, nasanay na akong lagi niya akong pinapagalitan every time she saw my grades but this time, it's different.

"I told you to do better! Is your relationship with Sean hindering you to do better?!"

"This has nothing to do with my relationship with him, Mom."

"Then what is this? You call this a president's lister grade?! You're only point one ahead of your friend! Point one! Kung hindi ka sinuswerte, naagaw na sa'yo ang pwesto mo sa pagiging number one sa list!"

I bit my lower lip before looking down again, trying to stop myself from speaking to explain myself. I did better this semester, I know that.

It's just that... Nova also did better this semester. And I don't see any problem with that. Nova also deserves to be on the first list. If I wasn't just point one ahead of her, I would surely be happy because she deserves it.

"What is happening here?"

I heard Daddy's voice following his footsteps signaling that he was coming down the stairs. Nanatili pa rin ako sa harapan ni Mommy habang nakayuko.

"Why are you scolding your daughter? Umagang-umaga."

Mommy threw the copy of my grades in front of him. I watched how it fell on the floor.

"Look at your daughter's grade! My God! I already told you a lot of times! Lakihan mo ang agwat ng grades niyo! You know what? Hindi na ako magugulat kapag isang araw biglang siya na ang nasa unahan! And you? You'll be on the second list!"

I saw Dad picking up the paper and look at it carefully. 

"What's wrong with her grades?" tanong ni Daddy. "She's still on the first list. What's making you mad?"

Mommy looked at him in disbelief before sighing loudly. "Yeah, number one with only one point ahead for the second student!"

"Point one is still a point. Aren't you glad that she's still on the first list despite the pressure that you've been giving her?"

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko nang marinig iyon mula kay Daddy. It was his first time talking that way. Na para bang... pinagtatanggol niya ako kay Mommy.

"Jan!" Mom shouted.

"You're stressing yourself for nothing," huling sabi ni Daddy bago niya kami iniwan sa living room.

"We're not yet done," seryosong sabi niya sa akin bago padabog na umakyat para sundan si Daddy. 

Napaupo kaagad ako sa sahig nang tuluyan na siyang mawala sa paningin ko. Para akong tinakasan ng lakas ko na kanina ko pa pinipigilan. Manang immediately went to me.

"Nakita ko na iyong grades mo kanina. Katulad ng sabi ng Daddy mo, matataas naman talaga. Ang galing-galing mo 'nak."

That touched my heart even more. Why can't I hear that from Mom? Instead of complimenting me for studying better, bakit palagi niya nalang akong pinapagalitan at paulit-ulit na kino-compare sa kaibigan kong wala namang kinalaman dito?

I locked myself in my room and turned off my phone. Wala akong ganang kumain, bumangon, o 'di kaya ay makipag-usap sa iba. 

I was peacefully sleeping when I felt someone fixing the blanket for me. Nang maamoy ko ang pabango ni Sean ay doon na ako tuluyang nagmulat ng mga mata.

He immediately gave me his warm smile as soon as I opened my eyes. 

"Did I wake you up?" mahinang tanong niya. "I love you," mababa ang boses na sabi niya.