She's Dating The Teacher

Chapter 26: The Negotiation

Nasa sala ang magulang ni Kelsey pagdating nila sa bahay.

Nang makaalis na si Rachel, sinabihan siya ni Sara kung ano ang gagawin.

"You have to tell them the truth."

"Ate, kapag ginawa ko iyan, I'm sure that Dad will definitely make me quit."

"But the evidence is against you. Tingnan mo ang itsura mo. Kulay talong ang pasa mo."

"I don't know. I just had a feeling na kapag nalaman niya na this," Tinuro niya ang mukha, "was because of volleyball, that's it."

"Technically, it wasn't because of volleyball."

"You know what I mean."

"Basta. Makinig ka sakin. This is one of those times when it's better to tell the truth."

Pagpasok ni Kelsey, kita sa mukha ng magulang nila ang pagkadismaya.

"What the hell happened?" Sigaw ng daddy niya.

Sasagot na sana si Kelsey pero inunahan siya ng daddy niya.

"I got a call from your coach. Sinabi niya na you instigated a fight with another player. Tess...Tessie, I don't know."

"Tessa." Sumagot si Kelsey.

"Whatever. What were you thinking?"

"Correction, Dad." Matigas ang tono ni Kelsey.

"I didn't start the fight. She did."

"Oh really?" Dudang tanong ng daddy niya.

"There was a video and it clearly showed it was you who started it."

Mabilis na umikot ang isip ni Kelsey.

"It was clearly edited. I have my witness and she can prove that I didn't do anything to provoke Tessa."

"I hope you do. Dahil kapag napatunayan nila na ikaw ang may kasalanan, your volleyball career is done for."

"At yun naman ang gusto ninyo di ba? Ang tumigil na ako sa paglalaro?"

"Exactly!" Sagot ng daddy niya.

"It's time for you to focus on your future at hindi iyang puro laro ang nasa isip mo."

"Is that what you think, Dad? Na hindi ko iniisip ang future ko?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're getting into stupid fights because of this sport."

"I'm getting into a stupid fight dahil I'm standing up for myself. That girl was planning to sabotage my presence in the team. You didn't even care to ask for my side. You just took what Coach A said as the truth."

"She sent me the video."

"But it doesn't mean it shows the whole story, Dad. Haven't you heard of fake news?"

"That's the point, Kelsey. I don't understand why you would waste your energy on something that won't help in the future."

"This is what's helping me be sane, Dad. If it wasn't for volleyball, I wouldn't know how to handle the pressure na lagi ninyong binibigay sa akin."

"I'm not pressuring you."

"Really? You wanted me to become a lawyer eh ayaw ko nga. I want a different path but you dismissed it as something insignificant. Yan ba ang hindi nampipressure? Paano na kung pinipressure niyo talaga ako? I'd probably end up killing myself dahil I knew I would never measure to your standard."

"Don't say that, Kelsey." Nag-aalalang sabi ng mommy niya.

"It's the truth, Mommy." Umiyak na si Kelsey. "Kung wala ang volleyball, si Ate Sara, at ang mga kaibigan ko, I don't know how to deal with any of this." Pinahid niya ang luha ng kamay.

"I'm always hidden in the shadows of my brilliant siblings. When was the last time you went to any of my games?" Tiningnan niya ang ama na hindi nakasagot.

"You don't remember because you've never been."

"I only want what's the best for you." Mataas pa din ang tono ng daddy niya.

"No, Dad. You want what's best for you."

"Kung ipagpipilitan mo ang gusto mo, you're on your own. After this semester, if you really want to switch courses, it's up to you. But I'm not paying for your tuition."

"Andy," Nilapitan siya ng asawa.

"Yan ang gusto niya so ibibigay ko. But she has to do it by herself."

"Fine. I'm going to prove to you na kaya ko." Katwiran ni Kelsey.

"Go ahead." Sarkastikong sabi ng daddy niya.

"You won't last an hour without my help."

"And if I prove you wrong?" Pinandilatan siya ng mommy niya pero inirapan lang siya ni Kelsey.

"Then you can do whatever you want."

"Okay." Sabi ni Kelsey.

"But if you fail, you are doing whatever I want."

Hindi nakasagot si Kelsey.

"Is that a deal?"

"Deal." Sagot ni Kelsey.

Umakyat na siya sa kuwarto after ng nangyari.

Nanghihina na siya physically and emotionally.

Makirot ang panga niya at mabigat ang ulo.

Ngayon pati puso niya, masakit din.

Papasok na sana siya ng marinig ang boses ni Ate Sara.

"Blue, what did you do?" Nag-aalala ang itsura nito.

"You were there."

"I know. But how are you going to pull this off? Did you have any idea kung magkano ang tuition mo?"

"I don't know."

"Oh god. But let's not worry about this now. You'd better rest."

"Yeah. Masakit ang ulo ko."

Pinihit niya ang doorknob ng maramdaman na hinawakan siya ni Ate Sara sa braso.

"You don't have to worry. Di ba sabi ko sa'yo, I'm always here to protect you?"

Tumango si Kelsey.

Inangat ni Sara ang hinlalato.

"Pinkie promise?"

Tinaas din ni Kelsey ang daliri at pagkatapos ay niyakap ang kapatid.

"I love you, Blue."

"I love you too, Pink."