Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

"MALAPIT NA ANG graduation mo. What are your plans after, hija?" Tita Asunta asked.

"Pinag-iisipan ko pa po pero I plan to train in Mama's firm starting now so I can know how the operation works."

"That's a good thing to do, Sera," aniya. "The transfer of your inheritance will take time due to the process, but I think pagkatapos ng board exam mo, tapos na."

Tumango ako bago bumaling kay Migs na nakatitig sa akin.

"How's your stay here, Migs? Enjoying the view?" I asked.

He nodded and smiled, his eyes shifting from me to Tita Asunta.

"Opo, salamat po, Ate, Tita, hindi n'yo po ako sinusukuan." My heart swelled. Tita smiled softly.

"Para sa 'yo, Migs." I smiled. "Ate and Tita only want what's best for you. Kapag kaya mo na, itutuloy mo ang pag-aaral mo, okay?"

"Opo, Ate." Nakangiti siya pero nabakas kong may gustong sabihin pero nagdadalawang-isip. I looked at him gently, urging him until he spoke. "Ate, si Nanay po, hindi talaga bibisita?"

I froze, hesitant to answer, but I wanted to ease his heart.

"Kinukumusta ka naman niya, Migs. Malay mo, kapag hindi na siya busy, bisitahin tayo rito," I said softly.

He smiled and nodded, though I still see the sadness in his young eyes.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Tita, at nakita ko ang lungkot sa mata niya.

The truth was, Nanay called once to ask for money. Wala nga lang akong naibigay dahil nag-a-adjust pa ako at wala pang natatanggap na pera. I told her that, but she accused me of lying.

I tried explaining, even asked her to visit Miggy, but she grew angry, ignored me, and hung up. I tried reaching out again, but she kept rejecting my calls.

Wala na akong magawa. Ayaw ko rin namang bigyan siya at alam kong sa bisyo at alak lang mapupunta.

˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖

WHEN I HAD the chance to continue reaching my dreams without thinking much about money, pinagbutihan ko. Nagmukmok ako sa pag-aaral. I continued with the last semester of engineering at Sta. Monica University.

I sighed when my head began to ache.

I closed the book, opened my laptop, and leaned back in my chair. It was late, but I stayed in the library to study. Mabuti na lang at 'di maagang nagsasara. Finals were over, but I had to prepare in advance for the upcoming board exam.

I still had requirements to finish before graduation—like the PowerPoint presentation for our thesis and the requirements for the internships I had finished.

I stayed in the hidden part of the library, away from distractions, to concentrate sana pero pagod na pagod naman ang utak ko.

As I stared blankly at my laptop, I remembered Tatay. He would be proud of me for sure, because I was finally graduating. How I wished he could be the one walk with me on stage, na siya iyong magsasabit sa 'kin ng medalya—but he was gone.

I sighed, the heaviness weighing painfully.

"Hey..." The familiar voice echoed.

I rolled my eyes when I saw him carrying three roses and a take-out food.

"Kumain ka na?" He quickly sat beside me.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" I asked curiously. "Wala kang pasok?"