Tranquility In Havoc

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven: Zion

"I'm really sorry, sweetie. Okay lang sana na di ka sasama if it's just a normal event. But your Dad need our support tonight..."

Bumuntong hininga ako at sinalubong ang mata ni Mommy sa salamin. Nakatayo ito sa likod ko.

"Mom, I already told you. It's okay. I'll be alright." Kumbinsi ko rito dahil nakukonsensiya ito na isama ako dahil alam ni Mommy na di ako mahilig dumalo ng mga party kahit pa formal party, but this one's different.

Tonight is the 23rd Anniversary of Avren Architectural Firm. Dad will be introduced as the new member of the engineering team of AAF. Finally, her Dad granted himself the dream he wanted. Tinanggap na niya ang offer ng AAF. And their attendance is a must.

Kailangang ko ng mahabang pasensiya mamaya at paniguradong makikita ko na naman si James. He's the AAF's president. Unfortunately. Mom informed me the other day when I asked during our dinner about the relationship of Dad and James, since naalala ko noong pagbalik namin dito sa Beachwood ay nasabi ni James na may pag-uusapan sila ni Ginger tungkol sa isang project na ipinagkatiwala ni Dad sa kanila. It confused me because, clearly...James is Dad's boss. But then Mom explained that the project was from years ago, and Dad was James's mentor after his father, Mr. Calum Nicholas Avren, died eleven years ago.

That time when I saw James again at the kitchen, kakababa lang din pala nito galing sa opisina ni Dad. He offered Dad about the position in AAF.

Ang nakakairita pa sa mga nagdaang araw ay ang muling pagbisita ni James sa'min. That night when he first visited me dahil sa natagpuang tsinelas ng anak niya, and because nalaglag daw ang isang pares kaya bumalik siya kinabukasan non. Which doesn't seat well on me. Imbes na matuwa ay nasira pa nito ang araw ko, especially when he handed me a bouquet of sunflower wrapped in a maroon colored paper. Wala sana talaga akong planong tanggapin yon but the jerk used his son.

"Zion picked the color of the wrapper. Actually, this is his idea. Malulungkot iyon kung di mo tatanggapin."

Nagpupuyos ako sa galit nang sabihin niya yon. He just used his son to blackmail me! Wala akong magawa, I irritably accepted the flowers. May plano rin kasi ako sa bulalak, I will let them live longer. I hate James who gave me the flowers, but I love and pitied the flowers, dahil panigurado sa basurahan mauuwi ang mga iyon.

After that, I directly asked him his agenda. Like why he keep on appearing! And why he's doing what he is doing?!

"I want us to be friends again."

That's the most disgusting statement I heard in my life! Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa sinabi niya. Nakakapangilabot!

"Sweetie, are you done?" Bumalik si Mommy sa kwarto ko galing sa pagtulong kay Daddy sa necktie nito.

I nodded and stood up caring my purse with a silver leaf as a button design.

Nagpaalam na kami kay Nay Carol at sumakay sa kotse patungo sa AAF.

"Masaya ako't sasama ka, anak..." Dad eyed me at the rearview mirror.

I genuinely smiled at him, "I want to support you, Dad."

Nang makarating na kami sa harap ng AAF building, dagsaan agad ang mga ibang-ibang media sa kotse. Aaminin ko, I did not expected this. I never knew AAF is this popular. Though, di ko gaano itong naririnig sa balita o mabasa man sa mga business magazines dahil di naman ako mahilig sa mga iyon. Nang malaman ko pa nga ang buong pangalan ng AAF, ay parang mas gugustuhin ko na lang na magbasa ng libro ng kung anu-ano, wag lang makaapak sa kompanya ng mga Avren. But tonight is different. Dad needs me. Dad needs us.