DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

11

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Chapter 11
''Surrender''

I woke up for another day in a boring summer. Tumayo ako at pumasok na sa banyo. It's still early but I'm already awake. I became an early riser these past few days. Agad din akong nagbihis para makababa at makapag-umagahan na.

I was still in the stairs when I heard few laughs from the dining area.  Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I hurriedly went to the dining when I recognized the low and raspy voice of my grandfather.

''Lolo!'' I exclaimed. I went to him to hugged him tight. ''You're in Manila, huh! What brought you here?''

''You don't want to go home in Santa Monica, so I visited you instead.'' he replied.

I chuckled.

''Are you sure you don't want to go there this summer, Vernaise?'' tanong ni Mommy.

Ngumiti lamang ako at umupo na sa isang upuan. Mommy gave me a new set of dishes. She also poured some juice in my glass. Kumuha ako ng pagkain na nasa harap at inilagay iyon sa aking plato.

I couldn't bring myself to answer Mommy's question. Although she's not the only one who's waiting for my reply.

''Hayaan mo na si Sven. Minsan lang siya magbakasyon dito.''

''She's already here most of the months in a year, Steven. Summer is the only time I get to bond with my granddaughter.''

My mother and I exchanged glances. Nagpatuloy nalang kami sa pagkain nang maramdamang magsisimula na naman si Lolo at Daddy. My mother only ask a question but I feel it'll be a long discussion.

''My daughter's almost grown up. She's not anymore the child who used to play with you in the ranch. Her interest are already changing.''

My eyes met Lolo when he threw me a lingering glance. He's reading my face.

''Really? It doesn't seem like it.''

I almost drop the cup in my hand.

''Pa, Vernaise already said she's busy here so she can't go home to Santa Monica.'' narinig ko ang malalim na hininga ni Daddy.

''Busy?''

Tumikhim ako. ''Lolo, don't worry, I'll visit you some other time.''

My eyes went down to my food when he eyed me carefully. He didn't say anything, anymore. Thankfully!

At last, we ate breakfast in peace. Maya-maya'y iba na ang pinag-usapan nila. Pero nararamdaman ko pa rin ang mga tingin ni Lolo sa'kin.

Nalaman kong tatlong araw lamang si Lolo sa Manila. We bonded the whole time he's here. Madalas kasama si Daddy, I don't know if he's on leave or clearly just neglecting his work. He got a lot of free time in his hand, the reason he's always with us.

On the third day before Lolo left to go home, he called me to Daddy's office. Our house here in Manila is not as big as Lolo's Mansion but we still do have lot of rooms here. Kabilang na doon ang library na siyang pinakamalaki. It's also Dad's office.

''Is there a reason why you don't want to go, Vernaise?'' bungad ni Lolo, hindi pa ako nakakaupo.

I sighed and went to the chair in front. He already asked me this question a few times. And my answer remains the same.

''I'm just busy po.''

''You don't look busy, Vernaise. You look rather bored here.''

Hindi ako nagsalita. Lolo's brows shot up as he looked at me. Seryoso ang kanyang itsura at parang may gustong malaman.