Since Then, Till Now

14

Chapter 14

Today is the last day of my Christmas break and we're back at home. Last day na din ng leave nila Mommy and Daddy.

"Are you all set for tomorrow, anak?"

"Yes, Dad," sagot ko at umupo na para sa dinner.

Umupo na rin si Mommy sa harap ko habang si Daddy ang nasa gitnang gilid namin. This is probably our last dinner together for this month dahil panigurado busy na naman sila.

"In a few months, Lana, you'll be on your last year of high school," ani Mommy.

"Yes, Mom. Ang bilis nga po." I think I know where this is going.

"Hon, have you told her already? About the..." mahinang sabi pa ni Daddy. As if I can't hear them.

"Yah, she knows," said Mommy. Tiningnan niya pa ako at nginitian. "Uhm, Lana..."

Here we go.

"... About New Zealand, anak. Have you made a choice yet?" I can tell she's fighting her eargerness to hear my answer.

"Hindi pa po, Mommy." Binaling ko ang tingin sa pagkain. "I don't think I want to."

Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin. Dad looked confused, while Mom looked like she expected my answer already.

"I just think that maybe I can get a scholarship here instead, that way I wouldn't have to leave my friends and La-"

"Lana, that's a one-time offer," mariin na sabi ni Daddy. "Not to mention that it's also a great oppurtunity!"

I know. That scholarship can get me my own art gallery. That's what I want, because that's always been the dream. That one-time offer can shape my future. I know I have to make a wise decision, and believe me I want it.

But I also don't want to leave, I don't think I can. Just thinking about leaving home, my friends, Tita Lani and Tito Dylon, and Latch, makes me homesick already. I don't want to leave home, I don't want to leave them.

"I know, Dad," I said. I looked at him and I saw gentleness in his eyes.

"Think about it, Lana." He smiled. "Leaving is not always a bad thing."

I was right, iyon na nga ang last dinner namin nila Mommy at Daddy dahil naging abala na ulit sila sa trabaho. Nagpatuloy na ulit ang klase at isang linggo na ang nakalipas, it was our exams week.

Ngayon ay nasa training ako para sa gaganaping Sports Fest this school year. Pagkatapos nitong training ay iiwan na kami ni Coach para sa try-out, kami ni Favy ang naatasan pumili kung sino ang deserving makasali sa team.

"Ylana and Favy, I trust that you can do the job. Captain ball..." Tumingin siya sa akin at tinanguan ko naman siya. "Yes, Coach. Gagalingan namin mamimili."

Umalis na nang tuluyan si Coach at pinapuwesto ko na ang mga mag tatry-out. May mga pinagawa kami sa kanilang excercises at routines para tingnan kung sino ang maaaring makapasok. Inisa-isa rin namin sila para sa basics ng Volleyball at so far, si Ashley pa lang ang nakikita kong nakakasabay.

"Iba rin talaga 'yang si Ashley, 'no? Athlete na kasi eh," ani Favy sa tabi ko habang pinapanood ang mga nag tatry-out.

Ilang beses pa namin iyon inulit at pinaglaro din namin sila saglit pero si Ashley ang talaga ang may kaya. Of course, athlete.

"Go! I-push niyo 'yan! Walang lalamya-lamya!" sigaw ni Favy habang iniikutan ang mga players.

"Si Ashley lang talaga, girl," aniya nang makabalik sa tabi ko. Magaling talaga siya mag-laro. She can even be the Captain Ball!