Monarch High: War of the Brats

CHAPTER 18

Over the courses of my life, I realized that it's really hard to please everyone when you couldn't even please yourself. It's really hard to make decisions for yourself because you're used to letting other people decide for you. They will leave you no other choice but to follow their orders because they thought they knew what's best for you. Pero kung para sa akin din pala ang lahat ng ito... bakit hindi ako masaya?

"Ginarelle," Dad's authorative voice made me snap back. Kaagad akong tumingin sa kanya at lumunok. "Are you even listening?"

I pursed my lips. "I'm sorry, dad. What was it again?"

He sighed in disappointment. "I'm asking about your grades."

"Hindi pa naman naglalabas ng report card, dad. I'll tell you if releasing na."

Tumango sya at nagpatuloy sa pag kain ng dinner. Ang akala ko ay hindi na sya magsasalita pero nagulat ako nang bigla syang tumikhim ag tumingin sa 'kin.

"How about your performance at school? I bet you are already the top in your class," his smile was sweet, but I know better. One wrong word, and I'm seriously doomed.

Napasulyap ako kay mommy na tahimik lang na kumakain. I sighed. "I'm trying my best, dad."

Kumunot ang noo nya. Halatang hindi gusto ang sinabi ko. "I'm not telling you to try, Gina. I'm telling you to be the best. Don't tell me hanggang ngayon ay hindi mo parin nauungusan si Hurricane?"

I gasped at the mention of Hurricane's name. I bit my lip so hard at nawalan ako ng ganang kumain nang mapagtanti kung saan na naman kami dadalhin ng pag-uusap na 'to.

"Dad..."

"Ginarelle, I raised you to be always on top. 'Wag mong hahayaang tapak-tapakan ka ng babaeng 'yan-

"Dad, she's my friend," I gritted my teeth.

"Because I told you to befriend her. Kung hindi ko sinabi iyon, hindi mo sya lalapitan, hindi ba?"

"Gino..." Mom muttered.

Binitawan ko ang kutsara at tinidor na hawak ko. Kinagat ko ang dila ko para hindi makasagot sa sinabi nya. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Dad always tells me that. I was aloof to the people around me back when I was young. Magkalaban sa negosyo ang mga magulang namin ni Hurricane, simula nang malaman iyon ni daddy, inutusan nya akong kaibiganin si Hurricane at ipamukha sa kanyang mas magaling ako... hindi lang kaysa sa kanya kundi sa lahat.

Hurricane became my friend because she was really nice back then. It's easy to get along with her. I was happy... I didn't know if which reason, maybe because daddy was satisfied upon the closeness of me and Hurricane or was it because I finally had a friend.

"And I learned that you joined Sovereigns?" tumaas ang kilay nya.

Tumango ako. "Don't worry, dad. Hindi ko naman pinapabayaan ang-

"Don't make me stupid. I came from that school, Gina. I know how sovereigns work. They are always excused every time they have something to do. And then, what? Sacrifice your academics for that extracurricular activity?"

"Dad, I'm not forsaking my grades-

"You are," mariin nyang sabi.

I looked at Mommy for her to at least say something, but she remained silent and continued eating her dinner. My shoulder fell at tumingin na lang kay daddy na ngayon ay hinihintay ang sagot ko.

"No. Dad, please-

"Do not defy my orders, Ginarelle," maotoridad nyang sabi. Ang dami ko pang gustong sabihin pero lagi akong nawawalan ng boses sa tuwing kaharap si daddy. "You are inside my house, and you're entitled to follow my orders."