[Book 2] Warning: Bawal Pa-fall (Opo, Ongoing pa rin po Ito)

52. Plans

Chapter 52

God knows how happy I am now that my parents are back in the Philippines. Nakadagdag sa kasiyahan ko ang pag-sorpresa nila sa akin. I knew they were coming back home but I did not expect it would be this soon. Nakakagaan ng loob ngayong kasama ko na sina Mom at Dad lalo na't nandito rin si kuya. Minsan lang kami mabuo ng ganito dahil sa dami ng nangyari nitong mga nakaraang taon kaya naman napakasaya ko.

"Are you sure you don't need bodyguards anymore, Misty?" Kuya Kurt asked in the middle of our breakfast. Katabi ko siya sa kaliwa at nakapwesto naman si Mom sa harapan ko. Dad, being the padre de familia, was seated on the head of the table. This is indeed a rare scene in our family.

"Yes, kuya. Everything's fine. Nagkaayos na kami ng kaibigan kong si Eunice," I replied as I continued eating the bread filled with strawberry jam over my plate.

His eyes remained at me. "But still..."

I cut him off abruptly with a reassuring smile. "Kuya, siya naman ang dahilan kung bakit mo ako binigyan ng bodyguards, right? Ngayong okay naman na kami, what's the use of having them?"

Saglit niya akong tinignan nang seryoso bago nagkibit-balikat at tinuon na ang atensyon sa kanyang pagkain. On the day when I approached the Dean to withdraw Eunice's expulsion was also the same day Kuya Kurt knew about it. Syempre kumontra siya sa ginawa ko pero paulit-ulit kong sinabi sa kanya na ang nangyari ay away barkada lang. We already fixed it and thank God Eunice has been doing well lately.

"Things like that really happen among youth nowadays, Kurt," Dad commented as he wiped the side of his lips with the table napkin. "Mas malala pa nga ang mga nangyari sayo noon kung alam mo lang."

Hindi kumibo si Kuya Kurt. Ako naman ay tahimik lang habang sumisimsim sa hot chocolate ko. Even Mom was also silent. Bigla tuloy naging awkward sa hapag.

"Anyway, how's work, Kurt?" dagdag pa ni Dad.

"All is well. I have been based in Singapore for a couple of months because the management had to assign me there. However, the company just recently had a merger with a prestigious company here in the Philippines. So yeah, I am back for good, Dad."

Mom cleared her throat. "Kurt, I don't think you need to work in a company that we do not own. Alam mong binenta na natin ang ilan sa mga properties at investments natin pero hindi ibig sabihin nu'n ay dapat na magtrabaho ka sa ibang kumpanya bilang regular employee lamang. We can start up a new business and let you manage it."

"Mom..."

"What's the use of being a Master's degree holder in Business and allow other company to utilize your skills and knowledge when you can manage something you can call as your own?"

Kuya Kurt expelled a deep sigh. He looked so impatient with what he heard.

"Look at your friends. Si Arthur, may sariling grocery chain company. Si Derrick naman ang namamahala sa M Mall. Alexander is also on top management of his family business' airline company. I am sure your other friends are way successful as well."

"Mom, Dad, I have my personal reasons, okay? Just... just let me," 'yon lang ang naging tugon ni Kuya Kurt bago naghari ang katahimikan sa dining.

Sa totoo lang, wala akong naintindihan sa pinag-uusapan nila lalo na't usaping business 'yon pero nagegets ko yung point ni Mom. Hindi ko rin maintindihan si kuya kung bakit kailangan niyang magtrabaho sa ibang kumpanya bilang regular employee kung may mas potential pa siya sa mataas na posisyon kapag magma-manage siya ng sariling business. Besides, we might not be as well-off as before but losing some investments and properties absolutely did not lead our family to downfall. We can definitely get back to the top now that Dad has fully recovered already.