Whatever We Had

Twenty-nine

#WWH29
29
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Failure

"Seriously, mag-eengineering ka?"

I shrugged. "I guess so. Pwede mo naman akong 'wag sundan. Take whatever you want to, babe. Ayoko namang mag civil engineering ka dahil lang andon ako. Hindi naman ako magagalit kung hihiwalay ka sa akin," pangungumbinsi ko.

Ari crossed her arms. "Eh, paano na ako? Hindi na nga ako conyo para sa'yo, eh. Ayaw mo ba mag-?"

"Hoy, ako natutuwa na hindi ka na conyo pero ayoko mag model at kung ano pa mang kaartehan ang kukunin mo. And I'm sure 'di dahil sakin 'yang pagbabago at pagiging normal mo."

"Normal naman na ako, ah?" Tila hindi siguradong tanong niya.

"Pa'no ka nakakasiguro?" I spat back.

She just rolled her eyes on me. "I heard kuya went here last last week?" Usisa niya.

"Uh, oo. Wala, naabutan niya lang akong nagluluto. Nagkwentuhan lang rin kami tungkol sa ibang bagay."

She leaned on me more like she's interested at it. "Like?" Pangiintriga niya pa.

"Stop being nosy. It's nothing you should know."

"Akala ko ba bestfriends tayo?" Ngumungusong tanong niya.

Truth is, I don't want her to know about the mail that I received from NFU. I've trusted Ari for years but we all know the lesser the people who knows the lesser the chance that it will spread. If Russ betrays me, then maybe he can't be trusted.

"Civil Engineering, mommy," I said to finally shut her up. She's been asking me for days regarding my course in College. Ayokong sabihin dahil ayokong mangulit sila nang ganito but then here she is.

Tumaas ang kilay niya doon at tila hindi inaasahan ang sagot ko. "Are you sure, Wraie? You know your dad doesn't force you to take up engineering. If you want it, it's fine. If you don't, it's still fine."

"Ok lang, mom. Ayoko rin namang imanage yung VDC nang wala akong alam doon, diba?"

"Yes, honey, but your dad can always let anyone else manage it. That's if... you don't want it," nag aalangang sabi niya.

"I want it, mom."

"Alright. Will you enroll by yourself or I'll ask someone else to do it?"

"Ah, mommy. Yung tungkol don sa sulat na natanggap ko..."

She nervously bit her lip. "I'm sorry, honey, but I checked it out myself. Don't worry, your dad is out of this."

"Mom! Para sa akin yung sulat diba? Why open it?"

"Sorry, honey. I was just curious. It's the first time North Foretrieth University sent you a letter. Of course, I found it suspicious," malikot ang matang sabi niya.

"Why do you have to meddle in everything that I do? Goodness, I am already old enough."

Those are the last words she heard from me before I left.

I don't know. My parents and I seemed fine lately. But the way my mom involves herself in everything I do frustrates me. She's never this nosy. I'm glad dad didn't find out, or else he'll throw me out of here.

Today is my first day as a freshman. Ari enrolled in a different school in Afttrieth while I remained in NFU. Kinakabahan ako para sa aking unang araw. It's like stepping out of my comfort zone. A school year without my bestfriend.