Remnants of Our Drowned Love

Chapter 36

"Anong pinapatawag? Bakit ako pinapatawag? Lia!"

Itong kapatid ko, palagi akong pinapag-alala, seryoso, parang ako na ang mommy niya.

"I'm sorry Ate... I'll explain later! Just please talk to Doc Rey."

I paced back and forth, gripping my phone, one thing I also learned from raising a stubborn college student is to always have longer as in longer patience. Don't get me wrong, sobrang haba na ng pasesya ko, pero papatayin ata ako ng maaga ni Lia. Fuck.

Pabagsak na napaupo nalang ako sa swivel.

"You're a graduating student, Lia..." I pinched my temple in a stressful manner. "Fine, I'll be there in ten, wait for me."

"I'm really sorry." Is it just me? Or she didn't sound sorry at all? I sigh, I called my secretary and just move my meetings for today, agad itong tumalima.

I was driving when I saw a black mustang behind me as I stop on a red light.

Kinakalma ko ang sarili ko dahil baka masapok ko talaga ang kapatid ko kung may kalokohan nga itong nagawa sa school, worst case scenario is hindi siya paakyatin, she'll be marching in less than a month.

Tahimik lang akong naghihintay matapos ang countdown ng green light nang mapansin ko ang mustang na kanina lang ay nasa likod ko. Mustangs are cool but I don't have any mustang in my garage that's why it could easily catch my eye.

Nang makarating ako sa Uni ni Lia ay naabutan ko itong nakatayo sa labas ng College of Business faculty.

"It's okay," bungad ko when she's about to say sorry again, I know that face. Tinuro ko ang pintuan at nang tumango siya ay kumatok ako ng tatlong beses bago pumasok, hindi na ito sumama sa 'kin.

"Good afternoon, Doctor Jerrey."

He greeted me enthusiastically, we already knew each other, he's my professor before, hindi pa nga lang ito Dean noon.

"Ah! Olie Montealondre showed herself up, I miss research week." I slightly chuckled, I love doing research and business planning, mahilig akong humakot sa contest before.

What can I say? Pinalaki akong ganito, kidding.

"What might be the reason why I'm here sir?" I asked calmly, kahit kabado ako sagad.

"Oh that...I'm sorry Olie but we couldn't let Lia march."

My mouth fell — what?

"How come? I saw her grades last sem she has no failing grades Sir Jerrey, what happened?"

Fuck. She's super doomed kapag nalaman ito nila Mommy!

Konti nalang ay tatawagan ko na sila.

Doctor Jerry sheepishly grinned at me, tumayo ito at nilahad ang kamay sa harap ko. Tumayo rin ako ngunit hindi kinuha ang kamay niya

"Congratulations Olie, we couldn't let her march without preparing for her speech, she has the highest GWA in her batch."

Again, my mouth fell.

The brat! She scared me.

Agad kong kinamayan si Sir at nagpasalamat. Isang malawak na ngiti ang suot-suot ni Lia nang makalabas ako.

I instantly hugged her. All those sleepless nights we've been through had paid off.

"Gaga ka papatayin mo ba ako sa kaba?! I was about to call mommy!"

"It's a prankkkk!" She laughed and pulled me again for a hug.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you you're the best mommy in the world."