The Other Side of Dominance (BxB) ✔

Chapter 41 [Question]

The slow rhythm of the classical music playing in the background and the chattering of people filled my ears. I suddenly felt so out of place just by hearing the people around talking about business and investments and profits and that listening to it for almost an hour, I grew tired of it.

I stole a champagne bottle and poured myself a glass. I was only twenty years old and it's my first time to try alcohol. Namangha ako sa malinaw na likidong isinalin ko sa isang baso. I carefully looked at it and smelt it.

"Don't even try drinking that."

I looked up to see Kuya Evan who just caught me and I made sure the annoyed expression on my face was evident. Kahit kailan panira talaga siya. Lagi niya akong binabawalan sa lahat ng bagay.

"I think my age is legal enough to at least try a glass."

He was wearing the same suit and tie just like what the other guests wore. His hair is fixed in a slickback that made him look younger than his age.

"No, you are not going to drink that." paghihigpit niya kahit na inilayo ko na ang bote ng champagne ay inagaw pa rin niya sa akin.

"Oh come on!" napamura ako nang mahina kaya nakatanggap ako sa kanya ng isang konyat sa ulo.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, sinigurado kong tatagos ito sa balat niya at mararamdaman niya ang sakit. Pinantayan niya ang tingin ko ngunit mabilis na naagaw ang atensyon niya nang lumapit ang kanyang asawa sa kinaroroonan namin.

"Ate Jacky, can you tell my brother to mind his own business?" sarkastikong parinig ko makaganti man lang kay Kuya.

"Don't listen to him. Yeah he's twenty but he's acting like a teenager." patutsada ni Kuya na mas lalong nakapagpakulo ng dugo ko.

I scoffed, thinking that my brother is unbelievable. Pailing-iling lamang si Ate Jacky sa kanyang tabi. Ilang saglit pa ay tinawag sila nina Mommy at Daddy upang ipakilala sa ibang panauhin.

"Stay here and don't touch any alcohol." Kuya Evan left me an empty warning before they rushed over to our parents.

Naiwan ako sa table mag-isa habang pinapanood ang mga tao sa paligid na walang sawang mag-usap tungkol sa kani-kaniyang negosyo. Today is Daddy's birthday and they invited almost everyone they know and work with. Karamihan ay matatanda, ako lang yata ang bata-bata at fresh dito, eh.

To kill my boredom, I decided to eat when Dad pulled the chair beside me and sat on it. May iilang hibla na ng puti sa kanyang buhok ngunit kahit na ganoon ay hindi siya nagmukhang matanda. Gwapo siya noong kabataan niya kaya naipasa niya ang magandang lahi kina Kuya samantalang namana ko naman ang ganda ni Mommy.

"Why are you eating alone here?" bumaba ang tingin niya sa karne sa aking plato na para bang naaawa siya sa mga hayop na kinatay para lamang may makain ako.

"I don't have anyone to eat with." I said and shrugged my shoulders to act like it's something already usual. I'm always the loner of the family. Wala namang bago roon.

"You can eat with your brothers." natatawa niyang suhestiyon dahil alam niyang wala akong kasundo sa kanilang tatlo.

"Not a good idea, Dad." nahawa ako sa kanyang ngiti kaya natatawa na rin ako. We laughed when all of a sudden, I noticed the disconcerted look on his face like he was bothered by something.

"Everything's okay, Dad?" hinanap ko ang mga mata niya dahil nakatungo lang siya sa ibaba at papikit-pikit.

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay." nag-angat siya ng ulo at doon ko nakitang bumalik na sa tamang kulay ang mukha niya, kanina kasi ay medyo namumutla siya. I was about to ask him further about it when some guest approached him so Dad had to leave me in the table.