The Eye of the Varsity

CHAPTER 16

Nakaupo kaming lahat dito sa dining area at katatapos lang namin kumain ng dinner.

Katabi ko si Asher at sa isang side naman ay si Marie. Habang sila Mommy, Daddy, Gray, at Kuya ay nasa tapat namin.

"So, how long is your relationship going? Nagtataka lang ako dahil ang sabi ni Claire wala pa siyang boyfriend." Tanong ni Mommy kay Asher.

"Mom-"

Pinutol ni Asher ang aking sasabihin.

"Since the day she came back here in the Philippines and it's been half a year, Ma'am since we started our relationship. Claire is just afraid to confront both of you po." Nilingon ako ni Asher.

I gave him a weak smile. He saved me.

Tumango naman si Kuya, "Totoo po 'yun dahil ako 'yung unang sinabihan ni Claire tungkol sa relasyon nila ni Asher at kilala ko na siya dahil isa siya sa mga tinuruan ko sa basketball team bago mag graduate sa AU."

Gray is staring at me with his killer eyes. Ano na naman ang problema niya?

Tumango naman si Daddy, at lumingon kay Asher, "Oh, I see. You should have told us, Claire. Asher is a good man and I like him for you. Anong trabaho ng parents mo, if you don't mind?"

Kalmado lang ang itsura ni Daddy habang si Mommy ay parang 'di na natutuwa sa mga pinag uusapan.

"It's okay, Sir. Both of them are private lawyers," he smiled, humbly.

Kinalabit naman ako ni Marie kaya napalingon ako sa kaniya.

Bumulong siya, "Hindi mo naman sinabi na family of lawyer pala itong si Asher."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know, either. Ngayon ko lang din nalaman."

Mommy seriously looked at Asher, "Alam mo naman 'di ba 'yung sitwasyon ni Claire ngayon? I assumed that she told you about this one, am I right?"

Napaayos ako ng upo sa tono ng pananalita ni Mommy, nagbabanta.

He pursed his lips and glanced at me, "Yes Ma'am, I knew it. I respect your decision, but to think of it from my side, it is painful to see her arranged to someone. I love her so much, even though you're suspecting me that I'm lying...but to tell you I'm not."

Gulat akong napatingin kay Asher.

Wait, wala 'to sa usapan namin.

"Claire is getting married to Gray after the graduation. We're almost prepared, Asher. That's why we invited you to join us here to tackle it." Mommy smiled.

"I'm so excited na nga po, Tita. Ikaw din 'di ba, Claire?" Inabot niya ang kamay ko na nakapatong sa mesa pero iniwas ko kaagad ito.

Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Gray, "As if naman na matutuloy 'yung kasal."

"You agreed to it, right?" Mommy asked, shifting her attention on me.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya nang maigi, "Oo, pero may mahal akong iba. Ipagkakait niyo pa 'yun sa akin? Mommy, I'm sorry to voice out this...as a mother you're supposed to support me where I want to be happy, but what happened? You have caged me, not even enjoying my youth because you're controlling me."

Unti-unti nang tumulo ang mga pinipigilan kong mga luha sa aking mata.

"I know I have no right to say this, but Claire deserves to be well-treated...hindi lang siya iba sa inyo kung hindi anak niyo siya," he embraced me in his wide arms, convincing my parents.