Past The Storm Clouds

Chapter 40

"Makinig ka muna."

Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata at kalmadong nag-angat ng tingin kay Daddy. Sinubukan kong huwag dramatikong humugot ng hininga.

"Akala ko ba klinaro ko na sa'yo, Farah?" taas-kilay na tanong niya sa akin. "I did admit that I wanted you in our company instead of letting you make your own. But you were too stubborn and just went building an empire as if it was a child's play!"

"Hay, that's enough, Lino. Tumigil ka na sa kagigiit mo na ang anak mo lang ang nagkamali dahil ikaw din naman!" Umiling iling si Mom sabay abot sa akin ng fettuccine.

"Wow, Mom," side-comment ni Daena.

Dad chuckled. "I know, I know. Alright, I'm sorry."

"Oh gosh, kumain na tayo." Ngumisi si Daena. Si Kuya ay nasa tabi ko at sa kabilang banda ko naman ay si Ljard.

"Daena, you haven't thanked Ljard yet!"

"Huh." Umubo-ubo ako. "No need to thank him. I just forced him to bring some pastas," I joked before chewing. Nilingon ako ni Ljard at naramdaman ko agad ang kamay niya sa aking hita. I remained composed.

Ljard did his best to make sure I get along with my family. And as much as it hurts to swallow my pride, they are part of my life. I'm finally somehow okay with Dad because of Ljard. Siya nga ang nagpumilit sa akin na dumalaw sa engagement dinner para kay Kuya Cajil dahil plano ko na naman sanang isantabi iyon at magtrabaho lang buong araw. This time, Ljard also insisted that we eat lunch with them before we leave later for Italy.

Sa mga nagdaang linggo kasi, nananabik akong lumabas ng bansa for some self-satisfaction reason. I never told Ljard because knowing that man, he'd immediately agree with my idea. Although we both talked about taking a vacation for almost every dinner date we have, his presence is needed in their family business which I'm aware is important to the RBM's successful growth.

Of course, as a wonderful girlfriend to him, I'm not going to be an obstacle.

"Hindi talaga kayo magpapahatid, Farah?" simangot ni Mom. I caught Dad behind her talking to someone on the phone, laughing.

I heaved a dramatic sigh. "We'll just enter the plane and off we go kaya di na kailangan, Mom. Alam ko ring may mga responsibilidad kayo sa kompanya so don't worry about us."

"Sana all pa-trip to Italy," pagpaparinig ni Daena. Sinuot ko na muli ang blazer at binalingan ang kapatid.

"Mag sana-all ka lang at baka ikaw din," ani ko at kumaway na kila Mom bilang pagpapaalam. Bumaling ulit ako kay Daena. "Try Tinder, sis."

Malademonyo akong ngumisi nang makita ang hindi natutuwa na si Daena. I laughed evilly as Ljard dragged me out of our house, proud that I got to piss Daena off just because I wanted to. My family and those whom I face day-to-day know I still end up at my worst sometimes. That's alright. I became cognizant of the fact that while changes may happen as often as they can, there's a side of me that will always be part of what makes me the person I was yesterday, today, tomorrow, or in the next five years or so.

Kung ito man iyon na kung ano ako ngayon, hindi ibig sabihin na masama na ang buong pagkatao ko. Every damn time I'm skeptical about that, I'd look at Ljard.

"You should cut down the days you get on Daena's nerves," advice ni Ljard.

"Oh, come on, that's how we bond," depensa ko at umikot na sa kaliwa. "Akong maga drive."