A Game with Kismet | Suarez II

Chapter 41

Mahirap mangako. Lalo at trabaho ko ang bigyan ng boses bawat perspektibo. "I'll see. Let's hope this will be the last."

He nodded. Tinanggap niya ako nang yakapin ko siya. Kung hindi ako pumayat, baka lunaki lang ang katawan niya. Halos kalahati niya lang ako kaya madali sa kaniyang mayakap akong parang unan lang.

"May gusto akong malaman," tanong ko habang nakayakap.

"What is it?"

"Malapit ka ba sa mga pinsan mo?" tanong ko.

"Why do you ask?" I just shrugged. Humiwalay siya sa akin.

"Yes, but not that much. Among us, I'm the most unsociable. They grew up knowing how businesses work, while I stayed at home because Mom wanted me to focus on my education as I was delayed. I don't attend gatherings; I will surely get judgments from my aunts and uncles.

"Remember I was supposed to run Royale? Dahil delay ako, iniisip ng mga Tito ko na ibigay ang kompanya sa mas naunang nakatapos sa akin. My father didn't let them, that's against the tradition. The eldest of the generation should run the businesses. Only if one steps down, the next in line will take his position.

"I may not be part of the family anymore but I still treasure my cousins. They are brave to stay and hope to change the system."

Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang sistema nila. Puro lalaki nga sila at problema kapag babae ang unang silang sa henerasyon dahil hindi pa raw pinapayagan na magmana ang babae sa pamilya nila. I don't know why I'm feeling suspicious. Sa ilang henerasyon, puro lalaki lang sila? And what are the odds that the only and few women aren't the eldest?

Hindi ko na dapat iniisip 'yon. Sabi nga ni Rad, iniwan niya ang pamilya niya para malayo kami sa gulo. But I had to voice out my thoughts.

"Tingin mo, magkakampi ang lahat ng Suarez?"

He chuckled. "That's a silly question. Of course, kahit kaniya-kaniyang buhat sila ng upuan. They won't let people stain their names. A downfall of one Suarez is a downfall of every Suarez."

"There was an issue of unpaid employees of Dolce Casa. Now, an allegation of abuse and prostitution against Royale. Kung nakulong na ang Legazpi na kalaban niyo, sino itong bago?"

He clenched his jaw.

"Paano kung may traydor sa pamilya niyo?" Finally, I asked it. His eyes became intense. Kinabahan ako bigla. "Ikaw ba?"

Pinakakaba lang akong higit ng mga tingin niya. Out of nowhere, he smiled and pinched my cheeks. "No. Didn't I tell you I treasure my cousins? Damay pa rin sila kapag may krisis ang matatanda. I want a peaceful life. I won't get it by continuously getting in trouble."

It makes sense. Ang tanga ng tanong ko.

"Let's stop talking about them." Umalis siya sa harapan ko para may kuhanin sa bag na dala. "I bought you a pepper spray." Inilapag niya 'yon sa palad ko at itinikom ang nga daliri. "Always bring it with you.

Sasabihin ko sana na binigyan ako ni Eros pero itinikom ko na lang ang bibig.

"I also got you a balisong."

"Mayroon nga ako." I took my bag and showed him my pocket knife.

Inagaw niya sa akin ang akin at sinuri. "This is different," he insisted to give me the balisong. "Dalhin mo pareho. Isang saksak sa tagiliran, isa sa leeg," bilin niya.