Control The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 38

I'd been alone ever since.

I just wanted to relish being in someone's company.

It was a stupid decision that I consciously made and would make... until I couldn't.

Pagdating ko sa condo, I planned on just sleeping the night away. I was in no mood to do anything anymore. I kinda missed going to school because back then, I had no time to think about things... I just woke up with studying and passing in my mind.

Now, I think about lots of things.

Of Iñigo.

Of work.

Of the future.

When I heard knocks on the door, I debated if I'd open it or pretend that I was already sleeping. I was in no mood to entertain people. I was just tired... Buong araw kong naririnig iyong bagong problema sa office and even if I couldn't see Iñigo, alam ko naman na kasama siya sa mga umaayos nun.

"You look tired," Iñigo said when I opened the door. He planted a kiss on my forehead. I immediately saw the paper bags he was holding. "Magluluto muna ako. Ano'ng gusto mong dinner?"

I silently walked back to the sofa. Pinanood ko siya habang nilalagay niya iyong mga grocery sa cupboard at ref. Ever since he got his new 'gig,' lagi siyang nagdadala ng grocery sa condo... which was fair dahil madalas naman siyang kumain dito. Iñigo would sometimes hint that he's always here and might as well dito na rin siya tumira...

But that didn't sit well with me.

At least not yet.

I didn't want to spend my nights watching him work. Maybe later on when I was completely desensitized and perhaps more 'open' with the realities of the career I chose.

"Cha," pagtawag niya.

"Hmm?"

"Naka-usap ko 'yung Papa mo kanina..."

"What?" I asked, my forehead creased. The last time I saw my Dad was during Christmas... And even then, we didn't talk but just civilly greeted each other. He didn't even congratulate me after I finished the exam. Baka kakausapin niya ako kapag pumasa na ako.

"Kanina sinama kasi ako sa meeting. Tapos nandun siya kaya ayun," he said. "Naalala niya pala na ako 'yung kasama mo dati nung bigla kang umalis sa sasakyan."

I pursed my lips. I could still remember the reason why I got out of the car. He told me to stay away from Iñigo because he's not good enough for him. Because he's set on getting me together with Rhys kahit malinaw na wala akong gusto sa kanya.

"What did he say?" I asked, ready to apologize for whatever my Dad told him. I knew that my father wasn't one to mince words when he's displeased. I grew up listening to him telling me that I needed to do better. I grew up watching my brothers exhaust themselves just to make him proud.

But he's still our father.

Maybe that's his way of loving us... no matter how fucked up.

"Medyo nagulat lang siya," sabi niya. "Inintroduce ako ni Mr. Tiu... Nung natapos 'yung meeting, tinanong ka niya sa 'kin."

My brow arched. "What?" I asked, unable to believe that there were no words thrown.

Iñigo nodded then he began to dice the onion. "Sinabi ko na tapos ka na sa BAR and na marami kang job offers," he said. "Mukhang proud naman siya, Cha."

I pursed my lips. This... was weird. The last time, Dad was keen on getting Iñigo out of my life... Tapos ngayon nag-uusap sila civilly? At tinanong niya pa ako kay Iñigo?