Fight or Flight? [Book 2] ON GOING

23

-Flashback-

"Yasmine Bernice! Get in here!"

Pagka-apak pa lang ng mga paa ko sa aming bahay ay narinig ko na ang sigaw ni Dad. Galit na nakatingin ang mga mata nito sa akin. Iyong mga katulong namin ay nagsialisan isa isa. Hinanap ng mga mata ko si Mommy pero wala ito dito.

Hinigpitan ko ang pagyakap ko sa libro ko. Lumapit si Dad sa akin at napatigil saglit. I know that he's thinking hard on to whatever he's going to say next, perhaps to not hurt my feelings. Hindi nawala sa mata ko ang hawak hawak ni Dad sa kamay nito.

"What is the meaning of this!" Itinapon ni Dad isa isa ang mga larawan namin ni Quinn, "Did I not already warned you to stay away from her?!" He stares at the pictures that are scattered on the floor, "Are you having a relationship with Quinn Aboitiz?" He asks so calmly but it intends to intimidate me.

I thought my mind was only making it up but it was true. May sumusunod sa bawat kilos ko. I should have warned Quinn... may isang litrato na magkahawak kami ng kamay ni Quinn.

Denying it will only make me look like a liar.

"Do not make me repeat myself, Yassy."

My eyes are beginning to water as I look at my Father's eyes, "Dad, I... I love her."

Dad looked really mad. Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang dismaya sa mga ito pero hindi ko kayang magsinungaling at itago pa ito sa kanila.

"This is unacceptable. No, this can't be true." Paulit ulit lamang itong sagot ni Dad, "I am not going to let this continue. I am sending you to England!" Parang sirang plaka na paulit ulit itong tumutunog sa isipan ko.

"Dad, please... wala naman kaming ginagawang masama ni Quinn. She is different from any of her family! Please, Dad... don't do this..." pag mamakaawa ko habang pilit na niyayakap si Dad, "Was it wrong to fall in love, Dad? You told me that you and Mom also fought for that love before!"

"Not the same love that you and that Aboitiz have!" Hinawakan ni Dad ang mga balikat ko para ilayo sa kanya, "Look what that girl did to you! This is unacceptable! You have to wait me die before you can be with that girl." My Father coldly said.

Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang sasabihin ko kay Dad. I saw this one coming, I even prepared myself to listen to whatever rejection my Family will say. I expected them to be repulsive towards my preference but nothing can prepare me for this pain.

"That family do not know what Love is, anak." Huminto si Dad at siniguradong ako ay nakikinig sa kanya, "I'm sending you to England for your own good."

"For my own good? Or for your career?" Linakasan ko ang loob ko para mailabas ang kirot sa dibdib ko.

"You have no idea what you are talking about. This is not just about my career but also for our Family's namesake!" Napatikom na lang ang bibig ko, "What have I ever done to you? I only ask you one thing, Yassy. Only to stay away from any spawn of Aboitiz and you couldn't give it to me! Is this what you are going to repay me?" Naglakad na paalis si Dad.

"Yasmine." My brother called from behind. Pinunasan ko ang luha ko bago ako humarap sa kanya.

"Kuya, ano nang gagawin ko?" my brother signals me to stop.