Taste of Love (Taste Series #1)

Chapter 9

𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙴

KINABUKASAN habang nakaupo ako sa living room couch, ang sinag ng araw ay tumama sa aking mukha. Seryosong nakatingin sa'kin si Daddy. Alam ko naman na dadating ang pangyayari na 'to, patay talaga ako kay Daddy ngayon.

"Summer anak, I've made it clear that I don't want you having a boyfriend at your age. Ano bang iniisip mo?" mahinang tanong ni Daddy.

I swallowed hard, my eyes avoiding direct contact with his disapproving gaze. Nahagilap ng aking mata sina Tita Azarella and Kuya Finn, they are stood nearby, silently observing the tension between me and Daddy.

"Daddy, I just thought—"

He shook his head at umupo siya sa tabi ko. "Hindi kita pinapa-boyfriend para maging sagabal sa pag-aaral mo. Alam mo 'yan." ang kanyang boses ay umaalingawngaw sa ere, a heavy reminder of the rules I knowingly broke. The massiveness of his disappointment pressed on me, and I couldn't bring myself to argue.

"Oo, Daddy. Alam ko naman po. Pasensya na." saad ko at nagbaba ako ng tingin.

"Summer, we just want what's best for you. Hindi naman gusto namin na sirain ang kaligayahan mo. Anak, para sa'yo lang 'tong ginagawa ng Daddy mo." giit ni Tita Azarella.

Kung hindi lang nahulog 'tong puso ko sa anak niyo, hinding-hindi ako magb-boyfriend!

Kuya Finn remained silent. Tumingin ako sa kanyang gawi, his expression a mix of concern and understanding. As my dad continued expressing his disapproval, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for disappointing him. "Kailangan mo mag-focus sa pag-aaral. Relationships can wait." dad firmly spoke.

Nagbaba ulit ako ng tingin. I felt the eyes of everyone here in living room on me, a spotlight on my mistake. I know I messed up, but can't they see that I'm just trying to figure things out? Ginagawa ko lang naman 'to para mamatay 'tong nararamdaman ko para kay Kuya Finn.

"Summer, your dad just wants what's best for you. We need to respect his rules." mahinang sabi ni Tita Azarella.

Ano naman ang mapapala ko kapag iiwan ko si Harley? Magpapatuloy 'tong nararamdaman ko para kay Kuya Finn. Nakakainis na talaga.

"I hope you learn from this, Summer. Wag nang maulit." Dad spoke, and he stood up.  "Opo, Daddy. Hindi na po mauulit." pero ayoko pa rin iiwan si Harley.

Pagkatapos akong pinagsabihan ni Daddy ay bumalik na 'ko sa kwarto. Sa bagay, hindi naman sila ang nasa posisyon ko kaya nagawa kong baliin ang sinabi ni Daddy.

I knew breaking the rules would have consequences, pero handa naman akong harapin ang consequences.

As I scrolled through my phone, pinalamig ko muna ang aking ulo habang nanonood ng en-clock sa aking laptop. Itong Enhypen nalang talaga ang comfort ko, pero ang pogi talaga nila lahat. I heard a soft knock on the door interrupted my  moment.