Edward's POV
It's been a month since nakausap ko si Lizzy. Well, as a father you can't blame me kung bakit ko nasabi yun. I just want my daughter to have a successful career in her chosen field. I want her to know na she can stand on her own with or without a man cuz I know her, she's so grumpy and hindi na ako magtataka kung tumanda man siyang dalaga. About Rod, her suitor? Alam ko naman at nakikita ko kung gaano niya kamahal ang anak ko pero simula nung mapalapit si Lizzy sa kanya, nawalan na ng focus sa pag-aaral ang anak ko. Her grades became low and that's the number one thing I really don't like about.
I am now at my study room. I chose to do my paperworks here and so as my wife. I told Anthony to fetch Lizzy sa school cuz gusto kong makasigurado na uuwi siya agad pagkatapos ng klase niya. While I'm busy reviewing some cases, Maddison entered and walk towards me.
Maddison: Hon?
Edward: Yes, why hon? Is there something wrong? (Look at Maddison)
Maddison: Can we talk about Lizzy?
Edward: Yah, sure.
Maddison: Could you please stop pressuring our daughter when it comes to her studies? Kasi alam mo this past few weeks napapansin ko nilulunod na niya ang sarili niya sa pag-aaral. She even don't have time for herself and ........ ahm whenever Rod comes here, hindi niya hinaharap.
Edward: I'm not pressuring our daughter hon. Ang sinasabi ko lang, dapat unahin niya ang pag-aaral niya. I don't like seeing her having low grades. And about Rod? Siguro mas makakabuti kung patuloy niyang hindi harapin yung binatang yun para bumalik ang focus ng anak natin sa pag-aaral. He distracts our daughter, Hon.
Maddison: It's the same thing Edward, pressure pa din ang tawag doon. Maybe Anthony is right, mahirap talaga that's why bumaba ang grades niya pero sa totoo lang hindi naman masyadong bumaba eh. Tsaka normal lang naman yun sa isang estudyante.
Edward: Mahirap? Bakit nung nag-aaral tayo, hindi ba tayo nahihirapan Maddi? Nahihirapan din naman tayo ah, pero we manage na hindi bumaba ang grado natin.
Maddison: Look Edward, our profession is different from her chosen path, okay? Her subjects are really different from ours Edward so please, stop.
After Maddison tell those words, I continue reviewing my cases. Ayoko ng sumagot baka lalo lang kaming magkasagutan.
Imee's POV
As kuya and I entered our house, wala sila mom and dad sa living room and sa kwarto nila so I guess nasa study room sila. Instead na puntahan sila agad, I've decided to have quick shower muna. Then after that, pumunta na ako sa study room. I was about to enter but I heard them talking about me. I heard everything kaya hindi na ako tumuloy, bumalik nalang ako sa kwarto then locked the door. I am now lying on my bed and iniisip ko yung usapan nila mom and dad. I was distract cuz someone knocked the door so I stood up and open it, it's kuya.
Imee: Why kuya?
Anthony: Nandyan si Rod, nasa baba. He's waiting for you.
Imee: Kuya please tell him umuwi nalang, madami akong gagawin eh.
Kuya gave me a fake smile then entered my room.
Anthony: Is there something wrong ba?
Imee: Wala kuya.
Anthony: Kung wala, eh bakit ayaw mo siyang kausapin? Niloko ka ba? Pinaiyak ka? Tell me Lizzy, uupakan ko yung lalaking yun.
Imee: of course not kuya.
Anthony: Kung hindi, eh bakit ayaw mong harapin? Alam mo ilang linggo ko na napapansin yan. Palagi mo siyang iniiwasan.
Imee: Iniiwasan? Hindi ah.
Anthony: Lizzy tungkol ba to sa sinabi ni dad a month ago?
After kuya tell those words, I didn't utter any words. I just hugged him.
Anthony: Oh bakit? (Hugged Imee back)
Imee: Kuya narinig ko sila ni mommy kanina. Sabi ni dad, it's better kung hindi ko siya harapin. What if patigilin ko na siya sa panliligaw kuya? Ayoko ng bigyan si Dad ulit ng disappointment eh.
Anthony: Lizzy distraction ba si Rod sayo? (Then pulled out from the hug)
Imee: Hindi. Pero yun ang gusto ni dad, kuya.
Anthony: Hindi naman pala eh so hindi mo siya kailangang iwasan, okay? Don't worry, I'll talk to dad later. For now, bumaba ka. Harapin mo si Rod. Kawawa naman yung tao Liz.
Imee: Kuya ayo— (didn't finish her words cuz Anthony speak up)
Anthony: Go.
I just sigh deeply then go downstairs. I saw him stood up while holding a bouquet of flowers. He's smiling at me habang papalapit ako sa kanya.
Rod: Hi (handed the bouquet)
Imee: Thank you.
He was about to sit but I told him na sa pool area nalang kami mag-usap. I placed the bouquet on the table then head outside.
Rod: Kamusta ka na? Buti hindi ka na busy.
Imee: Okay lang.
Rod: You didn't answer my calls and messages, is there something wrong?
Imee: Wala.
Rod: Buti naman. Pfeewww! Nakahiga ako ng maluwag. So how was your day?
Imee: Okay lang.
Rod: Good. Alam mo medyo stress ako ngayon kasi we have a client na sobrang nakakainis. Jusko! Kung hindi lang ako nahihiya sa kaibigan ni Dad, bibitawan ko yun eh.
I didn't utter any words, I just gave him a smile.
Rod: I missed you Lizzy.
Imee: A-Ah I think you should go. Madami kasi akong gagawin.
Rod: Huh? Pwede 5 minutes pa? Ilang weeks din kasi kitang hindi nakita eh. I just miss being with you.
Imee: Sorry, I-I have to do my —— (didn't finish her words cuz Rod speak up)
Rod: Please?
Imee: Sorry.
I stood up then walk away but he followed me then hold my hand.
Rod: Iniiwasan mo ba ako?
Imee: No.
Rod: Then why? Bakit pakiramdam ko iniiwasan mo ako?
Imee: Busy lang ako. I don't have time para kausapin ka, okay? Let go of my hand, Rod.
Rod: Bakit pakiramdam ko unti-unti tayong bumabalik sa dati, Lizzy? Pakiramdam ko ang layo mo ulit sakin? Bakit hindi mo nalang sabihin kung may nagawa ako para alam ko diba? Hindi yung ganito. Are you stress? Pagod ka ba sa pag-aaral mo? Nandito naman ako eh. Diba sabi ko, ako ang magiging pahinga mo? O baka naman may problema ka lang? You can tell me naman eh, anything Lizzy. Makikinig ako, promise! Tara, pag-usapan natin.
Imee: Wala akong problema Rod. Go home, I'm busy.
I was about to leave but he hold my hand again so I faced him.
Rod: Please kahit konting oras lang, kahit ngayon lang (holding back his tears)
Imee: Nakakalimutan mo na ba ang Rule #1, #2 and #3 Rod?
As he hear those words coming from me, he let go of my hand and shook his head.
Imee: Good, so go home. I don't have time for this, Mr. Laurel. And one more thing, don't call or message me muna, okay? Busy ako.
After telling those words, I immediately went upstairs at iniwan ko siyang mag-isa. To be honest, it's really hard for me to do pero anong magagawa ko? Yun ang gusto ni Dad and ayokong magalit siya ulit sakin.
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