The succeeding weeks were even tougher that the earlier ones for Andrew. And this gave some worries to his father. Now he do not know if training his son in handling the business while filling up his LDEA is a right decision.
“Can he still handle it? What if we continue the training after his board exam. He has been so stressed these past few weeks. I can see that even his relationship with Gara is being affected.” Daddy Edward asked Tito Robert
“The tougher it is the better. Andrew is a strong person. Hindi naman nagrereklamo sa mga binibigay kong challenges” Tito Robert said
“If he does not complain it means kinakaya pa nya, but it does not mean na hindi sya nahihirapan. Just like his mother hindi naman magsasalita yun kung kaya pa ang hirap” Daddy Edward said
“Please take it easy on him. Ayoko ring sanang maapektuhan yung relationship nya with Gara. I owe that girl so much. Andrew has change since he met Gara. Nagkaroon ng sense of direction ang anak ko nung naging sila na. Almost give-up na nga ako na makaka-graduate pa si Andrew eh” Daddy Edward said
“But I am planning to send him to MBA in Switzerland. The International Institute for Management is a good MBA school. I’ll be handing the building construction nung telco client natin dun anyway, so I am thinking of taking Andrew with me. Magandang ilagay sa LDEA ang project outside the country at the same time makapag-MBA sya” Tito Robert said.
“Hindi ba mas mahihirapan si Andrew kung pagsasabayin nya ang MBA school with filling-up his LDEA?” Daddy Edward worries
“They offer different programs. Andrew can choose any from those. Don't worry, I will let him prioritize on his MBA” Tito Robert replied
“Let me talk to him first. Ayokong sobrang ma-stress si Andrew. I’ll let him choose between his internship and his training in handling the business. Kung hindi pa sya handang hawakan ang business ngayon then so be it” Daddy Edward stated.
“It’s your decision Edward. You know better when it comes to Andrew” Tito Robert said
One the same night, Daddy Edward wasted no time. He immediately talked to Andrew about Tito Robert’s suggestion.
“How was your day son?” He asked during dinner
“Ayos lang Dad” Andrew replied. “Ayos lang o ayos pa?” Daddy Edward asked
Andrew smiled at his dad and replied “Ayos lang po Dad”
“How are you and Gara? Parang hindi ko napapansing dinadalaw ka nya sa station mo” Daddy Edward asked
“Kami pa naman” Andrew unhappily replied.
“Is there something wrong?” Daddy Edward asked
“Hindi kasi kami nagkikita eh. Kung magkikita man, aksidente lang kasing nagkasalubong sa office. Hindi magtagpo yung mga schedule namin.” Andrew replied.
“Anton has been eating up all her time, how can she do her designs kung lagi syang isasama ni Anton sa sites. Parang kaming naka LDR, sa telepono na lang kami nakakapag-usap. Madalas nakakatulugan na namin ang pag-uusap dahil sa sobrang pagod namin” Andrew added.
“Anton is her mentor. I think he is doing a good job when it comes to his mentoring to Gara. Remind me to show you some of Gara’s designs, those are brilliants. I can say that you two will be a good business partners also in the future. Ikaw din naman eh, lagi ring wala. Your Tito Robert shows me your designs as well and I am very impressed” Daddy Edwards explained
“Thanks Dad, actually hindi ko na matandaan kung ilang beses ko nang na-revise yung mga yun dahil lagi na lang rejected pagdating kay Tito Robert.” Andrew said
“Ganun lang talaga si Tito Robert mo, strikto pagdating sa trabaho. Pinapahirapan ka ba?” Daddy Edward asked smiling
“Sort of pero Ok lang naman Dad. I understand” Andrew replied smiling
“He asked me if he can take you to Switzerland para dun sa project nung telco company client?” Daddy Edward said
“Not a bad idea, ilang weeks naman yun Dad?” Andrew asked. “Two years” Daddy Edward replied
“What? I will stay there on the entire duration of the project?” Andrew commented
“Actually, he suggested that you take your MBA there parang hitting two birds in one stone” Daddy Edward explained.
“Hindi ba pwedeng dito na lang ako mag take ng MBA Dad? Yung pareho nga kaming nandito ni Gara, halos hindi na kami magkita. Papaalisin nyo pa ako ng two years?” Andrew protested
“Do you think I did not consider that? Honestly, I agree with Robert, magandang opportunity kasi yung project para sa LDEA mo at the same time you can get a certification for business administration abroad. But, I want you to think about it. I don’t want you to go halfhearted. Once you decide to go to with Robert there will be no turning back. You have to finish your MBA.” Daddy Edward explained.
“Mag-usap muna kami ni Gara” Andrew replied
“I am expecting a smart decision Andrew and I want it immediately” Daddy Edward said
“Yes Dad, I understand.” Andrew replied
Andrew was not able to sleep after his talk to his Dad. On his mind he wants the idea of taking his MBA in Switzerl He knows that MBA will eventually help him in handling their business. He has been dreaming of taking over the business presidency and just let his Dad sits as its Board Chairman. But, he did not know how Gara will take it. She is used of having him around every day. When they were still in college, they practically see each other daily. In fact, for several days already, he was feeling Gara’s sulkiness because of their lack of time for each other.
In the morning, Andrew texted Gara as soon as he wakes up. “Good morning Love. I will be free the whole day. Let’s have lunch together”
Gara replied in less than two minutes
Gara: “Good morning Love, I am about to text now. Naunahan mo ako. Anton and I are on our way to Batangas for a site visit.”
Andrew: I thought, you will be with Lance in a site visit in Alabang this afternoon
Gara: Lance requested that Shelly comes with him
Andrew: Alright, I guess I will just wait for you in the office. Let’s have dinner instead
Gara: Dinner is even better. I’ll see you later then
Andrew: Just go straight to my station so we could leave early. I love you!
Gara: I love you too! Don’t skip lunch please.
While waiting for Gara, Andrew busied himself in finishing his designs. It is almost five in the afternoon when he heard Gara knocking at his door. He told her to come in while he fixes his things.
“How was your trip” Andrew asked after planting a peck on her cheek. He misses her so much as he does not want to let go of her hands
“Nakakapagod at sobrang init sa site. Pero tiis-tiis lang pangdagdag din yun sa number of hours” Gara replied. She let go of his hands so she’ll be able to hug him. “Did you take your lunch?” she asked
“Syempre, baka pagalitan mo ako eh” Andrew replied
“How’s your day” she asked. “Not good” Andrew replied
“Huh? Bakit pinagalitan ka na naman ni Sir Robert” Gara asked
“Nope, he took a day off. May aasikasuhin daw” Andrew replied
“Then why did you have a bad day? May problema ka ba sa mga designs mo?” Gara asked again
“My designs are good as per Tito Robert … so far …”Andrew replied. “Eh bakit nga?” Gara asked
“Because I miss you, I terribly missed you” Andrew replied then pokes her nose.
“Ako rin naman eh” Gara said pouting.
“Can we leave now?” Andrew asked
“Yeah, where are you taking me?” she asked
“Sa condo, I want more time with you alone”Andrew replied
“Akala ko ba dinner?” Gara asked
“We will have our early dinner first then, tambay na tayo sa condo” Andrew said
“Is there something wrong? Parang may iba kasi sa yo eh” Gara asked.
“I’m fine, sobra lang talaga kitang namiss”Andrew replied
Andrew let Gara choose where they will have their dinner. After then, they proceed to Andrew Condo unit which he uses during weekdays when he was still in college. On their way there, Gara already felt that something is bothering Andrew. She gets even worried because Andrew insists on just staying in his condo. Something they usually do if they need to talk about something very important.
Upon entering the unit, Andrew quickly grab her for a hug which makes Gara even more worried.
"I miss you so much love" Andrew said while hugging her. Gara just lets him hug her. "I miss you too ... so much" she replied
They remained hugging for a while. When Gara tried to loosen the embrace Andrew hugs her more tighter. "Not yet, let's stay like this a little more. I want to hug you some more" he said
"Ok, only if you tell me what's going on. Something is bothering you and I want to know what is it" Gara said
It took a few minutes before Andrew finally speaks "Tito Robert wants me to go with him in Switzerland for our telcomm client project at the same time take my MBA there."
"How long will you be there" Gara asked
Andrew took a deep sigh before replying "Two years"
Andrew felt that Gara slowly loosen the embrace and this time it was her who got speechless.
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Struggles .... challenges .... conflicts .... lahat yan dumarating sa isang relasyon para mapagtibay ito. 😐
Thanks you guys for the read and votes 😊