Worth Fighting For

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

House Party

Medyo matagal pa kami nagtitigan ni Tito Lester, hindi masyado naproseso ng utak ko ang narinig. It's as if my brain forgot to function and everyone in this table is looking at me, waiting for me to say a word.

Nagtinginan kami ni Mama, she gave me a small smile then looked at Tito Lester who is in front of her. Nilipat ko naman ang tingin ko kay Mr. Martin Andraste, who apparently is my father, mukhang kanina niya pa hinihintay na tignan ko siya at nang napaunlakan ko ay mabilis siyang ngumiti at tumayo para yakapin ako.

Alanganin pa akong tumayo para yakapin din siya, he's way taller than me, maybe a six foot or more and I suddenly realize why Arran Andraste suddenly appeared in my life. 

"Finally..." bulong niya habang yakap-yakap ako. I tapped his back awkwardly because I don't know how to react.

"I'm sorry Dad is being emotional." biglang sumulpot si Arran Andraste sa gilid namin. He's wearing a white polo shirt and denim jeans, he casually greeted my parents like he knows them personally and called the host for his menu.

Nagtinginan kami. This is the reason why he's been in my school for the past few days, he called Mr. Andraste his dad so he's my... what? Half brother? 

Mr. Andraste chuckled and tapped his son's back before settling down, umupo na rin ako at agad na hinawakan ni Mama sa hita para siguraduhin na okay lang ako. Tumango ako at ngumiti sakanya.

Alam kong hindi namin napag-uusapan 'to at ngayon ay parehong nasa harap na namin ang taong pilit naming hindi pinag-uusapan sa loob ng ilang taon. I know this is hard for her and I am proud that she's brave enough to face her fears.

"How are you darling? Is this set up okay or do you want us to leave you three?" Tito Lester asked, I shook my head in protest and told them that it's okay that they are here.

Honestly, they are the reason why I'm kind of comfortable right now and I didn't really prepare myself in this kind of scenario so leaving me with Mr. Martin Andraste and Arran Andraste would really be awkward. 

It was a silent dinner for us, panay ang sulyap at ngiti ni Mr. Andraste sa akin. Arran would spike some questions about my course and I was shookt to know that he's a Certified Public Accountant himself.

"I want to build an accountancy firm in the future pero mag-fofocus muna ako sa A&A. Join me in the future." ngumiti ako at nagkibit balikat.

"Kung papasa ng board."

"You'll ace the board, I know you will." singit ni Mr. Andraste na mukhang kanina pa nakikinig sa amin.

Ngumiti ako at tumango, medyo nahihiya at nape-pressure lalo na't topnotcher pala si Arran Andraste habang ako ay kailangan ko pang may isacrifice na weekend para makapag-aral ng maayos.

"I hope I can have dinner with you again." sabi ni Mr. Andraste nang nasa tapat na kami ng lobby ng restaurant. May tumigil na itim na sasakyan sa tapat nila at lumabas ang dalawang bodyguard.

"Sure po, Mr. Andraste." hindi kami nakapag-usap ng maayos, tahimik lang kasi ako kanina habang nag-uusap sila at magsasalita lang kung tatanungin.

Ngumiti siya at inayos ang kanyang coat bago pumasok ng sasakyan habang si Arran naman ay tumigil pa sa harap ko para ilahad ang kanyang cellphone.