A Royal Disaster in Brooklyn

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17 | RUN AWAY

Summer

“CAN I talk to you both?”

Nakita ko ang pagbakas ng gulat sa mukha ng mga magulang ko pagkatanong ko sa kanila. Hindi ko maiwasang matawa pero kailangan ko maging seryoso para makuha ang approval nila.

I sit in front of Daddy's working table while Mommy takes the other in front of me.

Magsasalita na ako dapat ngunit naunahan ako ni Mommy. “Before you start talking, Summer. I want you to check these profiles approved by your father.”

“Profiles?” Binuksan ko iyon at hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga nakita. “You don't have to do this to control me. I'll cooperate always, but not into this. You both know that I'm going out with Isaac already.”

“We just want you to have choices before deciding about marriage.” Mom said,

It is chaotic right now, but my father is doing nothing to stop us as if he's already know what will happen next. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit nasingit ang kasal sa usapan. Doon ako tumayo at inayos ang aking sarili.

“I'm not here to talk or ask your blessing about marriage. If you only hear me out first before relaying this crazy plan of yours, this will end on a good note.”

“Summer, sit down,” utos sa akin ni Daddy pero tilakuran ko siya. “We just want you to be in good hands.”

“Will you do this to Brooklyn too?” tanong ko. Siyempre hindi kasi lalaki si Brooklyn, may sariling desisyon at maayos na plano sa buhay. Binalingan ko si Mommy. “Dad approved that profiles because you made him do it. You know that he can't say no to you, Mommy.”

“Stop that, Summer,” Daddy said, and his thundering voice filled the entire room. That made Brooklyn enter the room where we at. “You cannot talk to your mother like that.”

“Then, learn to put yourself in my shoe! I know that I'm your crazy daughter who's life has no direction, but you have no rights to control me. Hindi niyo puwedeng papiliin kung sino ang i-de-date ko o pakakasalan ko!”

Those are my last crying statement before I decided to leave. Sinubukan ako pigilan ni Brooklyn pero wala naman siya nagawa nang hawiin ko na lang siya basta. Pinalis ko ang aking luha habang naglalakad palabas. Imbis na sumakay sa aking sasakyan, lumabas ako saka pumara ng taxi matapos ko iwan ang credit cards sa front door namin. I will work for myself starting today.

I don't know how or what to do, but I guess I must figure out everything alone. Not alone because I have Isaac on my side, but I don't know for how long. Alam ko naman sa gagawa pa rin ang mga magulang ko ng paraan para paglayuin kami. I'm not too fond of drama and didn't picture my life experiencing any of this. I turned off my phone and threw it outside the taxi.

Nagpahatid ako sa apartment ni Lauren kung saan ko nilagay ang secret box ko. Naroon ang ipon ko galing sa mga sinahod sa RJM Corporation. Hindi ko ginastos iyon dahil may credit card ako na galing kay Daddy. Gagawa na lang ng paraan gamit ang natitira kong pera.

As I said, I will make the best of both worlds.

***

I HEAVED a deep sigh before opening the wider for Isaac. I don't know how he found me because I've been sulking inside my new apartment, afar from everyone. I bought this in cash and going to make half an office.

“How did you know?” tanong ko nang maisara ko na ang pintuan.

“You forgot that your friend is mine too, Summer. They gave your new address, and I didn't tell your parents even if they're breathing over my neck.”