Running the Risk (Nightfall Series #1)

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

I plastered a smile even if his Mom only looked at me intently. Rivo’s sisters giggled from the background, totally clueless of what’s going on.

"Good evening po, Tita." I extended my hand to give my respects.

Tumango ito at hinayaan akong magmano sa kaniya.

"We brought you some champagne," sabi ko sabay abot ng dala.

Saglit niya lang iyong tiningnan at saka tumango. An assistant came and took the bottles from me. Inilipag niya ito sa
lamesa. 

"Thank you. Take a seat, hija."

"Thank you po."

Iginiya ako nito sa isang upuan. Nagsi-upuan din ang magkakapatid habang parang babasaging antique naman kung ituring ako ni Rivo.

When we all settled down, I noticed how his Mom looked at us alternately, as if she’s waiting for any signs of us lying about our relationship.

Akala ko ay sa akin iikot ang mga itatanong niya pero dumapo ang tingin niya kay Rivo.

"You changed your portal’s password. You think I wouldn’t know? Why?"

"Pinapalitan, Ma. Wala pa namang release ng grades. Ise-send ko na lang sa’yo ulit."

Tumitig pa ito kay Rivo na parang hindi kumbinsido. "‘My, we’re having dinner. Quit asking him about grades," sabi ni Ate Rae.

"Rachel, this is the purpose of having dinner with my family. What? I can’t talk now? I don’t like that attitude. Don’t start lecturing me."

Hindi na sumagot si Ate Rae pero salubong ang kilay nito habang nakatingin sa pagkain sa plato niya.

"Are you positive that you didn’t get a dos?"

I noticed how Rivo’s disposition immediately changed.

"Wala naman siguro, Ma. Kumpleto naman ako," matabang na sabi nito.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Tita Harriet. "You’re not sure?"

Hindi sumagot si Rivo kaya nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita ang Mama niya.

"Don’t mess it up. Fourth year’s a crucial year."

Tita Harriet sipped on her wine glass. The thick and awkward silence was only disturbed by the clanging forks and knives against the plates. Walang nagsalita sa magkakapatid, tila nag-aabang pa sa sumunod na sasabihin ng ina.

"Isa pa. Heard about your Tita Emily’s son who took legal management? The cocky one from your batch’s boys scout before? Iyon, dropout na dahil hindi kinaya ang pang-apat na taon. I don’t know..."

She shrugged.

"Baka naghihingalo na talaga ang grades bago makarating ng 4th year. I mean, I think it was a blessing in disguise kasi kung pinilit niya pa rin, baka magpakamatay na siya pagdating sa law school. No offense, but that’s not a place for the faint-hearted."

"Ma!" halos isigaw ni Rivo. Ate Rae also reacted harshly.

"Don’t talk about other people like that, Mommy! We know nothing about their strugg-"

"I’m just trying to tell your brother where he’ll end up if he messes up again, Rachel. What’s wrong with you? Is that the influence of your mediocre boyfriend, huh?"

Bago pa magsalita ang isa kina Rivo at Ate Rae ay binalingan na ako agad ni Tita Harriet. It’s as if she knew how to shut her children’s mouth from clapping back.

"My apologies, hija. So, you brought Dom Perignon? What’s the other one? Domaine Trapet?" tanong nito sa’kin.

Hindi pa man nakakabawi sa pagtatalo nila ay napasagot na lang ako.