the Unexpected

Favor

Mom and I were both stunned, we didn't expect the vice president's presence. But he is here now, the guard closed the door behind him meaning he is alone.

Akala ko kasama nya si Locket.

"Luis, what a surprise." Casual ang pagbati sa kanya ni mom na may kasama pang pagbeso.

Sa pagkakaalam ko matagal na silang magkakilala dahil sa parehong university sila nag aral at parehong member ng Alpha. They seemed to be good colleagues. Naalala ko nung ginamit na palusot ni Locket ang pag imbita sakin ng daddy nya para sa dinner kaya di ako nakauwi nun, di nagalit si mom and dad dahil na rin siguro sa kaibigan nila si Mr. Luis Sebastian.

He gave mom a quick smile and then he moved forward para makalapit sakin. He smiled at me, the usual friendly and gentle smile. He get my hand and said hello.

"How are you doing, young lady?" his voice was full of concern and worry at the same time.

For me? I guess not.

"Still on the process of recovering pero kahit papano nakakabawi na po ng lakas." Nahihiya ako sa kanya, sigurado ako na alam na nya yung tungkol sa aming dalawa ng anak nya. Everything he showed me was kindness and here I am disappointing him because I chose to love his son.

He let go of my hand then I noticed that his smile somehow fades when he saw the envelope beside my bed.

"Nakasalubong ko si Adrianne sa labas, I guess he brought the invitation by himself." He is calm and serious.

Of course he is an Alpha member, he knows every details and he knows when an invitation is from Alpha.

"Yes, he was here earlier to give Xarina that invitation." Mom answered him with her head down, as if she can feel some pain.

Alam ko na ako ang dahilan ng sakit na nararamdaman nya. Siguradong alam na nya ang pwede kong pagdaanan at bilang isang ina, nasasaktan syang isipin na nangyayari sakin ang bagay na to.

What have I done?

Nagkamali na naman ba ko ng desisyon? Dapat ba hindi ko na lang ipinilit ang sarili ko na makapasok sa Alpha? Dapat ba tinanggap ko na lang ang mga sinabi ni mom na hindi ako magfi-fit in sa sorority life? I was lost in the moment when sir Luis said something.

"I guess, he is impatient with this matter. Wala syang sinayang na panahon, hindi pa din sya nagbabago hanggang ngayon." He is talking as if he was telling a story of a long lost friend.

"Does it mean...your son...also..?" mom cannot continue, she looked at me.

Before answering, napabuntong hininga muna si sir Luis at napatingin sya sakin.

"Tama ang iniisip mo, he already received his invitation. Earlier than we expected." Nagulat ako sa sinabi nya, at naramdaman ko ang lungkot at pagkadismaya sa boses nya.

Ibig sabihin, sasailalim din sa deliberation si Locket?

"...sa tulad ko na member na, the officials and the members will decide."

Those are his words during the briefing nung tinanong ko sya kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari pag may nalabag kami sa rules. At this point di ko na napigilan ang magtanong.

"Nasaan na po si Locket ngayon? Ayos lang po ba sya?" I straightened up more, getting support from my hands and I can feel more pain now but I didn't show it to them. Nilapitan ako ni mom para tulungan. I know they can feel the concern and longing in my voice.