She's Dating The Teacher

Chapter 36: White Flag

Pagdating sa bahay, naabutan ni Kelsey ang mama niya at ang Ate Sara sa sala.
May hawak na Vogue Magazine ang mama niya at pareho silang nakatingin dito.
Nag-angat ng ulo ang dalawa ng makita siya.

"Si Daddy?" Tanong niya.
"Nasa study niya." Sagot ng mommy niya.
Nilapag niya ang duffel bag sa sahig at dumiretso siya sa sa study room.
Nagtatakang sinundan siya ng tingin ng ina at kapatid.

Marahang kumatok si Kelsey at ng papasukin siya ng daddy niya ay dahan-dahan siyang pumasok.
Wall-to-wall ang bookcases sa study at magkahalong tobacco leather at musk ang amoy ng room.
Nagbabasa ng Manila Standard newspaper ang daddy niya habang nagtatabako.
"Dad?" Tumayo siya sa tapat ng oak desk.
Nag-angat ng tingin ang daddy niya.
"Yes?"
"I want to talk to you."
"About what?"
Umupo si Kelsey sa oak chair.
"Can you give me a loan?"
"What?" Binitawan ng daddy niya ang diyaryo at pinatong ang tabako sa ceramic ashtray.
"A loan." Inulit niya.
"I want to pursue psychology and I don't want to give up volleyball but I cannot work at the same time. Alam ko na the only way for you to support my studies was if I pursue PolSci pero hindi ko po talaga kayang pilitin ang sarili ko. Instead of pretending na I can keep my end of the deal, I'm asking for a loan provided that you will allow me to take the course I want and to keep playing."
"Kelsey," Seryosong tiningnan siya ng ama.
"Why do you make things hard for yourself? Kung sumunod ka na lang sa gusto ko, eh di sana you won't end up with complications?"
"Dad, I understand that you want me to have a good future. Pero being a lawyer is not for me."
"It's not for you o ayaw mo lang i-challenge ang sarili mo? You have so much potential at sinasayang mo."

"I know my capabilities. Besides, you've seen my grades. I'm not like my siblings. Hindi ako A+ student. Bakit ninyo aaksayin ang pera at panahon ninyo when you know fully well na there's a bigger chance of me failing my subjects and repeating it again?"
Hindi nakasagot ang daddy niya.
"I wasn't reasonable when I made the deal. Tama si Ate Leah. Hindi ako marunong makipagnegotiate. I chose the easy way out which was to agree with what you say para matigil ang usapan. But it's not working anymore. Gusto ko pong maging maayos ang future ko and this time, I want to play my cards right."
Kumunot ang noo ng daddy niya na parang naninibago sa mga naririnig galing sa kanya.
"Where is this coming from?"
"Let's just say na I want a clear direction for my life."
"Himala yata. I don't think we've had this conversation before."
"No, Dad. Kasi oo lang ako ng oo sa gusto niyo. But this time, I'm taking control. I have to be explicit about what I want dahil hindi naman kayo manghuhula di ba?"
"That's right."
"If you agree, I'm taking a loan from you para po makapagconcentrate ako sa pag-aaral. Hindi ko po kayang isingit ang pagtatrabaho. Isa pa, I get to do a lot of that kapag nakatapos na ako."
Tumango ang daddy niya.
"Ibig sabihin, you're changing courses sa next semester?"
"Yes, Dad. I will take care of that tomorrow para macredit ang mga subjects ko once I switch to psychology."
"Okay."
"Okay?" Nagliwanag ang mukha ni Kelsey.
"Yes. Ang gusto ko lang naman ay malaman na you have a plan for your future at hindi puro volleyball ang laman ng isip mo."
"Thank you, Dad." Tumayo si Kelsey at umikot sa desk para yakapin ang daddy niya.
Isang bagay na hindi niya malimit gawin.
"I will give you a loan on one condition."
"Po?"
"If you decide to change courses again, you're on your own."
Hindi sumagot si Kelsey.
"Are you agreeable to that?"
"Can I think about it?"
"Bakit? Hindi ka ba decided sa psychology?"
"Of course I am."
"So, why does it look like you're second guessing yourself?"
"I'm just learning how to negoatiate." Sagot niya.
"Gusto kong maging malinaw ang conditions natin. Isa pa, if you're really serious about your future, you can't be wishy-washy. Kung ano ang gusto ng puso mo, you follow what it says."
Tumango siya.
"Okay, Dad."
"Sige na. I will reactivate your accounts by tomorrow."
"Thank you po."
Lumabas na siya ng study at umakyat na sa kuwarto.
That was the first time she had a mature conversation with her dad.
Kelsey felt proud of what she did and she cannot wait to tell Rachel.