Midnight Breeze (Chasing Dreams Series #3) | C O M P L E T E D

Chapter 35

On my last year of being a student, I transferred to DLSU. Walking distance lang iyon sa condo ni Menandro kaya pinili ko. New school, panibagong adjustments na naman. But I don't really mind. Graduating naman na ako at mabilis na lang ang isang taon.

"Thank you for coming home, Tita..." niyakap ko ng mahigpit si Tita Maggie pagkapasok niya sa hotel suite na tinutuluyan ko. Her plane has just landed and she immediately went here.

She smiled and kissed the top of my head. "Of course, dear! I wouldn't miss this! Anyway, where's your husband?"

"Bumalik sa condo, Tita. Susunod siya maya-maya. 'Tsaka on the way pa lang din naman sina Mommy," I replied as I tightly wrapped the robe's tie in my waist.

"Alright. Nauna pa pala ako sa kanila!" Inilatag niya sa dresser ang laman ng mas maliit na bag na dala. "Come! Let me try these new lipsticks on you!"

Inupuan ko 'yung modern white baroque chair at nakangising tiningala ang tiyahin. "Pupunta ba si Samuel? Are you guys... okay?"

"Of course! But he's not coming, dear. Busy siya sa training. Pinadala na lang niya sa 'kin 'yung gift niya sa 'yo," sagot niya at idiniin 'yung lipstick sa nguso ko.

Naitanong ko lang naman dahil nabasa ko ang rants niya sa Twitter. I thought she was heartbroken 'cause she also deleted her tweets about Samuel's competitions. Most people know him as "Keanu", but we prefer calling him by his first name.

"3 p.m. pa naman ang start ng graduation mo, 'di ba?" tanong ni Tita Maggie pagkatapos naming pagplanuhan ang gagawing hairstyle at makeup sa akin.

I rolled over the bed to face her. "Yeah. Why?"

Alas diez pa lang ng umaga. Siguro, by lunch, nandito na ang buong pamilya ko. We still have plenty of time, though. I was so bored before Tita Maggie came, and if she'll ask me to do a last-minute shopping, I'd probably go with her.

"Uh, here's the thing..." she put the fancy booklet on the bed. It's like a guidebook or something.

"What's that?" Dumapa ako para maabot iyon. "Grand... Rêve? Whatever. Can't even pronounce it right."

I flipped the pages to educate myself. Located in Quezon City, it's basically a place where you can train to enhance your talents and skills. Its global success made its way to the Philippines. Magbubukas iyon sa darating na summer.

"And who would pay—" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "—1M for that?!" Nilingon ko si Tita Maggie. "Mga rich kid na bored sa buhay nila? This is a waste of money!"

Ngumisi siya. "Yes and no. Yes, para sa mga praktikal na 'gaya mo. No, para sa mga 'di alintana ang malaking halaga na ibabayad nila para matuto. But there's a lucky draw for those who can't afford it. Lima 'ata ang mapipili? I'm not sure. I haven't read it yet."

"I see. But what does it have to do with you? Nagpa-register ka?" ibinaba ko 'yung booklet at nag-Indian seat para sa mas kumportableng pwesto.

"No! I don't have a talent, dear." Tumawa siya na parang maliit na bagay lang 'yon. "That spot was meant for Samuel, but he decided to gave it to you—"

Nakaawang ang bibig, itinuro ko ang sarili ko. "T-To me? Why? Hindi naman ako magaling lumangoy, Tita!"

Pumalatak siya. "I know! Will you listen to me first? Obviously, you don't get along with water that much. He's friends with one of the swimming coaches in Grand Rêve. Iyon daw ang umalalay sa kaniya no'ng bata pa siya kaya nga nagpa-register siya para makapag-bonding sila ng dati niyang coach. It was all for leisure. Now that things didn't go as planned, he asked him to pull some strings para makuha mo 'yung training na nararapat sa 'yo. Samuel really wanted to give it a try, but since he's already a professional swimmer and has an upcoming international swimming competitions, he'll work himself out on summer. Wala na siyang time para diyan dahil sa ibang bansa na raw ipagpapatuloy ang training niya. He already paid for it and it's up to you if you'll take it."