“Why did you let them bully you?!” Habang tinutulungan niya ako tumayo.

“Sorry Sunmi, malalaki kasi sila.”

“Tsk. If I didn’t come here edi nabugbog ka na nila.” Pinapagpagan niya yung shorts ko.

“Wow nagsalita yung malaki. Tumawag ka kasi ng guard kaya sila umalis.” Pagdadahilan ko.

“You are just weak Suho. What will you do if wala ako sa buhay mo?”

“Tsk.” Yabang talaga eh mas matanda kaya ako sa kanya. Mga ilang minute siguro.

After ng class namin, sinundo na din kami ng driver. Dad was asking our presence; he will announce daw something.

“Good nandito na kayong dalawa. I would like you to meet Mr. and Ms. Kang.”

We both greeted naman those two na nasa harap namin. As per dad, they are the biggest potential investor daw ng company, and the contract contains exclusivity ng products nila to be distributed here in the Philippines.

“We also bring our lovely daughter Yeji. Your kids are in high school na right? Yeji is in her early elementary. She has an older brother pero Key is in states.” Nasa likod nila Ms. Kang si Yeji. Singkit yung anak nila manang mana kay Mr. Kang. After nung parang little dinner nila, umalis na din yung family nila Mr. Kang.

“So guys, I ask your presence here kasi I want you both to see the company na. We are growing and I hope you both can help me. Especially ikaw Suho.” My dad pointed at me. Napalunok ako.

“I’ve heard from your teacher na you failed one of your quizzes earlier.”

“Dad it was because Suho’s sick then nagpasurprise quiz..”

“Shut up Sunmi. I am not talking to you.”

“….” Nakayuko lang ako. Hindi ko naman kasi kasalanan kung may biglang surprise quiz.

“Do you really want to be me?”

“Yes dad. I am sorry po.”

“There’s no failure in this family. You must keep up. Because of the failed quiz, you’ll grounded for a month.” Nakayuko nalang ako. Ayoko ng mas bumigat yung parusa ko. After umalis ni Dad, hinawakan ni Sunmi yung balikat ko. Napatingin nalang ako sa kanya.

“You look frozen. Don’t worry about it, I’ll be grounded din.”

“Ako lang kaya yung grounded.”

“Ako din. Basta sabi ko, ako din.”

……………..

“Dad I cannot marry Yeji masyado siyang bata and ako, college palang ako.” And may girlfriend ako. We are not legal sa side ni dad kasi alam kong magagalit siya. My girlfriend is from an ordinary family, without any name or connection na hindi magiging okay para sa daddy ko. Business as usual kasi siya parati. Everything is about business. It should be give and take lagi niya sinasabi pero dapat mas Malaki yung part na take sa side namin.

“That’s final Suho. Their family will arrange everything. Isa pa, Yeji likes you, a lot.”

“But Dad…”

“Ano bang nagawa mo sa family na to?” I was mad when I received the news. It was Sunmi who alerted me na the decision is final. We are close with Yeji and tinuring ko na siyang nakababatang kapatid. It was dad’s instruction din na we should keep her as close as possible kasi it will be good sa business. So far, the contract with the Kangs is strong after ilang years na but I don’t think I can grant this one thing they want me to do. I didn’t know Yeji has this kind of intention; I always make sure na may boundary padin kami. I should talk to Yeji.

“Dad not this please. My current girlfriend po ako.”

“I know kahit itago mo siya sa akin. I let you enjoy your college days naman and it’s time to be an adult na.”

“Dad, Suho….” Kakadating lang ni Sunmi. I rush here kasi sa office ni Dad, hindi na ako pumasok, clearance lang naman yung gagawin since gagraduate na kami.

“Dad, I love her. Please.” Sunmi went beside me. Hinawakan niya yung balikat ko signaling na wag ako gagawa ng mas makakasama ng situation. I am about answer back pa kasi.

“The Kangs will not be happy with what you’re doing. They badly want our family to unite, and Yeji likes you a lot. I think wala na tayong dapat pag-usapan. You marry her, break up with whoever your girlfriend, or you remove my surname in you.” Pagbabanta niya.

“Dad, that’s not fair!” Si Sunmi. This time, siya yung pumunta sa harap ko as if shielding me from a great danger.

“Mom will not be happy sa gusto mong mangyare. Suho did everything naman for you, she followed whatever orders you give.” Huminga siya ng malalim. It’s always like this. Sunmi is always there para lagi akong ipagtanggol, kahit hanggang ngayon. Paano baa ko makakabawi sa kanya?

“Your mom is watching above being disappointed with that guy sa likod mo. Anong mukhang ihaharap ko sa mga Kangs if malaman nila na their favorite daughter is being rejected by that man. The thousand employees of our company will be in great danger if the Kangs pull out the agreement they have in us! Isipin niyo nga, this is not just for me pero sa mas nakakarami.”

“That man is your son as well!”

“He will not if hindi siy