"Your dad is looking for you."

I was right. It was about Dad.

"All right, I'm on my way."

I dropped the call. Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa kasama ko dahil kinailangan ko nang magmadali.

I immediately went home, and Mommy met me at the door. There was a look on her face that indicated my suspicion was correct. Mukhang alam na ni Dad na pinatawag ako sa dean's office pati na rin ang tungkol sa ex ko na ngayo'y kaklase ko na.

I sighed, trying to get rid of the fear in my chest. Pero sa totoo lang umaapaw na sa dibdib ko ang kaba, iniiisip ko palang kung paano akong magpapaliwanag nang maayos kay Dad.

And the question is, how can I tell him about the project that I have to stay for one week with Jhunel, my ex-boyfriend?

I close my eyes as I face the door of Dad's office. My hands are shaking. It was a nightmare to be in this room again. I remember when I was little, this room brought a lot of trauma to me. Sa kwartong ito ako palaging pinarurusahan ni Dad kapag nagkakamali ako o kapag may bagay na ikinadidismaya siya tungkol sa akin. He wants me to be perfect, which is why I am pursuing a degree with flying colors. I want him to be proud of me for having an only daughter who is useful to him.

I took a deep breath before I touched the doorknob. I slowly entered Dad's office. The cold breeze welcomed me.

I saw him wiping his gun, a revolver. He looked at me when I entered.

"Don't you know how to knock?" he muttered.

"S-sorry, Dad. I was in a rush to go to your office," I explained.

"Did I ask you to explain?"

I bit my lip. His cold stare really made me nervous. It feels like I was in hell, but a real cold hell where anytime now I can freeze and die.

"Sorry, dad," I apologized.

"Stop apologizing. Sit." He ordered me to sit in front of him.

Para akong asong sumunod sa kaniya. Hindi ko talaga gustong pumasok muli sa kwartong ito dahil bumabalik sa isip ko ang mga napagdaanan ko noong bata pa. How he beats me every time I fail to be at the top of my class. How I always disappoint him and disgrace his name when all I did is to exert a lot of efforts to please him.

I closed my eyes. I could feel the tremor in my chest kasabay nang panginginig ng mga kamay ko sa takot. My knees are weak too.

"I heard you were with a guy," he hinted.

"Dad, it was my ex-boyfriend. H-he transferred to my school," agad kong paliwanag.

"I wasn't talking about him. I am talking about this guy."

I was surprised when he put down the photos from the large envelope. Hindi ko inaasakan ang makikita ko. The pictures were taken at the mall when I was with Jhon Rey just a while ago.

I was left speechless. I don't know how to explain this. Especially the scene of Jhon Rey holding my hand while we were playing.

"This guy, Jhon Rey Carpio..." Dad held his gun again. "He came from the Carpio family..."

And there, I realized that surname was familiar because it was the rival of Dad's company.

"Anong relasyon mo sa lalaking ito?"

"Dad, I swear, n-nothing's going on between us, Dad," I uttered. He glanced at me and seemed not to be convinced by what I said. "It just happened that he was there too. He just taught me how to play the game."

Dad smirked. "He taught you how to play the game because he wants to play with you. You should be aware of this, paglalaruan ka lang ng lalaking ito."

Napalunok ako at hindi ko na nagawang magsalita pa.

"I think you know what you should do, don't you?"

"Y-yes, dad. I'll ignore him."

I nodded and left that room when he told me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got out of that room without being bruised by him. Mommy greeted me and hugged me.

"Are you alright?" She looked weary when she saw me. Inalalayan niya akong makapasok sa kwarto ko. "You want me to bring you food here?"

"No, mom. I'm fine. I'll get dinner with you," I mumbled, trying to hold back my tears. I wasn't expecting that Jhon Rey was from Carpio Corporation, which is my dad's rival in his business. And what else should I do now, of course, but ignore him? I sighed.

"Are you sure? I'm worried about you, my dear." She caressed my back and held my hand. I could feel the warmth of her hands. Her face shows her concern for me, especially since she knows my trauma in that room. Mommy knows it all. My strength, even my weakness. Kung kaya niya lang gawin ang lahat para sa akin ay gagawin niya.

"I'm alright, mommy. There's nothing for you to worry about."

Tumango siya. "Oo nga pala, your Dad wants us to eat together when he's here. I mostly forgot," she expressed.

I sighed and nodded. Even if I don't want to face him, I don't really have a choice but to obey what my father desires, because I know if I become a hindrance to his vision, he can kill me anytime.

"Mommy..." pagtawag ko sa kaniya.

"Yes, sweetie?" Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko. I decided to tell her about the project our class will be having.

"We have a Sociology project."

"Sociology project? What about it? What can I help you with?"

I tried to explain her even if it was hard for me because, in reality, I really hate the idea of living with my ex-boyfriend. I don't see the reason why we need to do the project when, in fact, we already knew each other. If I can elaborate on the things I hated about Jhunel, I will definitely enumerate them. Hindi sapat ang isang buong papel para isa-isahin ang mga pangit niyang ugali.

"Alright, I'll tell your dad about this. Anyway, who's that classmate you were talking about?"

"Jhunel, mom." I susurrated.

"Jhunel? You mean your ex-boyfriend?" Nakakunot ang mga noo niya nang tanungin ako. I nodded.

"Are you sure you wanted to do that? I can talk to your professor," she added. Her eyebrows met, and her facial expression was way more annoyed than mine. Of course, thinking about the fact that your daughter will be living with her ex again under one roof is way too much to handle.

"I don't want to be unfair, mom, but I really don't want to live with him even if it's just for a week."

Hindi na niya napigilang yakapin ako at haplusin ang likod ko. Ramdam ko ang pagdadalamhati niya para sa akin. "Don't worry. I'll tell your father about this. I'll convince him to disagree with your professor."

Mommy left me in my room, kaya naman pinili ko nang maglinis at magpalit ng damit para makapagpahinga saglit dahil mamaya ay bababa na ako sa dining room.

*****

Tahimik lang kaming kumakain. Kahit ako ay ayaw kong magsalita tungkol sa kung ano mang bagay. Also, alam kong hindi dapat ako magsalita habang kumakain dahil paniguradong pagagalitan nila ako.

I sighed. I don't know if mommy has ever told dad about me living with my ex for one week and I am worried about what he will say regarding that matter. I really hope he's against it.

"I heard about your project." Dad suddenly interrupted my thoughts with his statement. Agad akong nakaramdam ng takot sa maaari niyang sabihin. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tahimik lang na nakinig. "I don't see any problem with it—living with your ex-boyfriend."

I remained silent, but deep inside I expected it.

"Kung makakatulong para maka-graduate ka, why not?"

Mommy and I looked at each other. Hindi ko na alam. Gusto ko mang umapela ay hindi maaari dahil wala akong karapatan.

"That's her ex-boyfriend. You know what happened to her, don't you? That guy cheated on her," Mom replied.

"I know what happened to her. And that what makes her more mature and stronger. Bakit? Hindi ka pa ba nakaka-move on sa kaniya, Sheen May?" Straight to the point, Dad asked me. Hindi ko na nagawa pang lunukin ang pagkain ko lalo na nang banggitin na ni Dad ang pangalan ko.

"You should just do it. Don't be a disgrace to this family. I'm telling you, everything is a business, and that project of yours? Approach it like it's a business. Just don't bring personal matters or feelings to it, just business. Don't feel affectionate about it," he elaborated. He picked up the table napkin in front of him and wiped it on his lips. He drinks the wine beside him.

"And to tell you, I would be glad if you two could be together again. His family's business is a good asset if you two are wed."

Napasinghap ako. I'm about to cry, but crying is what dad really hates to see from me. I looked down and suppressed myself.

"Susunduin ka ba niya rito?" He added.

"Y-yes, dad," I answered.

"Good."

No buts. I just listened. Wala akong magagawa dahil anak lang ako. Kailangan ko silang sundin dahil kapag may ginawa akong mali, paniguradong sa opisina na naman ni Dad ang bagsak ko.

*****

My most hated day came, ang araw kung kailan susunduin ako ni Jhunel. I'm still disgusted with this idea, but I have no choice but to silently curse this project. It seems like our professors don't want me to graduate in my last year of college. They should have told me so.

Pumatak na ang alas siyete kaya nagpaalam na ako kay Mommy, and any moment now, Jhunel will be here fetching me. Umalis na si dad kanina dahil sa pagkakaalam ko may business trip siyang pupuntahan for a couple of days kaya si Mommy lang ang maiiwan dito sa bahay.

I embraced her to the fullest and told her I was going to miss her before leaving the house. She just caresses my hair, and I can see how worried she can be.

"I'll be fine, mom. Don't worry," huli kong salita bago ako tuluyang lumabas ng gate. I noticed a silver car and a man leaning against it. I guess this is really it. Dad is right. I'll just treat this project like a business. No more, no less. I'll just go live there and be a stone.

"I'm here," walang gana kong pagbati kay Jhunel. He turned to me and I was shocked to see who the man was standing before my eyes. My heart suddenly stopped beating when I saw him.

Anong ginagawa niya rito?

"J-Jhon Rey?"