That One Thing

Chapter 11

Sergio

"How's your band doing? I saw some of your bandmates' clips on the internet, and I had no idea you could sing like that, hijo." Mom said while we're eating dinner.

"It's fine, Mom," I replied.

"That's good to know. Kung saan ka masaya ay doon na rin kami but don't forget your responsibility as our son because you are the heir in our family. Your sister is too young and uninterested in running our company and business. Tumatanda na kami ng Dad mo kaya kailangan ka namin." She brings it up again.

I let out a sigh. "I know. Just let me do whatever I want for the time being; music is my life, and I can't abandon my bandmates now that we're on the rise."

Nakita ko ang pag-iling ni Dad sa sinabi ko. As a businessman, he opposes my job as a musician. Dapat raw ay tinutulungan ko siya sa pagpapatakbo ng kompanya namin pero dahil suportado ako ni Mom sa lahat ng gusto ko ay hindi kumokontra si Dad. He loves my mother, who is our boss, guardian, and adviser in our family.

Mom had no idea I had an eating disorder called Bulimia. I eat a lot of food in one sitting, I like to cook and eat, and then I throw up. My doctor said it's a mental illness caused by my anxiety and stress since joining That One Thing band. Ayokong mag-alala pa siya sa akin dahil alam kong marami din silang pinoproblema ni Dad sa construction company. I've lost a lot of weight since I developed an eating disorder kaya minsan ay hindi na lang ako kumakain para hindi ko maisuka ang kinakain ko.

What's the point of eating if I'm going to vomit afterwards? My doctor is doing everything possible to help me in curing my disease. It's difficult to deal with my bulimia, but I need to be better for my friends and our band.

Mom smiled as she held my hand. "Of course, Zayne. Nandito lang kami ng Dad at ng kapatid mong si Joraia para suportahan ka sa hilig mo. We won't force you to run our company, but your Dad still need your help."

Tumango ako. "I will."

I look at my younger sister, Joraia, who is busy playing on her iPad while we are eating. At the age of 15, she is a nerd and a genius. She's a quiet child, just like me. We also have an older sister, Elizabeth, who has a family of her own. Her husband is a well-known Architect in the Philippines and one of our father's business partners.

"By the way, nagsumbong sa amin si Giorgia at sinabi niyang iniwan mo siya sa mall? Is that true?" tanong ni Mom.

"Mom, I've already told you that her presence irritates me. Sinamahan ko lang siya sa mall dahil pinilit niya 'ko."

"She's also a witch and bitch, and I don't like her," Joraia said, her gaze fixed on her iPad. Since the beginning, she has had a strong dislike for Giorgia.

"Alam naming ayaw mo kay Giorgia dahil nakipaghiwalay ka nga sa kanya at umalis sa arranged marriage n'yong dalawa but, son, please... as a form of compensation for her father's assistance on our construction sites," Dad explained.

"Okay," Wala akong magawa kundi ang sumang-ayon. As a compensation, like he said.

After our late dinner ay pumasok muna ako sa loob ng kwarto ko at humiga sa kama. I enjoy the peace and silence in my room because I was raised as an introvert and quiet person. For me, talking too much is a waste of time. Wala kaming gig ng banda dahil tatlong araw nang hindi umuuwi si Froi sa apartment at hindi kami pwedeng magperform ng wala siya. He's our group's backbone, and without him, we wouldn't be able to achieve our band's goal of signing with a reputable music label.