Russia Ocampo and her choice

Mom: We'll have dinner together later. Your Dad and I are coming home. Be sure to dress appropriately, so your Dad won't be annoyed. Love you and see you later, Princess. Me: I will, Mom. I promise not to show up at the dining table in my pajamas. Love you too, and I can't wait to hug you and Dad. It is lunch break when my Mom texted me. My parents are busy people, they’re not always at home. Despite their absence, they are still good parents. They would call every day and see to it that they not just provide for our physical needs, but also the moral support that we need. This time, they’re not home for 8 months. Yes, that’s how busy they are. They’re not the type of parents who are super strict, they are still strict but not on a level that is unreasonable and suffocating. Mom is much softer compared to Dad. Dad wants his rules to be followed as much as we can. Dad knows that we can’t adhere to his rules all the time, but if we can, we should and not stubbornly disobey. One of his rules is to dress and act properly when eating. His reason for this rule is what if we were invited to a dinner party or any formal party, and we couldn’t help ourselves and make a mess? He said that he implemented the rule not because he didn't want to be embarrassed, it was because he didn't want to get into a fight if he heard someone insulting his children. Like how we don’t have manners, because we got neglected that we turned our worse than expected and such. We understand Dad, but sometimes I'm so lazy, especially if it’s a holiday and weekends. “Earth to Russia?” Amethyst, my friend, waved her hand to my face. “Sorry, my Mom just texted me.” “What did your Mom say?” My other friend, Passion, asked. Passion and Amethyst are my classmates and the only ones I’m close with. “They’re coming home today.” “So you can’t join us later?” “Sorry Amethyst, I can’t bail on my parents. You know how rare it is for them to be home.” “Don’t mind Amethyst, Russia. She’s just teasing you, we both know that she understands why.” Amethyst just sticks her tongue out to Passion. “Next time, I’ll make it up. Okay?” “Fine with us!!!” They said in unison. We just laughed then finished our lunch. After lunch, we went back to our classroom. After all our classes, I just said goodbye to them and went home. “I missed you, Princess. Looks like you’ve grown a few inches.” “I missed you too, Dad.” Dad was waiting for me at the door when I got home. Princess was my family’s nickname for me since I am the youngest in our family. I only have one brother. My older brother, Kuya Arzt, is seven years older than me. Yeah, it’s a huge gap. That’s why I’m kinda spoiled by my family, but I’m proud to say that I’m not a brat. Dad and I hugged each other, then we went inside the house. Mom hugged me as well. “You look a bit older now Mom. I think you’ve been dealing with too much stress.” “Right, Princess? I’ve been telling your Mom that as well. She’s been like surgeries here, surgeries there. I also don't know why the VIPs in our hospital increased all of a sudden.” Mom just lightly punched Dad. My Mom is a cardiothoracic surgeon, one of the best in the field. And my Dad is a business person. He owns the best hospital in the country. The hospital has three branches - one from Manila, one from Davao and one from Cebu. That’s why wherever Mom is, Dad will be there. Mom does not belong to just one branch. Mom handles all the VIP heart patients and if there's a patient that the doctors of other branches can’t handle, Mom will be handling the surgery in their stead. I think the reason why Dad chose hospital as a business is so he can be with Mom always. Yes, my Dad is a hopeless romantic. “I’m fine, you two. Russia, go to your room and do your homework if you have any. I will cook your favorite beef caldereta for dinner. Manang Fe will just call you if it’s time to eat. Okay?” I beamed at the thought of eating my Mom's beef caldereta. I tried to recreate it, but I never succeeded, even though I always followed her instructions. I took my gifts and souvenirs from them before going upstairs to my room. I have a research paper that still needs to be worked on. I didn’t notice that two hours had already passed. If not for the knock on my door followed by Manang Fe’s voice, I wouldn't have noticed my grumbling stomach. Manang Fe laughed when she saw me dressed in jeans and shirt. She always saw me eating in my pajamas or in my uniform. Manang Fe has been our maid since I was a child. Yes, we only have one maid because my parents don't want us to depend on maids for household chores. Manang Fe’s job is only to cook dinner and clean the house. I cooked my own breakfast, cleaned my room and did my own laundry. We also have a driver since I’m still a minor, so I still can't drive. If I don’t have to go somewhere, Manung Bert helps Manang Fe clean the house. Our house is just a walking distance from school. It's a ten to fifteen-minute walk, depending on your pace. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. I was able to save money and I had a little exercise. I told you I’m not a brat. I can say I turned out just fine, me and Kuya did. And I know our parents are proud of themselves for that. “Thank God you’re not in your pajamas.” Dad said when he saw me. He pulled my chair for me. All the men in our family have this gentlemanly practice. “So what are we gonna talk about?” “Let’s eat first, okay? We’ll talk about it over dessert.” Mom started putting rice and viands on my plate. We exchange light life updates over the main course. It’s like my parents are trying to build up the conversation for something important and heavy. “Can we now talk about it? The suspense is making me uneasy.” “Promise us you’ll take this as calmly as you can?” This is the first - Dad taking precautions. Are we discussing something heavy? “You know I can’t promise that, Dad, but I’ll try my best to control my emotions. Hmmm?” “Okay” “Princess, what would you feel about going to Manila for college?” I stared at my Mom. I’m trying to know if the matter is up for discussion, or if they’re just letting me know. “Am I going to study in Manila? Why?” “We know you like it here in Negros, we even know that you probably made plans for college already.” I just listened to Dad. “It’s just that something has changed. Ever since our hospital was awarded as the best hospital in the country, your Mom and I have been busier. Yeah, we have always been away ever since, but the longest was just three months, but now it’s eight months. We’re still parents, we miss you often.” “If I am in Manila, will you always be there?” I asked. They both didn’t meet my eyes. Figures! “But we will not be apart this long.” Mom’s voice is almost cracking up. “Mom, I understand, I just don’t like that this will change all the plans I have in mind.” I’m not mad, I’m just sad. I already have plans with my friends. I was looking forward to it. Me, Amethyst and Passion at one university? We were giddily looking forward to it. “We know. Your older brother is also there, you know? Can’t you give this one to Dad?” “Kuya will just be there until next school year. He’ll be flying to the US after medical school.” My brother is planning to take his general surgery training in the US. I don’t know if he wants to study more there before going back to the country. He is currently in his 3rd year of medical school. My parents just nodded at me. I can see that they want to say something, but they’re afraid that it would make me feel sadder. “Mom, Dad, can you give me time to think?” “Of course!” I just kissed and hugged them, before going back to my room. I’m not mad at them. I’m just sad about the plans that I won’t fulfill. You might be wondering why we're living in Negros when our family business has never been in Negros. Mom is a Negrense. She grew up here and just went to Manila for med school while Dad is Manileño. His family are all over Metro Manila. My parents choose to live here so we will be able to live in a place where everything is not buzzing. No offense to people who love to live in the city. I don't really dislike Manila, I've been there a lot of times. I even spent a whole summer there before. Just that there is no Amethyst and Passion in there. Their family always lived here and will continue to do so. I weigh the pros and cons. I sighed deeply. I guess this is for the better. At least I would ease my parents' worries if I went to Manila. I went out of my room and saw my parents looking worried. They must be anxious. I just smiled at them and asked them to come inside my room to talk. “So what's the whole plan?” I started. I saw my parents' relieved faces. My Dad even made a happy sigh. “By summer, you’ll be staying in Manila already. We know that somehow you’re familiar with the place, but we want you to get used to the place.” I just nodded at Dad. “You’ll take your exam in one of the schools there. Your choice which one.” Dad may say that he’ll let me choose, but I saw the glimpse of hope that I'd choose the school where he and Mom graduated. That's where Kuya is currently studying. “Nah, I’ll be with Kuya. My cousins are there as well, right Dad?” “Yeah, our family always studies at Secta unless we want to explore more abroad.” I’m close with my cousins on my father’s side. Mom is an only child, so I only have second cousins or so on her side. I’m still close to my Mom’s relatives but not as close to my Dad’s. “But what about the house? Manang Fe? Manung Bert?” “They're going to stay here to maintain the house, we'll come here during the holidays or if we want to be away from the buzzing city. This makes you feel better, right?” I just smiled sheepishly before nodding. Our talk ended. We said good night. Mom and Dad are going to fly to Cebu tomorrow. They just went out of their way to visit me. They’re just not that vocal, but I can feel that they terribly missed me. They’re missing me more than they can tell.