Chapter 5 " Friend request "

Bago pa ako makapasok ay nag salita na siya.

" So this is it? " He looked hurt. Does he really hurt? Maybe this is how I want to remember him. Pained because we will never see each other again. Unless, we'll set a time and place to meet each other. Which is impossible.

Tanga ka ba Athena? I asked myself a stupid question.

" Anong so this is it? " I asked innocently trying to mask the pain.Pretending that I don't have any idea about what he's talking about.

" You're pushing me away. Like you're ending something between us. Kahit wala naman talaga " he chuckled sarcastically parang hindi rin makapaniwala. I don't know but the words he said stabbed my heart. Oh right, he's just a man who almost hit me by his car. Nothing more. I smiled bitterly at the thought.

" Yeah- you're right " he continue speaking while nodding as if he's convincing himself.

" You're just the girl I met earlier. Nothing more " sabi niya na nag pasikip ng dibdib ko. There he said it. However, why do I still myself hoping? Assuming that he will utter what I wanted to hear.

Tama naman ah? Oh anong inaarte arte ko? Eto naman yung gusto ko ah. The desire to slap my face and pull my hair intensified. Naiirita ako sa sarili ko. 

" Umalis ka na " malamig kong usal at patuloy siyang tinalukaran. Pasikip ng pasikip ang dibdib ko. To the point that I can't breath properly anymore.

Tumakbo na ako papunta sa bahay habang umiiyak. Bakit ang arte arte ko? Hindi ko naman siya jowa pero nasasaktan ako.

Masakit kase I know deep within my heart I like him. That ridiculously fast! Siguro dahil guwapo siya o dahil mayaman siya. Even so, I cannot deny the fact that I'm attracted to that guy.

Yun ang dahilan wala ng iba Athena. However, the reason why he caught my attention is also enough reason to stay away from him. Learn to distance and detach yourself from the likes of him, Athena.

Sasaktan ka lang nila. Gagamitin at sisirain. Walang ibang po protekta sayo kung hindi ang sarili mo. In the end they will choose to drop you like a hot potato. Find someone in their circle and marry. An elegant woman born in wedlock. Hindi sa katulad ko na mahirap. Cause I will be his greatest failure if ever. A stain in his name, a mistake.

I looked at our window as I see him walked away from our house. Parang pinupunit ang puso ko habang pinapanood siya nag- lalakad palayo.

Mag ingat ka Elijah. Please, Lord guide him and keep him safe. I uttered my prayer with adulterated faith.

" Oh! San ka naman galing ha? " Muntik na akong mapatalon sa gulat dahil biglang sumulpot si lola. Her brows furrowed, lips frowning while wearing her signature floral daster.

Akala ko pa naman tapos na tong dabog session niya. Dismayado kong sabi aa sarili.

" Sa labas lang po La. Pasensya na po hindi ako nakapag paalam " sagot ko kinakabahan kasi hindi ko alam kung tatalab sa kanya.

Sa lahat ng tao sa buhay ko sa lola ko ako pinaka takot. 

Takot ako dahil kayang-kaya niya kaming itapon sa labas ng pamamahay niya. Palayasin kami ng parang pusa. All that she think about is money. Just like other people, she's a lover of money. That's why, when my father didn't provide the needed supplication? We'll be on a brink of losing a home.

Minsan iniisip ko na bakit yung ibang lola masarap mag mahal? Sabi nga nila sila pa yung kakampi ng apo laban sa magulang mo. However, that's not the case with me. I need to suck all her crappy attitude. 

Her being cranky most of the time. Talking bad things about the people she met. I scoffed when I remembered how two-faced  she is. Lola is ready to help other people except to her relatives. Even willing to give money, donate foods and clothes with somebody. In exchange, her grandaughters will suffer.

Bawal dito bawal doon, isa pa to. Kelangan mong sumunod dahil kung hindi sa daan kami titira.

" Ayan! Ganyan mga bastos kayo! Sasabihin niyo lang kung san kayo pupunta! " She angrily said. I understand why she's throwing a fit alright? However, if I'll turn back time my response will be the same. I'll choose to go outside and meet Elijah once again.

Hindi na lang ako sumagot. What for? She will not listen to me anyway. One thing I have learned about living in a toxic family is don't talk back! It will only fuel their anger and will result to quarell. Bandang huli kasalanan mo pa kasi sumagot ka. Defending yourself means ungratefulness.

I sighed and started walking to my room.

" Mag sikain na kayo mga amo ko! " Sabi ni lola. Akala na naman niya alipin siya.

I rolled my eyes. E sino ba nag sabi na gawin niya yun? Edi wag siyang mag luto. I am pissed! Kung napapagod siya mag pahinga siya. Hindi yung kami pa sisihin niya.

I mean what's the point of bickering anyway? When in the first place she's the one who volunteered to do that? Such a useless arguments. Talking with the people like her is exhausting. May oras nga silang pakialaman ang buhay ng iba pero kapag ito napapagod sila? 

I don't know anymore. Putting the blame to my parents is not a solution. Still, I want to blame them for creating us.

Physically and emotionally not to mention mentally exhausted. I lay down on my bed carefully and grab my phone. Hindi ko pala nabasa ang reply ni Bobby. Whatever I'm tired. Abby is still sleeping peacefully. I tuck the hairs behind her ears and kiss her. 

" I love you Abby " sabi ko ng malambing. Don't worry Ate is here. We don't need our father it's just you and me.

I opened the f******k application. Nothing special except those posts from the social climbers I know. As I surf in the internet again for job. Someone popped up in the friend request list.

Elijah Alexander Samaniego sent you a friend request

And my world stops.