CHAPTER 3

APPLE GALES’S POV

Until now, malungkot pa rin ako because Daddy and Mommy didn’t attend my graduation celebration and my actual graduation in my school. Many people congratulated me online, but still, I am not happy. I want my parents’ attention, especially my daddy’s.

Ni online nga hindi nila ako kinong-gratulate. Hindi nila alam kung gaano ako hiyang-hiya sa sarili ko at sa mga tao.

Kung pwede nga lang na humagulgol ngayon, ginawa ko na. Nakakahiya lang sa mga bisita kung makikita nila akong umiiyak sa special day ko because I was supposed to be happy and delighted.

Nahihiya rin ako sa mga bisita dahil hindi man lang nila nasisilayan ang mga magulang kong sinasaluhan ako sa selebrasyon ng graduation ko. This might be the saddest moment I have ever experienced. Kanina pa ako nagbubuntong-hininga.

Marami nang nakakapansin sa bad mood ko na hitsura kaya’t siguro hindi nila ako kinakausap.

Patingin-tingin ang ibang bisita sa akin ngunit nginingitian ko lang sila.

“Congrats, beh!” My best friend, Uleula Reyes, gave me a gift. I hugged her tightly and exchanged presents with her. I wanted to cry on her shoulders but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Ayokong maging mahina sa harap ng kaibigan ko ngayon dahil alam niya na masaya ako kahit na wala ang parents ko.

“Congrats too,” I muttered, my voice slightly cracked. I just hope she doesn’t notice that I’m on the verge of tears. I don’t want to appear weak in front of my guests. Raising the side of my lips, I looked at her proudly, “Nagawa natin, bes. Nagawa nating makatapos sa paghihirap natin for four years!” natutuwa kong sambit.

“You seem sad,” she observed, lifting my chin to look into my eyes and gauge my emotions. I sighed and looked away so that she wouldn’t feel sorry for me. “Anong problema? Tell me, Apple. I want to hear it,” dagdag niya pa.

Dumamba hanggang sa sahig ang nguso ko. “Daddy was not there. He was the only one I was expecting,” I grumbled and sat on the monoblock. I looked around, scanning the surroundings. Many people attended my graduation celebration, mostly dito lang sa town namin.

Pina-cater lang ni Mommy ang handaan pero hindi rin naman siya nandito. Okay lang sana kung hindi na sila nakaattend sa celebration dito sa bahay eh. Both my parents were absent. Even when I received my diploma, it was Uncle Evanston, brother of my mother, who handed it to me.

They’re always so busy. They really don’t have any time for me. Nagseselos ako sa bawat atensyon na inilalaan nila sa ibang bagay.

“Just let it go. Haven’t you gotten used to it yet?” Huminga ako ng malalim. Hindi ko alam kung masasanay pa ba ako sa ganito. “By the way, I’m leaving now. I just stopped by to give you your gift.” She kissed my cheek. “Mayroon ding celebration sa amin so kailangan nandoon ako. Nagpaalam lang ako kina Papa.”

“Take care, Uleula. Thank you for the gift,” I showed a sad smile to my friend who was about to leave. I’m totally alone now.

Ako lang yata ang fresh graduate na malungkot sa mismong katapusan ng pag-aaral nila.

I spent the whole day entertaining myself and my visitors. I wasn’t smiling at all, or I smiled but it was fake, behind that I was broke. I sighed and turned around. That’s when I saw Aileen’s face as if she was joining me in sorrow on this day.

“Aileen!” I called out to grab her attention. She was one of the maids who always stood guard behind me and in front of my room.

The maid who always hovers around me and watches my every move as I walk around our mansion.

I furrowed my brow as she approached me with fear.

“Yes, ma’am?” mahina niyang tanong. Takot na masigawan ko siya. Palagi ko kasi siyang sinisigawan.

I just sighed in frustration. I really can’t stand people who always follow me around. Parang pinaparamdam nila na wala silang tiwala sa akin. As if namang magnanakaw ako, ‘no?

The maids are afraid of Mommy. Aside from her rude and oppressive behavior, she also insults them. The maids are just desperate for work, that’s why they tolerate Mom’s attitude. Kung ako sa kanila iiwanan ko ang trabahong ‘to at hahanap ng iba kaysa sa pagtiisan nila ang ugali ng mom ko.

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

One of my pet peeves is having someone follow me everywhere like a shadow. If I had the power, I would have already fired this maid, but I don’t. Kumbaga kahit hindi sabihin ni Mommy sa akin, pinapamukha niya na pabigat lang ako sa kanila.

Which is true. Ha-ha! That’s why wala silang time. I knew it.

I ordered, “Help the other clean up the area and I’ll go take a shower.” I didn’t wait for her response and went straight to my room on the second floor.

As soon as I entered the bathroom, I couldn’t help but cry because of my disappointment with my parents.

We may be complete as a family, but they make me feel like I’m alone. Maraming maids, pero feeling ko hindi rin naman ako belong.

“Darn. Ano ka ba naman, Apple Gale? Hindi ka pa ba nasanay na walang time ang parents mo?” I laughed at what I said to myself. I soaked in warm water in the bathtub for 45 minutes before changing into my pajamas.

I thought this day would be the best, but it turned out to be the opposite. What a great pleasure I got today. Kung alam lang ng mga naiinggit sa akin na ganito ang sitwasyon ko, ewan ko na lang kung maiinggit pa sila.

The next day, my heart woke up happy, so even my spirit was happy. — 8 AM

But physically…broken.

My ears were startled by the loud banging on my door. Irritated, I yanked my hair and plopped down on my bed. What the heck?! Nasira na nga ang araw ko yesterday at pati ba naman ang tulog ko sisirain nila?!

“What’s the matter?!” I yelled.

“Don’t shout at me! I’ve been trying to wake you up for ages!” Mommy’s voice echoed through the room. My eyes widened, and I quickly got off the bed to let her in. “Get yourself together. Make yourself beautiful. Put on high heels and a sexy dress. I’ll be waiting for you.”

My mouth dropped open as she slammed the door shut, without giving me a chance to respond.

I still feel angry towards the two of them! She didn’t show up yesterday and then early this morning, she was banging on my door as if nothing happened?! She even yelled at me as if she didn’t do something to make me sad yesterday! It’s really frustrating!

“Tsk!” I let out a frustrated sigh as I approached my closet. A sexy dress and high heels?! Where are we even going?!

I chose the blue fitted dress with a slit on the right leg. I also put on some jewelry to complete my outfit.

Could it be that he has a surprise for me? Because she’s dressing me up early in the morning. Is there something up?