Chapter 3

This place is boring! Less than an hour since I arrived at this house, and I was already restless. This is not the punishment I was expecting! I already cried earlier, but I stopped because crying didn’t help at all. I even called Mommy, but she still hasn’t talked to Daddy about me, so I lost hope even more.

I opened my suitcases and unpacked my things one by one. The room is big, and I like its design. There’s a wide window where you can see trees and even some mountains not far from the house. The view is relaxing, but whenever I think about my life in the city compared to life here in the province, I can’t help but feel annoyed.

I don’t know how long I spent organizing my things, but when I got tired, I fell asleep. I only woke up because of Manang Gina’s knocking. I hadn’t realized it was already late and time for dinner.

“Ma'am Zari, I'm sorry about our dinner tonight. This is all Julio got from fishing. I couldn’t go to the market either since I was fixing the room you’ll be using all day,” Manang Gina explained.

I let out a small laugh and shook my head. I glanced at the food on the table and just from the smell, I could tell it was delicious.

“It’s okay, Manang Gina. Don’t worry. I’ll eat this,” I said, pulling the dish closer to me.

I scooped some soup onto my spoon and slowly tasted it. I almost nodded in approval because it was so good.

“This is so good! What do you call this dish?” I asked as I served more onto my plate.

Manang Gina smiled warmly before answering.

“That’s Filipino milkfish in tamarind broth, Ma'am Zari. It’s your mother’s favorite and I used to cook it for her,” she said.

I smiled back. It was my first time tasting it, and learning that it’s one of Mommy’s favorite dishes made it even more special.

Manang Gina joined me for dinner. We talked a lot, and I opened up to her about my resentment towards my father. I told her why I was here, and she said she understood me. I felt better being able to let out my frustrations.

“I’ll come back tomorrow to cook you breakfast. I’ll also bring my son, Johny, so he can take you for a walk around Las Espadas after we go to church,” she said.

I nodded and smiled. Maybe I won’t be too bored here after all, especially if I’m surrounded by kind people.

Manang Gina doesn’t live in this house. She said she walks more than ten minutes just to get home.

When I realized I’d be alone in this big house, I couldn’t help but feel scared. Not because I’m afraid of ghosts, but because I’m not used to being alone. It’s true that our house in the city is big too, but there, we have maids and security guards.

“Don’t worry, Ma'am Zari. This place is safe. Even if you’re alone, nothing bad will happen. Besides, everyone here is too afraid to step on your property,” Manang Gina reassured me.

I nodded, trying to cheer myself up. Her words gave me a bit of comfort, and I trust that I’ll be safe here.

“This is my cellphone number. Just call me if you need anything,” she added, showing me the keypad on her phone.

I frowned while looking at it.

“Is that your phone, Manang Gina?” I asked.

She chuckled and nodded.

“Yes. I bought Johny one first for school, but this still works,” she said, writing her number down on paper.

I saved her number as soon as she left. It was getting dark, and I couldn’t help but worry. I offered to take her home in my car, but she declined, so I didn’t insist.

I locked myself in my room that night. Thankfully, I had internet and the signal wasn’t weak so I didn’t feel too bored. I scrolled through my social media and started getting messages, especially from Lexy. I was typing my reply when my iPad rang. Lexy’s name flashed on the screen.

“Oh my gosh, Zariya! I’ve been messaging and calling you since last night! I know your parents are mad, but what happened? Where are you?” she asked in a panic.

I rolled my eyes and turned the camera around to show her where I was.

“Where is that? Don’t tell me you’re somewhere far. Tell me and I’ll come get you,” she added.

I laughed and shook my head. As if she could travel to this province.

“To make a long story short, I had an argument with Dad last night. He got so frustrated, and this is my punishment,” I told her.

“What punishment?” she asked, curious.

“I’m no longer a city girl, Lexy. He sent me to the province, and I’m going to continue my studies here,” I said, unable to hide the sadness in my voice.

“Oh my gosh! Seriously?! What province is that? You can’t stay there!” she said, clearly shocked.

“Yeah, I can’t be here, but what can I do against Dad? He always wins,” I replied, letting out a sigh.

“What about your mom? Didn’t she try to stop him?” she asked.

I sighed again. It’s enough for me to imagine that Mommy is doing everything she can but I know she can’t change Dad’s decision once his mind is made up.

Lexy was really worried because I’m all alone here, with no relatives.

“Don’t worry about me, Lexy. Let’s just say I’m free from my strict parents. I’ll just enjoy my independence here,” I said with a small smile.

That thought gives me strength. Knowing no one will be watching over me or forbidding me from doing things makes me feel free.

Lexy and I continued talking. I hadn’t told anyone else yet, but they’d find out once my parents request my documents from school.

After Lexy, Margot called me and Bettina was with her. They both asked how I was doing here. I had to tell them I was fine so they wouldn’t worry.

I fell asleep that night and woke up early the next morning. The sun had just risen, and I went downstairs to explore the house.

Manang Gina had told me this was my mother’s ancestral home. I couldn’t imagine her living here before, with all her siblings. There were large, old portraits on the wall pictures of my mother and her siblings.

Out back, I saw a big swimming pool. It was empty and dirty, but I still felt excited. Once it’s cleaned, it’ll be perfect for relaxing.

After walking around, I went back to the living room where Manang Gina had just arrived with a young man I assumed was Johny.

“Mom, is she Ma'am Zariyah?” he asked when he saw me.

I smiled. He looked younger than me and probably still in senior high.

“Yes, Johny. We’ll be with her for a while, so take her for a walk later, especially after church. She’s starting school tomorrow,” Manang Gina told him.

“You’re really pretty, Ma'am Zariyah. You look like an actress I see on TV!” he said excitedly.

I laughed and smiled.

“Thank you. But you can call me Z. Nice to meet you, Johny,” I said warmly.

He kept complimenting me, which made me laugh more. I went to take a shower and got dressed while Manang Gina prepared breakfast.

“Julio can’t join us today because he’s helping with the vegetable harvest in the next town,” Manang Gina explained when I looked for her husband.

We were heading to church. It was in town, and though I offered to drive, they insisted we take the tricycle so I could experience it.

“Do you know where the college is here, Johny?” I asked.

Mom had called that morning with the bad news. She said that Dad was serious about enrolling me in school here.

“Yes, Sister Z. It’s near the church. I’ll show you later,” he replied.

I smiled and nodded. Mom wanted me to report to the school today so the professors could get to know me, but we had other places to visit first.

When we reached the church, I realized it was in the town center because it was bustling with people. Everyone seemed to be staring at me. I checked my outfit to see if something was wrong, but it looked fine.

“Get used to it, Z. People here aren’t used to seeing beauty like yours,” Johny whispered jokingly.

I laughed and shook my head.

“You’re such a joker, Johny. Let’s go inside,” I said, noticing Manang Gina was already ahead.

We quietly entered the church. A lot of people were already seated, waiting for mass to start. I looked around as we walked down the aisle.

“I see Father. It looks like Mass is about to begin,” Johny whispered.

I nodded and about to reply—when I froze. Sitting just a few rows away was the man I kissed at the club. He was wearing a white polo shirt and faded jeans.

He looked at me but didn’t react. I was sure it was him, but what was he doing here? Was this a coincidence?

I was stunned, unsure of what to do. Johny gently pulled me.

“We’ll sit here, Sister Z,” he said, guiding me to the seat near Manang Gina.

I couldn’t speak right away. My mind was still on the man behind us. Did he not recognize me?

I turned around to look at him again. He stared back for a moment, and I was about to wave, but he looked away immediately.

I was shocked by his reaction. Is he pretending not to remember me? Or did he truly forget me?