"Are you in love with that new toy of yours buddy?"
When Aris asked me that question, my memories started to remind me what happened seven years ago.
I closed my eyes and let my soul drown in nostalgia.
My Dad is a very influential man and a successful entrepreneur. Marami ang nagsasabi na swerte daw ako at mayaman kami. They did not know that the success of my Dad only puts a heavy burden on my shoulders.
Malaki ang naging expectations ng mga tao sa'kin.
But my Dad's expectations is the real deal. He wants me to surpass him, he want me to succeed...
Dumating na sa punto na he controls my life, it feels like I'm nothing but a lousy puppet.
The manipulation and pressure finally takes its toll, alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko na kaya. I can't take it anymore! Lagi na lang mahalaga ang sasabihin ng ibang tao, lagi na lang de-numero ang kilos ko, 'ni wala akong kalayaan na piliin ang gusto kong pangarap sa buhay...
I'm living in a cage and I wish to be free. Gusto kong magdesisyon para sa sarili ko kaya naglayas ako sa bahay noong maka-graduate ako ng college. It is a hard and challenging decision but definitely the best and liberating.
Pansamantala muna akong tumira sa kaibigan kong si Alex. Hanggang sa nakahanap ako ng trabaho sa isang call center sa Quezon City.
Noong matanggap ko naman ang unang sahod ko ay nangupahan ako sa apartment sa Muñoz. Finally, I'm starting to enjoy my life. My freedom.
I was very happy to live freely, no one can dictate me, I can do what I want. It's so refreshing that I felt alive for the first time!
My job might be stressful but I have some good friends, one of them is Jacob. He's is a good guy, the glue that bonds us all, the man who prefers fun and happiness in the workstation.
Naging magkaibigan kami ni Jacob. I look up to him, he's my role model at work until a certain event happened...
That was one rainy afternoon, I'm preparing to go home when Jacob approached me. He invited me for dinner with his wife and six years old daughter.
I was reluctant. Hindi kasi ako sanay sumama sa family affairs ng iba, but Jacob strongly urges me to join them para naman daw hindi boring ang lunch. I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling about this.
Why be bored if you're together with your wife and daughter?
Around 5PM nang dumating kami sa SM North EDSA. Jacob told me to go ahead and meet his wife at Shakeys, mag-CR daw muna siya.
"How the fuck would I know who your wife is?" I asked.
Jacob laughed. Nakakaloko ang pagtawa niya.
"Xan, kung sino yung makita mo 'dun na may kasamang cute na batang babae s'ya na 'yun."
After saying that, he answered a phonecall.
"Oh! Cess babe don't be mad, I'll be there around 7PM. Si Miel kasi gustong lumabas pinagbigyan ko muna."
Hanggang doon lang ang narinig ko dahil naglakad si Jacob palayo sa akin...
Who the fuck is Cess? What the fuck is he trying to do? Of course we know it, he's definitely cheating!
It feels like I'm being used. Ayaw ko ng ganitong pakiramdam. But I'll let it pass... for now.
Pagpasok ko sa Shakey's ay lumingon ako sa paligid. I tried to find a cute little girl and supposedly an equally cute mom.
