Once In A Lifetime (Life Struggle Series #1) COMPLETED

Chapter 25

Having a partner who always understands you is a luck. Not all men can understand the mood swings of a woman and not all women can understand the possessiveness of a man. We can't understand each others' principles.

People will say they understand us but in reality, they don't. Your friends might say they acknowledged the personality you have but how come they still mock you for having a trait that they didn't like? Simple, because they don't understand you. If they truly understand you, they won't mock you, instead they will choose to correct and guide you.

Nehemiah understands me, no doubt. I'm glad about it but I'm also afraid. Natatakot ako na baka magsawa siya kakaintindi sa akin, na baka isumbat n'ya sa huli ang ginawa n'yang pagiintindi sa ugali at buhay ko.

Jassy: I'm sorry. I love you.

I didn't wait for his reply. Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto para makapagpahinga. I feel exhausted. I feel like I'm drowning from problems and no one can rescue me from it because no one sees the struggles I have. It's only me. Sarili ko lang ang aasahan ko.

"Grabe. Pagod na ako. May problema pa bang dadating?"

I'm full of problema. There's no space for another one. Siguro kapag may dumating pa, sasabog na ako. I'll explode without a hint.

I cook our food and let them eat. Hindi na ako kumain dahil gusto ko na talagang magpahinga. I lose my appetite after what happened. All I wanted to do is to close my eyes...for a moment.

"A-ayaw! Tulong!"

I was instantaneously aroused from a night of deep sleep upon hearing Jerly's shout.

I diverted my eyes at her with my sleepy eyes. Ganoon lamang ang gulat ko nang makita ang pawis at nanginginig n'yang katawan. Her face was filled with fear.

"Jerly!" mabilis ko siyang dinaluhan at mahinang sinampal ang kan'yang pisngi.

Because of what I did, she cried more as if I was doing something bad at her. I didn't know what to do to the point that I'm only staring at her agony.

"Shhh. Nandito si Ate," si Fatima.

My eyes widened as I saw what she did. Fatima caressed Jerly's hair and kissed her forehead.

"Tahan na..."

True enough, Jerly relaxed. Her body stopped shaking. Ang kaninang takot na expression ay napalitan ng kapayapaan.

Realization hit me. I shouldn't add fuel to her burning dream. Her mind might be creating a scene that makes her scared. Mas lalo lang siyang natakot sa paglapat ng kamay ko sa pisngi n'ya. I should comfort her with words.

"Umiiyak din siya noong nakaraang linggo," bulong ni Fatima.

I confusedly looked at her, "Huh? Umiiyak?"

"Opo. Hindi ka lang nagising noon, Ate pero iyak talaga siya nang iyak."

My mouth fell open. Madali lang akong gisingin, kaonting ingay ay nagigising agad ako. I might be too tired that night to not sense Jerly's sobs.

"Parang takot na takot siya sa panaginip n'ya, Ate..." I sense the fear in her voice.

Bigla rin tuloy akong kinabahan. My heart beats faster than it used to be. I took a deep breath at ikinalma ang sarili.

"Tulog na, Fatima. Ako na ang bahala kay Jerly."

She nodded and closed her eyes to sleep again. Huminga ako nang malalim at pinagmasdan ang dalawa kong kapatid.

"I love you. Huwag n'yong iwanan si Ate, ha."

They are my reasons why I chose to be alive. Kung mawawala sila sa akin, wala na akong karapatang mabuhay pa. Para saan pa ang buhay kong ito kung mawawala naman ang taong pinaglalaanan ko ng buhay?