Clutch of Affliction

Chapter 3

"We?" pang-aasar ko.

"Aba't!" pinanlakihan pa ako ng mata.

"Joke lang! Siyempre, masarap ang luto mo! At masaya ako na naalala mong birthday ko ngayon." Sabay tingin sa dagat.

"Siyempre naman! Bakit hindi?" takang tanong niya. "Lagi lang akong nandito, Liza. Hindi kita iiwan."

That assured me. With all the doubtful thoughts, it cleared my mind. I doubt my existence. But Arya made me want to continue. She made me realize a lot of things.

"What the hell did you do, Tijana?!" Lolo Peter's voice roared in our living room.

Iyon agad ang bumungad sa akin pagkarating ko sa bahay. Totoo nga ang sinabi ni Arya. Pagkatapos ng saya, may lungkot na kasunod dito.

"Answer me, Tijana!" I flinch at his voice.

"What did I do, Lolo? I don't know what you're talking about." I answered honestly. Dahil wala naman akong ginawang mali. Naghintay lang naman ako sa pagdating nila.

"They are talking about you! It spread like a wildfire, Tijana! Si Arya Vasquez ang nagsabit ng medalya sa'yo?!" so that's the issue.

I nodded.

He scoffs and looks at me unbelievably. "What a shameful act! How could you allow that, Tijana?!"

I looked at him apologetically. I can't win even if I argue with him.

How could they act as if they forgot what happened? After ditching me.

"Tijana! You disappointed us!" Daddy exclaimed angrily. They entered my room. Without knocking... Without permission.

"How could you do that, Tijana!" Mommy added.

I'm also disappointed in all of you.

I wanted to voice it out. But I don't have any strength. I don't have the right to disobey them.

Just like that, I'm a disappointment again. What should I do now? Life seems unfair. To me, especially.

My phone rang and I looked at the registered name. Lulu. Even though I didn't want to answer it now, my hands picked up my phone immediately. Felt excited to hear him.

["Happy birthday, Tix!"] He didn't forget! It made my heart flutter. It scares me immediately.

No way! Stop beating!

"Thank you, Lulu..." I couldn't answer anything!

["Uh-huh?"] It sounds like a mocking voice. This man!

"What?" I asked irritatedly.

["Just kidding, Tix. Anyway, I'm here outside the gate."]

"The fuck? What are you doing here?"

["Just go out, hehe."]

"Don't 'hehe' me, Luke Mendez!" I ended the call and immediately changed my clothes.

I'll kill this man! It's already midnight!

Bumaba ako at buti na lang ay wala ng tao sa baba. Tumakas ako at umakyat sa bakod na walang nagbabantay. Kahit si Luke pa ang pupuntahan ko, mayayari pa rin ako pag nalaman nilang lumabas akong bahay! Lalo na at mainit ang dugo nila ngayon sa akin. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama, eh!

"What are you doing here, Luke Mendez?!" I shouted when I arrived at his car. Yes, he's licensed so it's legal for him to drive. I'm not against him driving. I am mad because it's just him and we are at Bicol! It's a long hour drive from their house!