I'm hoping that things can get better because, honestly, everything is tiring. I'm sick of it.
Nakakapagod na walang katapusan ang mga pangyayaring gusto ko nang kalimutan. Gusto kong takasan ang reyalidad na mayroon ako. Gusto kong maging payapa ang isip at puso ko. Gusto kong huminga sa lahat ng bagay at tao na nagpapahirap sa akin.
If only I had the chance to choose what I want baka sakaling hindi ganito kabigat ang buhay na mayroon ako. Baka sakaling kahit papano masaya ako. Pero hindi, eh. This is my reality. I can't escape from it as much as I want to. I don't have a choice but to live with it.
"Do you want us to celebrate your birthday, Ingrid?" Tita Misha asked one morning.
Ito ang una naming pagkikita nang matapos nyang masaksihan ang pagiging mahina ko dahil sa galit ng aking ama. Iniwasan ko sya at umayon naman ang tadhana sa akin dahil naging busy sila ni daddy sa trabaho.
It was weird to hear it from her because, the last time I checked, she doesn't give a damn about me. Interesting, isn't?
I chuckled without any humor. "There's no need for that, Tita. Don't even bother."
"Your sister wants your birthday to be memorable," she said.
I smiled inwardly.
I know.
Kahit hindi mo sabihin alam ko, dahil si ate lang naman ang mayroong pakialam sa akin dito sa pamamahay na 'to. Sya lang, wala nang iba pa.
"Ayoko pong magcelebrate. Hindi naman na 'yon mahalaga pa para sa akin. Magagalit lang po si Daddy baka madamay pa kayo. Ako na po ang kakausap kay ate tungkol doon." sabi ko bago tuluyang umalis.
I'm a mistake.
Wala akong karapatang humiling ng kahit na ano.
"Napagisipan mo na ba ang alok ko sa'yo, Ingrid?" Ate Salisha asked when she saw me waiting for her outside their building.
I smiled and run towards her for an embrace.
She chuckled and kissed my cheeks.
"I missed you, ate!" I said loudly.
Kumalas sya sa yakap at pinagmasdan ako.
"I missed you more. So have you decided?" she probed.
I pouted and nodded. Yumakap ako sa braso nya habang naglalakad kami.
"Cook for me, Ate!" I exclaimed.
Tinignan ko sya. Her brow shot up.
"You mean, I'll just cook for you? Am I right or not?" she asked confused.
Tumango ako nang marahan. Napagisipan ko na magdinner date na lang kami ni ate sa birthday ko. Simple lang pero sapat na sa'kin iyon. Ayaw ko rin na gumastos pa sya.
"Cook some pork sour stew for me, Ate! Tayo lang naman dalawa tapos favorite pa natin pareho! I want to celebrate my birthday with you, Ate." nakangiting paliwanag ko.
Natigilan sya sa sinabi ko at hindi ko malaman o mabasa ang nasa isip nya. Matagal bago sya naka sagot.
A low chuckle escaped from her lips.
"Of course, Yari. I'd happily cook for you. Let's celebrate your birthday peacefully."
I smiled widely because of that and nodded enthusiastically.
Ashley didn't came to the university today because her brother is sick. She needed to take care of him. Nagtext lang sya sa akin na kokopya na lang sya sa notes ko. That's why I'm currently walking alone the hall.
