Zephyr Strings

Kabanata 1

"What?" malamig kong sabi.

"I'm leaving at seven. You have your first class today, right?"

Gusto kong umirap. He's talking to me as if we have a good relationship. I'm sick of this.

"And? You don't have to take me to uni. We're nothing anyway. I don't want to make people think we have something." Walang tinginan kong wika at bumaba ng kama. "Please, leave. I need to prepare."

"I'm leaving. But next time, you better watch your mouth." Sa nagbabanta niyang tinig at sinara ang pintuan.

Pilit kong pinigilan ang sariling sumigaw at magbasag ng gamit. Kinuyom ko ang aking mga kamao. I'm stuck here... in the dark. It's suffocating. I can feel the chains around my body.

After everything I've been through, I am still here, suffering like a fucking prisoner. Sa dami ng pasakit sa buhay ko, hindi ko na magawa pang umiyak o magreklamo man lang.

The faint feeling of freedom I felt is slowly fading away. Halos makalimutan ko na ang pakiramdam ng maging malaya. It's not been long, but it felt like forever. This may be depressing, but I have already accepted my fate.

I was born to obey my mother's decisions like a good dog. To be the pushover in the family. I am a child in between. Both my Mom and Dad have their own families. And here I am, stuck with my Mom's rulings.

Wala nang tao sa sala ng aking unit nang makababa ako. Walang bakas ni David. I'm glad he finally left. After using me for almost a month, he finally had enough and left for Brazil.

I don't want him around. It's better to cherish every moment without him. I had toasted bread and coffee for breakfast.

"Good morning..." bati ko sa litrato ni Fadia na nilabas ko mula sa drawer.

My legs looked much longer because of my beige linen trousers. It was paired with white peep-toe heels and a beige long-sleeved linen polo. My hair was in a half ponytail with a white ribbon bow.

I stared at my reflection. I keep my face looking natural. Just a touch of blush and lip gloss. My upturned chestnut eyes were patted with nude makeup, just enough to accentuate my tan skin.

"I'm leaving." Sambit ko nang makuntento na sa itsura at nilisan ang lugar.

It's my first day today. Hindi ako naka-attend sa orientation dahil kay David. I barely even visit my Dad and sisters because of him. Kaya naman laki ng ginhawa ko ngayong umalis na siya.

I drove to university in my white McLaren 720s. Though I already got there once, I still used a map because I suck at directions. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako nahirapan.

There are lots of cars in the parking lot. All of them are luxurious cars and sports bikes. Walang tapon. Halatang mga anak mayaman ang mga narito. I wonder if Cohen's here.

I took my black Bottega Veneta backpack, phone, and keys before going out. I pressed the alarm and spotted some arriving cars and students. Binigyan ko ng ngiti ang mga napapatingin sa akin at nahihiya nila iyong sinuklian.

Hindi ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong maikot ang university nang magpunta ako rito dahil abala ako sa pag-aayos ng mga papel ko. Being an exchanged student is difficult. Buti nga at nagawan ng paraan ni Daddy.

A loud slam from a car's door made me flinch. Kunot-noo kong nilingon ang pinanggalingan nito. A tall guy with a lean body and muscles was standing beside it, checking a thick book. His fair skin and firm biceps were very obvious because of his plain black shirt and black trousers with a black belt.

Iiwas na sana ako ng tingin nang bumaling ito sa aking direksyon at humakbang. He had bangs that nearly reached his left eyebrow and hung from the other side of his forehead, while the right side of his hair was pushed back.