Whispers of Avarice (Casa de Castillo 1)

Chapter 10

In my journey of personal growth, one invaluable lesson stands out: not every action warrants a reaction, and it's perfectly acceptable to distance oneself from those who have caused harm. Embracing the power of choosing when and how to respond has empowered me to prioritize my well-being and focus on the positive aspects of my personal journey.

"I'm not done talking! Come back here, bitch!"

Ynessa's shouts echoed, but I continued my retreat. I yearned to distance myself from it all, seeking solitude. The desire for everything to end overwhelmed me, a sense of exhaustion enveloping me as if my world had shattered, leaving me in a confusing abyss of emotions.

Huminto ako sa tapat ng change room para sa mga athletes. Walang mga tao dito kaya kahit papaano pakiramdam ko nabawasan ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko. Tinakpan ko ang mukha ko gamit ang dalawa kong palad at mariin na pumikit.

The urge to cry consumed me, a desperate need to release the turmoil within. Yet, I resisted, aware that tears wouldn't mend this mess. Bravery became my shield, for as a Fabroa, pride ran deep, and a Fabroa never retreated.

"If you want to cry, then cry," Keanu offered.

"Leave. I need to be alone," I insisted, but Keanu paid no heed. Hinila ako nito patungo sa loob ng change room. Inalalayan ako nito paupo at tsaka ito tumabi sa akin.

"What?" he asked, arms crossed. "You can cry until your eyeballs bawl out now."

"Whatever," I retorted, tears welling in my eyes, caught between vulnerability and the determination to face the challenge ahead.

Sa lahat ng tao na maaaring gumawa nito sa akin, si Ynessa pa talaga. Akala ko kahit hindi na kami magkaibigan at hindi na nag-uusap, hindi magagawa ni Ynessa ito dahil may pinagsamahan kami. The betrayal of Ynessa is like a sudden, sharp ache that pierces through my heart.

The realization that someone I considered a confidant, a companion in my journey, has chosen a path of deception is both heartbreaking and disorienting. It feels like a deep wound that stings with each recollection of shared moments, leaving a lingering sense of loss and vulnerability.

I sighed, wiping away the threatening tears. "I just don't get it. How did everything spiral out of control like this?"

Keanu, ever the straightforward one, looked at me with a mix of empathy and determination. "Sometimes life throws curveballs, and all we can do is try to catch them or learn how to hit them back."

His words resonated, and for a moment, I allowed myself to release the pent-up emotions. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, and I finally let the tears flow. Keanu didn't say a word, he just sat there, a comforting presence in the midst of chaos.

After a while, when my tears subsided, Keanu spoke, "You know, crying doesn't make you weak. It just means you're dealing with things in your own way."

I managed a weak smile, appreciating the understanding he offered. The reality of the situation still hung in the air, but a glimmer of clarity emerged from the emotional storm. Gumaan na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon nang mailabas ko na ang mga luha ko. Nabawasan kahit paano ang sakit sa puso ko.

"I can't let this define me," I said, more to myself than to Keanu. "I need to confront this and find a way to make things right."

May sumilay na ngiti sa labi ni Keanu. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at inabot ang isang strawberry milk sa akin. Nagulat ako sa biglang paglitaw ng strawberry milk. Sa pagkakatanda ko, naiwan ito sa counter. Paano niya ito nakuha?

"I secretly took one strawberry milk when you weren't looking," he answered, as if he had read my mind.

Natawa ko sa sinabi nito. May future pala ang fuck boy na 'to bilang isang magnanakaw. Siya pala talaga ang tunay na magnanakaw at hindi ang ninakaw. Sa kan'ya pala talaga ang role na robber at hindi sa akin o doon sa isa na hindi ko kilala.