Unbind the Strings

Twenty

I looked back and saw him slowly walking away from me. I needed his comfort but he also made me feel like this somehow. I should stand my guard and stay still until the truth comes out. I still can't process everything that happened. 

"I want to talk to her! Just let me!" I heard a loud voice from the outside of my Mom's room. 

I went to check who's making noise and saw her trying to escape the guard's grip. Kahit kailan talaga hindi na siya natuto. Hanggang ngayon ginugulo parin ako. 

"Ano na namang ginagawa mo ditong animal ka?" I asked her, raising my brows. 

"Hi Cali!" she tried to kiss my cheeks but I quickly avoided it. "Sungit! Akala ko ba you're my friend?" she said while frowning.

"Friendly but not your friend, though." I clearly asked her, giving her a serious and deceiving look.

"You're trying to be a bitch, huh?" she faked a smile.

"Ano bang kailangan mo? Stop pretending that we're close even though you knew so well that we're not." I smiled back.

"I was looking for Jay, eh. Maybe he stopped by here. Nakita mo ba siya?" she asked habang paikot-ikot ang tingin sa loob ng kwarto.

"Mukha ba akong lost and found? Bakit dito mo hinahanap? Wala siya rito, umalis ka na." I was about to turn around and go inside the room when she said something rude that made me change my mind.

"Pasalamat ka nga buhay pa Mommy, eh." I clenched my fist, pursed my lips, and tried to control my anger.

"What did you just say?" I raised my eyebrows looking straight at her.

"Wala! Ilabas mo na si Jay, baka you're just hiding him." she rolled her eyes on me.

"Bakit ko naman itatago sayo si Jay? Iyo na yang Jay mo. Mag sama kayo." I tried closing the door but she won't stop bugging me.

"Aw! Really? You're giving him to me already?" she looked like a puppy who just received a treat.

"Asa ka naman. Ang akin, akin lang. Maghanap ka ng sarili mo, nakikiagaw ka." I also rolled my eyes at her.

"Kung ako sayo, ibigay mo nalang siya sa 'kin. Kung gusto mo pa mabuhay mommy mo." she smirked and looked at me from head to toe. 

"What does my Mom have to do with him? As far as I know, ako 'yung anak niya, hindi si Jay."

"Uh, okay. I'm just giving you a choice," she said while looking at her nails.

"Anong choice?" I asked her. 

"Break up with Jay or I will let my Mom heal your Mom.  Choose wisely, dear."

"Ang gago mo." I tried to stop my tears from falling but it seems like I can't help it.

"Alam ko." she winked at me before pursing her lips. "Pasalamat ka nga hindi pa namatay."

"Eh kung ikaw kaya patayin ko, tangina ka." I can't help but to sound so mad. It's my mother we're talking about.

"Sorry, dear. I have to get what's mine. Sorry if I had to do some dirty tricks." tiningnan niya ako na parang nananakot.