Her Full-Time Apricity

Chapter 15: Catalyst

Chapter 15: Catalyst

Daddy’s words kept ringing not only in my ear, and unfortunately even in my mind.

Parang kahit anong kilos ko naririnig ko pa rin yung pinagsasabi niya.

I tightened my hug around myself before letting out a heavy sigh, making Kyle throw me another glance for the nth time. “Sorry...” I muttered and he smiled, a concerning one at me. “Your Dad will come around.” He said, trying to make things feel lighter. But I know better, kaya napairap lamang ako sa kanya.

Kyle continued driving as he also hums together with the music playing.

December 27th and it’s already my fourth night here at Green Hills.

Pinagpaalam kasi ako ni Kyle at Lauren kila Mommy, those two really wanted to drag me out of our house for this year’s Christmas.

Making them a duo isn’t always a good idea.

Looking back at the day when they both convinced my parents through a video call, all I can say to describe them two was utter stubbornness. Hindi nila tinantanan sila Mommy hangga’t hindi nila napapapayag yung mga magulang ko.

Buti na lang talaga my parents are nice towards other people.

Ako lang ata yung natakot para sa magpinsan no’ng gabing ‘yon.

On the brighter side, it was really a nice experience to celebrate Christmas with the Fuentes’. It was like a breath of fresh air. Parang kahit normal na oras ng kain sa kanila, nagiging fiesta.

At first, I felt like a sore thumb; someone who can’t fit in to their lovely family. Lalo na’t iba’t-ibang yung pamilyang pinagmulan ko sa pamilya nila. But everyone treated me as their own. Even the old folks often checks on me, making sure I’m not being left behind. I guess their family is already a place for me where I do actually belong.

“Nessa?”

Kyle suddenly said to have my attention, making me turn my head at him. “We’re here, nakapasok na rin sila.” He said, already unbuckling my seatbelt for me. “Was I spacing out that bad?” I asked as we walked side by side towards the club’s entrance.

“Oo eh, pero okay lang ‘yan. Willing naman akong maghintay do’n sa sasakyan hanggang sa hindi ka na nakatulala.” Kyle chuckled at napairap na lamang ulit ako.

When we got inside, I immediately had to squint and use my hand to shield my eyes. Halos sa direksyon kasi namin nakatutuok ang isang strobe light. Pero napatingala naman agad ako nang tumayo sa mismong harap ko si Kyle, providing me shade, shielding me from the blinding lights.

He held his head higher, scanning the area, “Ayon sila, tara na baka hindi tayo order-an ng snacks.” He said, already pulling me by my hand.

As we pass through the crowd, Kyle kept throwing me glances. “Dude look ahead, baka makabangga ka.” Sita ko naman sa kanya.

“Baka kasi nasasanggi ka.”

He said with a higher voice so that we could hear each other.

Para namang may magagawa siya kung nasasanggi nga ako.

Napailing na lamang ako dahil sa kanya.

Nang makalapit kami sa table ng mga kaibigan namin, a familiar person immediately approached me. “Hala ang ganda mo talaga, Ate Vanessa!” Chlowie cheered, Nexon’s girlfriend who came home from London.

I slightly grunted when she even hugged me.

Mind you, this is the first time I met her in flesh.

Now I get it why EJ mentioned that she’s the one closest to Rei. Halos tulad na tulad sila ng energy level. Level na ‘di ko kayang ma-achieve. When Chlowie freed from our hug, she suddenly smiled at me as she takes a couple glances at Kyle.