Embracing Tomorrow

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

I lightly dabbed the blush brush onto my face. This is it. Today's the day na magkikita kami ni Dominic. I was surprised na tinanggap niya pala ang project. And damn, that made me the happiest girl in the world!

I put on lip tint lightly and smiled in front of my mirror. So pretty!

Biglang may kumatok sa door ko kaya binuksan ko 'yon. And to my surprise, it's Ate Ara!

"Ate! You're here!" I hugged her so tightly.

"OA ha," She laughed. "1 week lang ako wala."

Ate Ara has a dorm na malapit lang sa work niya kaya once a week lang siya umuuwi dito sa bahay.

"Oh? May lakad ka?"

"Uhh, may bago po kasi akong project," I said shyly. I'm never confident with my work.

"What?! OMG! Congrats, Val!" I got shy when she said that. Nakakahiya!

Nandito na ako sa pinag-usapan namin na lugar ni Dominic. We're here at The Velvet Brew, a famous café here in Luzvella City. He picked this because ang nililigawan niya ang nagmamay-ari nito. Haha, okay lang.

I ordered a coffee and waited for him. After a couple of minutes, he arrived.

"Hi, sorry, na traffic lang," Sabi niya. Pinagmasdan ko siya, grabe ang daming pinagbago sa kanya. He's much more handsome now; his muscles are bigger, his hair, everything. "Val?"

"Oh, sorry. S-so when natin sisimulan itong project?" I want to punch myself because I stuttered. Shocks! Baka mahalata niya na baliw na baliw pa rin ako sa kanya.

"Hmm, did you start sketching the house na?" He asked, looking at me plainly. Yep, hindi na siya si Dominic na in love na in love sa akin.

"Yeah, Ms. Camilla also sent me some specifications she wants in her house," Sabi ko at inilabas ang sketch ko. Tumatango-tango lang siya at pinag-aralan ang aking sketch.

I can't take my eyes off him. I really miss him.

"Can you stop?" He asked without looking at me. FUCK!

"W-what?" Wala sa sarili kong sagot. Ang bobo ko!

"Stop staring, Valentina. My girl is here, and it is making her uncomfortable. Remember that I'm here because of this project," He said coldly. That stabbed my heart many times. Ouch.

"Wala na ba talaga, Dominic?" Mahina kong tanong.

"What the hell are you talking about, Valentina? We're done years ago. Move on, fucker," Me answered disgustedly. That was my last straw, and a tear fell. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, "Iiyak ka na naman? Hindi ka pa tapos sa sakit mo? Good for you."

I wiped the tears from my face. "D-dom, I'm going to go now. K-keep the sketch. I'll just email you if may changes," I said without looking at him.

Lumabas kaagad ako sa café, at doon bumuhos ang mga luha ko. Ang sakit niyang magsalita, parang hindi niya ako mahal noon. Pumasok ako sa kotse at tinawagan si Ate Ara. I need emotional support.

Nakailang ring na, but Ate Ara didn't answer. I guess she's busy. Okay, time for Plan B. Inhale, Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Nung okay na ako, I drove to a different café. I want to be at peace. And I'm in peace when I'm in a café. Pumunta ako sa go-to café ko, and it's The Enchanted Cup. Ipinark ko ang sasakyan ko sa parking lot and pumunta sa loob. I put on my earphones and got my phone.

Mabigat pa rin ang dibdib ko kaya nag-inhale exhale pa rin ako. Kinuha ko ang sketch pad ko and nag-sketch nalang sa bahay ni Ms. Camilla; madami pang errors yung binigay ko kay Dom kaya aayusin ko at isesend nalang mamaya sa email.

After 1 hour, I was getting ready to go out when a man approached me.

"Hi, Miss. Are you okay? I observed you earlier, and I happen to be a psychiatrist, so I know when someone is not okay," He said softly. Because of his question, bumigat nanaman ang pakiramdam ko. Yung feeling na nakalimutan mo na sana yung nangyari, pero may nagtanong sayo kaya nag-flashback muli. "If you're not comfortable talking here, feel free to visit someone who can help you. Have a good day," He said and smiled sweetly. That melted my heart. Feels good to have someone na is not against you.

"Thank you po," Yan lang ang tanging nasagot ko at umalis na siya.

Umalis na din ako at umuwi na. Nang mauwi ako, si Manang Flora lang nasa bahay.

"Manang? Nasaan po sina Mom and Dad?" Magalang na tanong ko."Ah Val, si Mom mo nasa kaibigan niya. Si Dad mo naman nasa trabaho pa." Tumango nalang ako at umakyat na sa room ko.

I don't know, I feel happy na wala sina Mom and Dad sa bahay. At dahil wala sila, naisipan kong pumunta sa malapit na park dito sa amin. Fuck, I'm so happy suddenly. I think it's because of my disorder, haha.

Walking distance lang ang park, kaya nung nasa park na ako, umupo ako sa isang bench at nakita ko muli ang psychiatrist. Hindi ako lumapit dahil hindi naman kami close. Pinagmasdan ko lang siya at ang lungkot ng mga mata niya. Parang may malaking pinagdaanan. I didn't mind him nalang and enjoyed myself sa park. I'm always the happiest when I'm alone. But the saddest when I'm with my parents.

Kumain ako sa restaurant malapit and enjoyed myself with the expensive food there. Good day to be rich.

I then remembered the happenings earlier. Fuck, I'm getting sad again. Hindi ko natapos ang kinakain ko dahil sa bigat ng nararamdaman ko. Umuwi nalang ako at nagdasal na sana wala pa sina Mom and Dad sa bahay.

But, I guess the Lord has other plans for me. Nasa gate pa lang ako, naririnig ko na ang mga boses nila Mom and Dad na nag-aaway.

"Putangina, Cyrus. Paubos na ang meds ng anak mo! Mauubos pera natin nyan!" Malditang sabi ni Mom.

"Celeste, hinaan mo boses mo. Maririnig ka ni Manang Flor," Kalmadong sabi ni Daddy.

"Ano naman?! Totoo naman ah?! Palala ng palala ang sakit ng anak nyo ni Isadora!" Galit na sigaw ni Mom. What? Ninang Isadora?

"Tumahimik ka na, Celeste!"

"Ano ha?! Ayaw mo marinig na anak nyo yan ni Isadora?! Na niloloko nyo pala ako?! Tapos ako ang pinababantay nyo sa anak nyo?! Anak nyo na may bipolar disorder?! Putangina naman, Cyrus, dagdag gastos lang si Valentina!"

Hindi ko na pinatapos ang mga sigawan nila at pumasok na ako sa bahay. Gulat ang mga mata ni Dad, samantalang si Mom naman ay galit na galit ang mata.

Umiiyak ako na papunta sa kwarto ko at nilock ang pinto.

Kaya pala galit na galit sa akin si Mom. Anak pala ako sa labas...

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Contains errors ;)
sweethannie_