Night Life in Tokyo

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

As soon as I got back in the Philippines, everything changed. Hindi ako mapakali. Hindi ako mapanatag. The only thing I care about was Trent and I can't do a thing para sabihin sa kanya na hindi na niya ako kailangang hintayin pa. What I did could result to being banned from the country as I breached the stated contract to what I signed for Trent.

It hurt me, really, pero wala akong magagawa kung hindi ang tanggapin na lang ang mga nangyari.

I looked at the mirror, in my own bedroom, in the Mercondia mansion and it wasn't like home for me. Felt like it was cage rather than my safe space. But who am I to disrespect the house I've been living for half of my life? Even though no one wanted me, this four-cornered wall became my sanctum.

Mayamaya lamang ay may kumatok sa pinto. When I spoke so they can open the car and then Kuya Welbourne peaked his head and smiled at me.

"Dinner's ready, Seila," anunsyo niyo.

"I'll be out in a sec," aniko.

"Sure. I might wait you just out here," he said and then closed the door.

I fished my hair at itinali ko iyon. Isang malalim naman ang pinakawalan ko bago ako tumayo at lumabas ng pinto. Nakaabang naman si kuya at sabay na kaming tumungo pababa patungo sa dining area.

I was quiet, wasn't in the mood to talk or anything. Kagabi lamang ay nasa Tokyo pa ako at kasama ko si Trent. Ang bilis lamang ng mga pangyayari at ngayon ay nasa Pilipinas na muli ako. Isang araw na ang nakakalipas and I'm not even turning my phone on dahil ayokong makatanggap ng mga mensahe sa mga taong nakilala ko ro'n. I just don't know how to explain them my situation.

"Alam mo nang gagawin, Seila, ha?" pagpapaalala nito sa akin. Tumango na lamang ako. "You know, what happened wasn't a bad thing. I think it was the best thing for you to do."

"Best thing to do..." I mumbled. "Copy, kuya."

Tinapik naman niya ako sa balikat. Tumango na lamang muli just to confirm na susundin ko ang payo nila sa akin This is the reason why everything I will do ay mababalewala and that's fine—not really.

When we finally reached the dining area ay naroon na si Kuya Nico. I showed a smile pero nawala rin agad iyon nang sumama na ako sa table. Tumabi ako sa tabi ni Kuya Nico at sa kaliwa ko naman ay si Kuya Welbourne. Tinorehan nila ako pero alam kong binabantayan lamang nila ako. Maybe they cared dahil kapag nalaman ng parents kong nagpunta ako ng Japan nang walang pasabi ay ikasasama ko pa.

"You know what to do, Seila?" pagpapaalala rin ni Kuya Nico sa akin.

Tumango naman ako sa kanya. Everything is in place. Naka-muestra na ang lahat pati ang mga sasabihin ko. It's like my whole life was I'm pursuing an acting career and I'm so over with it. Akala ko ang pag-alis ko sa Japan ay siyang magiging sign para magkaroon ako ng bagong buhay, pero may mga bagay nga talagang mahirap takasan kahit paulit-ulit na gawin.

And why I didn't stop my brothers from getting me back here? There would only be one answer to it. My brothers are total manipulators so whether I follow them or not, I'm still gonna be the bad one.

Tinapik ni Kuya Nico ang balikat ko at ilang saglit lang din naman ay dumating na ang parents namin. We stood on our feet to meet and give them hugs and kisses. My mom actually surprised to see me here after a month away—it was supposed to be six months—possibly two years if Fredrick didn't rat me out to my brothers.

"Good to see you here, Lav," mom said, fixing the table napkin on her lap.

I faked a smile. "It's nice to be back."