Forbidden Affair

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Get up, Vielle. Mag-impake ka na." My mom suddenly slammed my door open.

Hindi ako nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. "Ayokong sumama, Ma. Kayo na lang."

I'm still busy memorizing here, and I have no plans to have an early vacation. Besides, isang gabi lang naman siguro ipagdadaos ang pasko, 'di ba? I'll celebrate it next year.

I heard her take a deep breath. "We patiently waited for your vacation, Elle. Take a break from studies and spend Christmas with us."

Dito na ako nag-angat ng tingin. My mom's pleading eyes were really persuading me to come with them. "Isang taon na lang, Ma. Next year, graduate na ako. Sa bagong taon na lang siguro ako, Ma. Hahabol ako."

"No." She shook her head. "Your brother is looking for you, and he wants to see you."

Otomatiko akong natigilan sa paglilipat-lipat ng pahina sa binabasa kong libro. I lifted my gaze at her and saw how serious she was. Napabuntong-hininga ako at muling nagbaba ng tingin sa libro.

"Just tell him I can't come, Ma. I still need to finish some projects. At isa pa, I'm running as suma-cum laude. It's his condition for me. Siguro naman ay papayag na siyang hindi ako sumama." I looked at her. "I promise, this will be the last Christmas I'm not gonna spend with you. Babawi ako sa susunod na taon."

My mother looked at me and smiled. "Sige, sasabihin ko na lang 'yan sa kuya mo. Take a break and relax sometimes, Elle. No night outs, okay?"

Hindi ko maiwasang mapairap. Seriously? Matagal na akong tumigil sa night-outs na 'yan magmula nang ma-grounded ako nang ilang buwan. My brother was that strict. He even threatened to lock down my school if they didn't make follow-ups about my studies. That manipulative jerk. So full of himself. Porket siya na ang may hawak ng lahat ng kayamanan ng mga Martinez.

"I already refrained from night-outs, ma," I retorted.

Nginitian lang ako ni Mama at nagpaalam na mag-eempake na siya. Laking pasalamat ko na lang din para makapag-memorize ako na walang ingay. I need to memorize this. Marami pa akong kailangang tapusin, and I only have two weeks to finish it all. Kaya wala akong oras para maipagdiriwang ang pasko.

Nangunot ang noo ko nang mag-vibrate ang aking cellphone sa gilid ng aking geography book. I picked up my phone to see who the caller was. At mas lalong nangunot ang aking noo nang mapagtanto kong hindi ko kilala ang numero ng tumatawag.

"Hello?" I answered, finally getting up from lying on my bed. "This is Vielle Martinez, speaking. Who's this?"

But what I only heard was breathing. Moments later, the caller ended the call. Nagtataka kong tinignan ang aking screen at napamulagat nang may mensaheng lumitaw sa aking notification panel. I immediately swiped it open.

Unknown:

Bring your homework here in Bora. Spend this Christmas with us, Diana.

Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Kahit na walang pasabi kung sino ang nagmensahe sa 'kin, I know who it was. Isang tao lang naman ang tumatawag sa akin ng Diana.

And that's my brother, Daze Jaden.

Wala sa sarili kong ibinagsak ang aking katawan sa kama at napatulala sa kisame ng aking silid. My phone is in my right hand, while my left hand is holding my chest that was pounding so fast.

Bakit niya ba ako gustong pumunta?

--

"I thought you won't come?" takang tanong ni Mama nang mapansin niyang may bitbit akong dalawang maleta.