Breakthroughs within Barriers (Youth Series #4)

41

#BWB41

"Mommy."

Bumalik lang ako sa realidad noong tinawag ako ng anak ko. Tumingin ako sa kanya at napakurap-kurap.

Her brows were furrowed while studying my face. She looks confused.

"Why mommy?"

My lips parted. I looked back at my phone and saw a different news article. I scrolled to find the video again but it was gone. It disappeared.

Hindi ko alam kung namamalikmata lang ba ako o napaparanoid pero nakita iyon ng mga mata ko.

I gulped. "Nothing princess," I forced a smile at her

Then she diverted her gaze to the TV. Nanlaki ang mata niya sa tuwa. "That's Tito Ross!" she squealed and stood up from the sofa

I looked at TV and saw that Ross was being interviewed by some reporters about the dating rumors. He was being mobbed. I saw there were pictures of us posted in the internet. They were curious of the woman he's dating. Some of his fans were mad about it. It's either they're obsessed with Ross and want him single or they're shipping him with his fellow actresses.

"Is that you mommy?" my daughter asked

Because of people's curiosity, they tried to find the identity of the woman. And I was surprised how fast they found me. Some people actually recognized me despite my inactiveness in social media.

My body froze on the spot. I took the remote control beside me and turned off the TV. Napalingon sa'kin si Aurora.

"Why did you turn it off mommy? I want to watch." Malungkot siyang tumingin sa'kin

I licked my lips to ease my nervousness. "Uh, you c-can watch something else." I turned the TV again and switched it to cartoons. Her sadness went away and it was replaced by joy when she saw her favorite disney princess.

Tumayo naman ako at hinayaan siyang manood sa living room. I went to our room and shut the door. Umupo ako sa dulo ng kama.

I began to overthink. I was anxious if people find my identity. Dumating na nga ang araw na kinakatakutan ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon ng mga tao. It's been years since I've been silent about the issue to prioritize my mental peace. It's been years since people talk about me on social media. Hindi na ako sanay.

I shut my eyes and remind myself to calm down. My loud thoughts diminished when my phone suddenly rang. I startled. I look at my phone and saw that my sister is calling me. I answered it.

"Hello Ate?"

"Tori. I saw you on the news this morning. Ano itong dating rumors na kumakalat sa inyo ni Ross?"

I gulped. "Don't believe it Ate. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit...nagkaron ng ganyan."

"Are you home? I'm on my way to your apartment. Malapit na ako."

I bit my lips. "Yeah. I'm home."

"Alright. Hintayin mo ko," sabi niya at binaba na ang tawag

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay lumabas na ako ng kwarto. Sakto ay biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Dumiretso ako roon at binuksan iyon. Tumambad sa harapan ko si Ate. Agad siyang pumasok.

"Are you okay Tori?" she worriedly asked and hugged me

"Okay lang. Uhm, nagulat lang ako noong nalaman ko yung tungkol sa'min ni Ross. I'm not dating him Ate."

Kumalas siya sa yakap. "I was surprised too, that's why I immediately called you to check up on you. Ayokong biglang ma-trigger ka sa past mo."

She carefully studied my face. Punong puno ng pag-alala ang mukha niya.