The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4
"Millions"

I am not quite sure when did I started hating Aris, I mean, not the childish kind of hate. Siguro noong unti-unti ko nang nakikita at naiintindihan ang koneksyon nila ni Papa, na hindi ko makita sa amin. It's when I felt like Aris is more important to him than me, his daughter. Pangalawa lang ako. At mananatiling ganoon kung hindi ko mahihigitan si Aris.

We silently walk back to the house nang mapansin niyang giniginaw na ako. Akala ko dito siya matutulog bago tumulak sa LA. But Aris left the house pagkatapos niya akong ihatid sa pinto ng kwarto ko. He didn't tell me kung kailan ang balik nila ng Pilipinas o kung darating ba siya sa birthday ko. I didn't ask, too.

Nang dumating ang umaga, nalaman ko na lang na nakaalis na sila nang mag-send siya ng picture na nasa Changi Airport siya. I didn't reply, tho. I don't really reply most of the time, lalo na kung hindi naman kailangan ng tugon.

Pumasok ako ng school. Most of my girl classmates were talking about their look and dresses for my upcoming birthday. I am certain they don't care about my birthday, ang tanging concern nila ay mga itsura nila at porma sa gaganaping party; how they will impress other people. On the other hand, boys remained usual. No care. Ang mahalaga ay makasuot ng matinong damit. Well, maliban na lang sa iilang vain at gustong magpasikat.

"So how's the preparations?" tanong ni Arth patungkol sa party ko na ngayong Biyernes na ng gabi. After we had our lunch we stayed in the students' lounge. There is a huge space with couches and mats here in the school. Students can sleep or do what they want with their free time here.

"Done." I shrugged my shoulder. Mabilis ko lang siyang sinulyapan. Nagbabasa siya ng review notes niya para sa quiz nila mamaya. Naalala ko tuloy na may quiz din kami, but I don't feel like studying or scanning my books. Anyway, I have done it last day. Wala akong motivation to study more. In fact, I was up in the last nights doing nothing.

"Hindi pumayag si Ham maging escort mo?"

"What's surprising?" I said nonchalantly. I am not mad or disappointed. Hindi naman ako napahiya. Kung iyon ang tingin ng iba. Bago ko pa man siya ayain alam ko namang hihindi siya. It's not his thing. Swerte na nga kung pupunta siya.

Tipid siyang tumawa.

Pumikit na lang ako at hinayaan si Arth na magpatuloy sa pagri-review niya. Ten minutes before the start of the afternoon class, pumasok na kami sa kanya-kanyang classrooms.

Nalaman ko na kotse ang regalo ni Papa kay Aris. I overheard my mother and father talking a bit tungkol do'n. It immediately spread bitterness inside me. And here I am, he won't even let me learn how to drive. Hindi raw safe, at may driver naman kung ang concern ko ay transportation kapag nag-college na ako. Hindi nga naman issue kay Papa ang magpasahod ng driver kahit dalawa pa at sabay!

I tried to shrug my thoughts. Hindi ko pa naman alam ano ang regalo niya sa akin. I hope it's not another cliché fancy thing. And maybe he'd finally consider me getting involved in the company's activities. I can easily adapt and learn. I hope he sees and realized that. I can do what Aris can. And I can be better than him.

Kailangan kong pumunta sa boutique para sa huling sukat ng damit ko. Mag-isa ako dahil abala si Lola. Dadalo siya ng party. Hindi na ako nagpasama kay Mama dahil andyan si Ludrig. She can't leave him in the house. At kung dadalhin naman masyado nang hassle.

"Yes, La. I am here na po. Kararating lang."

Lola checked on me. Hindi pa yata siya nakakaalis sa pupuntahang pagtitipon.

"Alright, take pictures, please. Send it to me."

"Okay po."

"I'll hang up now. I have to go."