Hello, Ligaya (Sining Series #1)

Chapter 27

Joaquin

"You're drinking again." I tried to open my eyes when a familiar voice lured my ears. Adie. Both of my eyelids are getting heavier and heavier.

"None of your business." Tipid kong sagot, at sinubukang gisingin ang sarili. I asked Benjamin if he could pick me up, hindi ko na kasi kayang magmaneho ng lagay ko na 'to.

Max also offered but I refused, marami na kaming ginagawa ngayon dadag-dag pa ba ako sa intindihin niya? I'm down bad these days, I want to tell Saoirse but she's been through enough. I have my reasons why I am not letting myself be vulnerable when I'm with her.

Consequences.

My Lolo was right, I am no different. Masasaktan si Ligaya kapag nalaman n'ya na Mistress ng Dad n'ya ang Auntie ko. She would think I just used her, or worst followed my Auntie's footsteps in ruining her life. I could never do that.

Mahal ko si Ligaya. Sobra-sobra pa sa iniisip niya, wala siyang ideya kung gaano ko siya gustong kasama palagi.

Pakiramdam ko ay palagi akong panatag kapag kasama ko siya. My sanity is restored, my heart is beating again, all my thoughts would shut up when I'm with her. I would even forget to take that stupid medicine when I'm with her. She's my escape. She's all that keeps me going.

This time is not ready for our love.

Kung mayroon mang masasaktan sa aming dalawa sa dulo, it should be me. Loving is really like this for me huh, I always put myself in the worst situation I could possibly be in.

Everyday I feel like dying. Last night, Lolo announced in the dinner table that he'll be stepping down and put the company's welfare on my name once I had the degree with my bare hands. I could just run away right? with her?

"Hey!" I snapped out of it when Adie called for my attention, just like before.

"What are you even doing here?" I said, never want to meet her eyes.

"I was just dropping by to Sage's, naisip kong pumunta rito. There, I saw you. How's your case?" She asked. I squeezed both of my eyes shut.

"Lolo handled it."

"Then you must repay him." Natigilan ako nang sabihin niya iyon. It's not even sarcasm but a reality that slaps me every damn time. That is when I realized him stepping down and passing the company to me is the exchange for handling everything.

So ganoon nalang siguro iyon no? lahat ng bagay sa kaniya ay may kapalit. Even his own family is just a stupid exchange for his success.

He's treating his own family like a business. He's sick in the head. Fuck him!

Mariin kong hinawakan ang baso at tumawag pa ng isa.

"Sage and I broke up." Sambit ni Adie. Kunot noo ko siyang binalingan ng tingin.

"Good for you." Tipid kong tugon at tinanungan ang bar tender. Kakaiba ang titig nito sa akin. Perhaps I knew him. And he knew I quit drinking long time ago.

"He's nothing like you." She softly said as if she's trying to prove a point. It's pointless.

"I don't think I need to hear that." Tipid ko muling tugon bago tunggain ang baso. I quickly stood up to gather myself but the sound of my heartbeat started creeping through my ears. I felt dizzy for a moment.