Sunset Of Hope [ UNDER REVISION ]

CHAPTER 1

"KIM! Tara na." tawag sa'kin ng kaibigan ko, na nagpabalik sa akin sa realidad.

"Huh?" I replied, feeling a bit disoriented. She just smirked.

"You're really spacing out. What's going on in that head of yours?" she teased, and our other friends laughed.

"Or maybe it's more about who she's thinking about." sabi naman ni Sab with a mischievous grin pa.

"Nothing, honestly." I said, trying to laugh it off, but they exchanged glances and shrugged.

"Okay, if you say so." they replied, still laughing as we walked. I kept quiet, content to let them carry the conversation.

"You know, Kim, you should try having a boyfriend." Xyra suggested out of nowhere na siyang nagpangiwi at nanlukot ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya.

"Xy, I'm a study-first kind of girl you know." I answered, and she gave me a playful eye roll.

"Come on, don't push it, Xy. You know Kim isn't interested in that stuff." Elle said, chuckling as Xyra made a sound of disapproval.

"Maybe you're just waiting for someone special." she teased, but I shook my head firmly.

"wala no, really, I just want to focus on my studies. Boyfriends are just a distraction." I said, trying to sound convincing with a nod.

"Seriously?" Xyra laughed, but I pretended to be annoyed and said, "Alright, let's go home na you guys know too much."

AS soon as I walked into the house, I heard my father's familiar voice grumbling loudly. I sighed, ayan nanaman siya. It was always like this, I saw my mother quietly sitting nearby, looking exhausted and I approached her.

"Ma, mano po." magalang na saad ko, and she gave me a small nod, guiding her hand to my forehead.

"magpalit ka na, sobrang lasing nanaman ang papa mo. " she said softly. I glanced over at my father, who looked angry and restless, and sighed deeply.

"Alright, Ma." I replied and walk to my room, our house was not small or big but just big enough for our family. We weren't rich, but we had enough. My mom owns a stall sa bayan, and my dad...well, he doesn't work. Instead, he drinks most of the day.

In my room, I settled down with my books. I'm currently a second-year college student on a scholarship sa isang kilala at famous na university. I'm studying education and to be a future teacher someday, it's my dream and I'll do whatever it takes to graduate.

"Ate, oras na daw kakain na." rinig kong sabi ni Airah, my sister who ages 12years old. She called softly from outside my room and I smiled at her voice.

WHILE we were eating, my father began to complain loudly.

"eto lang ang pagkain? tanginang buhay 'to!" sigaw nito, he slamming his hand on the table, startling us all.

"ano bang problema mo, Carlos!?" my mother snapped back. I looked at my younger siblings, who were starting to tear up, kaya isa isa ko silang kinuha at iginaya papunta sa kwarto ko.

"Ate, bakit naging gano'n na si papa?" Airah asked, her voice is trembling already na as she clung to me. I hugged her and our younger brother, Renz, tightly.

"Shhh, I'm here. huwag na kayo mag alala." I whispered, trying to comfort them. But I couldn't help feeling anxious for my mother, who was still out there.

"I'll be right back, ha? lalabas lang ang ate, titingnan ko lang si mama hmm? " I said gently, but they shook their heads and held onto me even tighter.