Tough & Classy

Chapter 30

Chapter 30:  "And all the voices surrounding us here just they just fade out when you take a breath. Just say the word and I'll disappear into wilderness. Should be the last thing I see, I want you to know it's enough for me. Cause all that you are is all that I ever need." Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran

"Bubbs?"

All the frustration and exhaustion I've been bottling up this whole week from moving in to my own condo unit and living independently, just poured out all of a sudden upon opening the door and seeing Chester after a week of him being away owing to the project in Cebu that he was assigned to oversee as part of his training.

"Bubbs, what's the matter?" I ran to him, and wept into his arms. "Hey. You're making me worried. What happened?"

Lalo lang akong sumiksik sa kanya at yumakap ng mahigpit. He stroked my back and comforted me in his own way. After a solid five-minute weeping, I let go at last and let him lead me to the couch. 

He wiped my tears with a frown on his face. "Now, could you tell me what happened?"

"It's just that.. I have a lot on my plate. Tapos I feel so exhausted from moving, and organizing my stuff. There's the cleaning and washing pa." I sniffed. "I never thought living independently would be so difficult! And then grandpa wants me to live within my means! Naka-limit na yung allowance ko! How am I suppose to survive, Bubbs!"

All of us in the Imperial clan have to live independently when we reach the age of 18 or at least before we graduate from college in order for us to grow as a person. It was a rule made by Lolo Camilo, and no one in the family can go against that. 

I was ecstatic when Lolo Camilo talked to me about moving out of his house and living in one of the units in the lavish Imperial condo building. I thought it was gonna be easy because Kuya Clyde and Clint seem to enjoy having their own space, just like my other cousins. 

Hence, how the hell was I suppose to know that it would be this hard! I only realized what Lolo Camilo meant about living independently the moment I moved out: No helpers, driver, or cook! Consequently, I have to wash the dishes, my own clothes, and clean the unit all by myself which I had never done my whole life!

But what takes the cake is the fact that Lolo set my budget for the whole month! I'm not allowed to go beyond it by even a peso or else he will decrease my allowance! And I can't even ask my parents for help. 

The only consolation I have is that I don't need to pay for my bills- at least, while I'm still in college. After graduating though, I'm totally on my own. And just the mere thought of shouldering all the expenses after graduating gives me a shudder!

"Have you had dinner?" 

I burst into tears again. "I'm sick and tired of eating fast food! I can't even afford to buy myself a nice dinner! I don't wanna be independent anymore! It's so mahirap, Bubbs!"

He sighed and pulled me to sit on his lap as he comforted me. Sumiksik ako sa leeg niya. "It's gonna get easier, Bubbs. Don't worry about it. Did you organize your unit on your own?" He looked around.

I shook my head. "My cousins and our friends helped me. But most of my clothes are still in my luggage pa. It's so madami! I don't even know how to fold my clothes properly!"

He stroked my back and kissed my head. "I'll order dinner for us. What would you like to eat?"

Chester proved to be my knight in shining armor; He ordered my favorite dish, set the table, then washed all the dishes after. To be fair, I insisted on helping him, but he just said that I had broken enough plates and glasses.